First-of-its-kind education program for NAHN encourages Hispanic nurses to pursue advanced education and increase diversity in the nursing workforce

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Chamberlain College of Nursing and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) announced a new education program that provides NAHN members with a special tuition rate for Chamberlain’s post licensure online programs. This program expands access to advanced education for more than 3,000 Hispanic nurses in 48 chapters throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

In 2010, Hispanics made up 16 percent of the U.S. population, but only 6 percent of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program students, 5 percent of registered nurse (RN) to BSN students and 4 percent of students enrolled in master’s programs¹. Chamberlain's program with NAHN can help narrow this gap by making advanced education in nursing more accessible and increasing the number of nurses who can provide culturally sensitive care to Hispanic patients.

"NAHN is committed to advancing the educational, professional and leadership skills of Hispanic nurses in order to increase ethnic diversity and more accurately represent the general population," said Angie Millan, MSN, RNP, CNS, president of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. "Our program with Chamberlain encourages Hispanic nurses to pursue the advanced education they need, as well as respond to new complexities in the healthcare system.”

Through this education program, members of NAHN who meet Chamberlain’s admission requirements can now receive a special tuition rate for Chamberlain's RN to BSN online degree option, RN-BSN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online option and MSN degree program. Benefits also include a waived application fee and a designated Chamberlain admissions representative who will provide enrollment assistance specifically for NAHN members.

"As one of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses’ newest members, Chamberlain is committed to helping the association achieve their mission of providing equal access to educational, professional and economic opportunities for Hispanic nurses,” said Dr. W. Richard Cowling, vice president of academic affairs for Chamberlain College of Nursing. “Together with the NAHN, Chamberlain will increase access to quality education for Hispanic nursing students and encourage them to advance the profession by working toward leadership roles through continued education.”

For more information about Chamberlain College of Nursing, visit chamberlain.edu. For more information about the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, visit nahnnet.org.

About Chamberlain College of Nursing

Chamberlain College of Nursing offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in nursing. Chamberlain is currently located in Phoenix, Arizona; Jacksonville and Miramar, Florida; Addison and Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Columbus, Ohio; Houston, Texas; and Arlington, Virginia.

Chamberlain College of Nursing is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, ncahlc.org. HLC is one of the six regional agencies that accredit U.S. colleges and universities at the institutional level. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at the Addison, Arlington, Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Jacksonville, Miramar, Phoenix and St. Louis locations and the Master of Science in Nursing degree program are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202.887.6791). The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at the St. Louis and Columbus locations and the Associate Degree in Nursing program are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404.975.5000). Accreditation provides assurance to the public and to prospective students that standards of quality have been met. This program is not approved or regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Chamberlain College of Nursing 2450 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 101 N. 14th Street, 10th Floor, James Monroe Building, Richmond, VA 23219, 804.225.2600. Chamberlain College of Nursing has provisional approval from the Virginia Board of Nursing, Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233-1463, 804.367.4515.

Program availability varies by location. Chamberlain reserves the right to update information as it becomes available. Information is current at the time of posting. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation. Comprehensive consumer information is available at chamberlain.edu/studentconsumerinfo.

About National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)

NAHN National Association of Hispanic Nurses^® is a non-profit professional association committed to the promotion of the professionalism and dedication of Hispanic nurses by providing equal access to educational, professional, and economic opportunities for Hispanic nurses. NAHN is also dedicated to the improvement of the quality of health and nursing care of Hispanic consumers.

¹ National League of Nursing. Annual Survey of Schools of Nursing, Academic Year 2009-2010, on the internet at http://www.nln.org/research/slides/exec_summary_0910.pdf (visited January 20, 2012)

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