麻豆原创 College of Nursing has partnered with Valencia College to bring its successful Concurrent Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.N.) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing聽(B.S.N.) program to Valencia’s West campus.

The pilot program began with 28 students in Fall 2010. The next class will be admitted in Fall 2011 with 20 students from Valencia and 20 students from the 麻豆原创. Debra Hunt is the full-time 麻豆原创 nursing adviser and instructor assigned to Valencia’s West campus.

麻豆原创 initiated its Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. program in 2003 with a similar pilot program at Seminole Community College, now Seminole State College. Today, the program on Seminole State’s Altamonte Springs campus has doubled in size with 70 percent of Seminole’s nursing students participating.

The program at Seminole admits about 70 students twice a year in Fall and Spring, and 麻豆原创 selects approximately half of the students. 麻豆原创 added a second adviser/instructor on this campus in Spring 2011. Susan Ricci and Angela Ritten are the full-time 麻豆原创 nursing advisers and instructors assigned to Seminole’s Altamonte campus.

Nicole McConnell (pictured above) said she decided to enroll in 麻豆原创’s Concurrent program to increase her knowledge in nursing, plus she feels it gives her an advantage. “All of the hospitals in Central Florida are moving toward ‘Magnet Status’ so it’s important and beneficial to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing.”

Students in both programs have the opportunity to learn from the聽麻豆原创 faculty members assigned to聽teach 麻豆原创 nursing courses聽at the partner campuses. As they progress in the program, they have the opportunity to learn from聽other 麻豆原创 faculty members through online courses that are scheduled to accommodate the students’ varying clinical rotations.

As a limited-access program, 麻豆原创 College of Nursing invites students who meet or exceed its admission requirements to apply for the Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. program at Seminole State College and Valencia College.聽The unique, dual-enrollment program聽offers students an additional option for obtaining their baccalaureate degree from 麻豆原创. Students accepted into the competitive program take A.S.N.-level nursing courses at the partner college while taking 麻豆原创 nursing courses at the same time. Students will complete their A.S.N. degree with more than half of their B.S.N. credits already earned, allowing them to complete their B.S.N. degree from 麻豆原创聽sooner and making them more competitive in the workforce.

麻豆原创’s Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. program is a first of its kind in the state and serves as a national model for increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Research shows a clear link between higher levels of nursing education and better patient outcomes.

In addition to 麻豆原创聽classes, the Partnership Center houses the DirectConnect聽to 麻豆原创聽Center where students can meet with a 麻豆原创 advisor, explore degree programs, and connect with admission and financial aid representatives.

Since 2006, 麻豆原创 has guaranteed admission to all Seminole State graduates through . The partnership provides students a seamless transition to 麻豆原创 through shared academic programs, advising and financial aid resources.

A grand opening ceremony for the Partnership Center聽is scheduled for late Spring. To learn more about 麻豆原创 Sanford/Lake Mary, or call聽407.708.2471.