DALLAS — Dallas College expects to offer its first courses for a new bachelor of science degree program in nursing starting with the summer 2024 term.
The addition of a four-year degree serves as a seamless path for students from the beginning of their academic journey and provides trained and educated nurses to fill the needs of an expanding workforce.
Texas, like other states, is experiencing a nursing shortage. The goal is to address the ongoing need for nurses, said Dr. Tetsuya Umebayashi, vice provost for the School of Health Sciences at Dallas College.
Hospitals are frustrated with a nationwide nursing shortage that’s only gotten worse since the pandemic.
The current nursing workforce falls short, with only 65.2% of registered nurses prepared at the baccalaureate or graduate degree level, according to the latest workforce survey conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
The new program at Dallas College begins this summer with 20 students. The school says more students will be added to the 120-credit-hour program in fall 2024 and spring 2025.
All courses will be virtual except for three courses that require clinical training, which must be completed both virtually and in the community.
Dallas College hopes to mitigate the nursing shortage with this new program resulting in higher salaries and long-term careers for its graduates.
"The program’s impact transcends our campuses, ensuring a stronger, more qualified health care workforce for Dallas County and beyond," said Dallas College Chancellor Justin Lonon.
Dallas College launched its first bachelor’s degree program - a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching - in 2020. More than 100 students graduated from that program last spring.
