The College of Nursing will lose a staff member in November when Jeanette Klemczak, an assistant nursing professor and director of clinical practice, takes the new position of chief nursing executive for the Michigan Department of Community Health.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm created the new post to address Michigan's nursing shortages. Almost 451,000 nursing jobs are expected to be open between 1998 and 2008.
"We're going to be in desperate need of nurses in the next three-five years," said T.J. Bucholz, public information officer for the Department of Community Health.
"This is a way we're going to coordinate our efforts in recruiting and retaining nurses."
A nationwide search took place to find the best person for the position. The search began in March, with about 35-40 candidates, Klemczak said.
"I have a very wide breadth of exposure to the various areas of nursing, and hopefully I can bring that to turn the governor's ideas into reality," she said.
Klemczak's experience in public health care when she worked for the Department of Community Health prior to MSU, combined with her educational experience, made her a prime candidate for the executive position, Bucholz said.
MSU is allowing Klemczak to take an extended leave while she fills the new position. Klemczak is unsure of how long she will be gone, but estimates about three years.
"The university is a little reluctant, but they've been actually very supportive," she said. "I look forward to rejoining the college, but I will miss the excellent students and professors."
Judith Vinson, associate dean of academic affairs for the College of Nursing, said Klemczak will be missed at MSU, but her work ethic has let the college know what they want in a replacement.
"She is not leaving nursing education," Vinson said. "She will be able to help all nurses and students in the state of Michigan."
One of Klemczak's responsibilities at the MSU Nursing HealthCare Center is mentoring student nurses.
One of the main focuses of Klemczak's new job as chief nursing executive will be addressing the role of colleges in the nursing shortage.
The shortage of nursing school faculty members is one of the primary reasons there is a shortage in the profession, Klemczak said.
She will also welcome the help of nursing students in her new position. Klemczak said it is important for nurses to understand how to work in government in order to form effective health-related public policy.
"The main area is to work with the nursing and health communities to put Michigan in a position to help the nursing shortage, so that the people of Michigan have high quality nurses and the right number of nurses distributed where they're needed," Klemczak said.
