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New entrance options help address significant need for registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Rasmussen College, a regionally accredited private college and Public Benefit Corporation, today announced the launch of two accelerated entrance options for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at its Green Bay and Wausau, Wis. campuses. The Rasmussen College BSN degree program, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), is immediately available with the new, accelerated pre-licensure entrance options that are designed for students who are committed to the nursing profession and eager to launch their careers as quickly as possible. The accelerated entrance options also help fill a significant need for registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees in Wisconsin. Classes are expected to begin in April.
“We are thrilled to offer two new BSN entrance options and help students fulfill their dreams of becoming registered nurses faster than they ever thought possible,” said Dr. Joan Rich, vice president of the School of Nursing at Rasmussen College. “At Rasmussen College, we work closely with our business and community partners to understand their current healthcare needs and employment demands. We know the accelerated entrance options for our BSN degree will allow dedicated, driven students the opportunity to get into the nursing profession quickly while also positively impacting the Green Bay and Wausau communities.”
High Demand for RNs with Bachelor’s Degrees in Wisconsin The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends the proportion of working RNs with bachelor’s degrees increases to 80 percent by 2020 in order to meet the needs of an aging population and the evolving healthcare system across the U.S. According to labor analytics firm Burning Glass, there were around 4,400 job postings over the past year in Wisconsin for RNs with a bachelor’s degree. When compared to the number of job postings just five years ago — around 1,400 –the demand for registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees has grown more than 200 percent statewide. Rasmussen College is now only one of five higher education institutions in Wisconsin to offer accelerated entrance options for its BSN degree.
“Here in Green Bay, we’ve seen more than 300 percent growth in demand for RNs with a bachelor’s degree over the past five years and more than 500 percent growth in demand in nearby Appleton,” said Tammie Rogers, dean of nursing at the Rasmussen College Green Bay campus. “The Rasmussen College BSN degree program includes innovative, in-depth courses which also provide essential elements of baccalaureate education for professional nursing practice – training that’s necessary to ensure students graduate ready to provide quality care as part of a professional team. Upon graduation, students will also be fully prepared to sit for the national licensure exam (NCLEX – RN).”
Two Accelerated Pre-Licensure Entrance Options
Second Degree Entrance Option The Second Degree Entrance Option is a pre-licensure track that can be completed in as few as 18 months.* Candidates for this option currently hold a bachelor’s degree in any field of study and are now looking to complete their BSN.
Standard Entrance Option The Standard Entrance Option is a pre-licensure track that can be completed in as few as 33 months.* Candidates for this option do not currently hold a bachelor’s degree. Students who enroll in the BSN program through the Standard Entrance Option are also eligible for the College’s Flex Choice® option, which allows them to take some of their general education courses in an online, self-paced format at no cost. Depending on the number of self-paced courses students choose to take, they can save up to 27 percent on tuition costs compared to taking all faculty-led courses at Rasmussen College.
Rasmussen College also offers a BSN degree through a fully online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Entrance Option. This post-licensure option is designed for registered nurses who have obtained their RN degree through an associate’s degree program (or diploma and/or certificate) and are looking to advance their nursing careers by obtaining a CCNE-accredited BSN degree. The RN to BSN entrance option can be completed in as few as 12 months.*
To learn more about the new accelerated entrance options for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree now being offered at the Rasmussen College Green Bay and Wausau campuses, please visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/accelerated-bsn-second/” >http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/accelerated-bsn-standard/.” >http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation.
ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE: Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private college and Public Benefit Corporation that is dedicated to changing lives through high-demand educational programs and public service. Rasmussen College offers certificate and diploma programs through associate’s and bachelor’s degrees online and across its 23 Midwest and Florida campuses in a supportive, student-centered and career-focused environment. Since 1900, Rasmussen College has been dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Rasmussen College is committed to helping change lives through education and making a positive impact on society through public service and a variety of community-based initiatives. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.rasmussen.edu.
