Future of SEMO's nursing plan up in air

The future of expansion plans to Southeast Missouri State University's nursing department, designed to address a nursing shortage in the state, is uncertain after legislative action this week.

The university requested $1.12 million from the state to hire staff, develop an accelerated nursing program and create online classes. Gov. Matt Blunt scaled the request back to $426,624 in his budget recommendation.

Money was eliminated entirely in a budget plan brought before the House Budget Committee by chairman Rep. Allen Icet, R-Wildwood, and a vote to restore the funds narrowly failed.

"Without those funds, we won't be able to expand the program like we'd hoped to," Southeast president Dr. Ken Dobbins said Wednesday. The university may try to progress with some of the plans, he said, but on a "much smaller scale and not as fast as if we had the dollars."

Some of the plans, such as expanding the nurse practitioner program, the "university won't be able to do at all," he said, unless the money is restored. The Senate could return the money in committee, or the money could be added on the Senate floor, which is less likely.

Southeast's request was part of an initiative to train more health-care professionals known as "Preparing for Care."

Universities and community colleges throughout the state requested $38.3 million to fund the initiative. Blunt recommended $13.4 million, estimating 317 students statewide would benefit. House Budget Committee members, however, worried about the state's surplus drying up and the sustainability of the program.

"It would be using surplus dollars for new programs that would need continuing funding," Dobbins said.

Nearly $950,000 of the university's $1.12 million request was for staff, with $131,416 for equipment and $41,000 for operations. With seven new professors, the university hoped to graduate an extra 20 students with a bachelor's degree in nursing, an extra six nurse practitioners and an extra five medical technologists.

"Our region being the Bootheel, yes, there are vacancies. But I don't think you'll find the shortages just in rural areas," said Dr. Marcia Hobbs, chair of the nursing department.

Overall, the university requested an $18.3 million increase in funding over the previous year. The governor recommended a $2 million increase, to $49.172 million. In committee, the amount was reduced to $48.621 million.

The governor has said he considers returning education funding to levels enjoyed in 2001 as a top priority. In 2001, Southeast's state expenditure was $48.9 million. In 2007, the expenditure was $43.5 million.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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