For The News Courier

Northeast Alabama Community College located in Rainsville, Alabama, and Athens State University have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding to establish a new Fast-Track/Joint Enrollment BSN program that will allow students to receive their Associate Degree in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree simultaneously.

In addition to better serving students, the program’s benefits will extend to the consumers of the healthcare and professional nursing workforce across the region, school officials said.

“We are excited to add Northeast Alabama Community College as a collaborative community college partner offering the Fast-Track BSN. The Fast-Track is a wonderful opportunity for motivated nursing students at NACC,” Dr. Mark Reynolds, chief nurse administrator at ASU, said. “This opportunity provides time and cost-saving for the future-nurse to gain additional skills and expertise along with the capability to move into advanced-practice education more quickly. The collaborative efforts between both institutions indicates a commitment to the region to produce knowledgeable registered nurses who are aptly prepared to provide quality patient care.”

Students completing the program will be enrolled in nursing courses concurrently at both institutions and have the opportunity to graduate from both NACC with an ADN and ASU with a BSN in separate ceremonies with separate diplomas.

“The NACC faculty and I are thrilled for this wonderful opportunity for the NACC nursing students. We are looking forward to working closely with Athens in this partnership to offer this beneficial program to qualified students,”NACC Nursing Program Director Dr. Myrna Williamson said.

The Fast-Track BSN program with NACC will launch in fall 2025. Athens State University also offers an RN to BSN degree program which provides a pathway for success to registered nurses already working in their field to complete their baccalaureate degree in nursing.

Visit www.athens.edu/BSN for more information.