Partnership benefits nursing students

November 17th, 2010

Grambling State University (GSU) and Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC) have formed a partnership that will benefit students seeking nursing degrees, the News-Star reports.

Through the schools' agreement, students who earn an associate’s degree from LDCC will be able to transfer to GSU without having to retake general education courses as they pursue registered nursing careers.

Officials from the two institutions have developed a new curriculum plan that allows nursing students to fulfill their course requirements by taking as few as 30 credit hours.

Luke Robins, LDCC chancellor believes that these types of partnerships between educational institutions are what have to happen for the state "to be competitive” and to help students “get to where they need to be.”

In an effort to further cater to the needs of tomorrow’s professionals, many of GSU’s nursing program courses will be offered online, so that students can work as they pursue their degree.

According to Connie Walton, interim GSU provost, Louisiana is one of the many states that is tackling a nursing shortage.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that colleges and universities across the country are struggling to expand enrollment levels to meet the expected healthcare needs of an aging baby boomer population.