Miami University is putting an end to its two-year nursing degree program after feeling the pressure of local hospitals which are beginning to require higher education from their nurses.  Miami University trains nurses at its regional campuses in Middletown and Hamilton and in turn local hospitals such as Middletown's Atrium Medical Center and Hamilton's Fort Hamilton Hospital all hire a large number of graduated nurses from Miami University.  However, local hospitals have been focusing more on hiring nurses with bachelor's degrees,  some hospitals require it.  Fort Hamilton plans to implement the requirement soon.

The demand for higher educated nurses is being prompted by the fact that the hospitals are finding that patients who have a nurse with a bachelor's degree do better.  The average length of the patient's stay is shorter and there are fewer complications.

By 2012 Miami University may only be offering four-year nursing programs and will be focusing on bachelor's degrees. All of the hospitals offer some form of tuition assistance to nurses seeking to further their education and obtain BSN status.  Atrium Medical Center has also teamed with Miami University to create a "RN to BSN" program.  The program is offered at the new Greentree Health Science Academy and nurses can earn their new degree in as little as 18 months.