Kellogg Community College and Olivet College in June jointly announced a new partnership designed to increase the number of bachelor-level nursing graduates locally and help create a stronger nursing workforce across the region.
A memorandum of understanding signed by both institutions creates a new pathway for students who graduate with an Associated in Applied Science in Nursing from KCC. That pathway through KCC’s renowned, nationally accredited Nursing program now includes an option to transfer smoothly to and from Olivet College’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
The blended-delivery, community-based learning model offers a quality bachelor’s degree, grounded in the liberal arts, along with a flexible program for licensed registered nurses seeking to advance their careers through an RN-to-BSN completion program.
“The KCC-Olivet College partnership meets a significant employer need for more nurses, serves KCC nursing students with a ready-made and aligned BSN program located on our campus, and it contains costs for students through this strategic partnership between a two-year and a four-year institution,” said KCC President Mark O’Connell.
Once fully launched, the partnership will serve three distinct student markets:
- BSN degree completion for professional nurses
- AASN/BSN program for students who originate at KCC and finish at Olivet College
- AASN/BSN program for students who originate at Olivet College, complete the AASN at KCC and return to finish the BSN at Olivet College.
“Olivet College is proud to launch this new BSN completion program with a focus on Battle Creek. It will be the only BSN program located in Battle Creek and offering classes in Battle Creek. In doing so, this community-based learning model will connect classroom-based work with meaningful community involvement and exchange. Both nursing students and the Battle Creek community overall will benefit directly from the KCC-Olivet College partnership,” said Olivet College President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D. The program is currently pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Olivet College BSN degree completion program requires the completion of 120 semester hour credits. The program has no hidden prerequisites or requirements and all general education requirements are embedded in the nursing courses to be completed. The total credits required for the BSN degree are earned through a combination of the following:
- Upper-division nursing courses
- Credits transferred from the ADN-granting institution or other colleges attended
- “Flexible credits” that may be earned in a variety of ways
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, Olivet College’s Battle Creek-based program will use classroom and office space at KCC’s North Avenue campus in Battle Creek. This will allow students from both institutions to attend KCC and Olivet College classes in Battle Creek. The institutions also will work collaboratively, share information and evaluate the effectiveness of the partnership on an ongoing basis.
For more information, visit the KCC Nursing page at www.kellogg.edu/nursing or the Olivet College Bachelor of Science in Nursing page at www.olivetcollege.edu/BSNcompletion.
Pictured in the above signing photo taken at Olivet College on June 21 are, in the front row, from left to right, Olivet College President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., and KCC President Mark O’Connell. Pictured in the back row, from left to right, are KCC Vice President for Instruction Dr. Kevin Rabineau; Olivet College Director of Nursing Education and Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Lorraine Manier; and KCC Dean of Workforce Development Dr. Jan Karazim. For an uncropped high-resolution version of the photo above, email thalmanns@kellogg.edu.
