Bryn Athyn College Alumni Magazine Winter 2015 | Page 10

campus life

Dean Allen Bedford and
Jefferson University
Dean Beth Ann Swan
sign a Nursing Program
articulation agreement.

A STRONG START
for the Nursing Program

Wagner

S

ince last February’s articulation agreement
with Thomas Jefferson University College
of Nursing, which provides a pathway for Bryn
Athyn College students to earn a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing (BSN) from Jefferson School
of Nursing, BAC has seen a significant increase
in applicants interested in careers in the health
sciences. Currently, 15 students are enrolled in
the program and next year’s entering cohort
will likely be at least that number. The nursing
program joins Bryn Athyn’s pre-med track to
provide health-science interested BAC students
with good options for pursuing their careers.
The articulation agreement includes two
program options: a Dual-Admission 2+2 Nursing
Program for high school seniors who apply to
Bryn Athyn College and Jefferson College of
Nursing; and a Nursing Track 2+2 Transfer
Program for students enrolled at Bryn Athyn
College who desire to apply for transfer to
Jefferson’s nursing program. The important
difference between the two programs is that with
the dual admission track qualified students have
a guaranteed spot in both institutions. With the
transfer program BAC students apply to TJU in
their second year and are guaranteed admission
to TJU if they meet the criteria and there are
available spots.
Dean Allen Bedford, who signed the agree-

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Synnestvedt

Lauryn Wagner, ‘13, is currently
ment for BAC, credits
attending Jefferson for a dual masters
former president Kristin
in Community Systems Administration
King with making nursand Family Nurse Practitioner. She says
“The academic expectations at BAC
ing a strategic priority in
made doing an accelerated degree
program development,
at Jefferson feel like a small feat.”
and he credits Bryn
She hopes to graduate with both
masters in the summer of 2018.
Athyn College graduAnnalisa Synnestvedt, ‘11, an
ate Lauryn Wagner (‘13)
Occupational Therapist at Thomas
with helping establish a
Jefferson Hospital, says “Bryn
connection to Thomas
Athyn College provided an excellent
foundation in the critical thinking
Jefferson. After receiving
skills I needed to succeed. It not only
her BS in biology from
prepared me to think for myself and
BAC, Wagner enrolled in
tackle challenging academic concepts,
but also gave me a strong basis in
TJU’s accelerated second
ethics that I feel was an excellent
baccalaureate nursing
match for Jefferson’s focus on highprogram and excelled.
quality, compassionate healthcare.”
The faculty at Jefferson
College of Nursing were impressed with Wagner’s
preparation at Bryn Athyn. Dean Beth Ann Swan
of Jefferson College of Nursing told Dean Bedford
that it is Bryn Athyn’s strength in the liberal arts
and spiritual mission that make it a perfect partner with the health science programs at Thomas
Jefferson University. Successful nurses require
comprehensive academic and clinical education,
along with a deep sense of calling and compassion.
Bryn Athyn’s New Church liberal arts curriculum
paired with Jefferson’s clinical training partner well
in preparing future nurses.