Jefferson College of Health Professions Announces
Associate of Science Degree in Nursing Program

March 22, 2004 – Philadelphia, PA. The Department of Nursing, Jefferson College of Health Professions (JCHP), Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) has been approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing to offer an associate degree in nursing program. Thomas Jefferson University is the only academic health sciences center in the region to offer this degree. Jefferson College of Health Professions will immediately begin accepting applications for students to begin the program in September 2004.

TJU will award the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree. The ASN program will be available at two locations, Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia and Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. Following the completion of the two academic year ASN program, graduates will be eligible to take the Registered Nurse licensure exam.

The ASN program will contribute to the number and quality of nurses available in a workforce that suffers from a severe shortage. There are more vacant nursing positions than there are registered nurses in both rural Pennsylvania and urban Philadelphia, according to employment data. This workforce shortage is predicted to continue and to intensify. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 21% increase in the need for nurses nationwide before 2008 compared to a 14% increase in all other occupations.

JCHP's ASN curriculum will prepare graduates for generalist practice. The program's emphasis on clinical experience as well as a faculty who are highly credentialed and active in practice will enable students to gain the level of competence necessary to work as a registered nurse in today's complex health care environment.

Jefferson's Department of Nursing currently offers a spectrum of programs designed to meet the needs of a variety of students. In addition to the ASN program, the Department of Nursing offers: traditional BSN, BSN for second degree students, BSN for RNs, and master's level programs.

Jefferson graduates have a strong reputation, and employers throughout the region seek JCHP nurses. The reputation comes partially from Jefferson students' high pass rates on the RN licensure exam. The November 2003 PA Board of Nursing results for January 1 through September 30, 2003 showed that the JCHP Department of Nursing had the highest pass rate among all 21 nursing programs in the Philadelphia region. The Board of Nursing reports the Jefferson pass rate at 96.67%. Graduates of the new associate degree program are expected to experience similar success with the licensing examination.

For more information about the JCHP Associate of Science in Nursing program or any of the other nursing programs at JCHP, contact Karen Jacobs, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, karen.jacobs@jefferson.edu or 215-502-1040.

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