Today, The University of Olivet announced a new program designed to increase the number of bachelor-level nursing graduates in Battle Creek and help create a stronger nursing workforce across the region. The program is in partnership with Kellogg Community College (KCC).
A memorandum of understanding signed by both institutions creates a new pathway for students who graduate with an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) from KCC. That pathway through KCC’s renowned, nationally accredited nursing program now includes an option to transfer smoothly to The University of Olivet’s pending Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
“The University of Olivet 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-The University of Olivet partnership,” said The University of Olivet President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D. The program is currently pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions.
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-The University of Olivet 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 The University of Olivet
- AASN/BSN program for students who originate at The University of Olivet, complete the AASN at KCC and return to finish the BSN at The University of Olivet.
The University of Olivet 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 associate degree in nursing-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, The University of Olivet’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 The University of Olivet classes in Battle Creek. The institutions also will work collaboratively, share information and evaluate the effectiveness of the partnership on an ongoing basis.
Learn more about the The University of Olivet Bachelor of Science in Nursing by contacting Jim Weidman, director of admissions for adult professionals and graduate programs, at 269.749.6612 or jweidman@uolivet.edu.