FYI: http://www.dailycampus.com/news/nurs...mpus-1.1913466

The beginning of the spring semester also marked the start of UConn Avery Point's new Master's Entry Into Nursing Program. With the addition of the program to Avery Point, the MEIN program is now offered at every UConn campus.

Avery Point formally opened a state-of-the-art simulation lab, where nursing students can diagnose simulated patients Thursday. The lab is designed to give students access to advanced clinical nursing simulation, allowing students to practice their nursing skills in a non-critical environment.

The simulation lab and MEIN program are the first to be offered by UConn in Eastern Connecticut.

Previously, UConn nursing students in Eastern Connecticut had to travel to the campuses in Waterbury, Stamford or Storrs to take part in the MEIN program or important simulated clinical activities.

"The school of nursing used both monetary and faculty resources to provide a high-level accelerated program for the students," Sudan Furlong, MEIN Program Administrator of the UConn School of Nursing.

MEIN is designed for students with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. The program takes one year to complete for a certificate in basic nursing and eligibility to take the RN licensure exam.

"The program situates you so that you can continue on to a graduate nursing program," Furlong said.
The MEIN program was created with three main goals.

"First, the program was created to alleviate the nursing shortage. Second, it is designed to build upon the education students already have, allowing them to take their education in a new direction. And third, the program is in place to allow students to become registered nurses quickly, while giving them the knowledge they need," Furlong said.

The MEIN program was started at the Storrs campus in 2003, and was followed by Waterbury in 2007. The Stamford simulation lab opened exactly one year ago from the opening of Avery Point's.

The rapid expansion of the nursing program to the Avery Point campus has been announced as a key strategy in curtailing the nursing shortage. By increasing the staff and resources available in UConn's nursing department, more applicants can be accepted into the program, producing more nurses in the workforce.