Rasmussen College Launches Accelerated Entrance Options for Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree in Tampa Bay Area
New entrance options to help address significant need for registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees
Tampa, Fla. (November 24, 2015)–Rasmussen College, a regionally accredited private college and Public Benefit Corporation, today announced the launch of two accelerated entrance options for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at its Land O’ Lakes/East Pasco campus. The Rasmussen College BSN degree program, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), is immediately available with the new, accelerated pre-licensure entrance options that are designed for students committed to the nursing profession and are eager to launch their careers as quickly as possible. The accelerated entrance options also help fill a significant need for registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees in the Tampa Bay area. Classes are expected to begin in January.
“We are thrilled to offer two new BSN entrance options and help students fulfill their dreams of becoming registered nurses faster than they ever thought possible,” said Dr. Joan Rich, vice president of the School of Nursing at Rasmussen College. “At Rasmussen College, we work closely with our business and community partners to understand their current healthcare needs and employment demands. We know the accelerated entrance options for our BSN degree will allow dedicated, driven students the opportunity to get into the nursing profession quickly while also positively impacting the Tampa Bay area community.”
High Demand for RNs with a Bachelor’s Degree in Tampa Bay
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends the proportion of working RNs with bachelor’s degrees increases to 80 percent by 2020 in order to meet the needs of an aging population and the evolving healthcare system across the U.S. According to labor analytics firm Burning Glass, there were nearly 7,000 job postings over the past year for RNs with a bachelor’s degree in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. When compared to the number of job postings just five years ago — around 1,000 — there has been a 600 percent growth in demand for registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees. Rasmussen College is now only one of two higher education institutions in the Tampa Bay area to offer accelerated entrance options for its BSN degree.
“With several large healthcare systems and hospitals, Tampa Bay has one of the highest demands for registered nurses in the state and around the country,” said Dr. Mary Kohler, dean of nursing at the Rasmussen College Land O’ Lakes/East Pasco campus. “The Rasmussen College BSN degree program will prepare students for a leadership role in the nursing field by providing real-world curriculum taught by experienced nursing faculty as well as hands-on training and practicum experiences. Upon graduation, students will also be fully prepared for the RN licensure exam.”
Two Accelerated Pre-Licensure Entrance Options
Second Degree Entrance Option
The Second Degree Entrance Option is a pre-licensure track that can be completed in as few as 18 months.* Candidates for this option currently hold a bachelor’s degree in any field of study and are now looking to complete their BSN.
Standard Entrance Option
The Standard Entrance Option is a pre-licensure track that can be completed in as few as 33 months.* Candidates for this option do not currently hold a bachelor’s degree. Students who enroll in the BSN program through the Standard Entrance Option are also eligible for the College’s Flex Choice® option which allows them to take some of their general education courses in an online, self-paced format at no cost. Depending on the number of self-paced courses students choose to take, they can save up to 27 percent on tuition costs compared to taking all faculty-led courses at Rasmussen College.
Rasmussen College also offers a BSN degree in a fully online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Entrance Option. This option is designed for registered nurses who have obtained their RN degree through an associate’s degree program (or diploma and/or certificate) and are looking to advance their nursing careers by obtaining a CCNE-accredited BSN degree. The RN to BSN entrance option can be completed in as few as 12 months.*
To learn more about the new accelerated entrance options for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree now being offered at the Rasmussen College Land O’ Lakes/East Pasco campus, please visit http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/accelerated-bsn-second/ or http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/accelerated-bsn-standard/.
*Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and courses completed each term.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at Rasmussen College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE):
One Dupont Circle NW | Suite 530 | Washington, DC 20036
202-887-6791 | www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation.
ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE:
Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private college and Public Benefit Corporation that is dedicated to changing lives through career-focused educational programs and public service. Rasmussen College offers certificate and diploma programs through associate’s and bachelor’s degrees online and across its 23 Midwest and Florida campuses in a supportive, student-centered and career-focused environment. Since 1900, Rasmussen College has been dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Rasmussen College is committed to helping change lives through education and making a positive impact on society through public service and a variety of community-based initiatives. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.
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