Higher Learning Commission Approves Innovative Capella University Pathway for RN-to-BSN Degree
September 28 2015 - 4:12PM
Business Wire
The Online University’s Competency-Based
FlexPath Nursing Program Option Responds to Mounting Demand; Helps
Experienced Nurses Advance Their Career
Capella University announced approval from the Higher Learning
Commission today to provide an RN-to-BSN degree pathway through its
revolutionary FlexPath model. The self-paced FlexPath model will
allow registered nurses to complete their Bachelor of Science
degree in Nursing in as little as 12 to 18 months by leveraging the
knowledge and skills gained during their professional practice and
allowing them to focus on the new competencies they need to
practice at the top of their profession. The opportunity to move at
a flexible pace through the program and potentially experience
significant cost savings is especially meaningful for registered
nurses balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing,
nearly half of hospitals and other healthcare providers require a
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for new hires. Recent
estimates suggest that over the next decade, demands for nursing
will grow by approximately 19 percent*. Meanwhile, both the
Institute of Medicine and the American Nurses Association have
recommended that 80 percent of all nurses be BSN-educated by the
year 2020.
To address this need, Capella University will begin offering its
CCNE** accredited BSN program via FlexPath, a direct assessment
option. This unique RN-to-BSN program option enables experienced
nurses to leverage their existing knowledge base and know-how to
accelerate coursework in certain areas, while ensuring that they
receive a deeper level of mastery in new competencies. While
standard degree programs require a specific number of hours to
complete a course, Capella has received approval from the Higher
Learning Commission to decouple from the credit hour, which allows
students to progress through their courses as they demonstrate
competencies to the faculty through rigorous, authentic assessments
of their knowledge, skills, and abilities.
“A highly educated nursing workforce is a key driver of patient
safety and quality outcomes,” said Capella University School of
Nursing and Health Sciences Dean F. Patrick Robinson, PhD, RN,
FAAN. “Our new RN-to-BSN FlexPath degree pathway provides
experienced registered nurses the most direct path to a BSN, thus
allowing them to meet their educational and career goals in a
highly efficient and affordable manner.”
The Capella FlexPath option for the RN-to-BSN program eliminates
preset class times and deadlines, giving nurses a more flexible
educational experience. The program offers a flat tuition rate for
every 12-week session and is comprised of 11 courses. During each
12-week session, students can be concurrently enrolled in two
courses at one time and upon completion can enroll in additional
courses—providing the potential to significantly reduce the cost of
a degree.
The next step for Capella is to seek approval by the U.S.
Department of Education to offer federal financial aid for the
RN-to-BSN FlexPath option.
Courses begin January 2016. For more information, please call
1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552) or email info@capella.edu.
*Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
job outlook data, 2012-2022.
** The BSN degree program at Capella University is accredited by
the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle,
NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 887-6791
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation.
About Capella University
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is
accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1993, the
university is dedicated to providing flexible, professionally
aligned online degree programs designed to help working adults
advance in their careers. As of June 30, 2015, more than 37,000
students were enrolled in Capella’s bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral,
and certificate programs, with more than 70 percent in its graduate
programs. Known for its commitment to learner success, academic
quality and innovations in online education, Capella pioneered
competency-based direct assessment programs allowing students to
learn at their own pace. Capella University is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Capella Education Company (NASDAQ: CPLA).
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Capella UniversityAlicia Amling,
612-977-4836alicia.amling@capella.edu
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