Spring 2004

Message from the Dean | Hearst Helps Mentor | Carter Bequest Supports Professorship | Lovelace Gives to Nursing Students | Alumni Create Endowment| Create Income for Today, Leave a Legacy Forever

My dream for UNM’s College of Nursing is to accept all qualified applicants into our outstanding educational program. Unfortunately, we currently don’t have the capacity to do that. As simple as it may sound, my dream requires tremendous resources to make it a reality. All of the applicants represented in the table below meet the minimum grade point average for acceptance into our nursing program.

The economic support UNM receives from the state doesn’t provide the College of Nursing with the necessary funding for current and additional students. We have many qualified applicants but we simply can’t accept them all. Turning away nursing students at this crucial juncture is not the solution, but partnering with us to support the cost of nursing education is our hope for growing the next generation of practicing nurses, scholars and leaders!

It costs the college $28,000 to educate an undergraduate nursing student, $33,600 for a master’s level student and $60,000 for a Ph.D. student. These costs reflect the two or three years a student is with us. Student tuition certainly isn’t $14,000 a year for a UNM undergraduate student, but the total cost for one nursing student encompasses the cost of faculty, staff and support services as well.

You, your business, your employer, your colleagues and your family can help the college with the enormous challenge of educating more nurses. Together your gifts will influence the lives of future generations. Rosemary Gregory in our college development office can help you establish a giving plan.

Increasing student enrollment and solving the nursing shortage in New Mexico are dependent upon all of us working together. Think about how you can help ensure a place for another qualified student in our nursing program.

Sandra L. Ferketich, PhD, RN, FAAN
HSC Deputy Vice President for Interdisciplinary Education
Dean and Professor, College of Nursing