Century Partners with Bemidji to Offer Bachelor's in Nursing

Century Partners with Bemidji to Offer Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

Century College has entered into a partnership agreement with Bemidji State University that will provide students a new opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing without leaving the Century campus.

Century College President Ron Anderson, Bemidji State University President Richard Hanson and other campus leaders signed the agreement at a ceremony at Century on Tuesday, May 14. The expanded offerings begin this fall.

The “RN to BSN” program offers students who already are registered nurses the opportunity to earn their four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree by taking a combination of on-campus and online courses. Students will study on the Century campus on Wednesdays for three days during the semester and online during the rest of the semester. Clinical experiences will be arranged at a variety of sites with the goal of having these sites as close to a student’s home as possible.

The BSN degree can be earned in one or two years depending on whether a student enrolls full time or part time. The cost of the 33-credit bachelors completion program is about $13,000, and many students who are working in the healthcare field have employers who offer tuition reimbursement.

Enrollment in the program will be capped at 40 students, and it is filling quickly. Interested students are encouraged to enroll soon. For more information, please contact Marlene Erickson at the Bemidji School of Nursing, 218-755-2736 or merickson@bemidjistate.edu. Interested students also can directly apply online at http://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/nursing/apply/

“There continues to be a huge demand among Minnesota’s nurses for programs like these,” said Dr. Jeanine Gangeness, Dean of the Bemidji School of Nursing. “This is part of our continuing effort to support the ability of nurses to come back to school and complete their education.”

Century President Ron Anderson noted at the signing ceremony that the new partnership program is “a convenient and well-articulated way for students to earn their bachelor’s degree.”

Jennifer Eccles, Director of Nursing of the Century College Nursing Program, said student surveys show that 80 percent of the students who earn a two-year degree in nursing aim to go on to earn their four-year degree. Currently, however, only 20 percent of these graduates actually enroll in a BSN program within six months of obtaining their Associates Degree.

“Enhanced access to a bachelor’s degree program will greatly increase the number of students who earn their four-year degree,” said Eccles.

Photo cutline:

Ron Anderson, Suresh Tiwari, Kathy Bell, Jeanine Gangeness, Martin Tadlock, Richard Hanson