Future nursing students planning to attend Pitt Community College or three other community colleges in eastern North Carolina can apply for competitive slots in a new program with East Carolina University aimed at increasing the number of highly qualified nurses while offering lower tuition costs.

The PCC students will be concurrently enrolled so that after completing their associate’s degree in nursing they move on to get their bachelor’s degree from ECU. The program kicks off in the fall semester, and 20 students will be accepted, five from each participating community college.

“From day one, we tell our students this is a wonderful starting point, but we are proactive to try to push our students to continue with their education,” Elizabeth De Jesus Toderick, director of nursing at PCC, said. “The changes in the health care delivery system down the road will require additional training.”

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