FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy O’Brien (616)234-4213 | Vicki Hudson (616) 234-4206
GRCC’s NURSING PROGRAM RESTRUCTURES TO YEAR-AROUND
TO MEET DEMAND
July 10, 2008 Grand Rapids, MI - In response to both the community expression of need for alternative programming and the looming nursing shortage, Grand Rapids Community College has restructured its associate degree nursing program.
Nursing faculty have been working since 2006 to create a curriculum model that will sustain three admission times per year rather than the current two and provide affordability, availability, and improved utilization of clinical sites and campus classrooms.
A seemingly simple solution to offer more alternative class times was not implemented because data collected from nursing programs in Michigan and nationwide indicated low success and enrollment rates in weekend/evening programs.
Demand on faculty under this new year-around program will increase, but workloads can be spread over three academic semesters allowing for continued compliance with academic standards in the AD program without adding new full time faculty positions.
“We were responding to community need to increase the number of graduates from our Nursing Programs. This was a solution to their request. ” said GRCC’s Dean, School of Workforce Development Fiona Hert.
Hert explained that the solution lay in creative scheduling. “This way we can offer a year- around program that decreases the number of months a student is in school from 26 to 18 while also increasing the number of graduates per year by approximately 30. We currently admit 40 students twice a year. And now, beginning in Winter 09, we will enroll 36 students three times per year including summer, so we expect decreased attrition and increased numbers of graduates per year due to the continuity of the program. This will also help relieve the pressure on clinical facilities as student placements will now be spread out over three semesters instead of two.”
Students will continue to have access to services on GRCC’s campus, such as Disability and Occupational Support, Counseling, Health Education Learning Lab, and Financial Aid. Ongoing needs will be monitored as student population increases.
Grand Rapids Community College, established in 1914, offers both liberal arts and workforce development degrees, certification and workshops. Student enrollment for both credit and non-credit courses reached 26,000 in the 2007-08 academic year.
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