Nursing program partners with NCC

Northwestern College has formalized a nurse education articulation agreement with Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon. The agreement ensures that nursing graduates from the community college can seamlessly continue their nursing education to complete Bachelor of Nursing degrees through Northwestern’s online R.N. to B.S.N. degree-completion program.

“Our online R.N. to B.S.N. degree option is designed for working nurses,” said Dr. Ruth Daumer, director of Northwestern’s nursing department, “which means community college graduates can begin practicing nursing as they’re continuing their education to earn a B.S.N. degree.

“In fact, now with the articulation agreement, NCC nursing students can begin working on their B.S.N. degree requirements even as they’re completing their associate nursing degrees,” Daumer added.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is essential for career advancement in today’s complex healthcare environment, explains Daumer, citing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which recommends that at least 80 percent of practicing nurses hold a minimum of a B.S.N. degree. Currently just 35 percent of nurses have a bachelor’s degree, and the percentage of B.S.N.-credentialed nurses in Iowa is even lower.

Ruth Hobson, director of nursing education at Northwest Iowa Community College, is excited about the opportunities the agreement makes possible for her students. “This is a partnership that will benefit students who graduate from our associate degree program and choose to pursue a B.S.N. degree,” she said. “The education these nurses receive from both institutions will prepare them to be well-rounded, excellent nurses in our ever-changing, challenging healthcare arena.”

Northwestern College’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

The college’s online R.N. to B.S.N. degree-completion option is designed to enable practicing nurses to graduate in two years or less while taking just one eight-week course at a time. Tuition for the online option is competitive with similar programs in the state and region.

The fall term begins Aug. 25. Visit http://online.nwciowa.edu/rn2bsn for details.