NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

3/01/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Northwestern State University's ROTC Program will offer four-year scholarships to nursing majors beginning this fall, according to commander Lt. Col. Claton Chandler.

NSU will be the only ROTC program in Louisiana or Mississippi to offer four-yearscholarships to nursing students.

"This is a program I have actively wanted to pursue," said Chandler. "We believe that success breeds success and that this program will be popular."

The recent success of Northwestern's ROTC program led to the authorization of nursing scholarships, Chandler said. NSU's program ranked among the top 20 percent in the country. Projections are that the program will commission 30 graduates in 2003 and 2004, doubling the current number of those earning commissions.

"Our ability to garner these scholarships are the result of the program's performance," said Chandler. "We are a program that is being watched."

Northwestern has applied for Partnership in Nursing Education (PNE) status. In order to apply for PNE status, a nursing program must be accredited, have at least 10 graduates a year and achieve at least a 90 percent pass rate on the NCLEX exam. NSU meets those requirements.

"Northwestern has an outstanding nursing program which has been a big help to us," said Chandler.

Minimum qualifications include a high school grade point average of at least 3.5 and an ACT score of 21. The applicant must also pass an Army physical with a preference toward those who show leadership ability and have competed in athletics.

Those who obtain a bachelor's degree and meet prerequisites will receive a commission as an Army Nurse Corps (ANC) officer. Assignments are available in one of the Army hospitals in the U.S., Germany, or Korea.

For more information, contact Chandler at (318) 357-5176 or e-mail chandler@nsula.edu.

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