Nursing Division

HCC to offer evening/weekend nursing degree program

Hagerstown Community College and Meritus Medical Center have entered into an agreement to provide a nursing degree program that will be offered evenings and weekends.

Through this new program, 24 students will be selected for enrollment in the first class that will begin in January of 2025. Students are encouraged to take their prerequisite courses now so they are eligible to apply for the first class by August 15, 2024.

“The evening/weekend program is especially geared toward those students who have not been able to obtain their dream of becoming a nurse because of circumstance, current work commitments, or family responsibilities,” said Karen Hammond, HCC director of nursing. “This program offers a dynamic and interactive process that views the client, family, and community holistically.”

“We are proud to support this program that reduces some of the real barriers many face in achieving their academic goals,” said Melissa Short, chief nursing officer, Meritus Health. “There are so many tremendously passionate community members that have the potential to become incredible nurses. Meritus, like hospitals across the country, is in need of well-qualified nurses to support the needs of our patients. A program like this not only supports prospective students by putting their goals within reach, but helps the needs of our community by developing well-prepared nurses to enter our local workforce.”

HCC’s registered nursing degree program consists of 70 credits of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences required to complete the degree and be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). All clinical experiences will be held at Meritus Medical Center, with the exception of psychiatric clinical experiences, which will be held at Brook Lane. The evening/weekend program is designed to be completed in two years.

For more information, contact HCC’s nursing department at 240-500-2380 or visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/rn.

(November 16, 2023)