FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |  Aug. 6, 2015

Chambersburg, Pa. — A year after the successful launch of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for existing registered nurses, Wilson College this fall is adding a new bachelor’s degree program that provides a pathway to becoming an RN.

The new Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) program is open for registration now for the fall semester. It builds upon two programs that began in fall 2014 — one that allows existing registered nurses to get a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and one that leads RNs to a Master of Science degree in nursing.

The new program is appropriate for recent high school graduates, as well those already working in health care and/or nursing but who are not registered nurses. Although a bachelor’s degree is not required to become an RN, the health care industry is moving in that direction, according to Carolyn Hart, program director for Wilson’s Department of Nursing. “Generally, registered nurses with at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing will have better job prospects than those without one,” she said.

Nursing is the overwhelmingly the most requested program among college-bound students nationwide, according to Wilson Vice President for Enrollment Mary Ann Naso. That interest is being fueled by strong demand for nurses in the region, as well as across the country, Hart said. “The need for well-educated nurses continues to grow, with opportunities for employment steadily increasing,” she said.

A 2009 Highmark Foundation report describes Pennsylvania’s nursing shortage as “severe” and cites the Health Resources and Services Administration as predicting a 41 percent vacancy rate for nurses in Pennsylvania by 2020, which means an additional 54,000 nurses will be needed to provide adequate patient care.

“Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 19 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations,” Hart said.

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing gave preliminary approval for Wilson’s new BSN program on June 25, but the college could not begin enrolling students until final approval, which came July 15 after a site visit. As of Aug. 3, 19 students had enrolled in the program and another 10 are in the process of applying, according to Hart.

Wilson’s new BSN program is innovative in a number of ways, including its emphasis on liberal arts. “The American Association of Colleges of Nurses recommends that nursing education include a broad liberal studies background,” said Hart. “It helps nurses have a better understanding of patients and makes them more empathetic.”

Another innovative feature of Wilson’s nursing program is the college’s interactive practice labs, where students will get hands-on experience with such things as IV therapy, wound care and physical assessment.

Students will have access to mock hospital rooms with low- and medium-fidelity mannequins, where they can practice critical thinking with skills such as checking blood pressure, starting an IV, inserting a catheter or nasogastric tube, and positioning a patient.

“All of these modalities allow you to practice in a safe environment where you can learn from your mistakes without affecting a real patient,” said Hart.

In addition, students enrolled in the program will benefit from Wilson’s partnership with several area health care organizations seeking to address their need for RNs, including Summit Health, Keystone Health and Menno Haven. Hart said those organizations have agreed to provide clinical sites where students can work with patients and put what they learn in the classroom into practice on actual patients.

“That will make our graduates much more skilled, much more confident and achieve better outcomes for the patient,” said Hart, who noted that most nursing programs only offer skills practice to students during clinical sessions late in their education. “We’re including the first nursing class in the first semester, so students will have four years to learn and practice skills. By the third nursing class, they will be working with real patients.”

Sherri Stahl, senior vice present of hospital services for Summit Health, said today, hospitals across the country are admitting patients with more serious and chronic conditions. “The need for highly trained and knowledgeable registered nurses is evident,” she said. “We’ve worked with Wilson closely on other important nursing opportunities and we’re happy to be a part of what we feel is a great addition to the already top-quality educational programs offered in Franklin County.”

For information about Wilson’s BSN program or to register, contact Hart at 717-262-4853, 717-414-6184 or carolyn.hart@wilson.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT:        Carolyn Hart, Program Director of Nursing
Phone: 717-262-4853 or 717-414-6184
Email: carolyn.hart@wilson.edu

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Founded in 1869, Wilson College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 29 majors and master’s degrees in education, the humanities, accountancy and nursing. Wilson is committed to providing an affordable education that offers value to its students beyond graduation.

Located in Chambersburg, Pa., the college had a spring 2015 enrollment of 805, which includes students from 17 states and 14 countries. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.

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