St. Lawrence is partnering with New York University’s College of Nursing to provide students another option in the medical field.
The program was inspired by a growing number of students that are currently interested in a career in nursing. “We were also contacted by NYU to see if we were interested,” Dr. David Hornung said, chair of the Health Careers Committee. The process of instituting the program began a little less than a year ago and will be available to students beginning with the class of 2012, according to Hornung.
“I’m hoping this will get students thinking about a health career to realize there are other options. Nursing is a rewarding profession and a terrific opportunity. There is direct patient care and contact. I hope students will consider it as an option,” Hornung said. He emphasized that the program is a great opportunity for both men and women.
Faculty will nominate students after seven semesters at St. Lawrence. The students will be able to apply after the nomination during the first semester of their senior year. The required courses include: Biology 101 and 102, Human Anatomy 240, Human Psychology 326, Micro Biology 231, one semester of General Chemistry 103, Introduction to Psychology 100 or 101, Math 113, Developmental Psychology 207, and Human Nutrition 447 or 347. Students need to take all of the above courses at St. Lawrence and have a 3.2 GPA in all of the courses, along with a 3.2 overall GPA. Human Nutrition is a biology course that is offered at least every other year. It has been a special topics course in the past, but will be considered a core class in the future semesters.
Hornung stressed that students need to apply to NYU and get accepted into the College of Nursing. Students that are approved by St. Lawrence and NYU can participate in the program.
The Early Assurance Programs with the College of Medicine of the SUNY Upstate Medical University at Syracuse, the SUNY Buffalo School of Dentistry and SUNY Upstate Medical University have not had much popularity. Hornung said one reasons is that students did not have to take the MCAT in the past, but now are required to in order to qualify for the programs. “There is a student or two a year,” Hornung said of participation. Also, many students want the option to apply to other schools. The dental program is much less popular than the medical programs.
“St. Lawrence students who have chosen to pursue a nursing career in the past have been successful and taken leadership positions,” said Hornung. The new program is a great opportunity for current and future students interested in nursing.
