Bachelor's Program in Nursing from Mount Saint Mary's Now Offered at Mt. SAC
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Recognizing the shortage of baccalaureate-prepared nurses, Mt. San Antonio College and Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles, will partner to launch a bachelor of science in nursing program on the Mt. SAC campus.
Classes begin August 24 on Mt. SAC's Walnut, Calif., campus, with the goal of 30 students in the inaugural 2015-2016 cohort. Mount Saint Mary's will offer the Associate Degree in Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Completion Program, and admissions for the program will be handled through the L.A.-based university.
"There is a growing need both locally and nationally for this advanced training," said Dr. Susie Chen, liaison for the program. "Most hospitals now want nurses with bachelor's degrees."
The demand for registered nurses is expected to outpace the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. From 2012 to 2022, nursing jobs should increase by 19 percent.
"At Mount Saint Mary's, we have made a major commitment to move more ADN students to BSN levels," said Diane Vines, dean of nursing at Mount Saint Mary's. "That's why we created the RN to BSN Program, and that's why we are pleased to partner with Mt. SAC. We want to help nurses reach this new standard in California's hospitals and healthcare facilities."
Through the educational partnership, classes will be held on the Mt. SAC campus and online, and will be taught by faculty from both colleges. The 35-unit program will consist of three continuous semesters of full-time study with core courses ranging from pediatric nursing to palliative care. Assigned hands-on clinical experience will be arranged in Mt. SAC's local area.
Surveys have shown that more than 75 percent of Mt. SAC nursing students want to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing.
"We are honored to partner with Mount Saint Mary's in this initiative. By working together, we have created a seamless process for students to first earn their associate's degree through our nationally ranked program, and then take the next step and earn a bachelor's degree from Mount Saint Mary's excellent program. Our students will be well prepared to enter a surging job market and to lead the next generation of nursing professionals," said Mt. SAC President & CEO Dr. William Scroggins.
"This is a wonderful example of collegial collaboration in action," said Mount Saint Mary's President Ann McElaney-Johnson. "We have long been proud of the respect our nursing alums have earned in their field, and we are excited to join with Mt. SAC to help even more nursing professionals attain rising professional standards across California."
Last year, Mt. SAC's nursing program was ranked 13th among all nursing programs in the western United States' community colleges in a survey by NurseJournal.org. Mt. SAC's nursing program serves 240 students, and its students achieved a 91 percent pass rate on the 2014 state board nursing exam.
In 2014, Money magazine ranked Mount Saint Mary's as its number one value-added college in the magazine's evaluation of "Colleges That Add the Most Value." Bright Hub, a web publication that focuses on technology, science and education, ranked the Mount at No. 9 in its U.S. ranking of "10 Best Colleges for a Degree in Nursing." Mount Saint Mary's BSN program is the oldest in California, dating back to 1952.
About Mt. San Antonio College
Mt. San Antonio College offers the full college experience without the full college debt. As a nonprofit, California community college, Mt. SAC provides more than 200 high-quality programs, 60 active student clubs and 25 student support programs for just $46 a unit. The college is among the top 10 in the state for transfers to CSU and UC campuses. Its career training, adult education and community programs are also among the most popular in the state. Students from around the world are drawn to the campus, which is nestled in 420 rolling acres in Walnut, Calif., a suburb in the Greater Los Angeles area. www.mtsac.edu
About Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's is the only women's university in Los Angeles and one of the most diverse in the nation. The University is known nationally for its research on gender equity, its innovative health and science programs, and its commitment to community service. As a leading liberal arts institution, Mount Saint Mary's provides year-round, flexible and online programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Weekend, evening and graduate programs are offered to both women and men. Mount alums are engaged, active global citizens who use their knowledge and skills to better themselves, their communities and the world. www.msmu.edu
SOURCE Mount St. Mary's University
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