2012-2013

News Release

REF NO.: 109

SUBJECT: New master’s level nurse practitioner program at Memorial University receives funding support from province

DATE: April 30, 2013

Memorial’s School of Nursing, in collaboration with the Centre for Nursing Studies (CNS) has launched a new nurse practitioner master’s program.
The master of nursing nurse practitioner program (MNNP) started up this past January, with significant funding support from the provincial government.
The province is investing approximately $3.6 million in the MNNP program over five years.
The program is offered through distance education. Currently, 16 students who live and work across the province are enrolled.
“I thank the provincial government for this investment in Memorial’s School of Nursing,” said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor of Memorial University. “This funding gives our faculty the tools they need to provide the most current, relevant and forward-looking educational opportunities that students need to take their place in an ever-changing society.”
Dr. Judith McFetridge-Durdle, dean of Memorial’s School of Nursing, pointed out that nurse practitioners are in demand across the country.
“The province’s investment is good for the health and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said Dr. McFetridge-Durdle. “The MNNP program responds to the need for more accessible health care across the province, particularly in rural areas.”
The two-year nurse practitioner program is being offered through Memorial in collaboration with the Centre for Nursing Studies. Over the past two years, faculty from the two sites worked together to develop curriculum for the new program.
Nursing practitioners typically work in acute care, community clinics, community hospital emergency departments, out-patient clinics, family physicians’ offices, long-term care facilities and remote nursing stations.
The province has more than 120 nurse practitioners working in urban and rural areas in a variety of heath care settings.
The master of nursing nurse practitioner program is one of two new graduate programs at Memorial’s School of Nursing. The other, a PhD in nursing, will begin this fall.

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