HCC
and UTHealth partner for the future of nursing
New Agreement designed to create more bachelor’s
degree nurses in Texas
July 21, 2010 – Associate Degree nursing students at
Houston Community College (HCC) have a new incentive to continue their
education and achieve a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
School of Nursing.
Today during a ceremony at the HCC John B. Coleman,
M.D. College for Health Sciences, leaders from HCC and UTHealth
celebrated a new partnership for the future of nursing with the signing
of an Early Acceptance Program agreement. Qualified students in the HCC
Coleman College Associate Degree Nursing Program will have an
opportunity for early admission status to UTHealth’s BSN program.
“Our students will have the opportunity of a
lifetime to earn their bachelor’s degree from one of the most
prestigious nursing schools in the nation,” said Betty Young, Ph.D.,
J.D., LL.M., president of HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences.
Young added, “Through this program, HCC students
whose academic performance qualifies them for entry into the UTHealth
School of Nursing will have the benefit of early admission status from
the university to continue their lifetime of learning.”
Patricia L. Starck, D.S.N., R.N., dean of the UTHealth
School of Nursing, said the partnership is designed to address a
national shortage in health care providers by encouraging more
baccalaureate-prepared nurses.
“Nationally, only about 15 percent of Associate
Degree nurses continue their education. We want to change that in
Houston. With that goal in mind, we are completing this agreement with
HCC on behalf of its John B. Coleman, M.D. College for Health Sciences.
By early admission status to UTHealth after their first year of nursing
at HCC, we believe those students will be motivated to go the rest of
the way for the BSN degree. It will benefit UTHealth School of Nursing
by having a ready pool of students for our RN to BSN program. By our two
institutions working together early on, we can assure a seamless
transition for these students.”
