June 15, 2011

Contact: Meghan Walbert
Public Relations Manager, Office of Communications & Public Affairs
Grand Canyon University
602-400-3264
Meghan.Walbert@gcu.edu
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY OPENS NEW MEXICO CAMPUS FOR NURSING PROGRAM
New location has no waiting list and small classes
PHOENIX (June 15, 2011) - Grand Canyon University (GCU) has opened its first location outside of Arizona and is accepting applications for a new pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Albuquerque.
The 20-month accelerated program takes place over five semesters and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). GCU currently is accepting applications for the January start date, and there is no waiting list.
"Grand Canyon University is committed to producing highly educated, well-prepared healthcare professionals," GCU Dean of Nursing Anne McNamara said. "We're already doing this in Phoenix and online, and now we are putting the same model to work in Albuquerque."
The New Mexico campus is located in the former Northside Presbyterian Hospital, 5901 Harper Drive NE. It houses skill labs, classrooms, and faculty and administrative offices. The University has partnered with Presbyterian Healthcare Systems to help students complete the required clinical experience hours. The first class of students began in May.
"This program is ideal for someone who already has their prerequisites out of the way, who may have already obtained a bachelor's degree in another subject and is looking for a career change, or is on a waiting list to attend another school," McNamara said. "Traditional higher education programs in this country can't keep up with the demand for high quality nursing education programs. We hope to fill some of that gap."
The school is hosting open information sessions from 1 to 5 p.m. on June 24; 8 a.m. to noon on June 25; 1 to 5 p.m. on July 14; and 8 a.m. to noon on July 16. For more information about these sessions, contact Kristin Kelley-Gomez at 505-823-8631 or kristin.kelleygomez@gcu.edu.
Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona's premier private Christian university. GCU is regionally accredited and emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students and the working professional in six colleges: the Ken Blanchard College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Nursing, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts and Production, and the College of Doctoral Studies. GCU offers traditional campus-based programs, as well as online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs. The University's curriculum fuses academic and clinical rigor with Christian values to prepare its students to be skilled, caring professionals. For more information about GCU, visit www.gcu.edu.
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