Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) announced that it will add an online bridge Paramedic to BSN program. Marcia Miller, Ph.D., RN, and dean of the division of nursing and sciences said that the program will start in January with the first cohort.
The program is designed for paramedics that have completed an associate degree or only hold a paramedic license to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing online, enabling students with varied work schedules to take classes while still employed.
This program of study has been designed for paramedics who completed an associate of applied arts, an associate of science degree from another higher education institution or hold a paramedic license in the state of Indiana without additional earned higher education credit.
The U.S. healthcare industry is encountering the most devastating workforce shortage since World War II. As a result of the excessive patient burden of COVID-19, healthcare facilities throughout the nation have struggled to meet an extensive workforce crisis. The impact of the shortage has been experienced on every level of care, including first responders, ancillary support staff and nurses. Many individuals interested in entering nursing careers face barriers and obstacles, such as daily campus classes and assigned weekly clinicals that stand in their way of pursuing or completing career goals.
Miller is pleased to be able to have this program added to the nursing and health sciences. “SMWC will be one of just a few colleges in the country that will offer a program that will allow a paramedic to earn their BSN online with a flexible schedule to allow them to work while they learn.”
Janet Clark, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, said, “Dr. Miller and her staff have done a tremendous job with our nursing program since its introduction in 2014. We are pleased to offer this new program to provide an accessible and accelerated pathway for these individuals to earn their BSN and help fill the shortage in nursing.”
SMWC offers an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Paramedic Science, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing and a Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate as well.
For more information, visit smwc.edu/nursing.