Rasmussen College Offers Evening and Weekend Nursing Courses To Help Meet Market Demand

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the growing need for qualified, licensed nursing professionals, Rasmussen College announced today the launch of a new track within its Practical Nursing Associate's degree program, with courses offered in the evenings and on weekends and degree completion in as little as 18 months. Offered through the Rasmussen College Brooklyn Park, Minn. campus, the evening and weekend courses have no waiting list for qualified applicants.

"The need for nurses continues to grow; however, current nursing programs are limited in their offerings because of availability and requirements needed for the program," said Regional Dean of Nursing at Rasmussen College Jodi Zastrow. "This new evening and weekend track within our Practical Nursing degree program at Rasmussen College was created to allow for more qualified individuals to have access to the program. Many interested students have families and current careers that make them unable to partake in a traditional daytime nursing curriculum. We have been able to create an option by finding clinical sites that operate outside of the traditional timeframe, and this will greatly benefit our students."

Students interested in the evening and weekend course offering have the ability to transfer in previous college credits and no prerequisites are required. The Rasmussen College Brooklyn Park campus is hosting four Nursing Information Sessions for individuals to learn more about the program: Saturday, February 4, at 11:00 a.m.; Monday, February 6, at 6:00 p.m.; Wednesday, February 15, at 10:00 a.m.; and Thursday, February 23, at 6:00 p.m.

The application deadline for the upcoming quarter is February 29.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, is forecast to rapidly grow over the next six years, with an increase of more than 155,000 jobs by 2018. Much of this demand is driven by the increase in share of the older population. The field also boasts strong income potential with median income levels in select industries ranging around $44,000. 

"Rasmussen College has always been proud of their exceptional nursing program that balances both preparation for the NCLEX exams with hands-on experience, and instruction from industry-leading nursing professionals. The evening and weekend track allows us to expand this great program to more potential students – that's what makes it exciting," said Zastrow.

With approximately 1,500 students across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida, the Rasmussen College School of Nursing offers programs in practical and professional nursing, and an innovative online RN to BSN program for students who have an active RN license and an Associate's degree or Diploma in nursing.

For additional information about the School of Nursing at Rasmussen College, visit www.Rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing and additional information about the evening and weekend Practical Nursing Associate's degree courses at Rasmussen College Brooklyn Park campus call (763) 493-4500.

To view this release in full, visit http://www.rasmussen.edu/press-release/2012-02-03/rasmussen-college-offers-evening-and-weekend-nursing-courses-to-help-meet-market-demand/.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
An innovator of higher education, Rasmussen College is a regionally-accredited, private college that specializes in offering the most in-demand degree programs in a highly supportive, student-centered educational environment.  Rasmussen College offers market-relevant programs from the certificate and diploma level through the associate's and bachelor's level online and across its 22 campuses in the Midwest and Florida to more than 15,000 students. By combining its expertise in career development with high academic standards and with unparalleled student support services, graduates of Rasmussen College leave with the most up-to-date knowledge, the skills that employers look for, and the tools to succeed in their chosen field.  Since 1900, the primary focus at Rasmussen College has remained constant: student achievement is of the upmost importance, the employer who hires its students continues to be a valued partner, and Rasmussen College is dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.

SOURCE Rasmussen College