FSU has new nursing program

FROSTBURG, Md. - Registered nurses and current nursing students looking to expand their skills and advance their careers can now take advantage of a new learning opportunity at Frostburg State University. FSU has received approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Maryland Board of Nursing to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program, presented in collaboration with Allegany College of Maryland.

"Frostburg State University is proud to provide professional development and educational advancement for registered nurses in our area," said Jonathan Gibralter, FSU president. "The R.N. to B.S.N. program is in line with our ongoing efforts to foster economic development in the region and provide better job prospects here."

The R.N. to B.S.N. program is a first step in FSU's efforts to address Maryland's shortage of nurses and nursing educators. FSU's long-term goal is to expand the program to offer a Master of Science in Nursing, with an emphasis on developing nursing faculty.

"Faculty shortages are cited as the number one challenge to increasing nursing enrollment in Maryland," Gibralter said.

The program is open to those who have already been licensed as registered nurses or are eligible for a license and to students who are enrolled in an associate degree program that will lead to a license. Instruction will be presented using a blended format, which includes online offerings. Blended instruction maximizes a student's scheduling flexibility while still maintaining the student-faculty connection that is essential to academic success.