Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Registered nurses pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing now have a more convenient alternative to on-campus courses, due to Internet technology and a new program at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The online program will provide students with the flexibility to tailor their educational experience around work and family responsibilities, according to Dr. Glenda Walker, director of SFA’s School of Nursing.

“We believe that the online program will have a significant impact on the community in terms of providing nurses with the opportunity to expand and enrich their clinical practice, and that it will provide a foundation for them to seek the master’s degree and hopefully become nurse educators,” Walker said.

A bachelor’s degree in nursing offers courses in leadership, community health issues and research methods. It allows nurses to move into leadership positions in healthcare agencies, and those who go on to obtain master’s degrees are qualified to teach future nurses.

“Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in nursing are needed to expand the teaching base for nursing programs, which are growing to meet the nursing shortage,” Walker said. “The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is projecting a shortage of 800,000 registered nurses by the year 2020.”

SFA’s online program for nurses with associate degrees is beginning this summer, and Walker expects enrollment to increase to more than 100 students within the next two to three years. Students must have a Texas license to practice nursing and be admitted to SFA to be eligible for the program.

According to Karen Migl, coordinator of the online program, virtual clinicals (online clinical simulations) make the program flexible and unique. Historically, clinical training has taken place in a hospital setting.

“The program allows the student to complete the curriculum within a year, or adjust according to their own individual schedule,” Migl said.

For more information about the program, call (936) 468-3604 or visit the Web site at http://sfaonline.sfasu.edu/nursing/.