TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - Tallahassee Community College is looking for approval to add a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program to their curriculum. The college says that 75% of nursing graduates who go to school in the area leave, and that they can help fill that gap.
According to a memo from TCC President Jim Murdaugh, the program would be offered to registered nurses who have an Associate in Science degree, and start-up costs would be approximately $50,000 and are included in the annual budget.
Murdaugh says in the memo the program would be able to self-sustain after its implementation.
The college is looking to get approval from the Florida Department of Education program and are asking them to determine if offering the program fits in with the school's mission, to validate the program, to approve the curriculum, and to approve the budget.
According to agenda for the Florida Department of Education's Wednesday meeting, if the program is approved, it will help fill the gap that is left when nursing graduates from FAMU and FSU leave the region. TCC states in the agenda that only 25% of graduates from those schools stay in the area after graduation.
The school also says that Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare is working to meet its goal of becoming a magnet hospital which requires that 460 current staff members obtain a BSN and that 80% of new hires also have the degree.
If the program is implemented, students who participate could enjoy cost savings. The college says in the agenda that the cost for completing the degree would be $12,930. The reported costs for students at other postsecondary schools in the region can range from $18,214 to $28,866.
TCC also claims in the agenda that they would need no new facilities or equipment for the program because their department of nursing is already fully equipped.
According to Murdaugh's memo, this is actually the second time the college has attempted to get approval for the program but was stopped in 2013 due to a legislative moratorium.
The program is up for approval on Wednesday and according to the agenda, the program is being recommended for approval by the Division of Florida Colleges.
