Sandburg, UIC Create Dual-Admissions Pathway for Nursing
Aaron Frey
Friday, March 6, 2020 8:50 AM
Campus News
Galesburg, IL
Carl Sandburg College nursing students may have an easier time earning their bachelor’s degree thanks to a new agreement with the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Sandburg and the board of trustees of the University of Illinois, on behalf of the UIC College of Nursing and UIC Extended Campus, have entered into a memorandum of understanding to create a dual-admissions pathway from the Sandburg associate degree nursing (ADN) program to UIC’s online RN to BSN degree completion program.
“With six campuses throughout northern and central Illinois, the UIC College of Nursing has long been dedicated to educating nurse leaders for the entire state,” said Terri Weaver, dean of the UIC College of Nursing. “Now, through this partnership, we can make a meaningful and almost immediate difference for western Illinois communities facing critical nursing shortages.”
Under the agreement, the dual-admissions pathway will allow nursing students to earn an associate degree in nursing at Sandburg while at the same time enrolling in identified courses that are part of the online UIC RN to BSN degree completion program and working in their home region.
“Because it’s fully online, our BSN completion program is easily accessible, and with this agreement, we can provide a new level of convenience for students at Sandburg,” said Kate Tredway, director of the UIC College of Nursing RN to BSN degree completion program. “I personally can’t wait to welcome them.”
In January, “U.S. News & World Report” ranked UIC’s online baccalaureate degrees No. 3 in the nation.
Upon successful completion of Sandburg’s ADN program, students will be awarded their associate degree and continue their progress in the UIC online RN to BSN program as degree-seeking students. UIC will confer the bachelor’s degree in nursing after graduation requirements are met.
Sandburg had approximately 40 nursing students enrolled at its Main Campus in Galesburg in 2019.
“The majority of our associate degree nursing graduates continue their education to attain a bachelor’s degree, so this partnership with UIC creates a pathway for our students to do that while still being able to work as a nurse in the local community,” said Kris Gray, dean of health professions at Sandburg.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the U.S. is projected to experience a shortage of registered nurses that is expected to intensify as Baby Boomers age and the need for health care grows. The association also says “baccalaureate nursing programs encompass all of the course work taught in associate degree and diploma programs, plus a more in-depth treatment of the physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, nursing management and the humanities.”
“This agreement is fantastic for our associate degree nursing students because they can continue toward another level of their education without having to sacrifice hours on the job,” said Misty Lyon, associate vice president of academic and student planning. “Being able to work and support themselves and their families while also enrolling in this online program through UIC is a major difference-maker for them.”
Those interested in more information on the ADN + BSN dual-admission pathway can go to the UIC RN to BSN website at bsn.ec.uic.edu.
For more information about Sandburg’s College of Nursing, visit www.sandburg.edu, or contact the Carl Sandburg College Welcome Center at 309.345.3500 or welcomecenter@sandburg.edu.