October 13, 2022
Meghan O'Toole
2+2+2 equals a great opportunity for students interested in nursing
We are proud to introduce the 2+2+2 program, a partnership between College of Lake County (CLC), Lake Forest College, and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) that allows students to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in six years.
Just two years at CLC, two years at Lake Forest, and two years at RFU results in a step ahead in the field of nursing. Students who enroll in the 2+2+2 nursing pathway join before or within their first year of community college at CLC and are granted conditional admission to both Lake Forest College and RFU.
“One of the things that makes this opportunity unique is that it provides multiple pathways for students. It helps students who have identified nursing as their path complete their studies with a master’s degree and be in a potential position of leadership while also having access to different pathways of learning via the community college model,” Lake Forest College’s Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Mike Cohen said. “You can start at community college with the assurance of where your path takes you while also recognizing that your passions may shift.”
In addition to the benefits of flexibility and assurance, the outcomes of the program are promising; the average salary for nurses with a master’s degree is $114,000 per year according to nursingprocess.org.
The program is designed with the Lake County community in mind: all three schools are located in Lake County, and the program is especially suited for those who would like to work in the healthcare field within Lake County. This program aims to contribute to the healthcare workforce within the county.
Disque D. and Carol Gram Deane Professor of Biological Sciences and Chair of the Nursing Pathways Program (NPP) Shubhik DebBurman sees this opportunity as an equalizer when it comes to nursing education: “This pathway truly demonstrates Lake Forest College’s and RFU’s deep institutional commitments to increasing academic access and reducing financial barriers for all Lake County students, especially for those from school districts serving high hardship index communities.”
The 2+2+2 program is designed for almost any major. Prerequisites can be completed at CLC. When transferring to Lake Forest through the pathway, students can complete their bachelor’s degree in virtually any major they choose, including those in the arts and humanities, before transitioning to the MSN program at RFU. According to the program coordinators, this interdisciplinary flexibility is an asset and great strength of the program. Students can broaden their skillsets and leverage them in a leadership role.
“The early assurance of being accepted into both a bachelor’s and master’s degree program with financial aid support provides a tremendous relief from academic and career path uncertainty,” DebBurman said.
The early acceptance provides students with access to faculty guidance and professional mentorship from Lake Forest and RFU faculty at any point in their studies. DebBurman said that this leads to successful academic planning.
The program not only opens up academic opportunities, but also financial ones. “If students complete CNA certification, they can get a job with one of our many healthcare clinical partners and get clinical experiences while earning money,” DebBurman said of the program.
Students interested in learning more about the program can contact Director of Transfer Admissions Melissa Naughton.
Related links
- Explore the Nursing Pathways Program
- Learn more about transferring from CLC
- Learn more about the Health Professions Program