Wright State starts nursing program for veterans and military personnel

Sherrill Smith, associate professor and assistant dean of undergraduate programs in the College of Nursing and Health.

Wright State University’s College of Nursing and Health (CONH) has received a grant to create a new bachelor’s degree option for veterans and members of the Air Force, Army and Navy.

The Health Resources Service Administration is funding the grant. Wright State is the only school in Ohio to receive such a grant.

The College of Nursing and Health is currently accepting applications for the program. The deadline to apply is May 15.

Application information is available on the college’s website.

Students must have completed training as a military medic or corpsman, including active duty, retired, separated, guard and reserve personnel.

The accelerated option is designed to recognize the health care training and experience of military health care personnel in achieving the Veterans Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The curriculum will support a state of Ohio law that “requires nursing education to recognize the unique experience and training of veterans who are coming into the College of Nursing and Health and giving them credit for their knowledge and experience,” said Sherrill Smith, associate professor and assistant dean of undergraduate programs in CONH. Smith, a retired Air Force colonel, served 26 years in the Air Force as active duty and a reserve nurse.

The goal of the accelerated option is to increase the number of nurses with bachelor’s degrees.

“There is a shortage of nurses, and the grant will support facilitating military medical personnel with health care experience to get their degree and get them in the workforce as quickly as possible,” Smith said.

Prerequisite course requirements for military members and veterans are the same as civilian students. For students who have served in the military in the medical field, the state-tested nursing aide course is waived and they have the option to pursue an accelerated program of study. In addition, a new course will be offered providing students the opportunity to be certified in inter-professional disaster readiness skills.

The grant will also support faculty development through Wright State’s Veteran and Military Center to provide faculty content designed for veteran and military students. Students will also be able to access the center’s resources.

“I have worked with many military medics during my career and am aware of the skillset they come with,” Smith said. “I am looking forward to working with a population of students that is very near and dear to me and give them a program that will hopefully benefit them in their career aspirations to be a registered nurse.”