Columbus State Community College introduces first bachelor degree program

Columbus State Community College has reached a new milestone with the introduction of its first-ever bachelor degree program. The new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which will be delivered in an online format, is available beginning with the Fall 2024 semester. The program is for students who are already working as registered nurses and will enable them to earn their bachelor degree in two years.

According to an article on Columbus State Community College’s website, the college’s president, David Harrison, was quoted as saying of the new program’s launch, “This is a big deal for healthcare in our region. We’ve created an affordable, flexible training option that brings career advancement within reach to more working RNs. This is an innovative way to increase the nursing pipeline in Central Ohio.”

The school expects to enroll approximately 150 students in the program’s first class, though it also expects that due to demand, the program will grow rapidly from the beginning. The central Ohio region is experiencing high demand for qualified healthcare workers, and possessing a bachelor degree in nursing is a plus for candidates seeking employment in the area.

Tamara Montgomery, the chair of the school’s nursing program, said, “We expect the BSN will be incredibly popular with nursing students and RNs throughout the region, whether they are currently considering a Columbus State associate degree, one of our recent graduates, or a working RN looking to further their career with a cost-conscious and convenient option.”

The school conducted a survey of students who had earned an associate degree of nursing from Columbus State Community College, and 93% of the respondents said they would want to enroll in the program if the school began to offer a BSN completion program. The program, which has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, also allows for the possibility of students enrolling in both the BSN program and the associate degree program simultaneously to complete a bachelor degree even faster.

Jeff Klingler, who serves as the president and CEO of the Central Ohio Hospital Council, shared his thoughts about the school’s new program and what it means for healthcare in the area, saying, “Columbus State is increasing access within our region to nursing career growth and advancement with the introduction of its BSN program. More than 26,000 registered nurses work in the central Ohio region, and there are nearly 1,900 open RN positions. Columbus State’s commitment to its BSN program is welcome news not only for healthcare employers, but for our community at large.”

For more information about Columbus State Community College, visit the school’s website.