With the start of spring semester in January, Thomas University students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will have an additional option for their classes. Instead of the traditional classes that last an entire semester, RN-BSN students can now take classes for eight-week sessions instead.
 
The new option is in addition to the hybrid RN-BSN classes TU already offers that combines online coursework with a half-day face-to-face class one day per month over the course of a semester.
 
“We added this new online eight-week format option in order to be more responsive to our students' needs,” said Dr. Kim Cribb, Chair of the Division of Nursing. “Many nurses have demanding work and family schedules, and the pursuit of a baccalaureate degree was not possible with required campus classes. The eight-week online option allows students to concentrate on one or two classes at a time and does not require on-campus classroom participation.”
 
The eight-week classes are completely online, but students are welcome to meet face-to-face with their professors on TU’s campus if needed.

“The online format works well for nurses who have work schedules that vary from week to week or month to month,” Cribb said. “They don't have to worry about changing their work days in order to attend class. This option also allows a student to concentrate on one or two classes at a time as opposed to four or five classes in a 16-week semester.”
Students who choose the eight-week classes can complete all the required RN-BSN courses over three semesters.
 
“Students needing additional core class requirements could choose to take them in any delivery format or time frame,” Cribb said. “Additionally, if a student could not progress in the eight-week cohort or elected to return to the hybrid format, he or she could register for the same nursing courses offered in the 16-week semester.”