Hondros College opens school of nursing in Mason in January; Students can begin LPN and RN/associate degree education almost immediately

CINCINNATI, Ohio (December 6, 2006) – Hondros College’s (www.hondros.edu) Mason campus will welcome its first nursing students in January, following recent program approval by the Ohio Board of Nursing and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can earn an associate’s degree in nursing in six quarters (66 weeks), qualifying them to take the registered nurse (RN) exam. Those with no nursing experience can be ready for the LPN exam in four quarters (44 weeks), then pursue the associate degree/RN requirements.

“With projections that the United States will have a shortage of 800,000 registered nurses by 2020 and that one in four Ohio nursing jobs could be vacant, Hondros College saw a need it could help fill,” said Deborah Ulrich, PhD, RN, dean of the Hondros College School of Nursing. “Interest in nursing programs has skyrocketed, creating an enrollment challenge for area nursing schools. More than 7,400 qualified applicants were denied acceptance in Ohio RN education programs in 2005-06 due to a lack of space.”

While many nursing programs – including some southwest Ohio programs — have waiting lists of up to three years for enrollment, students can start almost immediately in Hondros College’s nursing education program. New classes begin four times yearly (January, April, July and October), so students no longer need to wait until autumn for enrollment or worry that a required class won’t be offered for another year, Ulrich explained.

“Hondros College’s ladder concept enables people to enter and progress in their nursing careers at their own pace, depending on their life circumstances,” said Kellie Glendon, MSN, RNC, associate dean of the Hondros College School of Nursing. “For instance, students with no nursing experience can be eligible to take the practical nurse licensure exam after four quarters of study. They can then choose to work as LPNs and/or continue school for six more quarters to earn an associate degree in nursing and the right to pursue professional nurse licensure (RN).”

Students complete their full-time classroom and laboratory work at the Mason campus, 4605 Duke Dr., and online. Clinical experience is gained at Cincinnati-area hospitals and long-term-care facilities.

The program was developed by Ulrich and Glendon, based on their nursing education experience. With more than 30 years of experience, Ulrich was a professor at Miami University, as well as an author and frequent national presenter on creative teaching strategies. While an associate professor at Miami, Glendon was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award by the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities in 1998.

“Employment opportunities for nurses will continue to be excellent. Our main focus is on preparing students for a successful nursing career,” Ulrich said. Hondros College nursing program information sessions are held at the Mason location on Mondays at 6:30 p.m., Thursdays at 10 a.m. and by appointment by calling 1-888-HONDROS.

About Hondros College
For more than 40 years, Westerville, Ohio-based Hondros College has been helping individuals seeking to find, enter and succeed in a new career. Fully accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, the career college specializes in occupations that offer stability, flexibility, independence and financial reward. Its eight Ohio learning centers provide the highly focused education needed to succeed in a broad range of careers in real estate, insurance, financial services and nursing. Hondros College also offers a nationally-recognized curriculum of online classes in many disciplines. For a complete list of career offerings or more information on Hondros College, visit www.hondros.edu.
(Hondros College School of Nursing is approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools. Main Campus: Cincinnati 06-07-1790T)