For those interested: Arkansas Tech Expands Nursing Program to De Queen

The people of De Queen and the surrounding area will soon have unprecedented educational opportunities in the field of nursing thanks to an agreement signed by Arkansas Tech University and Cossatot Community College.

Arkansas Tech President Dr. Robert C. Brown and Cossatot Community College Chancellor Frank G. Adams signed the agreement at the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center in Russellville. Vice Chancellor Steve Cole also represented Cossatot Community College at the meeting.

Other Arkansas Tech officials on hand Tuesday to welcome the Cossatot Community College delegation to campus included Dr. John W. Watson, vice president for academic affairs; Phil Jacobs, vice president for governmental relations; Dr. Richard Cohoon, dean of the Arkansas Tech College of Natural and Health Sciences; and Dr. Rebecca Burris, head of the Arkansas Tech Nursing Department.

“I would like to personally thank Steve Cole and John Watson for their diligence in bringing this agreement to fruition,” said Brown. “Their hard work on this project will benefit Arkansas Tech, Cossatot Community College and the people that we serve.”

Under the new agreement, students who complete the Associate of Science degree in registered nursing at Cossatot Community College will be able to seamlessly transition into the Bachelor of Science in nursing degree program at Arkansas Tech.

Students will be enrolled in what is commonly referred to as the Arkansas Tech “RN to BSN” program and take all of the courses necessary to complete their bachelor’s degree over the Internet.

The memorandum signed on Tuesday states that the intent of the agreement is “to increase the number of BSN credentialed registered nurses in the state of Arkansas.”

“Arkansas Tech University and Cossatot Community College have a shared vision of providing educational opportunities for the people of our state,” said Brown. “It is appropriate that we should work together on this project because enhanced training for our nurses will ultimately benefit the health of every Arkansan.”

Click here for more information about the Arkansas Tech RN to BSN program, or call (479) 968-0383.