MNU and Neosho County Community College have signed an agreement to offer MNU’s RN to BSN program on the NCCC campus in Ottawa, Kan.

NCCC has a vibrant associate’s program for registered nurses, many of whom are interested in furthering their education by earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing. The move to offer MNU’s RN to BSN program at NCCC will allow these nurses to continue to the next step in their careers in a convenient location and an accelerated, one-year format.

Allyson Young, department chair of RN to BSN programs at MNU, says the demand for BSN-prepared nurses is high. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services only 33% of RNs begin their career with a bachelor’s degree, while the American Association of Colleges of Nursing states the aging U.S. population contributes to higher demand for nurses who hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

According to Dr. Susan Larson, dean of MNU’s School of Nursing and Health Science, the university is acting on suggestions from an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report that encourages schools to develop a seamless path of upward mobility regarding educational advancement.

“We’re eager to build this partnership because we strongly believe in the numerous benefits of educational advancement and we’re supportive of removing barriers and providing a convenient method to achieve this goal,” Larson said.

Classes for MNU’s RN to BSN program at NCCC will begin February 22, 2012.  Two classes will be offered consecutively on Wednesdays with class times from 8 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. For more information, contact MNU representative Teresa Kolbeck at 913-971-3074.  Beginning Tuesday, January 10, Kolbeck will have an office on the Ottawa Campus located in room 334. The main number for the Ottawa Campus of NCCC is 913-242-2067. 

For more information on nursing education at MNU visit www.mnu.edu/nursing.