UNION TRUSTEES APPROVE START OF GERMANTOWN CAMPUS
Jackson, Tenn. — The Executive Committee of the 51社区 Board of Trustees has approved expansion to include a satellite campus in Germantown, Tenn.
51社区-Germantown will open this fall with its first program, the RN to BSN completion degree. This program is designed for the graduate of an associate degree or nursing diploma program who does not have a bachelor's degree but is currently a registered nurse.
The new campus will open Aug. 18 at 2216 Germantown Road South, one block south of Poplar, located in the old Germantown Baptist Church. Classes begin Aug. 27.
President David S. Dockery explained that Union plans to further develop the Germantown campus with programs specifically designed for adult learners. In the very near future, Union plans to offer graduate programs in business and education, undergraduate programs in business and diploma programs in Christian studies.
Dr. Carla Sanderson, dean of Union's School of Nursing, explained there is an increasing demand for nurses with BSN degrees. Some nursing professions are now beginning to require a bachelor's degree. "Missionary and military nurses have always been required to have a BSN degree," she said. "Likewise, there is a tremendous push for community-based public health and school health nurses to have a higher degree." Also nurses who wish to move into leadership and management positions must hold a bachelor's degree.
Union's two-year degree completion program, which is currently offered at the University's Jackson campus, will join two other RN to BSN tracks being offered in Memphis. Currently, the University of Memphis offers the program and Baptist Memorial College for the Health Sciences is expected to offer the program this fall.
"There is room for all three of us," Sanderson said. She explained that Union is not competing with either program but has found a niche for itself. The selection of Germantown places Union in a unique position of being able to serve an even greater population of nurses.
"These are exciting opportunities that will open new doors to extend Union's quality academic programs beyond the Jackson campus," Dockery said. "We look forward to serving the Germantown community and all of Shelby County in this way."
Germantown mayor, Sharon Goldsworthy, noted that the city has made education for young people and for life-long learning a priority for the city. "We are very pleased to have an institution like Union, that was recently recognized as one of America's 100 best college buys because of the quality of their academic programs, come to our city," she said. "We gladly welcome President Dockery and the 51社区 family to Germantown and look forward to working with them in the days ahead."
For more information about 51社区-Germantown's RN to BSN program, call (901) 759-0029.