On Campus At Uci:

UC Irvine’s search for a founding director for its new nursing science program led all the way to Pittsburgh. There, Ellen Olshansky was working as professor and chair of health and community systems in the University of Pittsburgh’s nursing school — one of the top-10 nursing programs nationwide.

“I was at the perfect point in my career to take the next step. I’m attracted to the idea of building something from the ground up,” said Olshansky, whose experience as a nursing administrator, educator, researcher and practitioner spans more than 30 years.

Her vision for UCI’s program, which enrolled 122 students this fall, is to add a master’s and doctorate of nursing science to the existing baccalaureate program, and to tear down the walls that often exist between nursing schools and local communities.

“Many nursing programs are like little silos — they’re isolated,” Olshansky said. “I’d like there to be more permeable boundaries between UCI and the community. One of the reasons UCI got approval for the program is there’s a huge nursing shortage. My goal is to make ours responsive to local health care needs.

“When our students do clinical rotations, they’ll be working at UC Irvine Medical Center as well as different local hospitals where there’s a need. Currently, the School of Medicine has a program called PRIME-LC that trains doctors to help underserved Latinos. I want to develop a PRIME-LC — for nurses — that will immerse students in local Latino healthcare agencies.”

Chancellor Michael Drake introduced Olshansky to the community at a luncheon in September. Among those attending was Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, who has introduced legislation to help nurses pay for their education.

“One of my big goals is to put the nursing program on the map,” Olshansky said. “My hope is that we’ll make a difference in the health of the community we serve, and teach students they can make a difference in their patients’ health. Sometimes I feel I’m idealistic, but I don’t want to lose that. How else can you make a difference?”

Olshansky will discuss “Nursing Science at UCI: A Response to a Critical Shortage in Healthcare” at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the University Club. Admission is $10-$11.25. Reservations are recommended. Call (949) 824-7960 or go to www.cohs.uci.edu/nursing.