Nazareth Rolls Out First "Subscription-Based" Weekend RN to BS Program

ROCHESTER, NY (07/01/2015)(readMedia)-- Nazareth is listening to nurses around the Rochester region, offering the first-of-its-kind subscription-based, accelerated, R.N. to B.S. weekend nursing program.

The every-other-weekend program is the only solution in this area with the needs of the adult, working nurse in mind. Nazareth offers a supportive, face-to-face, cost-effective program with a per semester subscription price that reduces the total cost and limits the need to add debt. Each nurse in the program has control of how quickly they move through to completion. The more accelerated the track, the more cost savings, and a nurse could earn their full bachelor's degree in 16 months. The Accelerated Weekend R.N. to B.S. Nursing program is ideal for nurses who have completed or are finishing an associate degree and have the R.N. credential.

"From our research, we challenged ourselves to create a program that provides convenience, quality, and cost-effectiveness, while at the same time provides personal support and mentorship. In the new subscription solution, students pay a reduced fixed fee each term they are active," said Ian Mortimer, Nazareth's vice president of enrollment management. "Moreover, the new program recognizes motivations for returning to school and can accelerate as much, or as little, as the student wants. The cost savings for the most motivated students will be more than 50 percent."

The Accelerated Weekend R.N. to B.S. Nursing program at Nazareth also offers a supportive experience, taking care of the nurses who take care of us. Meals are included in the program, and Nazareth provides each student with a tablet with all of their nursing books pre-loaded, delivering the most convenient option when it comes to something as commonly overlooked as books.

The every-other-weekend schedule is set to meet the needs of nurses so they can complete their studies during off weekends when they don't have a shift. The program is set up in five-week accelerated mini-terms each semester.

"The hard-working life of a nurse doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room when they decide to take on the important step of going back to school," said Jeanine Santelli, chair in Nursing at Nazareth. "Our nursing faculty understand that, and we have structured the accelerated coursework in this program to work with nurses' busy schedules. Nazareth is also showing its commitment to healthcare with a $3M renovation, creating new nursing labs and learning spaces to be ready when this program launches this fall."

The first nurses will start at Nazareth this fall (2015), and the College is confident that its subscription-based, Accelerated Weekend R.N. to B.S. Nursing program will add tremendous value to those who are seeking support, quality and an accelerated time-to-completion.

"I am so pleased that Nazareth has taken the time to understand the true needs of today's healthcare workforce, and innovate around that knowledge," said Warren Hern, former CEO of Unity Health Systems and member of the Nazareth College Board of Trustees. "Innovation needs to continue in all areas of healthcare, and education needs to be part of the process."