JANESVILLE — Dean Health System and St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital have stepped forward to offer financial support for a program that would allow Janesville-area residents to earn a bachelor’s degree in the nursing field without having to leave Rock County.
Dean/St. Mary’s is pledging $60,000 and an additional $30,000 of in-kind support to the cause over the next three years.
The program, spearheaded by UW-Rock County Dean and Campus Executive Officer Diane Pillard, is a cooperative effort among UW-Rock County, UW-Oshkosh College of Nursing, and Blackhawk Technical College.
The collaborative nursing degree program would provide an opportunity for area residents currently working as registered nurses with an associate’s degree to earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) by taking UW-Rock County and UW-Oshkosh courses in Janesville. BSN nurses typically have increased responsibilities and increased career opportunities.
“We are going to need many skilled nurses to provide exceptional care to the community when we open the doors of St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital and Dean Clinic Janesville,” says hospital President Kerry Swanson.
Approximately $200,000 is still needed to fund additional teaching positions to accommodate the increase in nursing students at all three institutions. Details of the program are still being discussed.
Enrollment for students in pre-nursing courses could start as early as fall of 2009. To get on the list for information about the program, contact UW-Rock County at 608-758-6565, ext. 200.