University of Alabama School of Nursing at UAB News

School of Nursing Faculty Named Tops in Nation for Scholarly Productivity

The School of Nursing has been ranked nationally as the top academic nursing department for faculty scholarly productivity. The Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index rates the scholarly output of faculty at nearly 7,300 doctoral programs in the United States spanning 104 fields of study. Considered for ranking are the number of journal articles and monographs published by faculty members in each program, as well as journal citations, honors, awards, and grants received. The index is partly financed by the State University of New York at Stony Brook and produced by Academic Analytics. The most recent index is based upon data from 2005.

Good Health Program Partnership with City Receives National Recognition

On January 16, in the Birmingham City Council Chambers, Dr. Michael Weaver, Dr. Kathy Brown, and the entire Good Health Team received a national award from the Wellness Corporation of America (WELLCOA) for their sustained program to keep Birmingham healthy. The award recognizes the School of Nursing’s longstanding partnership with the City of Birmingham to provide preventive health services for its municipal employees. The program exemplifies exceptional interdisciplinary team efforts between the City of Birmingham and the School of Nursing that have led to better health outcomes and considerable savings in overall health insurance premiums for the city.

SON Honors Students Wow Audience with Research Presentations

The SON participated in the Samford-UAB Undergraduate Nursing Research Day on December 4th, held at the Samford Center for the Healing Arts. Nineteen posters and verbal presentations were presented by the UAB Nursing Honors students. The presentations were outstanding, and our students received innumerable compliments on their work. Those presenting verbally received sustained applause from the packed auditorium.

Pictured above are the verbal presenters and their mentors. Thanks to Dr. Mary Umlauf (mentor to Mr. Jonathan Williams), Dr. Jacqueline Moss (mentor to Dr. Margot Andison), and Ms. Annette Reynolds (art therapist and resource to Ms. Sylvia Waweru) for their exceptional and encouraging work with these students. Thanks, too, to Beverly Hogan, Dorothea Poole, and other faculty who attended the event.

Overview of Coordinating and Executing Clinical Research
to be Offered Spring 2007

NUR 680Q, Coordination and Implementation of Clinical Research (NUR 680), is taught online each spring. This is an elective course that provides a background knowledge and a broad-based overview of the various aspects and issues associated with coordinating and executing clinical research, including overseeing, supervising, monitoring and evaluating.

Prerequisites for academic credit include a baccalaureate degree equivalent to a degree from UAB, and permission of instructor. Others who are currently serving as research coordinators may audit the course with permission of instructor. Honors students in baccalaureate program may enroll with permission of instructor during senior year of baccalaureate study.

Topics addressed in this course include historical overview of clinical research, good clinical practice and ethical guidelines, scientific integrity, types of clinical research, regulatory approval and the drug development process, data quality and monitoring, issues in site and team management, quality assurance, and participant adherence.

BSN Admission Process Change Announced

Starting with the Fall 2006 BSN admission class:

Admission decisions will be based on the applicant’s overall academic record and other factors.*
Admission decisions will be based on the applicant’s academic record and application at the time of the application deadline. Successful completion (“C” or above) of any remaining pre-nursing or other courses will satisfy the offer of admission. All grades (UAB and other colleges/universities) from previous terms must be posted on applicant’s UAB transcript by the application deadline.*
Applicants will receive an admissions decision a minimum of 3 weeks prior to the start of the semester for which they are applying.*

Starting with the Spring 2007 BSN admission class:

Application Deadline will be October 1, 2006 for Spring 2007 admission.
Completed medical clearance will be due by the application deadline.*
A resume, outlining health care interest/experience, campus/community involvement, leadership, employment, etc. will be due by the application deadline.*
Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide proof of work/volunteer experience in a healthcare setting as part of the application process. This experience is not required for admission but can factor into the admission decision. The healthcare work is to be documented by letters from a supervisor (on agency letterhead) and/or time sheets and must consist of a minimum of 60 hours of paid or volunteer work in a healthcare setting. The proof of the minimum 60 hour requirement is to be met at the time of application to the School of Nursing. Work experience is acceptable regardless of date completed. Experience from the required Nursing Skills course does not count toward the 60 hours.*

Starting with the Summer 2007 BSN admission class:

The application deadline will be February 1, 2007 for Summer semester 2007 admission.

Starting with the Fall 2007 BSN admission class:

Application Deadline will be May 15, 2007 for Fall 2007 admission.
Proof of completion of a Nursing Skills course (in addition to completed Medical Clearance) will be due by the application deadline.*

Starting with the Spring 2008 BSN admission class:

The application deadline will be September 15, 2007 for Spring semester 2008 admission.

* Applies to this term and all subsequent terms of admission.

Future updates on the BSN admission process will be sent to your “@uab.edu” email address, posted here, and available from your Pre-Nursing Advisor. If you have any questions concerning these changes, please feel free to contact the School of Nursing Office of Student Affairs at sonstudaffrs@uab.edu or (205) 975-7529.