Originally published by UHV Marketing & Communications
The University of Houston-Victoria and Victoria College are proud to announce a new partnership that will offer a concurrent nursing program for students in the Victoria region.
On Wednesday, Sept. 18, leaders from UHV and VC came together to sign a memorandum of understanding that created a new concurrent program that will allow students to work toward earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UHV, while also completing an Associate Degree in Nursing at VC.
“UHV and VC have been proud partners for years to support the needs of the Victoria region,” UHV President Bob Glenn said. “We are excited to offer this new option to encourage students to take their nursing careers farther than before. Nurses are an essential part of the health care system, and we hope this program will offer a new generation of nurses a quicker path toward success.”
The first cohort of nine students has begun taking classes in the program during the 2024 fall semester, said Dorothy Thomas, UHV director of nursing. To be part of the program, students must first complete prerequisite courses for both the ADN and BSN degrees before beginning nursing courses. Students will then take courses for both programs at the same time, allowing them to graduate with an ADN and then complete their BSN in one or two semesters.
“Victoria College is proud to join forces with the University of Houston-Victoria to offer students a streamlined pathway to earn both an Associate Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing,” VC President Jennifer Kent said. “This innovative partnership demonstrates both institutions’ commitment to addressing the need for qualified healthcare professionals in our region.”
While other colleges and universities in the state have offered similar programs in recent years, this program is the first of its kind between UHV and VC, said Darla Strother, Dean of VC’s Division of Allied Health. The college has seen students express interest in a concurrent program, and some local students have taken advantage of similar programs at other colleges in Texas.
“One of the challenges for our students is that they finish their ADN and become registered nurses; however, their plan to complete their BSN degree seldom occurs. Once they start working, they cannot find time to go back and earn their BSN degree,” Strother said. “This program will give them an incentive to keep going and complete both programs.”
As the program grows and develops, UHV is considering expanding its end to bring in students from other community colleges in the region that have signed MOUs with the university, Thomas said. Ultimately, the ones who truly benefit will be the students, she said.
“Nursing shortages present a major problem for health care services, and the Victoria region is not immune to that need,” Thomas said. “This program won’t just help grow enrollment and bring in more qualified nurses. Graduating with a BSN will open the door to larger health care institutions that prefer to hire nurses with a bachelor’s degree. It gives the students a leg up on starting a successful career.”
To learn more about the concurrent nursing program, go to UHV.edu/Nursing/Concurrent-Nursing-Degree.
Photo Caption:
Leaders from the University of Houston-Victoria and Victoria College pose for a picture Wednesday during the signing ceremony to launch the new concurrent nursing program between the two institutions. Shown from left are VC mascot Captain Vic; Darla Strother, Dean of VC’s Division of Allied Health; VC President Dr. Jennifer Kent; UHV President Dr. Bob Glenn; Dr. Dorothy Thomas, UHV Director of Nursing; and UHV mascot jaX.