Strengthened nursing education pipeline allows Southcoast Health nurses to earn Bachelor’s degrees from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
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This month, 16 Southcoast Health nurses with associate degrees completed orientation for a new program at the UMass Dartmouth College of Nursing and Health Sciences to earn their Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing.
The newly launched program sustains Southcoast Health’s longstanding, productive relationship with UMass Dartmouth, and was made possible through direct funding secured by Senator Michael J. Rodrigues to further develop the nursing and allied health workforce pipeline in our region.
“I am proud to support the latest collaboration between UMass Dartmouth and Southcoast Health that focuses on workforce development and the wellbeing of our region,” said Senator Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means (D-Westport). “At a time when we face shortages in healthcare workers and opportunities for our communities to receive care, this innovative partnership addresses the needs of the South Coast and the Commonwealth.”
“UMass Dartmouth is grateful to partner with Southcoast Health to address the healthcare needs of our community through impactful learning and training opportunities. Innovative collaborations like this initiative are key to improving our region’s future success by educating the next generation of healthcare professionals,” added UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark A. Fuller.
The primary goal of the partnership is to advance the nursing educational attainment level among Southcoast Health’s clinical staff nurses to:
- Increase the number of clinical staff nurses with bachelor’s degrees within Southcoast Health hospitals.
- Increase the number of Southcoast Health clinical staff nurses who are educationally qualified to serve as preceptors for future nursing students applying for positions within Southcoast Health.
“Southcoast Health is proud and very excited to partner with UMass Dartmouth to educate and train the next generation of nurses and allied services workers,” said David O. McCready, President & CEO of Southcoast Health. “Collaborating on these important initiatives represents an investment in the future health and wellbeing of everyone in our community.”
Through this innovative partnership, these nurses will begin their advanced education at little to no cost this fall.