Delmar University Earns First Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Cohort
Del Mar College’s first graduates with bachelor’s degrees took the stage on Friday.
This summer, 14 nurses completed the university’s new RN to BSN program. This program allows current registered nurses who already have an associate’s degree to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
“The greatest benefit will come to the community,” said Jennifer McWour, Chair of the Nurses Education Division. There’s been a lot of pressure on agencies, they want more BSN-capable nurses.”
The degree program will start in Fall 2021 after being approved by the Delmar Board of Directors in 2020. The university’s nursing program also offers a certificate in nursing and vocational nurse education and an associate’s degree in nursing education and registered nurse education.
McWha said the university consulted with local hospitals while preparing to introduce the program.
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“We spoke with all the chief nursing officers at the hospital and they all said the same thing: ‘We need at least double the number of BSN nurses,'” McWha said.
Bachelor-level training has been linked to improved patient outcomes, McWha added.
Casey Moebius, an assistant professor of nursing, said the big difference between an associate’s degree nursing program and a bachelor’s degree program is that BSN nurses learn to look beyond the individual patient and see and value the family and community. said.
A BSN degree prepares graduates for management and leadership positions. Nurses with a BSN degree can also continue their education with a master’s degree or pursue a more advanced role, such as Nurse Her Practitioner.
“We need more highly trained bedside care nurses,” says McWha. “We need nursing researchers. We need nursing educators.”
Del Mar’s RN to BSN program is a hybrid, with some in-person labs and some online classes. Participants typically work full-time while taking the course.
Among the RN to BSN alumni was Elizabeth Rovira, who graduated with an associate degree in 2009. When she learned that Dell Her Ma was offering this program, she enrolled immediately.
“I knew it was a great school,” Rovira said. “It was local and cheap.”
Rovira is interested in advancing her career and pursuing more leadership roles.
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On Wednesday, RN to BSN graduates held a pinning ceremony alongside other students who have completed licensed vocational nursing and RN programs.
At the awards ceremony, Rovira said nursing was stressful, emotional, and challenging. sacrifice was explained.
“I know ADN students are probably scared to death right now, but I promise to do good,” Rovira told the audience. “The good thing is that I did the best I could for my patients each time, and I know they are not alone. You can get to know the patient.”
Rovira believes nursing is an art. She said it is also caring, learning, patience, kindness, and hard work.
“Nursing is love,” Rovira said. “Love what you do, love your patients, and love how they feel each time they achieve one of their goals.
A second cohort will begin the program this fall, and the university hopes to increase the number of students over the next few years.
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