By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Bowling Green State University celebrates National Nursing Week with a new RN to BSN program to support the demand for nurses in the United States. Nurses play a critical role in the health care system, and the need for nurses continues to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nurses in the U.S. will soar by 26 percent by 2020.
To assist the working registered nurse to complete their BSN degree, BGSU now offers the RN to BSN program 100 percent online. The program can be completed in as little as four semesters, or students may choose to complete the program at a slower pace. Registered nurses will build upon previous knowledge and skills to enhance their clinical judgment and leadership skills when caring for diverse patient populations across a variety of health care settings.
“The baccalaureate prepared nurse is essential in today’s ever-changing health care environment,” said Dr. Shelly Bussard, director and instructor of RN to BSN program. “Research indicates that higher levels of education improve overall safety, quality and patient outcomes.
“The BSN degree will also prepare a nurse for leadership roles and career advancement. The Institute of Medicine Future of Nursing Report from 2010 recommended increasing BSN prepared nurses to 80 percent by 2020. As a nation, we are currently at 56 percent. The RN to BSN program at BGSU will provide an opportunity for registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing to obtain a BSN in a flexible and meaningful manner while improving the care of their patients and communities.”
Practice experience hours required by the program allow students to apply theory to practice while achieving end-of-program learning outcomes. Each student chooses an individualized practice experience based on his or her own learning needs and professional interests.
Faculty and student engagement in the classroom is exceptional. Faculty are experts in the field of nursing, and all hold graduate or doctorate degrees.
The degree from BGSU within the College of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with Firelands Regional Medical Center, is currently offered to Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky residents.
“The college, working with BGSU Firelands, continues to consider the needs of our region as we develop degrees that will benefit our communities,” said Jim Ciesla, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “We are excited to launch the RN to BSN program to meet both the demand for nurses and also the demand for an online degree.”
Learn more at bgsu.edu/rntobsn.
