Nursing students at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges have a new way to get ahead. The colleges and the University of Iowa have created a partnership to allow registered nurses to earn a bachelor's degree.
Lori Haugen, director of nursing at the the Eastern Iowa colleges, says the agreement is called, "RN to BSN Three plus One-point-five."
"Basically, it's an opportunity for our students who graduate with their RN degrees here at EICC. They'll be able to transfer their credits seamlessly over to University of Iowa's online nursing program." said Haugen.All students who complete the three-year nursing program at Clinton, Muscatine, or Scott community colleges will be eligible for the University of Iowa's online program. It usually takes a year and a half.
Haugen says the agreement will also have benefits for the region.
"Historically, our students stay within the community after graduating from EICC," said Haugen. "So one advantage to them is they can go and start their RN careers. Stay here locally and help our community out with our healthcare needs and nursing needs, but also pursue that bachelor's degree while they're working."
According to a press release from the college, the agreement will help with state and national nursing shortages. The Iowa Board of Nursing reports that nearly half of registered nurses are more than 50 years old.