Simpson University Graduates First BSN Class

For Immediate Release
April 26, 2008

REDDING, Calif. - Last January, students from a number of nursing backgrounds became the first RN-to-BSN class at Simpson University. Sixteen months later, through Simpson's ASPIRE program, 17 students will complete their degrees during Simpson's spring commencement on April 26.

Simpson University launched the BSN degree in response to a shortage of BSN nurses and the increased demand for these well-qualified nursing professionals in Northern California. Since that 2007 launch, Simpson started two other BSN cohorts, in which many more nurses are in the process of completing their BSN degree through ASPIRE, Simpson's accelerated degree-completion program.

Among the first BSN graduates is Mark Schneider of Redding. Schneider, the father of a 15 year old son and a flight nurse for PHI, said the ASPIRE program's convenient format allowed him the flexibility he needed in order earn his degree with life's other demands.

"I had tried to earn my BSN degree two times before at another university but was unsuccessful," Schneider said. "I was maintaining 40-to 60-hour workweeks with the life of a single parent. The challenges of traveling out of town for class and working around an online class schedule were insurmountable for me."

Simpson's 16-month BSN program meets one night a week and is intended to provide additional career opportunities for registered nurses and allow graduates to qualify for many jobs in the rapidly expanding nursing field.  The 36-unit curriculum also provides a foundation for graduate studies in nursing.

"One of the few constants in my life was class," said Schneider. "I knew that every Monday, over the course of the program, I had class. There were no surprises, and I was able to make it part of my routine."

Schneider's one concern was making sure his son had a safe place to be each Monday night when he was in class. After expressing this concern to the Dean of Continuing Studies, Patty Taylor, arrangements were made for a Simpson student to spend time with his son while he attended classes. For the full 16 month period that Schneider earned his degree, Simpson student Aaron Holmes volunteered his time to be with his son.

"It was such a blessing, and I am so thankful," said Schneider.

Allie McCarthy, a fellow BSN student who will earn her degree in April, said she knew that in order to stay in the nursing field, she needed to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. McCarthy, who lives in Shingletown, suffers from severe allergies to antibiotics, which forced her to quit her job at a hospital.

"I was going to get out of nursing all together, but then I saw that Simpson University was offering a BSN step-up program in a classroom setting," said McCarthy. "Furthering my education will allow me to go into a number of different nursing fields, including case management or home health nursing."

And that is exactly what McCarthy plans to do after graduation.

"Residents in Shingletown often have to drive to Redding to get the services they need," said McCarthy. "I want to provide home health nursing to those people."

Among her fellow nursing classmates, McCarthy earned the distinction, "Outstanding Nursing Student of the Year." She is also eligible for Alpha Sigma Lambda, an honor society for ASPIRE students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher.

Simpson University professor Perry Gee taught three nursing courses to the first BSN class.

"Our first group of BSN students came from a diverse background of nursing roles," said Gee. "I have no doubt that they will go on to be leaders in their individual areas. Their BSN degree from Simpson University will offer them a variety of opportunities, and many students have expressed an interest in going on to graduate school."

Gee received the ASPIRE "Professor of the Year" award as voted by the BSN students.

Simpson University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was approved for the Public Health Nursing Certificate through the Board of Registered Nurses. The lifetime certificate does not require continued education units to maintain, provided the student has an RN license in the state of California.

"Having the Public Health Nursing Certificate will not only allow me to work for Public or Community Health, but it will likely play a role in a master’s program," said Schneider. "It offers more opportunity."

Taylor, Dean of Continuing Studies, said many BSN students find that earning their step-up degree from Simpson University is manageable for busy adults.

"Simpson University's RN to BSN step-up program is a degree-completion program designed for the adult learner who already has their RN License," said Taylor. "Our classes offer flexible scheduling, accelerated curricula, and a simplified registration process. One of the most distinctive elements of our program is the 'reality-based learning,' or the process of integrating textbook theory with the student's work and life experience."

Simpson University's ASPIRE program has graduated 2,364 north state residents since it began in 1989. The non-traditional program is open to all students who have completed at least 60 units from an accredited college with a minimum grade-point average of 2.00 and have at least five years of work experience after high school graduation. Students who do not meet the work experience requirement may still be considered for admission by the Dean of Continuing Studies.

 Simpson University is a Christian liberal arts university offering undergraduate, graduate and teaching credential programs. Simpson's academic programs include ASPIRE, an accelerated degree-completion program allowing busy adults to complete their bachelor's degree in 16 months. Simpson University recently launched four-year degrees in biology, and outdoor leadership, and a pre-nursing certificate, as part of a curriculum expansion focused on serving the needs of the health care industry in the north state. For more information about the university or to arrange a personalized visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit http://www.simpsonuniversity.edu/.

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Contact: Wendy Matthews
wmatthews@simpsonuniversity.edu
(530) 226-4126