Jacksonville, FL, Feb. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advancing its commitment to enhance the quality of health care by graduating exceptional, job-ready nurses, Jacksonville University announced a catalytic new program in partnership with Baptist Health that will rapidly address the increasing need for qualified nurses in Northeast Florida.
The Jacksonville University and Baptist Health 12 Month Second Degree BSN Program offers qualified individuals an accelerated path to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 12 months with the opportunity to earn a work-promise agreement from Baptist Health upon graduation and licensure.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has only deepened the demand for talented, qualified nurses to care for Florida’s growing and aging population, especially with tens of thousands of experienced nurses approaching retirement in the next 10 years in our state,” said Jacksonville University President Tim Cost. “We want to close that gap, and it’s fitting that we will tackle this challenge with our long-time partners at Baptist Health, who first joined us in 1981 to develop and launch Jacksonville University’s school of nursing.”
The 12-month, second-degree program combines premier nursing education and faculty expertise from Jacksonville University’s esteemed Keigwin School of Nursing with hands-on skills training from Baptist Health’s experienced, talented clinical nurses. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in any field are eligible for the accelerated degree program.
“This program represents one of the most unique and innovative academic program partnerships in our region, made possible by Baptist Health’s commitment to quality health care education and training,” said Dr. Christine Sapienza, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs at Jacksonville University. “Partnerships like this one continue to drive our strategy for educating the next generation of students, and it wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our faculty, including Dr. Lindsay Wolf and Professor Amber Santos of the Keigwin School of Nursing.”
“We are honored to partner with Jacksonville University to grow tomorrow’s nurses for our community, prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their dynamic profession,” said Brett McClung, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “Our nurse educators teach students our exceptional standards for patient care and help them master the required health care delivery skills to make a successful transition into the workforce.”
This exclusive partnership assures students have access to industry-leading Baptist Health facilities as they earn clinical hours, and the program pairs students with accomplished, veteran Baptist Health nurses who will guide, mentor and prepare them for a successful nursing career.
“Nurses and the care they provide are catalysts for exceptional clinical outcomes,” said Mary Ellen Schopp, senior vice president and chief human resources officer of Baptist Health. “That is what we want for Baptist Health patients and that is why we are investing in this program.”
Students in the program will learn essential health care delivery skills in a strategic, purposeful and flexible instructional model and can earn a work-promise agreement from Baptist Health by successfully completing all academic, clinical and licensure requirements.
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools of nursing have spearheaded infection prevention and education initiatives to combat the spread of the virus,” said Tammy Daniel, DNP, RN, BSN, NEA-BC, MHA , senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Baptist Health. “We look forward to welcoming nursing students through this program who will soon serve on the frontlines to provide comprehensive care to our patients and their families, as well as our community.”
For nearly 40 years, Jacksonville University’s Keigwin School of Nursing has been recognized for its quality nursing curriculum, faculty expertise, and talented graduates. Named the No. 2 nursing program in Florida by Nursing.org, Keigwin School of Nursing’s NCLEX pass rates average between 93-100% and 90% of graduates secure jobs upon graduation, or are accepted into a graduate program. The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Jacksonville University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Baptist Health is Magnet™-designated, which is considered the gold standard among health care organizations that meet American Nurses Credentialing Center standards for quality patient care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice.
Applications for the Jacksonville University and Baptist Health 12 Month Second Degree BSN Program are now open for the first cohort, which is expected to begin in the fall of 2021. For more information or to apply, visit ju.edu/nursing/undergraduate/accelerated-12-month-bsn.
About Jacksonville University
Named one of the Best Regional Universities in the South for more than 15 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report, Jacksonville University is a premier private institution in northeast Florida. Founded in 1934, the University offers more than 100 majors, minors, and programs, including in-demand degrees in Nursing, Business, Biology and Marine Science, Engineering, Finance, as well as those in the more contemporary and specialized fields of Aviation, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Film, Animation, and Sports Business. Jacksonville University, with its four colleges, five schools and two institutes, is located in a beautiful riverfront setting in suburban Jacksonville, across the St. Johns River from downtown and just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. The 240-acre campus includes a half-mile of riverfront, oak-lined paths, and a mix of historic and new campus buildings.
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is a faith-based, mission-driven system in Northeast Florida comprised of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville; Baptist Medical Center Beaches; Baptist Medical Center Nassau; Baptist Medical Center South; Baptist Clay Medical Campus and Wolfson Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. All Baptist Health hospitals, along with Baptist Home Health Care, have achieved Magnet™ status for excellence in patient care. Baptist Health is part of Coastal Community Health, a highly integrated regional hospital network focused on significant initiatives designed to enhance the quality and value of care provided to our contiguous communities. Baptist Health has the area’s only dedicated heart hospital; orthopedic institute; women’s services; neurological institute, including comprehensive neurosurgical services, a comprehensive stroke center and two primary stroke centers; a Bariatric Center of Excellence; a full range of psychology and psychiatry services; urgent care services; and primary and specialty care physicians’ offices throughout Northeast Florida. The Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center is a regional destination for multidisciplinary cancer care, which is clinically integrated with the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the internationally renowned cancer treatment and research institution in Houston. For more details, visit baptistjax.com.
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