MESSAGE FROM CHARLOTTE PRICE - CHAIR OF NURSING AT AUGUSTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Good Day Y'All,

You may remember when we, the ASU Nursing Department, asked for your help in getting approval for the BSN program at ASU. You came through in a major way. Now, that the program is part of an unthinkable scenario, it seems like a pretty good time to reflect on how far we have come and to thank you for your support.

As Chair of the Nursing Program, I have remained silent, and it’s been difficult. When faced with difficult circumstances, I heard someone say, “Don’t say anything until you know what to say”.

Since 1967, Nursing has had a presence on the ASU campus. The program has an established and solid reputation in the community, has improved its retention rate significantly, increased its enrollment, and doubled the number of nursing graduates over a three year timeframe. I point this out because retention and graduation rates are critical measures for program success at ASU and at the University System of Georgia level.

The Office of the Dean of the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts and Sciences indicates that based on net contribution, the BSN program has a net contribution of (-46%) to the university. It is important to note that the BSN program is exactly one-half semester old. There are other educational units that have that have negative net contributions and some have a lesser net contribution than nursing.

 While there are departments that fare better with positive net contributions: Biology, Chemistry/Physics, and Psychology come to mind, it is significant to note that Nursing draws large numbers of students to ASU, and these pre-nursing students take core courses offered by these departments. Nursing is the second most popular major on campus (600 - 700 plus) majors.

Still, I have to admit that I am compelled to wonder if our Department’s efforts could possibly justify our Departmental FY 2010 budget of $1,100,058.00. Even if we add the offset of revenue gained through hospital grants (over $100,000 annually)for faculty salaries, that’s no small chunk of change.

So, is educating nursing students the Nursing Department’s only contribution to the university? Well, actually it isn’t. It is the Nursing Department that serves as the first point of triage for many who become ill on campus or just want an opinion about a health issue. It’s Nursing that provide health and wellness screenings and immunizations at no or a minimal cost to the ASU community. Nursing faculty are responsible members of the academy serving on university committees and maintaining collegial relationships with our peers.

ASU Nursing and pre-nursing students pay tuition. Our nursing students are also active on campus and in the community with ongoing service projects. Our graduates become registered nurses for the University’s service area. Most of our graduates remain in our community. It is our nursing graduates who are most likely to provide care for the citizens of this community from the point of birth through the final stages of life. Our graduates help us and those dear to us find care, comfort, and dignity through all stages of life. Nursing stands among those ASU professional disciplines whose graduates become immediate contributors to the tax base of their communities. Georgia is number 46 in the nation in terms of available RNs, the lack of available RNs is expected to become even greater during the next decade. ASU nursing graduates help the state address this dearth of registered nurses.

There are some things that you cannot put a price tag on, they are simply too priceless. If you have ever faced illness or had someone close to you do so, then you know that a well educated and caring nurse is one of the things you can’t quantify.

I have thought about it, and I ask that you to do the same. When you know what to say, say it.

Charlotte R. Price

Professor and Chair, Department of Nursing