Nursing and Medical Technology: The Ripon-Rush Program

Nursing for a Liberal Arts Graduate

Ripon College has cooperative programs with Rush University that allow students to begin their education at Ripon and complete their undergraduate nursing training at Rush. Students also should be aware that the field of nursing has become very diverse, and many nurses have master's degrees and doctorates. These highly trained specialists are in especially high demand. Qualified undergraduates are able to enter nursing at the master's degree level so that a student who wishes to get a traditional liberal arts education often can enter a master's degree program directly from the B.A. A strong background in chemistry and biology is recommended for students who are considering nursing as a career.

The Ripon-Rush Program in Nursing

Ripon students interested in nursing have available the Ripon-Rush cooperative program. Students may elect either a 3-2 or a 2-2 program. In the 3-2 program, students spend three years at Ripon completing graduation requirements and most requirements for a major, and then two years at Rush University. Upon completion of the program, the student earns both the A.B. degree from Ripon and the B.S. degree in Nursing from Rush. In the 2-2 option, the B.S. degree in Nursing from Rush is awarded following the two clinical years.

The requirements for the 2-2 program with Rush are outlined below.

The electives should be distributed so that two courses have been taken in two of each of the following areas: foreign language, fine arts, humanities.

The course requirements for the 3-2 Ripon-Rush program are the same. In addition, the student must complete the Ripon College distribution requirements and the requirements for a major.

Students seriously considering the Ripon-Rush Program in Nursing should consult with Dr. Douglas Light (Chair of the HPAC) no later than spring of their freshman year.

Additional information concerning the variety of nursing programs offered at Rush University can be obtained at Rush University College of Nursing.

For more information about a nursing career contact Dr. Light or the General Nursing Resource, or write:

American Nursing Association
2420 Pershing Road
Kansas City, MO 64108

Medical Technology

Medical technologists are laboratory scientists who perform all types of tests and carry out all kinds of analytical procedures required in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. About two-thirds of the medical technologists work in hospitals, while the rest work in clinics, doctors offices, private practice, and state and federal laboratories.

Medical technology programs generally require three years of undergraduate work prior to admission, and many require a baccalaureate degree. Ripon has formal affiliation with Rush University in Chicago. The Ripon-Rush program has several options. Students may spend two years at Ripon and two years at Rush University (2-2). Completion of this program leads to the B.S. in Medical Technology from Rush. There is also a 3-2 option in which the student receives a B.S. from Rush and an A.B. from Ripon. Finally, students may choose to attend Rush after earning their Ripon degree. Ripon students also have been readily accepted into medical technology programs at a variety of hospitals.

The specific requirements for the Ripon-Rush 2-2 program are given below. A minimum of 62 hours is required at Ripon before beginning the clinical phase at Rush University.

Requirements for most other medical technology programs are similar. Usually they include 16 hours of biology, 16 hours of chemistry and a course in mathematics. The biology courses should include 211 and 314. Many schools also recommend physics and genetics.

Contact Dr. Douglas Light, Biology (Chair of the HPAC), for more information about the Rush program. Additional information about medical technology careers may be obtained from the following organizations:

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