The Bachlor of Science in Nursing program will begin in the fall of 2019 at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, and applications are now being accepted.

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The University of Hartford’s College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions (ENHP) is launching a new entry-level Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in the fall of 2019 and is now accepting applications for the first class. This program builds on ENHP’s long-standing reputation of excellence in the greater Hartford community for its nationally accredited RN to BSN and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs.

The new BSN program is designed for students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and have not earned a previous nursing degree. In the four-year BSN program, students will work closely with expert nurse educators in small classes, strengthen their leadership skills by working with teams across disciplines to improve patient care outcomes, and complete clinical training at leading hospitals and medical centers in the region.

Cesarina Thompson, dean of ENHP, said the University is launching the BSN program to respond to workforce demands for more baccalaureate-level nurses. “Research has shown strong links between nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level and lower patient mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and more positive outcomes. Employers recognize that education makes a difference and are now requiring or strongly preferring nurses with a BSN degree.”

Demand for nurses continues to grow. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that by 2022 there will be far more RN jobs available than in any other profession. With more than 500,000 RNs anticipated to retire by 2022, the BLS projects a need for 1.1 million new RNs for expansion and replacement of retirees and to avoid a nursing shortage.

In Connecticut, there is ample capacity for an additional nursing education program. Nursing programs in Connecticut annually have thousands of applicants for a limited number of places. In 2016, nearly 8,000 candidates applied for a total of 2,220 program openings statewide, according to a report from the state Board of Examiners in Nursing.

“Our BSN program differs from others in the state because it provides nursing students with a unique opportunity to learn alongside other ENHP students in a range of health professions that provide direct patient care, including respiratory therapy, radiology, and physical therapy,” Thompson said. “This inter-professional program meets employers’ needs for nurses who can be active participants of a health care team, communicate with other team members, and develop critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to improve patient care quality and safety.” ENHP nursing students will also benefit from the opportunity to work with education students and faculty to develop strong teaching skills that they can apply to patient education.

Thompson said the University’s proximity to a wide range of hospitals and healthcare facilities will provide students with outstanding clinical opportunities. To date, the University of Hartford BSN program has clinical commitments from Hartford Hospital, Hartford Healthcare Rehabilitation, Hartford Healthcare Behavioral Health, Eastern Connecticut Health Network/Manchester Memorial Hospital, Gaylord Specialty Care/Gaylord Hospital, The Hospital of Central Connecticut’s New Britain General Campus, McLean Care, Middlesex Hospital, Midstate Medical Center, and Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.

University of Hartford nursing graduates are employed throughout Connecticut in professional leadership, practice, and education positions. While maintaining the high standards that healthcare professionals in Connecticut have come to trust, the new BSN program will now expand the University’s reach to include high school students from diverse backgrounds who want to pursue a career in nursing. More information and application details are available on our website: http://www.hartford.edu/nursing-bsn

Current University of Hartford nursing programs are nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the BSN is pending approval by the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing.

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