News Summary
The University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing is experiencing a leadership transition as Dr. Rosalie Mainous steps down as Dean. Gwen Moreland will serve as the interim Dean amid ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector. The college is recognized for its academic excellence, but the change in leadership raises questions about its future direction, particularly as local healthcare services face critical reevaluations. In response to nursing shortages, initiatives are underway to cultivate nursing talent in the state, including new programs and recruitment efforts by local healthcare facilities.
Lexington – The University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing is undergoing a significant leadership change as Dr. Rosalie Mainous has stepped down from her position as Dean. The university’s spokesperson, Jay Blanton, confirmed Dr. Mainous’s departure on Friday, marking a pivotal transition for the College of Nursing.
In the interim, Gwen Moreland, who currently serves as the Chief Nurse Executive at UK Healthcare, will assume the role of interim Dean, as announced by Provost Robert DiPaola via email. This leadership shift comes at a critical time as the healthcare sector continues to navigate complex challenges, particularly in relation to nursing services in the local community.
The College of Nursing at the University of Kentucky has a rich tradition of academic excellence and is consistently recognized with high rankings among nursing programs across the nation. Dr. Mainous, a Lexington native and the college’s sixth dean, was recognized for her contributions, having previously taught at Wright State University’s College of Nursing and Health as well as at the University of Louisville’s School of Nursing. While the university has chosen not to provide additional comments regarding Dr. Mainous’s departure, the leadership change raises questions about future directions for the college amidst existing healthcare issues.
As the College of Nursing experiences this transition, local healthcare services are also facing scrutiny and transformations. In 2023, the Fayette school district sparked significant community opposition following a proposal to end the Lexington-Fayette Health Department’s five-decade involvement in providing nursing services within schools. The ensuing public outcry led the school board to reconsider and ultimately negotiate a one-year contract extension for the health department.
The current contract is set to expire on June 30, 2025, with an update scheduled for the school board’s meeting on January 27. A representative from the health department emphasized the significance of their established relationships with students and staff, which are built over many years of service. In light of changing contracting dynamics, the health department is rebidding the contract after losing it to a lower bidder, Maxim. The health department’s previous bid was about $4.6 million, compared to Maxim’s winning bid of approximately $3.1 million.
The school board is set to make a decision on the new contract by March 24, following a request for proposals due on February 7, 2025. During this interim period, nursing staff will continue providing services on campus until the current contract’s expiration. The Fayette school district typically issues requests for proposals every four to five years for its health and nursing services, serving around 41,000 students with vital clinical and wellness care.
In response to the ongoing nursing shortages impacting Kentucky, Berea College has initiated a tuition-free, work-study program aimed at cultivating a new generation of nursing students. The state has reported a 19% vacancy rate for critical care nursing positions as of 2023, a notable decrease from 27% in 2021. Berea College nursing graduates boast a commendable employment rate, with last year’s cohort finding jobs within six months, primarily in Kentucky and the surrounding Appalachia region. This initiative seeks to equip nursing students to confront the ongoing workforce challenges in healthcare.
Additionally, UK HealthCare has recently hired over 300 registered nurses through its New Graduate Recruitment program, which aims to streamline the hiring process and enhance the onboarding efficiency for new graduates. These recruitment efforts encompass both in-person and virtual interviews, focusing on preparing future healthcare professionals to meet the demands of the Kentucky population while upholding high standards of care.
In total, UK HealthCare has engaged 328 nursing graduates from 40 colleges and universities, with nearly 20 of these graduates coming from Kentucky institutions. The newly hired nurses will be deployed in various departments, including critical care units such as the ICU and Emergency Departments.
Looking ahead, the University of Kentucky is planning the construction of a new patient care tower at the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. This project is expected to break ground in 2027, with the facility anticipated to become operational by 2033, marking a significant investment in the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
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Additional Resources
- Lex18: UK College of Nursing Dean Dr. Rosalie Mainous No Longer in Position
- Kentucky.com: UK College of Nursing Leadership Change
- WISTV: Inside Lexington Medical Center’s New Nursing Training Facility
- Wikipedia: Nursing
- Google Scholar: Nursing Education
