For students in Del Mar’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, balancing studies with their full-time jobs as nurses isn’t without its challenges — or rewards.
With BSN becoming a preferred credential in health care today, DMC started offering the bachelor’s degree this fall.
Because it is new, DMC has ensured that they gain feedback from students in the program and plan to continue shaping the program for all students’ needs and education.
“The student/instructor interactions have been positive. Faculty have extended extra availability to students as well as flexibility, to help with challenging student work schedules,” said Jennifer McWha, RN to BSN program director. “Students have been responsive and engaged with coursework.”
There are 18 students enrolled in the program, all of whom work full time while pursuing their bachelor’s degree.
DMC plans to increase the number of students who enter the new program in the future.
The program accepts applications in the spring and start courses in the fall.
Jo Ann Jimenez, a BSN major and Del Mar College alumna, has been in the medical field for 20 years.
When she heard that Del Mar was going to offer the new program, Jimenez took advantage when they opened applications in 2021.
She began her career in 2001 as a certified nursing aide, graduating from Del Mar in 2015, with her associate in nursing and is now planning to graduate in 2022 with her bachelor’s degree.
Jimenez described her learning experience with the new program as “managing full-time studies and balancing work life.”
“Our studies and research have been great. It’s intense — it’s a lot of work,” Jimenez said. “The office hours are very useful, and so is our lab time.”
Jimenez said she chose DMC over Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi or the A&M-Kingsville campus because “it’s affordable and convenient.”
Jimenez also said she decided to pursue this program through Del Mar for a better interaction with the instructors.
“The instructors are very open to listening and we’re both navigating through the new program together,” Jimenez said.
DMC hopes to gain more students through this program.
“We are very excited to finally have the program running,” McWha said. “We are currently in the process of obtaining initial accreditation for the RN to BSN program and hope to receive initial accreditation next year.”
Students interested in joining the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program next year can apply in February 2022. Applicants must have an RN degree from a board approved program, an unencumbered RN nursing license, meet immunization/CPR requirements and completed the required 54 SCH of gen ed and core courses.
