Newswise — An educational milestone connecting Sewell, N.J.'s Gloucester County College’s nursing program with Rowan University, Glassboro, N.J., got the nod on Monday, June 27, making the transition for students from RN to a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) achievable without leaving GCC’s campus.
GCC Interim President Frederick Keating and Rowan University Interim President Dr. Ali Houshmand signed the agreement that admits students who have completed an Associate in Science degree in nursing and possess a current license, or eligibility to be licensed as a RN in the state of New Jersey, to the University’s BSN program. The agreement takes effect on September 1.
“We are really excited about this new relationship with Rowan University and its nursing program. This is big for Gloucester County College students looking to earn a four-year nursing degree,” said Keating. “There is a push from hospitals and the medical field for nurses to have a BSN. Being able to stay local benefits both our students and the community.”
Students admitted and matriculated into the bachelor’s degree program will be Rowan undergraduates. The agreement permits students entering the program to have an associate’s degree or a diploma in nursing from an accredited nursing institution. Students also must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Approximately 175 students enroll annually in GCC’s nursing program.
This offering is a natural addition to Rowan’s RN-to-BSN program. Rowan already offers a BSN program to more than 400 nurses on campus, online and offsite at four health systems from Atlantic County to Burlington County. Rowan’s is the largest RN-to-BSN program in South Jersey, and the University expects to add 40 or more students per year through the GCC affiliation.
Students in the GCC/Rowan program will be able to complete their BSN in as few as 20 months; those attending the program in area health care systems generally finish their coursework, designed specifically for the institutions’ needs, in two to three years.
“We’re invested in developing this program as the demand increases for nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said Interim President Houshmand. “Partnering with Gloucester County College and its well-respected nursing program will help us offer even more convenient options to our health care providers looking to advance their education. And that, in turn, will translate to better health care for South Jersey.”
During the last several years, Rowan has expanded its mission with an eye to helping improve health care education, and thereby health care, in South Jersey. In addition to developing the BSN program, which has grown from a few dozen students to about 400 since 2008, Rowan is partnering with Cooper Health System to create Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. CMSRU received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in June and will welcome its first class in fall 2012.
Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said, “We have talented students, and the field of nursing is changing. Nurses will be expected to have bachelor’s degrees in the future and we want to ensure that they can receive them here.”
Damminger added, “The County has experienced significant growth in the health care industry, with new facility construction by Virtua, the University of Pennsylvania and South Jersey Healthcare and expansions at Underwood Memorial Hospital and Kennedy Health System. This coupled with the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University has proven that there is a high demand in this field.”
Freeholder Deputy Director Warren S. Wallace, Ed. D. who serves as the county’s liaison to Health and Education said, “The County is committed to providing our residents with a quality education at an affordable price. This agreement with Rowan University allows our GCC students the ability to receive their BSN from a highly respected institution. GCC and Rowan have fostered a wonderful partnership that enriches our communities and our students in mutually beneficial ways and we look forward to a long and successful affiliation.”
"The demand for highly educated and skilled nurses continues to grow in our region. This agreement is another avenue that will help our residents obtain the jobs that are being created here in the healthcare industry," said Freeholder Heather Simmons, liaison to Economic Development. "The Freeholders are committed to creating both educational and career opportunities for our residents and this agreement between GCC and Rowan will help our nursing students achieve both those goals."
For more information on GCC’s nursing program, call (856) 415-2179 or visit www.gccnj.edu. To learn more about the nursing program at Rowan University, visit http://www.rowanonline.com.
# # #
RSS