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Message from the Dean
As the School celebrates the beginning of its second century, it also celebrates its innovations and eminence as a premier educational resource for aspiring nurse leaders. As with other health profession schools at Columbia, enrollment is limited to those who have already earned a baccalaureate degree, either in nursing for entrance to advanced practice education, or in another field for matriculation in the first professional degree. Registered nurses without a degree can be admitted to an honors program leading to the MS degree. The curriculum is accelerated and targeted at superior academic performers with firm career goals in the nursing profession The advanced practice program offers the MS degree in many clinical specialties, all providing eligibility for certification as a nurse practitioner, as well as dual certification for some as clinical nurse specialists. The PhD in Nursing program provides training in clinical research and health policy and requires a BS or MS degree in nursing for admission. The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a clinical doctorate for experienced Master's educated nurse practitioners. The faculty represent the very best in clinical competence and scholarly achievement.
Why Nursing
Nursing is in a well-earned position of ascendancy and recognition. Having proven clinical competency in the full scope of primary care and in the care of acutely ill patients, advanced practice nurses have gained broad legislative practice authority in every state. Always a valued career, nursing is now in a position to reaffirm its clinical value while researching ways to sustain quality while containing costs and increasing access. Especially for those underserved and uninsured, nursing has a central role to play in health care reform. Providing primary care, community-based services, disease prevention, and health promotion, practicing in underserved inner city and rural areas, and assuring patient understanding of therapy are all prominent and valuable activities at which nurses excel. As society recognizes the importance of high-level professional nursing practice, talented and forward-thinking individuals are increasingly attracted to the profession. Coinciding with society's expanded view of nursing is the development of scholarly nursing endeavors, as demonstrated by the increase in funding for nursing research over the past few years. Education in nursing provides an individual with opportunities for a challenging career with high-level authority and accountibility, and deeply gratifying personal rewards. Master's and doctoral degrees prepare nurses for leadership positions as clinical specialists, administrators, policy experts, researchers and clinicians, all of which are in high demand in today's health care environment.
Why Columbia?
Columbia University School of Nursing is part of one of the world's most renowned academic health centers. We are a close-knit and interactive group of four schools and three smaller independent programs: the Schools of Medicine, Dental and Oral Surgery, Public Health, and Nursing; and programs in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Human Nutrition. We are a neighborhood collaborating on research and clinical experiences, and sharing a vision for the future of health care in this country. The School of Nursing is proud of its 100+ year history of educating nursing leaders. It is internationally known and clinically unrivaled, and with recognition for excellence in research and curricular advancements. Recent contributions to the profession include the first universal faculty practice plan in a school of nursing, the first Endowed Nursing Chair in Health Policy and the first to be named a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Nursing Development in Advanced Practice.
Why Now?
Never has a career in nursing been so inviting. Advanced practice nurses are increasingly valued. Nursing leadership is critically needed. The practice of professional nursing is one of life's noblest careers, and the advancement of academic nursing and clinical excellence is the mission of this School. We invite you to be a participant in that mission.
Mary O' Neil Mundinger, DrPH
Dean and Centennial Professor in Health Policy