Transfer agreement set up between community colleges and George Washington nursing school

George Washington University has signed an agreement that guarantees community college nursing students admission to its nursing school if they meet academic requirements.

The memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS)  will allow VCCS students to transfer their Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree (ADN) credits and pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing at GW’s school of nursing.

“This agreement between George Washington University and Virginia’s Community Colleges has the potential to change the face of the nursing profession and healthcare education across the Commonwealth for generations,” Gov. Bob McDonnell said in a statement. “We must continue to seek out thoughtful, innovative solutions like this, which expand both learning and economic opportunities to more Virginians.”

For students with a bachelor’s degree in another field and an associate degree in nursing with work experience as a licensed registered nurse, the guaranteed admissions program will allow them to transfer into the master’s program after taking a bridge course.

In spring 2012, the George Washington nursing school and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College signed an agreement for nurses in rural Virginia to expand their education. That program, a pilot to the statewide agreement, was targeted toward nurses prepared at the associate degree level seeking to get either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.

To participate in the program, students must meet the following eligibility requirements: completed an associate degree from a community college in the VCCS that is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission; graduated with a 3.0 grade point average in nursing and overall; completed any additional prerequisite coursework; is currently a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) and has proof of employment in a field requiring nursing knowledge or experience.