Concerns about a critical nationwide shortage of nurses are being taken seriously this year at California State University, Stanislaus where nursing degree offerings are being expanded significantly to include more student openings.
To help meet the continuing need in Central California for qualified nurses with advanced degrees, CSU Stanislaus is doubling enrollment in its Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program. Slots have been created for 40 more students with the addition of a spring semester cohort starting February 13 to complement the existing 40-student fall semester cohort.
In addition, the Nursing Department recently revised the curriculum in its Bachelor's Degree in Nursing program for licensed registered nurses so that they can complete their coursework in three full-time semesters. Enrollment in the original program that was established in 1977 has increased significantly over the past year to 78 students.
"The Department of Nursing is committed to working with the community to help meet the need for nurses and to improve healthcare in the Central Valley by striving for excellence in nursing education," said Department Chair Dr. Peggy Hodge. "Our graduates have helped meet the demand for qualified nurses throughout the San Joaquin Valley. They are a diverse group who are recognized for their professionalism, and critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills."
Bolstered in recent years by partnerships with area hospitals and medical centers, enrollment in the Pre-Licensure BSN degree program has increased steadily since its 2002 debut with a cohort of 30 students. With 115 students currently enrolled in the program and another 40, selected from a field of 111 applicants, to start in February, enrollment is projected to expand to 240 over the next three years. To accommodate the current student numbers at all levels, the department has 10 full-time and 10 part-time faculty as well as openings for three more full-time faculty. Highly competitive salaries in the medical field have presented challenges in attracting qualified faculty applicants for those positions, Hodge noted.
To help meet the continuing need in Central California for qualified nurses with advanced degrees, CSU Stanislaus is doubling enrollment in its Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program. Slots have been created for 40 more students with the addition of a spring semester cohort starting February 13 to complement the existing 40-student fall semester cohort.
In addition, the Nursing Department recently revised the curriculum in its Bachelor's Degree in Nursing program for licensed registered nurses so that they can complete their coursework in three full-time semesters. Enrollment in the original program that was established in 1977 has increased significantly over the past year to 78 students.
"The Department of Nursing is committed to working with the community to help meet the need for nurses and to improve healthcare in the Central Valley by striving for excellence in nursing education," said Department Chair Dr. Peggy Hodge. "Our graduates have helped meet the demand for qualified nurses throughout the San Joaquin Valley. They are a diverse group who are recognized for their professionalism, and critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills."
Bolstered in recent years by partnerships with area hospitals and medical centers, enrollment in the Pre-Licensure BSN degree program has increased steadily since its 2002 debut with a cohort of 30 students. With 115 students currently enrolled in the program and another 40, selected from a field of 111 applicants, to start in February, enrollment is projected to expand to 240 over the next three years. To accommodate the current student numbers at all levels, the department has 10 full-time and 10 part-time faculty as well as openings for three more full-time faculty. Highly competitive salaries in the medical field have presented challenges in attracting qualified faculty applicants for those positions, Hodge noted.