New Jefferson College program addresses nursing shortage with Veteran program

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ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Jefferson College of Health Sciences is trying to make it easier for Veterans to get their degrees.  There is a nursing shortage across the country and the college is one of 31 schools part of a new federal initiative to get more nurses licensed.  The Veteran's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) is a federally funded grant to help Veteran and active military further their education and transition into a career in healthcare or receive extra training for their healthcare position in the military.

Students can earn credit for prior learning through military service or other career experience, which has not been readily available in the past.

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"It allows them to get into the program faster, quicker, transition to a degree much sooner and allows them to save time and money in the end," said James Miller, MSN, RN, CNE and Jefferson College Veteran's Retention Officer. "Society is recognizing our vets more today than they've even been. I'm so excited that we are recognizing their services and what they've done for us, for society, for our nation and what they can do for the industry not only just the industry of academia but the industry altogether."

Miller says Veterans also offer a lot of structure and dynamics that the nursing disciplines need and formal military training is becoming more recognized by the National Institution of Education.

VBSN students can choose one of three existing BSN program tracks based on their previous experience and education.

  • Traditional
  • Accelerated
  • Post-Licensure (RN to BSN)

Jefferson College says 97% graduates have jobs within three months and 99% within six months.  In addition to the numerous financial resources available to veterans like the Yellow Ribbon Program the school is also offering a $3,000 renewable grant for the first group of students starting this fall.

Hampton and Shenandoah Universities are the only other schools in Virginia offering this program.

For more information on the Jefferson College program you can visit the website.


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You can see Jenna weekday mornings at the anchor desk on WSLS 10 Today from 5-7 a.m. She also leads our monthly Solutionaries Series, where we highlight the creative thinkers and doers working to make the world a better place.