MTSU News and Media
Relations contacts:
Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu
Jimmy Hart, 615-898-5131 or Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu
Columbia
State Community College contact:
Amy Green, 931-540-2516 or
amy.green@columbiastate.edu
MTSU, Columbia State sign nursing transfer agreement
MURFREESBORO — Middle Tennessee State
University and Columbia State Community College administrators formally agreed
today (Nov. 16) to facilitate the transfer of Columbia State nursing students
seeking to upgrade their associate degree to a bachelor’s degree through MTSU’s
program.
The
document, signed by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Columbia State
President Janet F. Smith, will provide for specific advisement for Columbia
State students who intend to transfer to MTSU and encourage academic and
administrative coordination between the institutions. The signing was held in
the President’s Executive Conference Room in the new Student Union
Building.
“This will help students and provide a critical need,”
McPhee said. “The Tennessee Board of Regents wants to increase the number of
graduates in critical areas, and this program will help take out the hassle,
allowing for an easier transition. This pact with Columbia State is a true
win-win for the students and faculty at both of our institutions.”
“The
signing of this innovative articulation agreement is a first and has occurred
because of institutions joining together, partnering, to find the best way for
associate degree RN’s to obtain their BSN,” Smith said. “It is an example of
the commitment of MTSU and Columbia State to be a team in providing educational
access for our citizens, workforce responsiveness for our agencies and
industries and a stimulus for achievement of the higher education goals of our
state.”
Nursing
and academic officials at both schools praised the agreement and how it also
involves Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia.
“There
are so many of their graduates who wish to obtain their BSN and this agreement
will provide for seamless progression from the associate degree to the BSN,”
said Dr. Karen Ward, interim director for the MTSU School of Nursing, which has
one of the leading programs in the Southeast. “We also are happy to have Maury
Regional involved, thus assisting with clinical placement opportunities and,
perhaps, additional faculty that will be needed. It’s a win-win-win-win situation:
for the students, for Columbia State, for Maury Regional and for MTSU.”
Deborah
Lumpkins, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer
from Maury Regional, attended the signing.
Barbara
Blum, director of
the Columbia State nursing program, called the agreement “a significant
milestone” that helps students at both schools because it presents opportunity
for career advancement as well as promoting excellence in patient care.”
Dr.
Kae Fleming, dean of the Health Sciences Division at Columbia State, said her
college’s nursing program is a “centerpiece of the educational experiences
available for students.”
Fleming said the
associate degree RN is workforce ready and performs a critical role in meeting
the care excellence expectations of patients and the medical community.
“Many associate
degree RNs have obtaining a BS degree as a personal goal and the RN to BSN
agreement between Columbia State and Middle Tennessee State, with Maury
Regional Health Systems collaborating to provide advanced level nursing
clinical experiences, offers a path to achieve this educational dream at in-state
tuition rates with no commute,” Fleming said.
Fleming said the
BSN will be earned through a blend of courses at Columbia State, with the
community college benefits of lower tuition, smaller class sizes and personal
attention, followed by online classes through MTSU.
“On-ground
sessions will be incorporated throughout the enrollment to maintain a
sense of community and deliver support services,” she said.
“Degree
advancement opens doors for career advancement for nurses,” Fleming added.
“Additionally, many acute care providers have established goals for
increasing the number of BSN level nurses providing bedside care in response
to the IOM (Institute of Medicine) initiatives outlined in ‘The Future of
Medicine: Nursing Education.’
“This articulation
allows nurses in the service area to pursue lifelong learning, a habit
directly aligned with the college’s mission.”
Connie Gellinger,
a senior, nontraditional MTSU nursing student who commutes from Thompsons
Station, called it a “fabulous” partnership.
“This is great,”
Gellinger said. “It will allow for seamless transition from the associate
degree into the bachelor’s program. The benefit is (being able to take) online
courses, which is more flexible. You can still work and maintain a family life
while you pursue advancement in your nursing career.”
Included
in the agreement is a “Program of Study” that includes the MTSU RN to BSN
course requirements and outlines courses that must be taken at Columbia State
for transfer to MTSU. Also provided is a listing of the MTSU upper division
nursing courses that students will be required to complete in order to earn the
Bachelor of Science degree in nursing through MTSU.
The
agreement will be reviewed, amended, updated and/or expanded by mutual consent
by representatives of each institution.
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Photo cutline
MTSU Columbia State
signing.jpg
MTSU President Sidney
A. McPhee, left, and Columbia State Community College President Janet Smith
shake hands following a signing of a transfer agreement involving both schools’
nursing programs on Friday, Nov. 16, at MTSU. The signing took place in the
President’s Executive Conference Room in the new Student Union Building. (Photo
by Andy Heidt/MTSU Creative and Visual Services)
MTSU is
committed to developing a community devoted to learning, growth and service. We
hold these values dear, and there’s a simple phrase that conveys them: “I
am True Blue.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news any
time, visit www.MTSUNews.com.
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