Capital District Times

SUNY Plattsburgh, Clinton Community College Launch Integrated Dual Degree Program for Nursing

An integrated dual degree program for nursing has been launched at SUNY Plattsburgh and Clinton Community College, a new pathway for additional students to earn a bachelor's degree in four years in the North Country.

"This is a powerful way to serve the North Country together," said Dr. Alexander Enyedi, president at SUNY Plattsburgh. "Strong health care and nursing are critical to the growth and sustainability of our region. Our nursing program and this integrated program is one more way we can help grow and engage our region, which is among the pillars of our Plattsburgh Next strategic plan."

"Meeting the health care needs of people in our area reflects our College’s role of providing service to our local community," said Dr. John Kowal, President of Clinton Community College.  " Increasing the College’s capacity for training nurses with this program in close partnership with SUNY Plattsburgh will greatly help in meeting this vital community need."

Under the program, students will take coursework at Clinton Community College during the first three years, meeting all of the requirements to become a registered nurse (R.N.) with an associate degree in applied science in nursing (A.A.S.). It also introduces classes at SUNY Plattsburgh at the point of admission to streamline the path to a baccalaureate degree (B.S.) in nursing after the fourth year.

Students may take classes at SUNY Plattsburgh through cross-registration without additional cost. Following the award of the associate's degree, students are eligible to take the NCLEX and may work part time while completing the final year of the bachelor's program.

Students who want a residential college experience may live on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus as they work toward both degrees. This will add to the benefits of the Clinton program as it will provide a residential experience for students who would otherwise go elsewhere.

The program also marks continued cooperation between the institutions. A dual admissions program to help students seamlessly move from two-year to a four-year degree programs at the institutions and provide other supports was signed in 2021.

The residential program will pilot with 20 nursing students in fall 2023. The colleges also look to extend this opportunity to students in other majors admitted under the dual admission agreement.

The partnership promotes collaboration between faculty at both institutions and local healthcare providers, supporting nursing education for the North Country. The agreement was signed by the presidents as well as Dr. Anne Herzog, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at SUNY Plattsburgh, and Ms. Carey Goyette, vice president for academic affairs at Clinton Community College.

More on the SUNY Plattsburgh nursing program and admissions is online at plattsburgh.edu/nursing.

More on the Clinton Community College nursing program and admissions is online at clinton.edu/nursing.

Original source can be found here.