When Christine Matlock goes to work, she is also going to school.

That’s because Matlock works at Decatur Memorial Hospital and is one of 14 students that make up the first group of students in Eastern’s new nursing program.

The 36-year-old registered nurse from Shelbyville is one example of the range of students in the first class.

“They’re from a diversity of backgrounds,” said Dianne Nelson, director of the nursing program.

This program is for students who are already registered nurses. Most students have a bachelor’s degree in other areas such as theatre arts or English. The program is designed for students transferring from another college or community college.

The students are all from towns in the surrounding area. Nelson said the students have a lot to contribute to class discussions.

She said the different students are looking to work in areas as wide-ranging as pediatrics and home health.

The program was designed for people who are already working. Courses are offered Monday and Wednesday nights this fall and full- and part-time options are available. The program lasts 2 years.

Most of the courses are in the evening because the students are older and work in the daytime, Nelson said.

Nursing students need to take two courses each semester of nursing. The courses range from topics of research to clinical health.

Most of the program’s students are already working in the field. Two of the nursing students are working on-campus at Eastern’s Health Service. Other students work at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Matlock said she chose this program because of the convenience. She also added this program because she was allowed to transfer more credits than the other programs she looked at.

The program was in the works for a year and Nelson said she is now working on more recruiting. They have 10 signed up for the spring semester.

Nelson said the program has had a smooth transition.

“It’s gone just as well as I could possibly hope,” said Nelson.