The result of this project has been to demonstrate that it is possible to minimize barriers to nursing education for nurses in western Massachusetts. Current enrollments have expanded to over 80 students each year, with more than 400 RNs at various stages of completing prerequisites for admission.
Evaluations show a high level of student satisfaction with the program.
The program offers advising by community college faculty on each of the seven community college campuses for information about prerequisites and the process for admission to the University of Massachusetts. Consortium faculty members, via interactive video, attend monthly meetings. The University has used interactive video technology to simultaneously telecast classes to three community college sites. The University currently sends faculty to at least two off-campus sites during most semesters.