Ozarks Tech gets permission to expand nursing program from 24 to 150 seats
Ozarks Technical Community College has secured permission to expand its nursing program to help meet the need in southwest Missouri.
This month, the Missouri Board of Nursing signed off on Ozarks Tech increasing the number of available seats in its Associate of Science in Nursing−Direct Entry program from 24 to 150. A site visit to confirm the expansion is set for summer.
Ozarks Tech increased its capacity as part of the Alliance for Healthcare Education, a collaborative effort between Ozarks Tech, CoxHealth, Missouri State University and Springfield Public Schools.
'We have been working intently toward the growth of this high-demand program, which will be greatly beneficial for future nursing students in our region,' said Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon, in a news release.
He added: "This expansion will pay dividends to the people of southwest Missouri as they seek medical care in the future.'
The expansion of the ASN-D program will introduce five cohorts of 30 students each, allowing 150 students to enroll each year.
This model, unique to the region, enables new students to begin every eight weeks, offering greater flexibility and reducing wait times for program entry.
Two of the cohorts will be an evening and weekend hybrid option, two will be traditional seated courses during the day and one will be a daytime hybrid option. The hybrid option is a mix of in-person and online learning.
More: Ozarks Tech plans tuition increase next year. Here's why, how much
Students interested in the program can use a range of financial aid options including the A+ Scholarship Program and the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant.
'This expansion is a game-changer for our community,' said Aaron Light, dean of health sciences at OTC. 'Bottom line is we are offering multitudes of ways to get into nursing, and this expansion makes Ozarks Tech a great choice when you are looking for options to train in this field.'
Applications are now open for new students, with the first cohort of students set to begin classes in October.
For more information or to apply, go to otc.edu or contact Michelle Crum at crumm@otc.edu or Aaron Light at lighta@otc.edu.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks Tech secures permission to expand nursing program
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