Stritch’s College of Nursing to offer unique transfer of credit to Wisconsin technical college graduates

In an effort to meet a critical need for better trained and educated nurses, RNs with two-year degrees from a Wisconsin technical college can now fully apply those credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion program in the Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing at Cardinal Stritch University.

The agreement originated between Stritch and Milwaukee Area Technical College, but the same approach has also been made available to nursing graduates of all 16 colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).

According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report in 2012, nursing is identified as the occupation with the largest projected employment growth from 2010-2020, with an anticipated 26 percent increase in demand. In 2010, a report by the Institute of Medicine cited the need for nurses to achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved and seamless education system.

“A strong partnership with each of the 16 technical colleges provides an educational pathway to Stritch which will ensure a seamless transition to an advanced degree,” said Kelly J. Dries, dean of the College of Nursing. “Nursing education is charged with meeting workforce needs for nurses who provide safe, seamless, quality patient care. A partnership with the technical collages is an essential step in meeting this need.”

Stritch’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion program is designed for registered nurses who are looking for enhanced career opportunities, promotions, and management positions. The program uses adult learning theory as the basis for the design of the courses so that projects are designed for working registered nurses and have meaning for them in their work. The program is accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

“This new relationship between Stritch and WTCS opens the door of opportunity to scores of high-quality nurses who are looking to advance their training and education,” said Stritch President Dr. James Loftus. “Stritch’s commitment to exemplary nursing training dates back to 1980, and we are proud partners with the 16 Wisconsin technical colleges to meet a critical community need.”

“This is the type of innovative approach that I believe you’ll see more and more often,” said Morna Foy, president of WTCS. “It makes career progression very attainable for our highly skilled nursing graduates.”

The Ruth S. Colman College of Nursing is a leader in combining education innovation with clinical practice. The college is engaged in multi-faceted, collaborative partnerships with health care organizations and academic facilities through southeastern Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.stritch.edu.