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According to the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania, the state is predicted to face a shortage of over 20,000 nurses by 2026, the worst in the nation. However, a new agreement between Millersville University and HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, offers a promising solution for Central Pennsylvania. The Millersville/HACC Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Concurrent Enrollment Program was announced on June 12 on Millersville University’s campus.
“This innovative partnership between Millersville University and HACC is a win-win for everyone,” says Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, president of Millersville University. “It allows us to create a seamless pathway for students to pursue their nursing careers, meets our EPPIIC value of serving the public, while addressing the critical need for more qualified nurses in our region.”
Dr. John J. “Ski” Sygielski, HACC’s president and CEO, said, “HACC is thrilled to partner with Millersville University on this initiative, which will give HACC nursing students a head start on their BSN program while completing their studies at HACC.”
Students can take one Millersville course per term while working on their registered nursing degree at HACC. This concurrent enrollment means that once they complete their HACC degree, they can finish their BSN at Millersville University more quickly. Concurrent education students are expected to complete their BSN within 12-15 months after graduating from HACC. Some students can finish in as little as 6-12 months.
Students will be assigned advisors at MU and HACC, who will collaborate to help them achieve their academic goals. After earning their ASN from HACC, the MU advisor will continue to guide their academic progress through the BSN program.
All MU courses will be fully online and span seven weeks. Depending on the student’s credit needs, enrollees can take telehealth certification and other 300-level nursing courses, such as professionalism and environmental health. Concurrent education students will also have access to the Millersville University library and other MU resources and be eligible for undergraduate scholarship opportunities.
Any HACC student accepted into the HACC Nursing Program can apply for the Millersville RN to BSN Concurrent Enrollment Program. Students must be accepted into HACC’s ASN program before applying to MU. Participation in the Concurrent Enrollment Program is optional; HACC students may choose to complete their ASN before beginning their BSN.
Interested students are encouraged to apply in their first or second semester at HACC.
Joining the Concurrent Enrollment Program helps accelerate a student’s path to earning a BSN or even an MSN degree. Additionally, depending on their HACC credit load, joining the Concurrent Enrollment Program can help students maintain their part-time or full-time status, making them eligible for federal financial aid.
For additional information, click here: millersville.edu/nursing/rntobsn/hacc-bsn-concurrent-program.php
