ECC, Daemen to offer dual-degree nursing program

Erie Community College has partnered with Daemen College to offer a 1+2+1 dual-degree program in nursing for fall 2007.

The collaboration will allow students to earn both an associate and bachelor's degree in nursing in just four years.

Qualified students interested in earning a bachelor's degree in nursing will take liberal arts and science courses during their first year at Daemen and then enroll in ECC's nursing program for their second and third years of study.

After successfully completing their third year, students would earn an associate degree in nursing. At that time, students would also be eligible to take the professional licensing exam. Once they pass the exam, students would be able to work as registered nurses while completing their fourth year at Daemen to earn a bachelor's degree.

According to the agreement, students will pay the tuition of the institution they are attending at the time.

ECC has reserved up to 10 spots in its nursing program for dual-degree students.

"With this dual-degree program, ECC and Daemen can provide students with a high-quality education at a significant cost savings, with minimal duplication of efforts and resources," said Patrick Wiles, ECC associate vice president for health sciences.

The partnership comes at a time when there is a growing nursing shortage both locally and nationwide. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects a 12 percent nursing shortage in New York by 2010 and a 24 percent shortage by 2020.

"With this program, we are trying to break down some of the barriers to nursing education," said Mary Lou Rusin, Daemen professor of nursing. "These include a lack of clinical placements, as well as a lack of qualified nursing faculty. Last year, more than 3,200 qualified applicants were turned away from baccalaureate nursing programs in New York State due to a lack of qualified faculty. This partnership between Daemen and Erie Community College represents an effort to change that."

For more information regarding the nursing dual degree program, contact ECC Admissions at 851-1ECC or Daemen's Nursing Education Admissions Office at 839-8225.