UIndy Launching Accelerated Nursing Program

Press Release

Addressing the growing shortage of nurses nationwide, the University of Indianapolis is launching a degree program for individuals who want to enter the nursing profession but have a bachelor’s degree in another field.

The new Accelerated Master’s Program compresses the nursing bachelor’s and master’s courses of study into a 27-month curriculum that prepares graduates for managerial roles. After the initial 14 months of bachelor’s coursework, required for registered nurse licensure, candidates will complete on line the work leading to a master’s degree in nursing administration.

“This unique program—a first in Indiana—should appeal to displaced workers and other professionals who feel stalled in their careers and are attracted to the nursing profession,” said Mary L. McHugh, dean of the School of Nursing. “They will have the credentials to assume leadership roles very rapidly once they have gained some clinical nursing experience.”

Applicants must have a 3.0 grade-point average or equivalent in their bachelor’s program and an aptitude in math and science. Interested persons are invited to an Open House at the nursing school (Martin Hall, Room 350) from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17. Information is available from Tondra Crum at (317) 788-2128 or tcrum@uindy.edu, as well as at nursing.uindy.edu.

The independent Council on Physician and Nurse Supply has projected that nursing schools must graduate 30,000 additional nurses annually to meet expanding U.S. healthcare needs—a 30 percent increase over current numbers of nurse graduates. A 2007 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2016.

The new nursing program is UIndy’s second accelerated-degree program for career-changers. The university, a leader in workforce preparation for K-12 education as well as health sciences, also offers a master of arts in teaching for individuals with bachelor’s degrees who would like to pursue a teaching career.

Source: University of Indianapolis