Nursing program loses footing at Daytona State
Carmen Davis, In Motion Staff Writer
During the monthly Board of Trustees meeting last month, members decided the fate of a proposed Bachelors in Science program for Nursing.
Daytona State College President Dr. Kent Sharples told the crowd that there was a breach in protocol when he announced plans to offer a bachelor's degree for registered nursing. The conflict of interest arose due to neighboring Bethune-Cookman University's four year program for nursing. B-CU already offers associate and bachelor degrees in nursing programs and any programs at DSC would thus, create competition between the schools.
Many nursing students in attendance went before the board and expressed why they thought the board should continue with the proposed program. The women believe that the curriculum at Daytona State is the best and most affordable and that is why they prefer to further their studies here. In addition to cost, the faculty and commuting problems were points hit on by the students.
Dr. Trudy Reed, president of Bethune-Cookman said, " Instead of duplicating, we should combine programs." She proposed that DSC and B-CU partner up and provide classes at both schools and even went as far to suggest a diploma with both of the institutes' names.
Both schools agreed that they only want what is right for the community and the last thing they would want to do is compete with one of their own.
Also in attendance was Florida House Representative Joyce Cusack, a Daytona State alumni. . Cusack said, " I plea to the board and the community to see if we can collaborate. Our primary concern is the health of the community."
Ttrustee board members argued that healthy competition can lead to collaboration, but did not approve any action until a consensus on how to handle the problem is arrived at. Talks are in the works to sit down with Bethune- Cookman University and try to work out an agreement through which both institutes would benefit.
The next Daytona State Board of Trustees meeting will revisit the proposal on Oct. 15 on the Daytona Campus.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Sheena
posted 3/15/10 @ 9:06 PM EST
We should have a choice in where to further our nursing degree. Personally, I would go to school out of town before I go to BCU. DSC is familiar to me, it is where I am comfortable. (Continued…)
jen
posted 6/30/10 @ 10:19 AM EST
there's no way i am going to bcu. have you seen the neighborhood it's in? the riot at bcu is enough reason for me to stay away.
thanks dsc for not putting your students first. (Continued…)
Nick S
posted 7/11/10 @ 10:48 PM EST
I am not enrolled in the Nursing program (although I have considered it), but I have to second what the ladies above have said. For some people, attending Bethune-Cookman is not a realistic option. (Continued…)
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