Twenty-Seven Students Graduate from New Accelerated B.S.N. Program While Second Class Begins

September 10, 2004 — In direct response to a nationwide shortage of nurses and health professionals, the UCF School of Nursing initiated an accelerated program that allows students with previously earned bachelor’s degrees to earn a second degree in 15 months. The first group of students to complete this program was recognized during a ceremony held July 30 in the Student Union on the university’s Orlando campus.

All 27 students had prior bachelor’s degrees in a discipline other than nursing when they started the program in May 2003 and were awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing during August commencement exercises. A nursing degree will open doors for these graduates in the work place and has also prepared them to take the licensing exam to become registered nurses.

Graduates are prepared to provide comprehensive care in a variety of settings and the program emphasizes clinical nursing practice, health promotion and maintenance, hands-on experiences across the continuum of care and preparation for leadership roles.

“This program has been successful because of the length and the ability for graduates to become nurses and move into a new career,” said Professor Diane Wink.

A second class, with eight more spots available than the first class, started the program in May of this year and is currently three months into the intensive curriculum.

Current student Tammy Reed holds a previous degree in physical education and finds the group diversity to be the best aspect of the program.

“Group projects are easier to divide since we all come from unique professional backgrounds,” said Reed. She plans to continue her career as an exercise specialist after she earns her nursing degree.

Marianne Dietzel, a current student planning to work as a medical/surgical nurse with gastric bypass surgery patients, agreed with Reed. “This program recognizes the importance of a variety of backgrounds and life experiences and what they can bring to the nursing profession,” said Dietzel. She used credits from a biology degree earned in 1976 to complete the prerequisites for the program.

The opportunity to receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing in reduced time without participating in a two-year alternative RN program attracted Salena Tully.

”The B.S.N. degree allows for more mobility within the field,” said Tully. Her previous degree is in psychology and she is interested in working in labor and delivery after graduation.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the national voice for university and four-year-college education programs in nursing, lists 38 states and the District of Columbia that offer accelerated nursing programs.

For more information on the UCF accelerated undergraduate nursing program and other nursing programs, please visit www.cohpa.ucf.edu/nursing.

-- Sara Cooper