Webster, LCCC sign agreement to expand nursing offerings
From Illinois Business Journal news services
GODFREY – A new agreement between Lewis and Clark Community College and Webster University will assist nursing graduates in continuing their education and obtaining their bachelor’s degrees.
Today, Wednesday, LCCC is expected to welcome Jennifer Broeder, associate dean of Webster University’s College of Arts and Sciences Division of Professional Programs and chair of the nursing department, along with Webster University President Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble and Webster University Provost and Senior Vice President Julian Schuster to its Godfrey campus at 3 p.m. for a signing event in the Templin Nursing Building.
In 2010, the Institute of Medicine issued a blueprint report outlining the future, entitled The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. One major recommendation focused on nurses achieving higher levels of education through an educational system that promotes seamless academic progression. Specifically, the report recommends increasing the percentage of the registered nurse workforce with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees to 80 percent by the year 2020.
“As a result, partnerships between community colleges and universities are extremely important to assist in this demand,” said LCCC Dean of Health Sciences Donna Meyer.
Currently, 51 percent of the nurses in the country hold a bachelor’s degree, according to Meyer.
“Many employers are beginning to have preferential hiring practices for the BSN-educated nurse, and therefore it is imperative for LCCC graduates have their opportunity to further their education in a seamless progression,” Meyer said.
The new dual admission partnership and transfer agreement between L&C and Webster aims to encourage a smooth transition from LCCC’s Associate Degree Nursing program and Webster’s Bachelor of Science degree program.
“Lewis and Clark has a 40-year history of putting high-quality nursing graduates into the community, and this agreement only strengthens what we are able to offer our students,” Meyer said.
The dual enrollment program makes it possible for nursing students to be jointly admitted to both LCCC and Webster, simultaneously. It provides nursing students at Lewis and Clark with the opportunity to seamlessly complete a BSN at Webster and provides students with access to resources at both institutions.
Students who participate in the program will also have their application fees at Webster University waived, will maximize credit transfer from Lewis and Clark, and will have the opportunity to begin coursework at Webster while completing their ADN program at L&C.
“Both institutions have a reputation of providing quality nursing education to dedicated students,” Broeder said. “This partnership agreement helps to improve the job prospects and career satisfaction of our graduates.”
With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses and a robust online learning program. Founded in 1915, Webster University’s campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional campuses in Asia, Europe, North America and Africa.
Founded in 1970, Lewis and Clark Community College (www.lc.edu) is a two-year higher education institution with multiple campuses, a river research center, Community Education Centers and training centers located throughout the college district, which reaches into seven counties and includes more than 220,000 residents.
To learn more about LCCC’s nursing program, contact Director of Nursing Education Sheri Banovic at (618) 468-4410 or by email at sbanovic@lc.edu. To learn more about Webster’s nursing program, contact the Office of Admission at admit@webster.edu or (314) 246-7800.
