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Concordia University Irvine Announces Expansion of its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

Concordia University Irvine Announces Expansion of its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

IRVINE, Calif. (September 19, 2017)Concordia University Irvine (CUI) has announced the expansion of its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, adding 24 student spaces to its Fall and Summer cohorts after receiving approval from the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). The first expanded cohort of 64 students—up from 40 students—began classes on August 21.

The ABSN program expansion will also include the addition of full-time and adjunct clinical faculty, two new classrooms, another clinical skills and simulation lab and additional conference rooms and office space at CUI's Park Place campus in Irvine, where the Nursing Program resides. Renovation of this additional new space will begin at the end of September, with an estimated completion date of November 2017.

"The ability to enroll more qualified applicants allows Concordia University Irvine to replenish the pool of exceptional nurses who are retiring and leaving the profession," said Concordia University Irvine Assistant Dean and Director of the Nursing Program Cheryl
Smythe-Padgham, DNP, RN, WHNP-BC. "The true benefit is to our local community and healthcare system."

1According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing report on 2016-2017 Enrollment in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, U.S. nursing schools turned away more than 64,000 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2016 due to budget limitations and an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, and clinical preceptors.

Concordia Irvine received approval from the Sacramento-based Board of Registered Nursing to increase its cohort size from 40 to 64 students in June 2017 after submitting a report to demonstrate that the program has resources to accommodate the change in enrollment.

The university's full-time, on-campus ABSN program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, but are looking to advance their education in the field of nursing.

"The accelerated degree program for non-nursing graduates builds on previous learning experiences and provides a way for individuals with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines to transition into nursing," Smythe-Padgham said.

Students in the ABSN program are required to complete 765 hours in clinical settings with the possibility of completing the courses in 15 months. A total of 127 units are required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Students are able to transfer a maximum of 75 units from a previous degree, including prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite coursework can be completed at any regionally accredited college or university.

Concordia University Irvine's ABSN program began in 2008, graduating close to 500 nursing students since its inception. The program enables students to engage in a high quality, challenging curriculum that promotes critical thinking, clinical reasoning and leadership skills in a supportive and caring environment.

1American Association of Colleges of Nursing on the Internet at http://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Nursing-Shortage (visited September 6, 2017).

 

About Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine (CUI) is a non-profit Lutheran Christian liberal arts four-year university that prepares students for their vocations—their calling in life. Concordia offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in education, nursing, theology, business, and athletics administration. CUI’s undergraduate program is distinctive because of its nationally recognized core curriculum, Enduring Questions & Ideas, and its Lutheran heritage that provides a thoughtful and caring Christian community that lives out the theology of "Grace Alone. Faith Alone." Concordia is a U.S. News Top Tier Regional University and has been named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the fastest growing private nonprofit master's institutions. The university is part of the Concordia University System, the second largest education ministry system in the United States just behind the Catholic Church. The NCAA DII private university enrolls over 4,000 students annually.

Contact: Orith Farago
Communications Consultant
(714) 582-2300
[email protected]

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