A new partnership between Lakeland Community College and Ursuline College allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing in less time at a lower cost. The program is designed to meet Northeast Ohio’s demand for nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Students who dually enroll full-time in the Lakeland and Ursuline Breen School of Nursing programs can complete an associate degree in nursing (RN) in five semesters and then complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) in as few as two additional semesters post-licensure. Students will attend classes throughout the academic year including online courses during the summer semester.

New first-time Lakeland students who are college ready can start immediately with no waiting. Students are eligible to take the state nursing exam upon earning the associate degree. Students can seek employment once they are licensed as a registered nurse.

“Students with strong academic preparation in high school, and adults who already earned an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in another field, can begin taking courses required for the associate degree immediately with no waiting,” said Dr. Kathleen Gravens, nursing program director at Lakeland.

Ursuline is offering a reduced tuition rate of $300 per credit hour for its courses, which is less than one-third of its undergraduate rate.

“Many local health care systems are requiring their nurses to earn a BSN within 2-5 years of hire,” said Dr. Patricia Sharpnack, dean of nursing at Ursuline. “This dual enrollment program will help graduate more nurses with advanced education.”

The admissions deadline for the fall 2017 semester is May 1.

The Institute of Medicine’s landmark report on “The Future of Nursing” calls for a greater number of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to respond to the demands of an evolving health care system and meet the changing needs of patients. One step in realizing this goal is for a greater number of nurses to enter the workforce with a baccalaureate degree or progress to this degree early in their career.

In Ohio, 44 percent of nurses hold associate degrees and 31 percent of nurses hold bachelor’s degrees. Twenty-nine percent of Lakeland nursing graduates go on to a bachelor’s degree, which is higher than the state average of 15 percent.

For more information, please contact Dr. Gravens, nursing program director at kgravens@lakelandcc.edu.

By: Jessica Novak, Mrktg and Commun Specialist