CON Honors BSN Accelerated Graduates

Fifty nursing students from the Creighton University College of Nursing’s accelerated Bachelor of Science program in Phoenix were welcomed into the nursing profession Dec. 11 after completing the demanding one-year program.  

The graduates were honored during a virtual Honors Convocation and Nurse Pinning Ceremony.

The students earned their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) after an intense, 12-month accelerated program taught by Creighton University faculty. The students faced a daunting challenge to gain clinical experience during the COVID-19 crisis and were able to adjust to a new environment. They acquired clinical experience at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Valleywise Health, and other clinical partner sites around metro Phoenix.

Catherine Todero, PhD, RN, FAAN, Creighton University College of Nursing Dean and Vice Provost of Health Sciences Campuses, addressed the graduates in a video presentation.

“These graduates have completed the intellectually challenging program of study and acquired knowledge and skills to begin in a profession that has long been valued for the service it provides to society,” she said.

 “Our graduates are just beginning their careers as professional nurses,” she added. “The opportunities ahead of them with these new competencies are immense.”

Creighton’s innovative accelerated nursing program was one of two such programs launched in 1975, making it one of the oldest in the country. Students who are accepted into the program must already have a bachelor’s degree in another field and meet certain requirements.

A sixth cohort of students began the 12-month program in August.

In addition to the academic and clinical work, students took part in community service projects during the year.

Several students and faculty received individual recognition for their efforts. The categories were:

• Constance Smith Peterson Award for Public Health and Community Nursing – Jordan Kornoelje
• Nursing Student of the Year – Jamie Smith
• Sigma Theta Tau – Iota Tau Chapter Award – Harrison Jones
• Clinical Teaching Excellence Award – Patty Timmons, MSN, RN, CNEcl
• Classroom Teaching Excellence Award – Heather “Hez” Taylor, MSN, FNP-BC

Creighton University’s nursing program in Phoenix is currently based in midtown and will move to Creighton’s new Health Sciences Campus currently under construction at Park Central. The College of Nursing program will join will a full four-year medical school, and programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy and physician assistant at the new seven story, 183,000-square-foot building.

The first classes at the new campus will start August 2021.