Many higher education programs across the country are beginning to offer more programs to help students add an advanced degree in health care on their resume in light of a potential nursing shortage in the U.S. Now, two schools in West Virginia are teaming up to offer two new master's degree programs in nursing to help provide more health care options to underserved communities in Appalachia. West Virginia Wesleyan College and Shenandoah University recently announced the partnership as a way to increase maternity and psychiatric nursing services in the area, according to the Inner Mountain news. Progam director at Wesleyan Dr. Susan Leight told the news agency that historically West Virginia has suffered a shortage of skilled health care providers. The new degrees will help students become certified to work as nurse-midwives and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. Students will complete their core courses at Wesleyan and then do their speciality work at Shenandoah in order to earn their degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to grow by 22% through 2018. |