FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 16, 2007
Contact: Joshua Hollis
(662) 329-7119

Smyth chair of MUW’s Department of Graduate Nursing
  
COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Dr. Patsy Smyth is the new chair of Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Graduate Nursing. She has the philosophy that “if you can’t do it, you can’t teach it.”
   
That is why Dr. Smyth steps out of her administrative position every week to work in the Health Center as a nurse practitioner. She also works some weekend hours at a clinic in north Mississippi. She said she does this to “keep fresh” and to retain the reason she became a nurse: to help people.
   
Smyth, a former native of Pennsylvania, served as a faculty member here at MUW for 10 years before going to Western Carolina University as director of the graduate nursing program. When she discovered that the position as director of the graduate nursing program at MUW was open, she immediately applied for the position.
   
Upon hearing that she was selected for the position, she was thrilled to be returning to MUW.
   
Dr. Sheila Adams, dean of the College of Nursing and Speech Language Pathology, echoed Dr. Smyth’s excitement.  “She has been an excellent faculty member… [I was] very happy to see that she was interested in coming back.”
   
Smyth’s responsibilities include making sure the graduate program reflects current standards for nurse practitioners, as well as guiding the faculty and making sure that the graduate students receive a good education.
   
She has made a few alterations to the program thus far. “I’ve already increased the amount of clinical/classroom hours in the practice courses based on the accreditation standards.”
   
Smyth has examined the program’s curriculum “to make sure we are providing the necessary information to make the students good nurse practitioners.”
   
She is also focused on the future of the program. Smyth said that one of her goals is to start a certificate program in nursing education for nurse practitioners who wish to pursue a position in nursing education.
   
The College of Nursing has a distinguished reputation, which attracts excellent students.  According to Dr. Adams, “Graduates [of the program] are our best recruiters.”
   
Adams said a large number of MUW nurse practitioners work in Mississippi and the surrounding states.  When they encounter other nurses who want to become nurse practitioners, they tell them that MUW is the “best place to attend.”
   
The College of Nursing was the first, and until 1995, the only nurse practitioner program in Mississippi. Because of the large graduate base, this allows the college to tap into an impressive group when sending students out for internships and experience. The graduate nursing program has been continuously accredited since its beginning. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education recently accredited it, along with the baccalaureate nursing program, which is now the preferred national accrediting body for baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs.
   
Recently, the college received $115,000 from a private foundation to purchase simulation models and video equipment. Simulators test critical thinking and clinical decision making skills during realistic patient scenarios. Patient simulators can be programmed to simulate a large number of patient illnesses. These models will allow students at all levels to master diagnostic and treatment modalities prior to working with real patients. 
   
The graduate nursing program typically receives more than 100 applications for the 35 seats available.