An Invitation to Apply: ILLINOIS COLLEGE FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF THE NURSING PROGRAM THE SEARCH Illinois College invites applications and nominations for the Founding Director of the Nursing Program. The Founding Director will lead the process of creating and implementing a fullyonline RN-to-BSN completion program that both addresses the professional needs of working nurses and embodies the mission and values of Illinois College. The Founding Director will have 1
responsibility for all academic components of the BSN program and for creating and maintaining positive relationships with the local and regional health community. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION Develop and lead new online RN-to BSN program Recruit, train, and supervise Nursing instructors Oversee and lead the process of securing CCNE accreditation Develop and ensure the integrity of courses within the BSN curriculum Teach one or two courses a year in the BSN program Represent the BSN program to internal and external constituencies Liaise with community partners including regional hospitals and community colleges Oversee the advising and academic support of students in the BSN program Partner with all areas supporting the BSN program, including, but not limited to marketing, admissions, and instructional technology QUALIFICATIONS Master of Science in Nursing and appropriate doctoral degree Experience in Nursing education Minimum of five years of clinical practice College teaching experience; minimum of three years full-time preferred Eligible to obtain RN license in Illinois TO APPLY: The executive search firm The Hollander Group has been retained by Illinois College to assist in this recruitment. Applications, comprising cover letter and curriculum vitae, as well as nominations and inquiries, should be submitted electronically to: Dr. Clifford Hollander or Ms. Sharon M. Flynn Hollander, RN, MSN, MBA info@thehollandergroup.net 202-270-8772 Review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, interested persons are encouraged to apply early. Illinois College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from underrepresented minorities and women. 2
ABOUT ILLINOIS COLLEGE Illinois College has built an international reputation for inspiring achievement and empowering students to make a difference in the world. Our abiding commitment is to provide students with a high-quality liberal arts education that prepares them exceptionally well for the complex world they will face after graduation. In short, Illinois College students Graduate READY for personal and professional success. Illinois College, founded in 1829, is a private, liberal arts college located in Jacksonville, Illinois currently offering over 80 different undergraduate degree programs and majors to approximately 1,000 campus-based students and is launching a new online division this year directed at adult learners. Since 1932, the quality of an Illinois College education has been recognized by the Phi Beta Kappa chapter on the campus. The College has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913 and was the first college in the state. Mission True to its founding vision in 1829, Illinois college is a community committed to the highest standards of scholarship and integrity in the liberal arts. The College develops in its students qualities of mind and character needed for fulfilling lives of leadership and service. NURSING AT ILLINOIS COLLEGE The RN-to-BSN has been identified to Illinois College by community partners as an educational need. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing aligns well with the Illinois College Mission and Vision: the proposed Nursing program has as its animating purpose, developing the qualities of mind and character needed for fulfilling lives of leadership and service 3
and empowering students to make a difference in the world. Course Delivery The BSN coursework will be delivered in asynchronous, online form to maximize flexibility for working students. The model assumes that students pursuing the BSN will be concurrently working as RNs, although this is not required. Instructional design support will be provided by an Online Program Management (OPM) partner that will also be responsible for marketing the program beyond the immediate Jacksonville area. BSN Program Description and Curriculum The purpose of the BSN Program at Illinois College is to provide current licensed registered nurses with the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to provide excellence in health care practice and leadership within a variety of health care settings. To this end, the program focuses on: critical and innovative thinking; research and evidence-based practice; awareness of the needs of contemporary populations, especially those traditionally underserved; and effective communication and collaboration across the health care professions. The Nursing Program being founded will require a minimum 32 credits of upper-level classes. Underlying Principles of the Program The Illinois College BSN program has five principles for preparing nurses for professional practice in the 21 st Century: Professionalism and Interprofessionalism : Success in the interconnected health care environments in which nurse leaders work in the 21 st Century requires the ability to collaborate effectively across health care disciplines and professions. Leadership: The professional nurse must effectively lead and manage diverse teams and have the confidence and knowledge to advocate for the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Communication: Nurse leaders must communicate effectively with other health care professionals, as well as a wide range of constituencies within the communities they serve. Respect and Care for Diverse Populations: The effective nurse leader must have the intercultural competence to interact respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ethics: At all times, the nurse leader must be make decisions and address problems based on integrity and respect for human dignity. 4
! JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS Illinois College faculty, staff, and students form a close-knit community and have strong ties to the city of Jacksonville. Centrally located between St. Louis and Chicago, and thirty miles from the state capital of Springfield, Jacksonville is a friendly and vibrant community of 20,000 people. It boasts an award-winning historic downtown square with regular events and a summer concert series, good public and parochial schools, cultural and educational institutions, medical facilities, and family businesses. A historic neighborhood of beautiful and affordable homes is adjacent to Illinois College. The Jacksonville Symphony has anchored the city s music scene for over fifty years, and The David 5
Strawn Art Gallery and Imagine Foundation both offer a vast array of gallery openings, educational workshops, and social events. Illinois and MacMurray Colleges further enrich the cultural life of the community. Jacksonville offers an excellent place to live, work and play. 6