UTC announces accelerated nursing degree program
Courtesy: Angela Foster/UTC
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga announced a new accelerated nursing program. This accelerated program will allow those with any bachelor’s degree to transition into the nursing field.
The new program will begin in the fall 2023 semester, UTC said. Students will be able to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in only one calendar year.
UTC said the program is rigorous, allowing students to graduate in only three semesters. The program will be completed in 59 credit hours.
The program was created for people who already have a bachelor’s degree. Previously held degrees do not have to be in the nursing field.
The university will have an on-campus announcement at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 27. This official announcement will take place in the UTC Metropolitan Building Learning Resource Center/Skills Lab.
UTC said new students can join each semester, fall, spring or summer. They said this will create a “continual admission and graduation cycle.”
“The need for the accelerated program stems from a critical nursing shortage impacting health care not only in the Chattanooga community but across the region, the state and the country,” said Dr. Jerold L. Hale, UTC provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “The benefit of an accelerated program is that it effectively addresses workforce demands by increasing the number of desperately needed nurses. UTC will be playing a role in helping put nurses out there in a much quicker time frame.”
Over one-third of credit hours will be completed in clinical settings. Students will receive hands-on experience, UTC said.
UTC Nursing Director Dr. Chris Smith said the program is intended for highly motivated individuals. These students must understand time management and be able to handle rigor and stress, according to Smith.
In addition, he said students will need the financial ability to be out of work for a year.
Smith also said, “If a person with a degree in business wanted to return to college and be a nurse, that would be great. The same for someone with a degree in a field like psychology; they just have to have a proven track record in having earned a bachelor’s degree and meeting the prerequisites.”
Interested students may contact April Anderson for more information.
Find out more on UTC’s website.
