Building on its well-known and respected undergraduate BSN programs, EMU’s nursing department is launching a masters program in nursing leadership and management. The program is designed to prepare graduates to lead and collaborate in complex health care systems. The master’s level program offers a 24-month, 37-credit hour cohort model in which no more than 16 students work together and move through the program as a cohesive unit.

Dr. Ann Hershberger, coordinator of EMU’s new MS degree in nursing leadership program, reviews clinical experiences in local health organizations with nursing students. Photo by Jon Styer

“The EMU teaching framework includes approaches that are vital for nurse leaders and managers to bring about change within the systems in which they work,” noted Ann G. Hershberger, professor of nursing and program coordinator. “Approaches in the EMU philosophy include empowerment, reconciliation, partnership, presence, justice, service and advocacy.

“The overall goal is the creation of just systems through cultural competence, evidence based practice, conflict transformation, and enhanced communication,” Dr. Hershberger said. “Just systems are recognized by enhanced quality and patient safety.”

A ‘click and brick’ approach

The program will run fall, spring and summer semesters, with a teaching-learning approach known as “click and brick,” a combination of distance learning courses (“click”) and at least one face-to-face meeting (“brick”) each semester.

According to Hershberger, the program is designed for working nurses who need to maintain family commitments, stay in the same area and remain on the job while developing leadership and management skills and deepening scholarship.

“Professors will draw on EMU’s extensive experience in cross-cultural learning and the nursing department’s established reputation for educating nurses with high moral values, a broader view towards others, in depth communication skills and cultural competence,” she said.

“Students will gain from the expertise of entrepreneurial faculty in EMU’s other graduate programs in business and conflict transformation as they cultivate leadership skills and an effective voice; remaining mindful of what is just, respectful and sacred,” Hershberger added.

The MS in nursing leadership and management degree program began accepting applications Mar. 15. The first cohort begins Aug. 28, 2010. For more information, contact Joan Henry, 540-432-4983, email: msnursing@emu.edu or visit the website, www.emu.edu/msn-leadership

]]> /now/news/2007/emu-offering-leadership-seminars-in-new-year/ Tue, 27 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0000 http://www.emu.edu/blog/news/?p=1558
The seminars run from January 25 to April 25. Learn more…

EMU is offering a series of seven seminars designed to help persons sharpen their leadership and conflict management skills.

EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP), MA in business administration program and the Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP) have teamed up with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce and the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center to focus on topics ranging from negotiation skills for a “win-win outcome” to dealing with various personality types in the office.

The seminars will begin late January, meeting 9 a.m. for noon on seven Fridays in classroom 211/212 of the University Commons. (See campus map.)

‘People-Handling Skills’

“In my 30 years in business, I’ve noted that the vast majority of middle and senior managers are highly competent in their fields of expertise, but some lack the people-handling skills they need to be fully successful,” said Allon Lefever, director of EMU’s MBA program and entrepreneur. “This seminar series will offer practical help in this arena.”

“It’s been a wonderful opportunity for EMU to work more closely with organizations like the Chamber and SBDC to add the element of the ‘people-side’ of business to their existing and excellent array of services,” said Susan Landes Beck, a CJP administrator and initiator of the series. “With these joint efforts, the Valley has a practical package of training opportunities for local persons who want to grow in all areas of their leadership, business, entrepreneurship and management skills,” she added.

Costs, Schedule and Registration

The cost is $59 per seminar or $349 for the entire series, with a 10 percent discount for Chamber members.

Instructors are seasoned faculty members from EMU’s CJP, ADCP and STAR (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilence) programs as well as from James Madison University and the Wharton, Aldhizer and Weaver law firm.

The schedule follows:

• Jan. 25: Leading Healthy Organizations in a Changing Environment;
• Feb. 1: Building Your Business and Your Integrity;
• Feb. 22, Cultural Awareness Matters: Effective Communication in Today’ s Diverse Workplace;
• Feb. 29: Personality and Communication Styles at Work;
• Mar. 28, Practical Leadership: Using Your Style to Effectively Lead;
• Apr. 11: Transforming Conflict Among Team Members;
• Apr. 25: Negotiation Skills for Leaders.

Persons attending the entire series will receive a certificate in organizational leadership.

To register or for more information, visit http://www.emu.edu/seminarseries or call 540-432-4651 or e-mail pi@emu.edu.