By Carl Ivory
Yasith Weerasuriya is the President of Stanbridge University, an award-winning institution that offers programs in Nursing and Allied Health. In addition, campuses in Orange County, Los Angeles, and Riverside offer innovative technology and hands-on learning opportunities. President Weerasuriya discusses the future of healthcare education with regards to Stanbridge University.
Question: How are Stanbridge’s degree programs in Nursing and Allied Health helping shape the future of healthcare education?
Weerasuriya: Stanbridge University’s degree programs in Nursing and Allied Health are shaping the future of healthcare education. As new models for health care delivery emerge, these degrees will be even more relevant. More nurses are needed with bachelor’s degrees to educate patients, while more allied health professionals are required with bachelor’s degrees to help conduct research and monitor outcomes.
These degree programs prepare students for their future careers and provide tools that can be applied immediately in the workplace. Graduates of our bachelor’s degree programs can offer many benefits to employers, including increased productivity and a reduced rate of injuries.
Question: How does Stanbridge University prepare students for their future careers?
Weerasuriya: At Stanbridge, the different academic programs are all designed to mirror real-world scenarios in the workplace. For example, nursing students at our Los Angeles campus learn how to perform clinical learning experiences at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center, one of the state’s top-rated hospitals.
Our students get to work with instructors who are all working professionals and bring real-world experience into the classroom. Employers want this from their employees: someone who knows how to adapt quickly and best meet patient needs in any situation. Students learn through written assignments, lectures, and computer-assisted instruction, but most importantly, they learn through hands-on clinical experiences.
Question: What does a student need to do to enroll in a degree program at Stanbridge University?
Weerasuriya: First of all, students must be at least 18 years old. In addition, they need an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Stanbridge offers an excellent program for students to earn their degrees while remaining in the workforce, which is called Stanbridge College.
This program allows students to continue working full-time while they earn their bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing or allied health professions on a part-time basis through evening classes. This program fits with the schedules of working adults interested in advancing their education without quitting their jobs.
Question: What are some of the most rewarding experiences students have at Stanbridge University?
Weerasuriya: Many of our students are parents, so they tell me how glad they were to return to college full-time and earn their degree while still making time for their families.
However, another common comment I hear is that students appreciate the challenge of learning through an accelerated program. Stanbridge University offers programs that can be completed in as little as 18 months by attending classes on a part-time basis. Students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree in just two years by attending classes on a full-time basis can do so through Stanbridge College.
Question: Why did you join Stanbridge University?
Weerasuriya: I was excited about this university because of the hands-on opportunities it affords its students. Stanbridge is dedicated to offering programs that make education accessible, affordable, and of high quality.
