Belmont Abbey College Announces New Online RN-BSN Program
Belmont, N.C. (August 4, 2022) – Today Belmont Abbey College announces the launch of its online RN-BSN nursing program. This comes alongside Belmont Abbey’s pre-licensure Bachelors of Science in nursing degree and is part of the institution’s focus on increasing offerings in healthcare education. The RN-BSN application is open now and classes begin later this month, with the first cohort of RN-BSN students graduating in 2024.
The RN-BSN program at Belmont Abbey College comes at a time when quality nurses are in high demand. “We’ve gone from a nursing shortage to a nursing crisis. We have an aging professional population, plus a shortage of nurse educators. Many clinical training sites shut down during the pandemic, but now that those sites are open we can continue our efforts to send nurses into practice,” says Dr. Carolyn Harmon, Dean of Nursing at Belmont Abbey. The accelerated RN-BSN program requires students to complete 34 credit hours prior to graduation, with qualifying candidates eligible to complete the program in 12-18 months. This format provides an avenue to get qualified nurses in action quickly. To facilitate the transition from a technical RN to a professional BSN RN, Belmont Abbey College signed on to the RN-BSN Uniform Articulation Agreement between NCICU (North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities) and the North Carolina Community College system. The agreement simplifies passage through the program for RNs who earned their initial degree in the North Carolina system. “The RN-BSN presents an incredible opportunity for Registered Nurses in the field to advance in their degrees and careers,” says Dr. Harmon. These graduates will emerge with the right knowledge and tools to provide exceptional patient care.
A nursing degree from Belmont Abbey College insures a solid foundation in theology, scripture, and philosophy while exploring the connection between faith and healthcare. “We recognize the value of Registered Nurses for their experience, knowledge, and commitment to the profession. We want to come alongside them and offer a flexible, affordable path to advancing their careers. The RN-BSN program allows us to help solve the issue of the nursing crisis by placing more qualified nurses on the front lines with a focus on patient safety and outcomes,” says Dr. David Williams, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Belmont Abbey College.
Belmont Abbey College is collaborating with other institutions in Gaston County to make healthcare education more accessible. At Gaston Early College, students can complete high school and an Associates’ degree in medical services in five years. Students who want to continue their education are encouraged to continue at Belmont Abbey College. Additionally, the college is working with CaroMont Health to build a hospital on Abbey land that will open in 2023. This facility affords nursing students the opportunity to learn the best nursing practices and prepare for service and ethical leadership in the healthcare community.
About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/.
