Saginaw Valley State University has collaborated with Alpena Community College (ACC) to help expand the nursing program to students in rural areas of Northern Michigan.
ACC received a $2 million grant that allowed it to pick a school to collaborate with. ACC picked SVSU and now students who receive an associates in nursing at ACC can go on to get a bachelors of nursing through SVSU’s program.
Marcia Ditmyer, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, explained how and why SVSU expanded its program:
“SVSU received an RFI (Request for Information) regarding collaboration on an ADN (Associates Degree in Nursing) to BSN (Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing) Program,” she said. “This was in relationship to the Michigan Legislation Section 216b. Creation of Michigan ADN to BSN completion grant program.”
Alpena was the next step in SVSU’s goal.
“Since I started at SVSU in August 2021, my goal has been to help build more community partnerships,” she said. “SVSU has had established programs such as this with Delta College and Kirtland College. Expanding to Alpena was the next logical step for us.”
Ditmyer also explained how students will take the classes:
“The goal is to teach courses on the ACC campus,” she said. “The RN to BSN program is taught online, therefore once they get their ADN degree and are enrolled, all courses are either on campus, hybrid or online. Any program experiential learning will be completed in their local area or at their employment agency.”
She said it is important for SVSU to continue to grow its nursing program.
“As we continue to grow our body of BSNs within our healthcare environment, we can continue to improve safe, high-quality healthcare services for future generations,” she said.
Going on for a BSN opens more doors for nurses and allows them to provide more holistic care.
“Attainment of this advanced degree offers our registered nurses a comprehensive, holistic professional education focusing on best practice, community health, leadership and quality,” Ditmyer said. “BSN registered nurses can also see greater career growth opportunities in roles such as nursing leadership, education, community health, and case management etc. These additional role opportunities often lead to increased income and schedule flexibility.”
The program is expected to begin in the fall of 2023.
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