Nursing considers accelerated post-baccalaureate degree option The College of Nursing is exploring establishing an accelerated post-baccalaureate nursing program. The program would be open to students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing and would prepare them to become a registered nurse. If you are interested in possibly enrolling in an accelerated post-baccalaureate nursing program at UND, please complete our interest survey, go to www.nursing.und.edu and click on “Accelerated Interest Survey.” The survey is anonymous and will only take 5 to 10 minutes to complete. The U.S. Department of Labor has determined a need for more than one million new and replacement registered nurses by 2014. This nursing shortage has prompted many schools of nursing to offer creative alternatives for the baccalaureate nursing student, including accelerated degree options for students already possessing a college degree. Helen Melland, associate dean of undergraduate studies at the College of Nursing, stated that “We are excited about this program. Nurses who graduate from accelerated programs such as the one we are developing do an excellent job in the workplace. They have extensive educational and life experience beyond their basic nursing preparation resulting in a well prepared, highly skilled professional nurse.” Graduates of this program would be qualified to write the licensing exam to become registered nurses. The opportunities for baccalaureate prepared nurses to advance in nursing are great due to the current and predicted nursing shortage. Due to an increasing number of baby boomers now developing health care needs, the federal government predicts exceptional employment opportunities for nurses into the foreseeable future. Experience in healthcare is not required to be admitted into this program or to be successful in it. Students will receive all the experience they need as they progress through the curriculum. -- Becky Cournia, Alumni & Development Officer, Nursing, beckycournia@mail.und.edu, 777-4526