USN and St. Rose introduce new accelerated bachelor's degree in nursing

The University of Southern Nevada (USN) and St. Rose Dominican Hospitals (St. Rose) have partnered to help shape Nevada's workforce by preparing qualified registered nurses to meet the state's future healthcare demand. As a result, career seekers and career changers who already have a bachelor's degree can become a registered nurse in 14 months through a new accelerated bachelor's degree in nursing (ABSN). The USN ABSN combines online courses and on-site labs taught by USN faculty with clinical rotations at St. Rose locations and other clinical sites in Southern Nevada.  

In Nevada, according to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, nearly 5,500 new nurses will be needed state-wide by 2016. In addition, over the next few years, it is anticipated that the nursing occupation will grow by 37 percent and have an average annual growth rate of three percent. This promising employment projection casts a glimmer of light on a state currently in the unenviable position of having the highest unemployment rate in the nation at 14.2 percent.

To showcase the program, USN and St. Rose are holding a "Come Explore Nursing" education fair on Tuesday, August 31, from 8-11 a.m. and again at 4-7 p.m. at the St. Rose Dominican Hospitals - San Martin Campus conference center, rooms A, B and C, 8280 West Warm Springs Road in Las Vegas.

The event will allow attendees to learn about the nursing profession, speak with St. Rose nurses from various units, learn about being a nurse at St. Rose, and speak with St. Rose recruiters to learn about the hospital's culture. Attendees can also learn about USN nurse education programs, including their new nursing program – Nevada's only 14-month accelerated online bachelor's degree program – that starts classes in October and is specially designed for adults who already have a bachelor's degree and want a new career or to change careers. USN instructors will be available to answer questions about the curriculum.

Experts agree that, as the economy improves, the demand for nurses will increase. Nurses who delayed retirement during the economic downturn will retire. Part-time nurses who went full-time because of an unemployed or underemployed spouse will resume their part time schedules, and patients will seek treatment for elective procedures they postponed to save out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, healthcare reform and an aging baby boomer generation will create increased demand for nurses for an already stressed national healthcare system that will be short one million nurses by 2020.

"Nevada's nursing shortage has decreased somewhat during the economic downturn," said Dr. Mable Smith, dean of and professor at the USN College of Nursing. "As the economy improves, we will see the nursing shortage become critical. To help address this community issue, the university has joined forces with St. Rose Dominican Hospitals to address the region's future need for nurses. We expect that people who enter into nurse education programs now will find a different employment environment at the end of their degree program as the economy rebounds. "

Rod A. Davis, president and CEO of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals added, "Our three hospitals are well-known for providing quality, compassionate healthcare for the community, and our nurses are one of the main reasons we are able to provide that high level of care. We are looking forward to working with the USN College of Nursing to provide this much needed educational resource to our community."

SOURCE University of Southern Nevada