Filling Ohio’s Workforce Needs

by Phil Saken

Two new undergraduate programs seek to prepare more bedside nurses

A present and future national nursing shortage requires solutions to fill in gaps that can affect patient care. The College of Nursing recently launched two new undergraduate programs tied to its top-ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program designed to help fill those gaps.

A four-year, $4 million grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration supports the new LIVE WELL Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN (LPN to BSN) Bridge program. The purpose of this LPN to BSN track is to break down barriers that prevent licensed nurses who come from rural or underserved populations from taking the next steps in their careers.

“This grant will make a big impact for Ohio,” said Wendy Bowles, PhD, APRN-CNP, CNE, associate dean for baccalaureate programs at the College of Nursing and program director for the grant.  “We will be able to provide a pathway for students to directly enter our top-ranked BSN program while providing a supportive infrastructure to help them be successful.” 

The two-year program emphasizes health equity and combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on clinical experience and guidance from experienced preceptors. Courses will cover advanced nursing concepts, research, community health, leadership and evidence-based practice.

College of Nursing faculty who will help lead the LPN to BSN track include Wendy Bowles,  Rebecca Lorenz, PhD, RN, Candy Rinehart, DNP, APRN-CNP, FAANP, Amy Jauch, DNP, RN, CNE, Bevra Brinkman, DNP, APRN-CNS, Kelly Sullivan, DNP, APRN-CNP and Portia Zaire, MSN Ed, BSN, RN, CNE.

Meanwhile, the college also debuted an accelerated program designed for people with a bachelor’s degree in a major other than nursing.

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (aBSN) is a full-time program that can be completed in as few as 18 months. This competitive program prepares students to take the State Board, National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN) upon graduation.

“This program combines flexible online and in-person coursework with real-world clinical experiences alongside some of the top healthcare professionals in Ohio,” Bowles said.

The first cohorts for both the aBSN and the LPN to BSN program will begin studies in summer 2024.