Plans underway for CIU’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing this fall

January 12, 2022

Applications are being accepted for Columbia International University’s new faith-integrated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that begins classes in August, pending approval from the State Board of Nursing.

The program comes at a time when the need for quality nurses is greater than ever. The average age of a registered nurse is 50 years old, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects nearly 176,000 openings for Registered Nurses each year through 2029. Despite this shortage, nursing schools in he United States turned away over 80,000 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2019.

Initiating and leading CIU’s nursing program is Dr. Jill McElheny, a nurse with 27 years of diverse health care experience. McElheny comes to CIU from Colorado Christian University where under her guidance, enrollment in the nursing program doubled.

A native of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, McElheny first felt the tug toward Christian nursing as a child, a commitment that has led her to challenging opportunities around the world including service with the Samaritan’s Purse medical disaster team.

All the Columbia area hospitals as well as an organization serving lower income population centers are ready to welcome CIU nursing students for clinical experience required for their education. But before that, the students will practice on manikins in CIU’s state-of-the-art Simulation Center, located on the CIU campus.

“With every clinical course they will spend four weeks in simulation on campus before they spend four weeks in the hospital or the clinical setting,” McElheny said. “During those four weeks of simulation, we’ll debrief and learn from the mistakes they may have made, and then they’ll be checked off before they can enter the clinical facilities. They will be very well prepared.”

Also, all prerequisites and nursing coursework will be taught on the CIU campus.

McElheny notes that professional organizations such as the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and all branches of the military support the BSN degree for entry to practice nursing.

To apply for the BSN program or to request information, contact CIU Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or [email protected].

CIU also offers an online RN-BSN program giving registered nurses the opportunity to advance their careers with the BSN degree.

To apply for the BSN program or to request information, contact CIU Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or [email protected].

CIU also offers an online RN-BSN program giving registered nurses the opportunity to advance their careers with the BSN degree.