The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) recently joined forces to offer a new dual admission BSN program. CCBC is the thirteenth school to create a dual-admission partnership agreement with the school.
Dual-admission partnerships are growing in popularity nationally, as more people are seeking out RN-to-BSN opportunities. These kinds of programs benefit not only the program participants, but the schools and healthcare employers as well. As the nursing shortage continues through the United States, hospitals and health organizations are constantly looking for ways to meet staffing needs.
This is one of several RN-to-BSN partnerships that CCBC has with various universities across Maryland, but the requirements at UMSON are different. “The UMSON partnership is unique, as the dual admission pathway provides flexibility and choice to CCBC students,” Linda Murray, DNP, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, shared. “The UMSON CCBC partnership does not require students to take BSN courses while still in the ADN program, but affords them the flexibility to take courses if they wish.”
Additional requirements include admission into CCBC’s ADN program, and completion of the first semester of the nursing program at CCBC. But while CCBC has several campuses, this program opportunity is only available to students at the Catonsville and Essex locations.
Since fall 2016, UMSON has admitted 139 dual admission students. These dual admission programs allow students to balance their coursework and work and home responsibilities, giving students the option to continue working, instead of solely focusing on their academics.
Beyond saving time in this RN-to-BSN program, students will also save money. “UMSON is currently covering the cost of its BSN courses for students participating in the dual-admission partnership while they are still enrolled in the ADN program, an opportunity made possible with funds from a gift from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Foundation,” Murray said. “Once the student graduates from their ADN program and matriculates into UMSON, they can apply for a full Conway Scholarship, which covers the costs of in-state tuition, fees, and books for the duration of the program.”
For more information about the UMSON-CCBC dual admission program, click here.
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