Eastern’s Nursing Program still does not have a permanent home.

The department is currently housed in the third floor of Lawson Hall.

“We are looking for space to which the nursing program will be relocated. We know that the Nursing Program must move from their current space in May and we hope to identify their space as soon as possible,” said Mary Anne Hanner, Dean of the College of Sciences.

Administration had previously discussed moving the department in to the current Textbook Rental facility.

In November, Jeff Cooley, vice president for business affairs, told The Daily Eastern News that after Textbook Rental moves to their new facility north of Carman Hall, the Honors College and the Nursing Program will relocate to the old Textbook Rental facility in order for them to be closer to campus.

The new Textbook Rental facility has completed the schematic design phase and a budget for the project is under review. Funding for the project relies on capital funding from the state.

Currently no locations for the Nursing Program to relocate to in May have been identified.

The first class of students was admitted to the Nursing Program in the fall of 2007.

The program is for students who are already Registered Nurses (RNs) but want to earn their Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees.

“To become an RN requires at least an associate’s degree in nursing. Most of our students have attended community college programs for their basic nursing preparation,” said Dianne Nelson, director of the Nursing Program.

Since the students already have the background in nursing, Eastern’s program is able to build off of the information they already know.

“They are all working part time or full time as RNs already so they have “real life” experience as nurses. Each one has some level of expertise to offer their fellow students,” said Rebecca Merton, Associate Professor of Nursing.

Before Eastern’s RN to BSN program, this area did not provide many options for attending a baccalaureate programs in nursing, said Nelson.

The program admitted 16 students this fall and six this spring. Nelson said that the program plans to build up to 30 new students per year.

“Many nurses are anxious to earn a BSN to advance their knowledge about patient care, become eligible for management and other advanced positions, and be qualified to attend graduate school,” Nelson said.

Eastern’s administration started the program to not only offer more educational options to RNs but also increase the health and welfare of citizens in the region, Nelson said.

The nursing program is unique in that these students have already experienced some college and some real-life job experiences are coming back for more education.

Merton says this is what makes working for the department enjoyable.

“Every one has a unique and interesting background and experience in nursing. They all have different goals for their careers. I really like it when a student says that they have learned something in class that is helping them be a better nurse,” Merton said.

Ashley Mefford can be reached at 581-7942 or almefford@eiu.edu.