To solve that one, as well as to permit his students to take the national nursing exam after graduation and get a license to practice in the U.S., Ross' school must partner with community colleges that offer associate degrees in nursing, pushing students stateside for two of their five semesters.

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She took it as an opportunity to upgrade her skills and earned an associate's degree in nursing from a community college.

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Elsewhere, some schools offer competency-based credits or associate degrees in areas such as nursing and business, while Northern Arizona University plans a similar program that would offer bachelor's degrees for a flat fee, said spokesman Eric Dieterle.

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