2/5/2008 10:46:00 AM 'Stars are aligned' for nursing school $3 million has been raised already as campaign begins
Dennis Meyer/Daily NewsDr. Harold Maurer, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, called the campaign to build a nursing school in Norfolk "a unique opportunity."
The campaign to raise $12.9 million to build a nursing school in Norfolk received a boost Tuesday morning when supporters gathered for the official kickoff of the fund drive.
"The stars are aligned . . . we have a unique opportunity," said Dr. Harold Maurer, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. "Things happen when that alignment occurs. This is an opportunity to do wonderful things for this community."
Despite the snowy weather, Maurer and a contingent from UNMC made it to the Lifelong Learning Center to participate in the kickoff ceremonies.
They joined local and area supporters who are committed to raising the money needed to construct and furnish a 35,000-square-foot building that will be located on land donated by Northeast Community College.
The building will house the College of Nursing Northern Division, which will be the University of Nebraska Medical Center's fifth nursing school and the only one in the northern portion of the state.
It also will house Northeast's current nursing division, which offers degrees in basic nurse aid, licensed practical nursing and an associate degree in nursing.
When completed, students, who in the past would have had to move or commute to another school outside of the area, will be able to earn to earn their bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees through UNMC and never leave the Norfolk area.
The proposed facility will serve 50 students studying for an associate degree in nursing, up to 48 studying for a bachelor's degree in nursing and 20 graduate-level students.
The school is needed, said Dr. Virginia Tilden, dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, because of the growing demand in Nebraska - and across the country - for nurses, not only bed-side nurses, but also nurses with advanced degrees who can teach.
"Our singular, present issue is the shortage of nurses," she said.
In fact, it is estimated that the country will need 350,000 nurses by 2020.
Here in Nebraska, the demand for registered nurses is expected to increase by 25 percent in the next 12 years.
The concept of creating a partnership between Northeast Community College and UNMC was conceived several years ago when Bob Driewer, former chief executive officer of Faith Regional Health Services, talked to state Sen. Mike Flood about the need for nurses in Northeast Nebraska.
Flood approached Northeast and UNMC officials with the idea of bringing a nursing division to Norfolk and the project blossomed into a partnership between the two schools.
Although Flood was unable to attend the event because of the weather, Dr. Bill Path, president of Northeast Community College, said Flood's vision is to provide educational opportunities for students who will, hopefully, stay in the area to work.
Although the public campaign is just beginning, Ron Stauffer, the campaign's general chairman, said $3 million already had been raised.
Plus, volunteers from around Northeast Nebraska have stepped up to help with the cause that Stauffer said has "staggering" potential.
"Someday, people will look back and say, 'This was a pivotal event for Northeast Nebraska,' " Maurer said.
