Bellevue University launches accelerated nursing program amid Nebraska nursing shortage
Program aims to help working nurses earn bachelor’s degrees faster while advancing their careers
BELLEVUE, Neb. —
As Nebraska continues to face a shortage of nurses, Bellevue University is introducing a new program aimed at helping working registered nurses advance their education without stepping away from the workforce.
The university’s new RN-to-BSN program allows registered nurses who already hold an associate degree to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through a reduced 95-credit-hour curriculum. Bellevue University says the program is the first reduced-credit bachelor’s nursing program of its kind, made possible after changes by the Higher Learning Commission.
“Our program is designed to save students both time and money,” said Mary Dobriansky, dean of Bellevue University’s College of Science and Technology. “Working nurses can complete their bachelor’s degree while continuing to build leadership and management skills.”
The fully online program is designed specifically for working professionals. Students take one course at a time as part of a cohort and complete a practicum project at their current workplace.
The launch comes as healthcare providers continue to grapple with staffing shortages across Nebraska. Bellevue Health Science Program Director Shana Ziegler, a registered nurse and nurse practitioner, said the shortage has existed for decades but worsened after the COVID-19 pandemic, when many nurses left the profession because of burnout.
“It’s going to get worse before it gets better,” Ziegler said, pointing to an aging population and growing demand for healthcare services.
She hopes that making bachelor’s degrees more accessible will encourage nurses to remain in healthcare by opening doors to leadership and management positions.
Bellevue University says the program is intended to help strengthen Nebraska’s nursing workforce while giving nurses a flexible path to career advancement.
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