Above: First cohort of nursing students, from left to right: Ellie Nuckols, Margaret (Kate) Cohee, Bethany Wyant, Sarah Bland, Delaney Reper, Sophia Fueglein, Sydney Clements, London Viney, Hannah Brumbaugh, Kendall Gray
Bright smiles and a burst of confetti streamers celebrated the start of a new journey for 10 proud Captains. These students are the first nursing cohort launched by the innovative partnership between Christopher Newport and its neighbor, Riverside College of Health Sciences (RCHS), an accredited institution within a leading hospital network in Hampton Roads.
The partnership offers students a 3+2 dual-degree nursing program that blends a traditional college experience at Christopher Newport for three years, followed by two years at neighboring RCHS, a premier hospital-based college of health sciences.
“It's just incredibly exciting to be one of the first students from CNU to experience the nursing program through RCHS. I’m thrilled to be part of the group that establishes a firm foundation for future CNU students who are called to the nursing profession,” said Sydney Clements ‘27.
This significant milestone was recognized at a campus ceremony led by President William G. Kelly, RCHS President Robin Nelhuebel, and Riverside Executive Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive Dr. Frankey Myers.
“We are so grateful for this partnership with Riverside College of Health Sciences, and so proud that we can work together to educate and prepare nurses who are so critical to the health of our community,” said President Kelly. “We will be cheering these students on as they work through the program, and we look forward to the high-quality care they will provide patients here and at healthcare facilities across Virginia and beyond.”
“This first cohort marks the start of a powerful partnership between Riverside College of Health Sciences and Christopher Newport University with a program rooted in academic strength, clinical excellence, and a shared commitment to caring for our communities,” said President Nelhuebel, PhD, MSN, RN, RT(R).
The rigorous 3+2 program offers students support and guidance at every stage as they navigate both the academic component and the hands-on clinical education. “We have an amazing advisor in Tiffany Carney at CNU, who is completely invested in these students. She reaches out to them before they first step on campus for fall classes and works closely with them throughout their time as they prepare for Riverside’s program,” said Prof. Gwynne Brown, PhD, Director of Pre-Health Advising. “Riverside has also been phenomenal in helping us to make this transition for the students as smooth as possible. Everyone is working to help these students succeed.” Students ultimately earn two bachelor’s degrees, a BA in biology from CNU and a BSN from RCHS. Riverside will provide a pathway towards employment within Riverside after graduation.
Opportunity Awaits Future Nursing Students
What began a few years ago as an ambitious vision is now becoming a tangible success as this first group of students steps into clinical care. The cohort will pave the way for countless others following in their footsteps. “I’ve always known I wanted to work in a medical or health-related environment because science has always been my favorite subject. When I toured Christopher Newport, I fell in love with the stunning campus, the smaller, tight-knit student community, and its proximity to my family, so I knew this was definitely where I wanted to be,” Clements said. What Clements didn’t know when she arrived on campus as a freshman was that a newly formed partnership had just been created, allowing her not only to pursue nursing as a career but also to earn two degrees.
“My original plan was to pursue a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology to gain a broad understanding of health sciences. But then my academic advisor told me about a new nursing opportunity and suggested I contact Tiffany Carney, Christopher Newport’s nursing advisor. Mrs. Carney was an incredibly supportive resource during the application process,” Clements said. “She always kept me and others up to date with requirements, schedule changes, and extra opportunities to prepare us for the dual enrollment program. I was immediately drawn to the program for all the opportunities it would give me when I entered the workforce.”
Clements views the 3 + 2 nursing program as a perfect fit for someone who wants both the traditional college experience that Christopher Newport offers and a chance to receive the highest-quality medical training from Riverside Health.
“Although I will commute to Riverside every day, I can still enjoy all the benefits of being a CNU student. Everybody in the program has the same pre-requisite classes and clinicals, so I’ve become really close with those pursuing nursing as well. Some days are lecture-centered, while others are more hands-on and lab-oriented, which makes for a well-balanced learning experience,” she said.
Clements works part-time at a daycare, and ultimately hopes to blend her goal of working with children and the nursing profession.
“I plan to work in either the neonatal or pediatric intensive care unit. During my time as an ICU nurse, I also plan to continue my education to become a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant,” she said.
In the meantime, Clements said she’s grateful for the immediate benefits the 3+2 program provides.
“To be able to graduate with a BA in biology and a BSN during the standard length of an undergraduate education is just an amazing opportunity,” she said.