Plan funded in state budget will expand Bachelor of Science in Nursing education to community college campuses
Michigan education and healthcare leaders are thanking Gov. Whitmer and legislative leaders for championing and funding an innovative plan to expand nursing education opportunities across Michigan. The $56 million initiative was included in Fiscal Year 2023 budget that was signed yesterday by Gov. Whitmer.
The collaborative plan will create seamless opportunities for nurses with associate degrees to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) on community college campuses. As part of the program, community colleges will partner with a four-year college or university and design a BSN completion program with input from local employers and local workforce development agencies.
“We are excited to implement our plan to offer opportunities to earn bachelor’s degrees in nursing on Michigan’s community college campuses, in partnership with Michigan’s four-year colleges and universities,” said Brandy Johnson, Michigan Community College Association President. “This effort that will help to address Michigan’s nursing shortage wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership and advocacy of Governor Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, Speaker Jason Wentworth, and Appropriations Chairmen Jim Stamas and Thomas Albert.”
Nurses with the BSN degree are in demand at Michigan’s hospitals. By ensuring the opportunity to earn a BSN degree, this program will significantly increase the number of associate degree prepared nurses completing BSN degrees.
“Staffing shortages are impacting Michigan hospitals throughout the state, particularly in the areas of nursing,” said Brian Peters, Michigan Health & Hospital Association CEO. “This plan will help us get more highly-skilled professionals into the field quickly and increase access to nursing education in more communities across the state. We are grateful to Gov. Whitmer and our legislative leaders for making this effort a priority.”
The program will increase access and affordability of Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs for students who completed their Associate Degree in Nursing at a Michigan community college. Under the plan, funds will be administered by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and will be awarded to Michigan community colleges. Each community college will be eligible for a $2 million appropriation for administering the program, in collaboration with a four-year public university or independent college.
The plan was developed by the Michigan Community College Association, the Michigan Association of State Universities, Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. It is also backed by the Michigan Works! Association.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATION
The Michigan Community College Association fosters collaboration, connection, and partnerships among the 28 Michigan public community colleges and their stakeholders. The MCCA provides strong legislative and public advocacy in Lansing and throughout Michigan, works to improve the image and credibility of community colleges, and advances numerous shared initiatives through the Michigan Center for Student Success, Michigan Colleges Online, and the Michigan New Jobs Training Program.
ABOUT MHA
Based in greater Lansing, the MHA advocates in Michigan and Washington, DC, on behalf of healthcare providers and the communities and patients they serve. The MHA is a nationally recognized leader on initiatives that protect and promote quality, cost-effective and accessible healthcare. To learn more, visit www.mha.org or follow the MHA on Facebook and Twitter.
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