DiagnosticsUniversity Of Southern Nevada To Offer Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Program At South Jordan, Utah Campus
The University of Southern Nevada (USN) College of Nursing has been granted provisional approval by the Utah Board of Nursing to begin offering its 18-month Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the university"s campus located 10920 South River Front Parkway in South Jordan.
The first classes at the South Jordan campus are scheduled to begin in January 2010.
"We have worked very hard to build a successful BSN program at our Henderson, Nev. campus, with a focus on high academic standards and student competency," said Dr. Harry Rosenberg, USN"s founding president. "We"re very excited to bring the program to students in Utah who are looking for an intellectually challenging and rewarding nursing program that will prepare them to meet the healthcare needs of Utah and the surrounding regions."
According to Dr. Mable Smith, dean of the USN College of Nursing, USN"s BSN program will be highly attractive to Utah students because of the university"s state-of-the-art teaching and lab facilities and the university"s unique block curriculum system in which students focus on one study area at a time to master course content and take full advantage of the clinical experience.
"USN"s block curriculum, coupled with a year-round academic calendar, allows our students to earn a BSN in just 18 months. Because the program is completed about six months earlier than most programs, more job-ready nursing candidates will be available to combat the region"s nursing shortage," said Dr. Smith.
While Utah, like much of the nation, continues to suffer from a severe shortage of registered nurses to meet the healthcare needs of a growing population, the state"s current nursing schools are struggling to meet the demand due to limited enrollment capacity.
"USN"s BSN program will provide another option for Utah students eager to enter the rewarding career of nursing," added Smith.
To administer the BSN program in Utah, USN has appointed Dr. Connie Carpenter as the College of Nursing"s Utah campus dean. She will oversee and maintain academic standards, student recruitment and admissions, and supervise faculty.
Dr. Carpenter has extensive experience as a nurse practitioner and in nursing education. She was the founding dean at Oklahoma Panhandle State University and Nevada State College in Henderson. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Pediatric Nursing and Doctor of Education from University of Oklahoma.
"Dr. Carpenter"s knowledge and passion for nursing and nursing education will be invaluable as we expand the College of Nursing to Utah," said Dr. Smith. "We are extremely confident that her leadership in Utah will yield great success."
The USN College of Nursing launched its Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Henderson, Nev. in 2006 with an inaugural class of 26 students in October 2007. The college has graduated a total of 105 BSN students.
The USN Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Nevada is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC). The College of Nursing will seek accreditation from NLNAC for the program in Utah. The university is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Detailed information about the program as well as prerequisite and admission requirements are being sent to college counselors and academic advisors throughout the state. Program information is also available on the university"s Web site at http://www.usn.edu/nursing.
University of Southern Nevada