Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is proud to announce a new collaboration with Davenport University (DU), Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) aimed at creating a streamlined pathway for Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) graduates to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at a local, accredited program. The new initiative, named West MI BSN Connect, is supported by grant funding to develop a shared BSN transfer course in partnership with the universities. With nearly 5,000 open nursing jobs in Michigan last year, according to the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, this collaboration comes at a perfect time.
DU, Ferris State and GVSU all have established ADN-to-BSN completion programs that will support West MI BSN Connect. GRCC's ADN program prepares students to earn their Associate Degree in Nursing and become Michigan Registered Nurses (RNs) by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. The new pathway includes transfer agreements that allow ADN students to move seamlessly into a partner university’s RN to BSN program. This structure ensures that students do not incur extra time or expense in completing their BSN, with each program's curriculum designed to accommodate the shared course as part of their degree requirements.
West MI BSN Connect will also focus on maximizing student success, with the following strategies:
- Maintaining and delivering a curriculum that transfers into partner BSN programs.
- Engaging in co-branding and targeted recruitment efforts.
- Providing enhanced student services, including academic support, coaching, mentoring, financial aid counseling and access to college/university resources.
- Offering financial relief through scholarships and by waiving application and transcript fees for GRCC students in the ADN-to-BSN pipeline.
- Monitoring and refining strategies through data analysis of program enrollment, student outcomes and completion rates.
In addition, GRCC and its partners will meet regularly to evaluate program effectiveness and discuss opportunities for enhanced employer partnerships. These partnership meetings will focus on areas such as clinical placements, staff diversity and support for ADN graduates, including scholarships and tuition reimbursement. Employers will also collaborate in recruitment efforts aimed at incumbent workers looking to further their education in nursing.
This initiative underscores GRCC’s commitment to increasing educational access, reducing barriers to degree completion and helping local employers meet their staffing needs in the healthcare industry.
For more information about West MI BSN Connect and upcoming opportunities, please visit GRCC’s website.