With healthcare employers expected to need more highly trained nurses in the years ahead, Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) and Troy University have partnered to create a new pathway from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

“We have about 89,000 practicing nurses, but about 39,000 of those are eligible to retire the next 5 years, which tells you we have a lot of work to do in order to maintain what we’ve built over a long period of time,” Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. said. “We want to make sure that we do our part here at the university.”

On Tuesday, July 7, both institutions signed a concurrent enrollment agreement that will provide students in ESCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program with a faster and more affordable path to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The new agreement will go into effect Fall 2026.

Through concurrent enrollment, students can work toward their BSN while completing requirements at ESCC. Students will also benefit from advising support and a defined academic pathway to make transferring easier.

The agreement also provides significant financial advantages for students. Those enrolled in the concurrent enrollment program may complete Troy University nursing courses at a reduced tuition rate while remaining eligible for available financial aid opportunities. These benefits make it more affordable for students to continue their education and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

“You can’t have conversations with anyone around the State of Alabama in regard to workforce development without them mentioning the necessity for more healthcare workers,” ESCC President Danny Long said. “I take our obligation to provide employees and workers to our community pretty serious. Our long-term care facility and the CEO of the hospital depend on us to do these things and to continue to look at efforts with our four-year partners so that we can create pathways, affordable pathways, for more of those healthcare workers.”

This new pathway will help address workforce needs in Alabama and beyond. Nurses with bachelor’s degrees are increasingly in demand, and this partnership will help prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today’s healthcare environment.

“[This agreement] goes back to serving students and creating opportunities, and I think that’s at the heart of both of our institutions,” Long said.