USF College of Nursing Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy attends White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing

Translating Veterans’ Skills to Create the Nursing Leaders of Tomorrow

USF College of Nursing Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy attends White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing

On April 29, 2013 the White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a new program to help military veterans with health care experience or training, such as medics, to pursue nursing careers. Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, Senior Associate Vice President of USF Health, and Dean of the College of Nursing, was one of only a few nursing leaders nationwide to attend the event in Washington, D.C. that focused on helping veterans obtain bachelor’s degrees by building on their unique skills and abilities.

“There is a great need nationally to address how we move those who have served the country into educational programs leading to healthcare careers,” said Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, Senior Associate Vice President of USF Health, and Dean of the College of Nursing. “It was critical for nursing academics to be involved and at the table for this discussion.”

Administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at HHS, the Veterans’ Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program plans to fund cooperative agreements at accredited schools of nursing to increase veterans’ enrollment in and completion of baccalaureate nursing programs, and to explore ways to award academic credit for prior military health care experience or training.

 “It helps veterans formalize their skills to get jobs, while strengthening Americans’ access to care,” said Secretary Sebelius.

The University of South Florida College of Nursing has prioritized veteran and military healthcare and education in their RESTORE LIVES initiative: Research and Education to Rehabilitate and Restore the Lives of Veterans, Service members and their Families.

-USF Health-

USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a global research university ranked 50th in the nation by the National Science Foundation for both federal and total research expenditures among all U.S. universities. For more information visit: health.usf.edu/nursing