College of Nursing to launch accelerated B.S.N. program

Feb. 8, 2018 | Nursing |

The Harding University Carr College of Nursing will offer an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing beginning in fall 2018. The program was developed to help meet the high demand for registered nurses across the U.S. and is designed for individuals seeking a B.S.N. who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major.

The Carr College of Nursing was recently named the top RN program in Arkansas based on students’ performance on the NCLEX-RN exam, which is used by all state boards of nursing across the United States to help assess a student’s competency and is required for licensure. The school’s five-year pass rate is in excess of 97 percent and 100 percent for the past two years.

“We designed this track for those who may be working in other professions and feel called to nursing,” said Dr. Susan Kehl, dean of the college. “We believe the program is exceptional because of our diverse clinical experiences and strong, proven curriculum. Our commitment to academic excellence combined with a mission-driven approach to care enables nursing students to put their faith in action.”

The full-time program allows students to complete a B.S.N. in as little as 18 months. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be qualified to sit for the national licensure exam to become a registered nurse.

In a forecast by the Bureau of Health Professionals, there will be a shortage of 800,000 nurses by 2020. In response, the Institute of Medicine recommends the proportion of working RNs with bachelor's degrees increase to 80 percent in order to meet the needs of an aging population and the evolving health care system across the U.S.

The accelerated option provides both a path for students eager to launch their careers as quickly as possible and helps fill the significant need for registered nurses.

“Given the current and future nursing shortage, we believe that offering the second degree B.S.N. option at Harding will allow us to serve more students and ultimately, benefit the public,” Kehl said.

To learn more about the programs and services offered by Carr College of Nursing, visit www.harding.edu/nursing , or call 501-279-4475 .