Cleveland Community College and Gardner-Webb Launch Co-admission Nursing Program

‘Nursing Bridge’ Program Creates Seamless Process for CCC Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Officials at Gardner-Webb University and Cleveland Community College (CCC) in Shelby, N.C., recently signed an agreement to establish a transfer admission promise program for nursing students. The partnership will help position CCC students for maximum success at both institutions. The “CCC Bridge to Professional Advancement in Nursing Partnership with GWU” builds on the “Bulldog Bound: Direct Entry Admission Program” the two institutions signed in the fall of 2020.

“I am delighted by the opportunities presented by this new nursing partnership with Cleveland Community College,” observed GWU President Dr. William M. Downs. “Gardner-Webb will work to ensure a smooth, seamless, and successful transition for all students wishing to continue their education with us. We anticipate this being a strong and vital pathway for student success.”

CCC President Dr. Jason Hurst added, “Incredible things are happening at CCC. The ‘CCC Bridge to Professional Advancement in Nursing Partnership with Gardner-Webb University’ offers our nursing students the opportunity to take their education further than they may have thought possible. We look forward to working with Gardner-Webb and helping our students achieve their goals.”

The “CCC Bridge to Professional Advancement in Nursing Partnership with GWU” provides two seamless Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)-to-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) pathways for CCC nursing students.

Pathway One is for students who are accepted into CCC’s PN (Practical Nursing) program and meet admission requirements. They will be dually accepted into the Advanced Placement LPN option in the ASN program offered by the Hunt School of Nursing (HSON) at Gardner-Webb. This creates a seamless pathway to the Davis RN-to-BSN program and Master of Science in Nursing (Education/Administration) programs.

Pathway Two is geared toward students who are accepted into CCC’s ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) program and meet the requirements. They are dually accepted into the Davis RN-to-BSN program in the HSON at Gardner-Webb. They will also have a seamless pathway to the Master of Science in Nursing (Education/Administration). 

To be considered for acceptance into the Bridge program, CCC ADN students submit in writing to the Director of Nursing their consent for CCC to share the student’s application/admission documents with GWU. Upon receipt of these documents, an enrollment representative from GWU will contact the student to assist with registration for classes.

Students admitted to the Bridge to Professional Advancement in Nursing must meet admission requirements of the Associate Degree in Nursing at Cleveland Community College and Gardner-Webb University.

Gardner-Webb University’s Enrollment Management Office and Registrar Services will accept CCC official application/admission documents as official copies of Gardner-Webb University application/admission documents for the purpose of entering applicant data into the Gardner-Webb University student data systems as a dually admitted Bridge to Professional Advancement in Nursing student in both the CCC ADN and Gardner-Webb University.

For non-nursing students, the “Bulldog Bound: A Direct Entry Admission Program” that was signed in the fall of 2020 is another co-admission program designed to simplify the process for successful CCC students who plan to transfer to GWU after completing a qualifying associate degree.

Students who participate in “Bulldog Bound” gain access to information about Gardner-Webb’s academic programs and access to faculty and staff who will facilitate students’ transition. Students will also receive communications related to admission, financial aid, registration and orientation early in the transition process. Interested CCC students complete a brief, online form through CCC to express their interest in the program, and there is no fee to participate.

For more information about the “CCC Bridge to Professional Advancement in Nursing Partnership with GWU” and the “Bulldog Bound: Direct Entry Admission Program,” email [email protected].

About Cleveland Community College: Established in 1965, Cleveland Community College drives student success and economic impact for individuals and businesses in our community through diverse education and training opportunities. Located in Shelby, North Carolina, CCC offers a variety of associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates leading to career and college transfer opportunities as well as customized industry training programs and continuing education courses. Visit clevelandcc.edu.

About Gardner-Webb University: Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.