CONTACT - Volume 10, Number 1
Undergraduate Program in Nursing
Connecting the Traditions of the Past to the Vision of the Future

Linda Perkel, Ph.D., RN
Associate Dean

2003 is the year that Barry University Division of Nursing celebrates its 50th anniversary. We reflect back and revel in the tradition of excellence that we have developed and maintained throughout this past half century. During this time we have made a significant contribution, with the undergraduate program, to the community and the nursing profession through the preparation of quality professional nurses who have graduated from our basic option, accelerated option, and RN to BSN option. We have always taken a progressive approach to our nursing programs, implementing the RN to BSN in 1978, one of the first accelerated programs in the country in 1983, and the RN to BSN to MSN in 1987.

As we think about and prepare for continuing to achieve these goals while at the same time assuring that our students are prepared for professional practice in the 21st century, it is important to consider the unique characteristics of a Barry education that have contributed, throughout our history, to our success. Without a doubt in my mind, this success is strongly linked to our mission and how we, as a school, live out that mission. Commitment to a quality education within a caring environment has a real life meaning in the Division of Nursing. It means that students are learning from experts in the nursing profession. These individuals, our faculty, are not only committed to nursing excellence but to teaching excellence. As a result, students enjoy access to faculty in ways that both enhances one's ability to succeed and enriches the educational experience.

Now, however, we are in the age of technology. Our society is rapid paced, and current and prospective students seek to achieve educational goals while at the same time balancing increasingly complex lives that may include children, work, and other familial obligations. Distance education is quickly emerging as a means to achieve desired educational outcomes in the context of today's life.

So, to once again address the needs of the nursing community, Barry University Division of Nursing is embarking on its newest endeavor, the implementation of our RN to BSN program "on-line". Beginning January 2004 we anticipate beginning our first group of RN to BSN students who will be enrolled in predominantly on-line courses. Program requirements as far as pre-requisites and nursing courses remain the same. The challenge is to provide the same quality education and interaction that our students have enjoyed throughout our history while using distance technology. Nursing faculty are excited and have been discussing and planning for this new venture. Our vision is to offer a distance program that still enables the student to have access to our nursing faculty and our campus. We anticipate that courses will have some mix of learning activities that include activities conducted on-line and some opportunities to learn while on campus.

I know that our Division of Nursing will rise to the challenges of the technological age and be successful in offering a quality education via distance technology while at the same time allowing the "Barry experience" to continue. Based on numerous conversations with our students and graduates, I am convinced that there is something special that attracts and retains a population of nurses as our students who are interested in the unique relationships between students and faculty in an atmosphere of excellence. I anticipate that this RN to BSN program on-line will be only one of many new innovations in our nursing programs that are envisioned to continue our traditions while launching us into the future.