Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Adds Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Affiliation with Rowan University

Villanova University’s M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN) has entered an affiliation agreement with Rowan University, its first affiliation in New Jersey for the Second Degree Accelerated BSN program.

This agreement creates a new pathway for five Rowan graduates per year to enter directly into Villanova’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. 

“We welcome Rowan University as a partner in our Accelerated BSN program,” said Donna S. Havens, PhD, RN, FAAN, Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor of the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. “Providing additional options to graduate highly educated and well-prepared nurses is a top priority for FCN.”

The Second Degree Accelerated BSN, offering students flexibility in 14- or 23-month tracks, incorporates all the standard components of the Nursing program within a concentrated timeframe.

To qualify for consideration, students must complete a four-year undergraduate degree at Rowan and meet Villanova Nursing admissions criteria including GPA and academic prerequisites. Students may identify their interest in FCN’s Accelerated BSN in their first or second year at Rowan and begin working with Villanova Nursing representatives early in the process.

“There is such an urgent demand for BSN-prepared nurses,” said Peter Rattigan, Dean of the Rowan-Virtua Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions. “Our agreement with Villanova gives qualified Rowan graduates with an affiliated bachelor’s degree, such as biology or exercise science, an opportunity to earn a BSN and enter the nursing workforce as RNs.” 

The Accelerated BSN affiliation agreement with Rowan is FCN’s seventh overall, also including schools in Pennsylvania and New York.

Villanova Nursing’s Accelerated BSN Program for College Graduates is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

For more information, contact Villanova Nursing’s Director of Recruitment and Enrollment Management, Cheryl Wert, at cheryl.wert@villanova.edu.