A new partnership between Slippery Rock University (SRU) and four community colleges is working to address the nursing shortage in Pennsylvania.

According to the release, Slippery Rock University signed a 3+1 agreement with four community colleges in western Pennsylvania to help students complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.

SRU has partnered with Butler County Community College, Community College of Allegheny County, Community College of Beaver County, and Westmoreland County Community College for the 3+1 agreement.

As part of the agreement, students who completed their two-year registered nurse associate degree at any of the four aforementioned community colleges can take another 21-24 credits at their school before transferring to Slippery Rock.

Once the student completes the 21-24 credits and enrolls at SRU, they'll be considered seniors and only need 30 credits to graduate with a BSN degree. Those remaining 30 credits can be completed online as well.

According to the release, there is currently a 31% vacancy rate for registered nurses in Pennsylvania. The state's shortfall of more than 20,000 registered nurses is among the highest in the U.S.

"These agreements help students save time and money," said Robert Lagnese, SRU director of transfer admissions. "They can start their path to a bachelor's degree at their current school and finish at SRU. We're grateful to partner with these community colleges and consider this an important step to address the shortage of nurses in our region."

For more information on the 3+1 program, contact the SRU Transfer Admissions Office at 1-800-929-4478 (option 2) or email [email protected].