The School of Nursing has received word that it has been approved by the Peace Corps as a Peace Corps Fellows program. This program is available to returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who pursue graduate studies in a variety of subject areas. More than 40 universities currently participate in this program, offering financial assistance to RPCVs, and opportunities for them to use the knowledge and skills they developed during their overseas service during their graduate work as they participate in service learning projects with underserved communities. Information about this program is available at the Peace Corps website at www.peacecorps.gov/fellows. A link to information about our specific program is at
http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whyvol.eduben.schools.school_detail&coll_prog_id=10330&ptc=F
Through this program, RPCVs will be able to apply to our new program that we initiated this summer for second degree students who are interested in a career in nursing: the Accelerated Master's in Nursing Pathway (AMNP) Clinical Nurse Leader program. The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a leader in the health and delivery system in all settings in which health care is delivered. The CNL assumes accountability for patient care outcomes through the application of evidence-based information to design, implement and evaluate patient care. Following program completion, graduates are eligible to sit for a national board certification as a CNL through the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The 2-year program will include a total of 1335 contact hours of classroom and clinical practicum work or 50 credits in the first year (31 didactic and 19 clinical practicum credits); and a total of 465 contact hours or 21 credits taken in the second year (12 didactic and 9 clinical practicum credits). At the end of the first year students are eligible to take the NCLEX nursing registration examination so that they can begin practice as a registered nurse. During the second year, students receive salary support for their participation in an academic nurse residency program at one of 37 institutions (including UAB Hospital) that are members of University Health Consortium (UHC).
A key component of the Fellows program involves partnering with community organizations to provide opportunities for students to address selected community or health problems through their clinical practicum experiences. Fellows will address two major health issues during these community experiences: reduction of health disparities, and addressing the nursing shortage.
The School of Nursing is honored to have been accepted as a Peace Corps Fellows program!