PNC Approved to Offer Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

WESTVILLE – Purdue University North Central has received approval from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana State Board of Nursing to offer a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

The University currently offers a two-year Associate degree in Nursing and students now in that program may transition into the bachelor’s degree studies. As well, students who formerly earned an Associate degree in Nursing from PNC or any other accredited institution may apply to pursue a bachelor’s degree at PNC.

“We look forward to offering this option to our students,” said PNC Chancellor James B. Dworkin. “With a nationwide shortage of nurses, there is an unprecedented demand for nursing professionals with bachelor’s degrees. This degree will open many doors for our nursing graduates.”

There are some 2,000 alumni of the PNC nursing program and many are working in healthcare facilities in Northwest and North Central Indiana. It is anticipated that a number will return to earn a bachelor’s degree, said Lois Kelley, chair of the PNC Department of Nursing.
“There is a local and national demand for nurses with bachelor’s degrees,” noted Kelley. “National studies recommend that by 2010, 66 percent of all nurses should hold bachelor’s degrees and our degree will help meet that need.”

Kelley cited that about 30 percent of today’s nurses have bachelor’s degrees, with nearly 60 percent holding associate degrees or diploma certificates. Graduates of the PNC nursing program are qualified to pursue careers as professional nurses or may choose to continue their education by pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing so that they can advance their careers as administrators or become nursing professors in colleges or universities.

PNC’s nursing faculty has long been recognized for its excellence and professional development. Many have earned local, state and national recognition for innovative teaching and research and a number are active in publishing.

For further information about the PNC nursing program contact the Department of Nursing at 1-800-872-1231, ext. 5226 or visit the campus Web site at www.pnc.edu.

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