EAST LANSING, Mich. — A new agreement between Michigan State University's College of Nursing and Lansing and Macomb community colleges outlines a comprehensive strategy to advance nursing education by making it easier for community college students to take classes at MSU and graduate with a bachelor's degree.
The agreement offers concurrent enrollment and transfer admission from the community colleges' associate degree in nursing programs into MSU's online Bachelor of Science in nursing program for registered nurses, or RN to BSN program.
The partnership aims to address the federal Institute of Medicine's 2010 recommendations for nurses to achieve higher levels of education. To help increase the number of nurses with bachelor's degrees to 80 percent by 2020, LCC and Macomb students can apply to MSU's RN to BSN program during their first semester of enrollment in the associate degree in nursing program.
"MSU is pleased to support work force development in nursing by providing a seamless dual enrollment program for students at both Lansing Community College and Macomb Community College," MSU Provost Kim Wilcox said.
The affiliation agreements, signed May 24, outline the terms and commitments for both institutions. Students will be eligible for the program beginning this fall.
"This agreement allows MSU, LCC and Macomb to develop a nursing work force that is adept at providing the highest quality care while addressing critical barriers in health care delivery," MSU College of Nursing Dean Mary Mundt said. "It highlights our shared commitment to advance nursing education and defines a clear pathway for students."
Major components of the agreement include:
- Students admitted to the MSU RN to BSN program will enroll in two summer sessions at MSU while simultaneously completing their associate degree program.
- Students will be eligible to continue enrollment in the MSU RN to BSN program upon graduation from the associate degree program.
- MSU will provide academic advisors onsite at each community college and work collaboratively to ensure ease of application and transition to the online RN to BSN program.
- Students will enroll in pathophysiology during their first summer session at MSU.
"This unique partnership between a community college and a Big Ten university in this critical field of study will be a tremendous benefit to students as they pursue nursing careers," LCC Provost Stephanie Shanblatt said.
Along with Mundt and June Youatt, senior associate provost, representatives signing the agreement from Lansing Community College included Provost Stephanie Shanblatt and Margherita Clark, the dean of health and human services.
Representatives signing the agreement from Macomb Community College included James Sawyer, provost and vice president, and Charlene McPeak, dean of health and public services.
"This agreement is an innovative option for Macomb nursing students, providing for a seamless and more timely path in which to complete their BSN," McPeak said. "The agreement illustrates our ongoing commitment to collaborating with high-quality educational partners, maximizing use of educational resources while increasing opportunities and benefits for our students."
MSU has a long history of educating nurses, with a commitment of more than 40 years to the RN to BSN program. LCC began educating nurses in 1957 and admitted the first class to the associate degree in nursing program in 1968. Macomb Community College has been educating nurses at the associate degree level since 1967.
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