Calhoun Student Simultaneously Earns Associate And Bachelor’s Degrees In Nursing Through UAH Partnership
May 8, 2024
As the spring semester draws to a close at Calhoun Community College, Kehinde Oyediran stands on the brink of a significant milestone. Among the graduating students who will soon walk across the stage during the college’s commencement ceremony, Oyediran’s journey is particularly inspiring. Not only will he receive his associate’s degree in Nursing from the college, but he also recently attained his bachelor’s degree in nursing from The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) through the college’s accelerated dual nursing degree partnership.
Reflecting on the difficult decision to take on such a demanding educational journey, Kehinde shares how this transformative experience changed his life. “Through this program not only have I learned to master my bedside skills training, and the management realm of nursing, but it also helped me gain a deeper understanding of what it truly means to embody the essence of a well-rounded nurse who practices in the real world,” says Oyediran.
“The coursework and clinicals were challenging, but I paced myself by relying heavily on lecture notes, practice problems, and additional resources provided by both programs. I have no doubt that this decision was perfect for me and where I saw myself going as a future nurse,” he said. “Procrastination is something that could be very detrimental to anyone who is in this program as you have to stay on track, or you can quickly fall behind,” Oyediran said.
According to Dr. Lynn Hogan, Calhoun’s Nursing Department Head, the partnership, which was announced during the fall of 2020, offers a seamless curriculum that provides students the opportunity to complete their general education courses at Calhoun for its Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), and then continuing on to UAH’s College of Nursing to complete requirements to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), thus obtaining both degrees in only five semesters from both institutions. “This program is unique as it was developed for those students who have the motivation and drive to not only become a nurse, but who are also determined to work on two-degree programs simultaneously,” says Hogan. “The faculty at Calhoun and UAH work very closely together with the application process as well as helping students secure financial aid and scholarships to keep their educational costs at a minimum,” Hogan added.
For Oyediran, scholarships played a pivotal role in helping him achieve his academic aspirations. “Receiving Calhoun’s 2023-24 Stacey M. Cernadas Scholarship was not only an honor, but it also alleviated the financial burden and allowed me to focus entirely on my studies as it covered the cost of my tuition, fees and books,” he shares. “Dying in the line of duty as a flight nurse, Stacey, inspired me even more to carry the torch and dedicate myself to serving those in need, as well paying it forward towards future nurses,” he added.
“My goal is to provide the best care possible as a registered nurse,” he affirms, “and then I plan to further my education to serve communities who have limited access to healthcare.”
Oyediran also shares that his twin brother, Taiwo Oyediran, is also in the dual nursing program, and is set to graduate in 6 months. “To witness the fruition of our shared goal, alongside my family, fills me with great pride,” he says with a smile.
The college’s commencement ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 9, 4PM at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.
Calhoun’s dual nursing degree partnerships with Athens State University and Auburn University offer similar opportunities for aspiring nurses. To learn more about these programs, visit www.calhoun.edu/dualnursing.
