BGSU, Owens announce partnership benefiting nursing students

RN to BSN program is 100 percent online

Bowling Green State University and Owens Community College have announced a new partnership designed to help nursing students who have completed Owens’ Associate of Applied Science in registered nursing go on to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing at BGSU.

“We are proud to establish this pathway with Owens Community College, which not only helps area students continue their education, but also supports the Institute of Medicine’s initiative recommending that 80 percent of the RN workforce have a BSN by 2020,” said Dr. Jim Ciesla, College of Health and Human Services dean.

Currently, 64 percent of the Ohio RN workforce has a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

BGSU’s RN to BSN program is 100 percent online and assists the working registered nurse to complete the BSN degree in a flexible and convenient manner. The goals of the program include helping RNs broaden their professional career opportunities, enhance their academic credentials and advance their health care knowledge.

Owens students will be able to complete general education courses for BGSU while they are taking their courses at Owens. After receiving their associate degree and passing the NCLEX exam, students can begin working on their BSN and complete it in as few as four semesters.

“We are very excited about the nursing program transfer pathway agreement with Bowling Green State University,” said Catherine Ford, M.Ed., R.T.R, dean, Owens School of Nursing and Health Professions. “Owens nursing graduates can now seamlessly transfer to the BGSU BSN Program, allowing them to begin working as a registered nurse in two years while continuing their education as a BGSU student. This collaboration is especially important as the need for registered nurses in northwest Ohio and nationwide continues to be very strong.”

Graduates of the RN to BSN program may find employment in a variety of health care settings, including acute care, home health, community health, school nursing, long-term care, hospice and health departments.

The agreement is in effect from Fall Semester 2019 through June 30, 2025.