WSCC announces bachelor of science in nursing program
Washington State Community College President Vicky Wood announced the launch of a bachelor of science in nursing program at the school set to begin March 13. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Dean of Health and Sciences Heather Kincaid talked about the announcement of the new bachelor of science in nursing program being offered at Washington State Community College. Also pictured is Memorial Health System President and CEO Scott Cantley and WSCC President Vicky Wood. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Dean of Health and Sciences Heather Kincaid talked about the pediatric high fidelity manikin students will learn from in the new bachelor of science in nursing program being offered at Washington State Community College. Kincaid said the manikin can talk, its eyes move, it can have simulated seizures and its extremities can even turn blue. She said it’s the closest to a real experience students can get. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Washington State Community College President Vicky Wood announced the launch of a bachelor of science in nursing program at the school set to begin March 13. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Dean of Health and Sciences Heather Kincaid talked about the announcement of the new bachelor of science in nursing program being offered at Washington State Community College. Also pictured is Memorial Health System President and CEO Scott Cantley and WSCC President Vicky Wood. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Dean of Health and Sciences Heather Kincaid talked about the pediatric high fidelity manikin students will learn from in the new bachelor of science in nursing program being offered at Washington State Community College. Kincaid said the manikin can talk, its eyes move, it can have simulated seizures and its extremities can even turn blue. She said it’s the closest to a real experience students can get. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
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Washington State Community College cleared the final hurdle for its launch of a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program.
The much-anticipated news was shared Wednesday following the Higher Learning Commission's vote to approve the college's request.
"We are thrilled that today we will forever change the mission of Washington State as we move to becoming a baccalaureate granting institution," WSCC President Vicky Wood said.
The approval by the HLC was the last step in the process that began last spring when WSCC received the green light for a registered nursing program to bachelor of science in nursing completion program from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
Wood said Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, state Senator Jerry Cirino and Chancellor of the Department of Higher Education Randy Gardner were instrumental in helping the community college change the state policy to allow community colleges to offer the baccalaureate of nursing degree.
"I'd also like to thank our community partners," Wood added. "One is joining us today, Scott Cantley (President and CEO) with Memorial Health Systems, and Steve Altmiller (president and CEO) at West Virginia University Medicine Camden Clark. They've been along side us through this journey."
Wood said they began by advocating at the state level for the policy change and then helped later when the ODHE and the HLC became a part of the process to get the degree offered at the college.
"We could not have done it without their support," Wood said. "And we're really excited to start the program with their support as we begin enrolling our first BSN cohorts of students."
Cantley talked about the need for skilled nurses and said the area doesn't see the large migration of people some of the bigger cities might.
"We really depend on our local partnership because we have to grow our own," Cantley said. "For us to sustain ourselves, for us to really grow and still be relevant and vibrant as community health systems, we have to really focus on the partnerships that create opportunities for local folks. And that's exactly what this does."
Cantley said it was not surprising to him to see the school advocate so hard to get a program that could produce highly skilled nurses in the area that he said could rival other schools' programs such as those offered at Ohio State University and Cincinnati University. He said he was looking forward to other advancements WSCC could make.
"We are absolutely thrilled with this announcement today and we look forward to not just the nursing program but all the other developments that I think this could open the door for in the future as we see more and more parts of our workforce that need this type of opportunity," Cantley said.
Dean of Health and Sciences Heather Kincaid said it was a long journey to get to this announcement and that it took a lot of work behind the scenes from everyone at the college.
"This affects every aspect of this college," Kincaid said. "From our records department, our financial aid services, our marketing, it's all been team effort college-wide. So, we appreciate that very much. We are very happy to be able to offer our community members and our nurses a nice way, and a local way, to receive a quality nursing education right here at home."
Students can begin taking required courses as soon as the second 8-weeks of the current semester begin on March 13. Applications for enrollment in the program will be accepted through June 1. For details about WSCC's nursing program, including how to apply and information about the various pathways offered by the college, visit wscc.edu/nursing.
For more information about Washington State Community College, visit www.wscc.edu or call 740-374-8716.