A University of Mary Washington initiative could help close the gap between Virginia’s growing population and its number of college-educated nurses. Just a third of Virginia’s nurses hold bachelor’s degrees, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Nurse Supply Model. A new bachelor of science in nursing completion program at UMW could change that by allowing nurses with accredited associate degrees or nursing diplomas to earn bachelor’s degrees. The program, planned for fall 2014 pending approval by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, is made possible by a $25,000 grant from Mary Washington Hospital’s Community Benefit Fund. Those funds are “instrumental in developing this essential program to address the need for a highly educated nursing workforce,” said UMW President Richard V. Hurley. Courses will connect students with liberal arts perspectives on health care delivery and won’t require new labs or equipment, said UMW College of … [Read more...]