BostonWorks - Salute Your Favorite Nurse

Several years ago, Richard Gartska marveled at what he calls the "sense of family" generated by the nursing home staff that cared for his ailing grandmother. "I was especially impressed by nurses who created a welcome, home-like environment for my grandmother," recalls Gartska, a former engineer.

But while such commitment to caring heightened Gartska's interest in nursing, it was the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Profession's fast-track Graduate Program in Nursing that was the catalyst for his switch into this profession. Partly created in response to the nationwide nursing shortage, the institute's program is among several in the Boston area that enable working professionals to become registered nurses within two to three years.

Starting salaries for graduates of fast-track nursing programs average around $45,000 per year, although offers from $60,000 to $80,000 are not uncommon.

"They are growing in popularity," notes Dorothy McCabe, director of the Department of Nursing and Career Services of the Massachusetts Nursing Association. "They enable individuals with a bachelor's degree in another area to get their RN (registered nurse) license more quickly than it takes returning to college for four or more years to earn a nursing degree," she explains.

In addition to acquiring their registered nursing licenses, students can earn master's level training and degrees. However, just because these programs are condensed doesn't mean they are easy learning.

Typically, applicants must first complete such basic courses as chemistry, anatomy and statistics at community colleges before applying to these fast-track programs. A passing score on the GRE (graduate school entry exam) is also mandatory.

Applicants must also possess the necessary personal characteristics. "Are they good listeners, do they care about people--these are basic traits nurses possess and applicants should have before considering a nursing career," says Susan Rich, the institute's program manager.

Once accepted, students spend at least three semesters in the classroom and hundreds of hours completing intensive clinical work before earning their degrees. As described by McCabe, "It is a huge commitment. Students put their lives on hold while completing these fast-track programs."

Nevertheless, the career satisfaction realized is worth the effort, say many graduates. For instance, Gartska explains that making informed, analytical choices for a patient's care is very meaningful for him.

Such decisions are typical for this institute graduate who often tracks a patient's condition, minute by minute, in such high-risk hospital departments as intensive care or the coronary unit.

Mark Sughrue, another institute graduate who is an acute care nursing practitioner at Falmouth Hospital, also enjoys his new career challenges.

"You never know what you'll see next," says Sughrue, a former ski patrol specialist.

"Someone walks into the cardiology unit, confused, and I must determine whether his condition is due to high blood pressure or possibly a heart attack."

Consequently, it is not unusual for nursing practitioners such as Sughrue to be the first medical professionals to address crisis situations.

"I get the ball rolling, deciding what medications to administer and what care to provide," he explains. And, when physicians arrive, Sughrue serves as "facilitator between emergency room staff and the doctor."

Aside from their training, these nursing graduates bring another asset to their profession: the benefit of prior career experience. Consider Gartska's work as a civil engineer which, at first glance, has little similarity to his current livelihood. But certain skills, he insists, were transferable.

For instance, while serving on the Boston Harbor clean-up project, Gartska frequently "changed plans on a moment's notice, especially when digging underground tunnels and coming upon unexpected rock formations."

He says this ability to "think quickly on my feet" now enables him to deal just as quickly with "a patient who is having a health emergency."

Not surprisingly, such experience makes participants in these programs better students.

"I'm impressed by the maturity and commitment demonstrated by many students," states Dr. Jean Weyman, director of the continuing education program at Boston College's William F. Connell School of Nursing. The school's Excel Program offers fast-track nursing education for its students. "These adult learners are very motivated. They want to make a difference as nursing professionals."

And it is precisely their years "on the job" that enables them to genuinely appreciate their new professions. "All of my work experience has brought me to this point where I finally know what I want to do with my life," says Sughrue, "be a nurse and help people."

The institutions listed below can be contacted for information about their fast-track nursing education programs:

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