Kaplan College recently announced that it has officially changed its name and status to Kaplan University, having received formal approval from its accrediting body, The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Additionally, Kaplan University has launched a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program (B.S.N.). Kaplan University’s new offerings can be found at www.kaplan.edu
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will serve registered nurses who have earned associate’s degrees and diplomas and wish to grow professionally; to improve their job opportunities and salaries; and to prepare for graduate work at the master’s level. The curriculum builds upon course work taught in associate and diploma programs, providing a more in-depth study of nursing research, public and community health, and nursing leadership. The national nursing shortage continues to intensify. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, citing statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the United States could have a shortfall of nearly one million nurses by 2020. “Kaplan University’s programs, delivered online, will offer RNs the flexibility they need and help them advance in their profession, take on greater leadership roles, and pursue graduate nursing education,” said Dr. Constance Milton, Associate Dean of the School of Nursing. “Advanced education for nurses directly translates to better care for patients,” said Dr. Milton, citing an important study that was published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.* The study found that hospitals with higher proportions of nurses educated at the baccalaureate level typically experience lower patient mortality rates. Kaplan University designed the nursing curriculum to contain the content required for completion of a professional degree, as defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Iowa Board of Nursing. Additionally, the School of Nursing will facilitate a personalized clinical experience for each student. The B.S.N. program will be delivered online with a mandatory clinical component. It has interim approval from the Iowa Board of Nursing. Kaplan University is currently seeking national accreditation for the program, which will be reviewed by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The deadline to enroll for the first term is November 5, 2004, and classes begin November 15, 2004.
