University Of Bridgeport And Bridgeport Hospital Integrate Nursing Program

News release from UB:

The University of Bridgeport and Bridgeport Hospital announced today that they are developing plans to integrate the nursing program at the Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing (BHSN) into the University.

The agreement commits the institutions to undertake this planning together. Full program transfer is being envisaged, with the University assuming full responsibility for the program.

While integration plans are being developed and various permissions are sought to offer the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University, an interim agreement offers UB students a Pathway to Nursing, effective immediately.

The Pathway to Nursing affords UB students priority admission to the diploma program offered by the Hospital’s School of Nursing. In this interim agreement, UB students will be accepted to the School of Nursing by successfully completing pre-professional coursework at the University. Students are now being accepted for the fall 2014 semester. To apply or to obtain more information, go to www.bridgeport.edu/nursing.

“Signing the agreement is consistent with the University’s strategic plan to engage the Bridgeport community, region, and world, and this agreement reflects that commitment,” said UB President Neil Albert Salonen. “UB and the Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing have long-established records of excellence serving the community. This agreement allows us to leverage our resources to train top-quality nurses, who are critical to serving the community’s healthcare needs.”

William M. Jennings, president and CEO of Bridgeport Hospital, and executive vice president, Yale New Haven Health System, said, “Bridgeport Hospital and the University of Bridgeport share a common commitment to groom future generations of nurses who can meet the evolving healthcare needs of our community. Working together, we believe we can capitalize on the strengths of both organizations to produce nurses who have the academic and clinical training to adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.”

“We believe that the integration of our two programs will strengthen what Bridgeport Hospital and UB can do for nursing education on their own,” added MaryEllen Hope Kosturko, MAHSM, BSN, RN, senior vice president, Patient Care Operations and School of Nursing, and chief nursing officer at Bridgeport Hospital. “The result will be a nursing workforce that is better equipped to meet the more demanding academic and clinical requirements of the profession–and a higher quality of care for patients.”

Carol Papp, DNP, MS, RN, C, director of the School of Nursing, noted that the faculty is one of the School’s greatest assets. “Our excellent faculty members have earned advanced graduate degrees and maintain specialty certifications that are combined with a strong background in teaching and clinical expertise,” she said.

“To support the goal of the Institute of Medicine’s report recommending that 80 percent of the nursing workforce obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing by the year 2020, it is imperative that we transition our school from a diploma program to a BSN degree program, and the University of Bridgeport will be a great partner,” Kosturko said.

About Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing: Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing (BHSN) is an accredited and licensed two-year diploma nursing program, established when the hospital opened its doors in 1884, and is the longest-operating nursing school in Connecticut. BHSN’s mission is to provide innovative evidence-based healthcare education that facilitates quality health outcomes for individuals, families and the community.

About the University of Bridgeport: The University of Bridgeport prepares students to be leaders in their fields by offering career-oriented undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees with a distinctive emphasis on real-world education. The School of Arts and Sciences, which will house the Pathway to Nursing, offers bachelor’s programs in Health Sciences with concentrations in Exercise and Fitness, Nutrition, Pre-professional (including Nursing), Community Health Education, Biology, and Medical Laboratory Science. The University is independent and non-sectarian.