Fitchburg State University and Worcester State University are collaborating to build a seamless bridge program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) to earn their BSN. Nursing faculty from the universities are working with three LPN programs administrators whose programs are offered in vocational/technical schools.

Grants awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education ($50,000) and Fairlawn Foundation/Greater Worcester Community Foundation ($169,200 over 3 years) have supported the planning efforts for the new program.

Worcester State University President Barry M. Maloney noted, "This collaborative initiative will help nurses move to the next level in their profession and play a significant role in enhancing quality healthcare in Massachusetts."

Worcester State University Provost Charles Cullum added, "We are pleased to work with Fitchburg State University to offer flexible, quality programs to our students."

Linda McKay, MS, RN, who chairs the nursing program at Fitchburg State, and Andrea Wallen, MS, BS, RN, past chair of the nursing program at Worcester State, have been collaborating with nursing leadership at three Vocational Practical Nursing Programs in Central Massachusetts: Holly LaFrance, MS, RN (Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical), Ellen Santos, MSN, BSN, RN, CNE and Rose Veith,  MSN, RN, FNP-BC, CNE (Assabet Valley Regional Technical), and Deborah Henderson, RN (Bay Path Regional Vocational).

The end result will be an accelerated stand-alone LPN-to-BS in nursing program at Fitchburg State and Worcester State universities.

"This is a unique approach and opportunity promoting workforce development and upward mobility for the Licensed Practice Nurse," said Wallen. "The LPN-BS program supports the development of an improved education system, which is a goal identified by the Institute of Medicine in their Future of Nursing report."

"Another positive outcome of this project will be a program that other baccalaureate programs across the state may choose to replicate," said McKay. "A program to share this information with other nursing programs will be held in late spring 2012." 

With the grant support, the program is expected to run in pilot form in September 2012, with a cohort of 30 students at the Fitchburg and Worcester campuses.  

Interested LPNs should send an email to dthibod5@fitchburgstate.edu.