Blinn, Sam Houston State launch nursing partnership
Co-enrollment program places students on the fast track toward Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees
June 13, 2019
The Blinn College District Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program and Sam Houston State University (SHSU) School of Nursing have launched a new option for students interested in pursuing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Through an innovative partnership, Blinn ADN students can co-enroll at SHSU and reduce the time necessary to complete their bachelor’s degree by up to six months. A pilot group of 11 Blinn students began taking classes at SHSU this month.
“Through this partnership, Blinn’s accomplished ADN students can earn their BSNs at an accelerated pace,” said Tom Lescarbeau, Dean of Health Sciences for the Blinn College District. “This professional achievement can open the door to additional career opportunities and leadership positions within the nursing field to help fill the critical shortage of nursing leaders in the region.”
Blinn’s ADN Program is a competitive and highly ranked two-year course of study that prepares students to serve as nurses in the local community and beyond. Blinn ADN graduates posted a 96.39% pass rate on the national licensure examination in 2018, surpassing the national average of 88.56% and the state average of 91.65%. All 35 members of Blinn’s Fall 2018 graduating class passed the NCLEX-RN, making it the seventh class to post a 100% pass rate.
RNCareers.org recently ranked Blinn No. 4 among the state’s ADN programs while RegisteredNursing.org ranked Blinn No. 19 among all ADN and BSN programs in Texas.
“The success of our program is a reflection of our dedicated faculty and students, who always strive to be on the cutting edge of the nursing profession,” said Karla Ross, Blinn ADN Program Director.
Blinn found a natural partner in SHSU’s RN to BSN program. Serving as one of the most reputable and state-of-the-art programs in Texas, SHSU’s School of Nursing creates an accelerated pathway for ADN students to earn their BSN degree. Eligible Blinn ADN students who have completed at least one semester of the program can begin taking courses at SHSU in the summer to earn credit towards their BSN degrees. Upon completion of Blinn’s ADN program, qualifying students transition into SHSU’s School of Nursing and complete the BSN program coursework. Blinn students could have as few as four classes remaining to complete their BSN upon transfer.
“SHSU’s School of Nursing is poised to provide relevant education to students and prepare them to fulfill the high demand for qualified nurses in rural communities. With our joint admission agreement with Blinn, we offer a seamless transition for success into our RN – BSN and LVN - RN programs,” said Denise Neill, Director and Associate Professor for SHSU’s School of Nursing. “The 11 Blinn ADN students enrolled this summer are earning credit at the baccalaureate level and toward licensure, while improving their skills and gaining knowledge to advance their careers through the SHSU School of Nursing.”
The program offers a flexible schedule through SHSU’s fully online classes and helps students reduce tuition fees by completing three years of their educational requirements at Blinn. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordination Board’s CollegeForAllTexans.com, out-of-district Blinn students who enroll in 30 credit hours during the 2019-20 academic year will save $4,036 (42%) in tuition and fees compared to students at public universities across the state.
Along with Blinn’s low tuition and fees, the Blinn Foundation offers more than 200 endowed scholarships available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, and experiences. Current and prospective students can complete a single application to apply for all Blinn at www.blinn.edu/scholarships. Many area hospitals and employers also offer tuition assistance for students dedicated to completing their BSN degrees.
In addition to this new partnership with SHSU, Blinn’s ADN Program has transfer articulation agreements in place with Prairie View A&M University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at Tyler, and the University of Texas Medical Branch.
For more information regarding the Blinn ADN Program and the co-enrollment option with SHSU’s BSN program, visit www.blinn.edu/associate-degree-nursing/transfer-opportunities.html.
