Centenary University on Monday said it appointed Rebecca Seaman to direct the university’s new nursing program, which is now enrolling students for its Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or RN to BSN, degree completion program beginning in fall 2023.
The 30-credit degree is open to licensed registered nurses who seek to further their career with a BSN from Centenary.
According to Seaman, Centenary’s new nursing program is an important step in reversing an ongoing nursing shortage that worsened during the pandemic.
“There’s no question there is a significant nursing shortage that started well before the pandemic,” Seaman explained. “Centenary’s new nursing program is a way to help meet the health care needs of the local community the University serves.”
Seaman has more than 20 years of experience as a practicing nurse and nurse educator. She holds a BSN and Master of Science in nursing education from Cedar Crest College, as well as a Doctor of Education in higher education with a concentration in nursing education from Immaculata University.
For the next year, Seaman will work closely with Lauren Bergey, dean of the School of Natural, Health, Social, and Behavioral Sciences, and Craig Fuller, assistant professor of health science and director of Centenary University’s health sciences and medical laboratory science programs, to finalize the curriculum of the RN to BSN degree and begin to set the groundwork for program accreditation.
Seaman noted distinguishing features of Centenary’s new RN to BSN degree include a strong balance between the sciences and liberal arts, as well as clinical experiences offered in collaboration with Atlantic Health System. Centenary is also pursuing additional strategic partnerships with other area health care providers and community colleges.
