The Ohio Board of Regents has recently approved the offering of the Indiana University East Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science (RN to BSN) Mobility Option at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton. Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut signed the proposal signifying this program met the standards and requirements of the Ohio Board of Regents. This approval speaks to the high quality of the educational program as well as its intention to meet the need of registered nurses who wish to return to school to complete a BSN degree in nursing. Approval has been granted through December 31, 2012.

Students will begin taking courses this fall 2009.

IU East is partnering with Good Samaritan Hospital in this endeavor. The hospital is committed to providing options for educational mobility for and enhancing the knowledge and skills of its workforce. This is particularly important in today’s health care arena as there is a projected shortage of BSN-prepared nurses looming in the future.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for both institutions to work together in meeting the needs of a professional nursing workforce, which ultimately impacts quality of care for our citizens. We are looking forward to collaborating with the hospital and the students who will be enrolled in our program,” said Karen Clark, dean of the School of Nursing.

Beth Hock, director of the Center for Nursing Excellence at Good Samaritan Hospital, said the partnership would provide accessible educational opportunities to the staff at Good Samaritan.

“Good Samaritan Hospital is proud to collaborate with IU East. We are committed to providing our nursing staff with every avenue possible to have access to the education and skills necessary,” Hock said.

The RN to BSN curriculum is consistent with the 2008 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Baccalaureate Education and the American Nurses Association Standards of Practice. The BSN program is also accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

For more information about the RN to BSN Mobility Option, contact the IU East School of Nursing at (765) 973-8213.