WVU Nursing introduced a partnership with Arellano University to offer a new collaborative program for nursing exchange students. 

Students from Arellano University, located in the Philippines, will spend three years of nursing school at Arellano before completing the program’s final year at WVU. 

During their time at Arellano University, students will learn and have access to WVU’s curriculum to prepare for the fourth year of the program, according to Brad Phillips, director of International BSN Programs, After graduation, students can work in the U.S. for up to three years and apply for primary citizenship while working as a registered nurse. 

Prior to its closing, Alderson Broaddus University maintained a partnership with Arellano University, according to Phillips. 

Phillips said the WVU School of Nursing continued the partnership to promote global collaboration and strengthen the nursing field in West Virginia. 

“We see the importance of global collaboration and the nursing shortage in West Virginia is on the rise. And we know that these students will receive a high-quality education both at Arellano University and in Morgantown,” he said. 

WVU will officially start the program this fall. Students who already started the program at Alderson Broaddus will complete it at WVU, according to Phillips. 

“Alderson Broaddus gets the credit that is due for initiating the partnership and bringing it to life. And kind of, you know, to lay the groundwork and the foundation so we can continue that,” he said. 

Students from Arellano University will pay WVU’s tuition rate during their fourth year with no additional charges for the program. Students are eligible to apply for scholarships through WVU’s Global Affairs office.

Additionally, the WVU School of Nursing recently received a $2.6 million grant from the Bedford Falls Foundation, which will fund the Conway Scholarship. The scholarship will support students from Arellano during their time at WVU. 

“They'll have all this extra support from both the Global Affairs office and from the School of Nursing in terms of the Conway Scholarship to help bridge that need with tuition fees,” Phillips said. 

More information on the partnership can be found on the WVU School of Nursing’s website at nursing.wvu.edu/. Phillips said students can also email questions to brad.phillips@hsc.wvu.edu.