Registered nurses in southeastern Kentucky will be able to complete a baccalaureate degree in nursing from EKU through classes beginning this fall at the Cumberland and Middlesboro campuses of Southeast Community College.

Dr. Deborah Whitehouse, chair of EKU's Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing, said the program can be completed in four semesters and one summer course. The nursing courses will be offered one night weekly at both the Middlesboro and Cumberland campuses of Southeast Community College. Clinical time in community health and administration is required in the last two semesters of the program.

The baccalaureate degree program prepares registered nurses for additional roles and for graduate studies in advanced practice. Whitehouse said that registered nurses who have completed the program have expressed strong satisfaction with it.

Milton Borntrager, coordinator at Southeast Community College, said the BSN completion program is much needed in the area. A recent survey conducted by Borntrager revealed that only 10 of the 320 registered nurses working in the local hospitals hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Eighty of the registered nurses responding to the survey expressed interest in the program.

Whitehouse, Dr. Judy Short, and Dr. Bev Hart from EKU recently held advising sessions at local hospitals in Harlan, Bell and Letcher counties. Individuals interested in learning more about the program can contact the EKU Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing at 859-622-1827.