SIU to Create Nursing Program

Officials at Southern Illinois University say the Carbondale school intends to create a nursing program.
 
Interim provost Meera Komarraju told The Southern Illinoisan that the Illinois Board of Higher Education will begin reviewing the school's proposal about a month from now. She says the board could give final approval by early June and the program could come to campus this fall. Komarraju says if process doesn't move that quickly then the program will start in fall 2020. 
 
The plan has support from the university's Faculty Senate and local hospitals, including a $1 million commitment from Southern Illinois Healthcare, the region's largest health care employer.
 
SIU communications officer Rae Goldsmith says interim Chancellor John Dunn sees the program helping with enrollment and addressing ``a very critical regional need.''