Kirtland and SVSU Strengthen Current Partnership Focused on Providing Additional Pathways for Nursing Students

Kirtland Community College in Grayling continues to increase pathways for nursing students wanting to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing by strengthening their partnership with Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU).

Kirtland currently has an agreement with SVSU that creates pathways for nursing students working on their Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) to concurrently work on their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) accredited by SVSU. Assisted by instructors from SVSU, Kirtland’s nursing program provides students a chance to gain their BSN degree from SVSU in as little as three years.

“By having this partnership, we are opening the door for people to conveniently obtain a BSN,” said Kirtland Community College President Dr. Thomas Quinn. “We are providing students who work and have obligations outside of academics a chance at obtaining their BSN when before that may have not been an option.”

Created to serve students attending a community college such as Kirtland, the partnership with SVSU provides additional pathways for those students who wanted to continue their education after completing their associate’s degree. Kirtland’s current partnership with SVSU also stands out as front runner in providing the medical profession with higher educated nurses in a field needing employees, and ultimately resulting in improved patient care.

“Not only are we allowing a conveniently pathway, we are improving hospitals nursing care with higher skilled nursing staff,” said Quinn.

Beginning this fall, Kirtland and SVSU will be building onto their partnership to include:

• an additional 3+1 ADN to BSN program
• providing students with success coaches and tutoring options
• hiring additional instructors to teach at Kirtland to minimize travel between campuses as students complete their degree.

“These new additions to our partnership will allow students yet another avenue to obtain their BSN and provide additional resources for support,” said Kirtland Community College Director of Nursing Amy Roy. “This will only strengthen our already existing partnership as the students will have more than one option to obtain their BSN.”

The new 3+1 pathway program created by Kirtland and SVSU will allow students to focus on pre-requisites, ADN specific course work, and nursing licensure before taking BSN courses through SVSU.

 “This allows students to get our courses completed first, then frees them up to focus specifically on SVSU courses needed to finish their BSN degree,” said Quinn. “A focus behind the new 3+1 BSN program is to further increase opportunities and chances for students to gain their degree by eliminating stress.”

With funds generated by a grant created by Michigan state leaders, focused on providing community colleges with opportunities to create pathways with universities for BSN programs, Kirtland will be adding additional staff, upscaling nursing facilities and equipment, provide professional development for current instructors, and creating scholarships to help students cover costs of courses. With these additions to the SVSU partnership, Kirtland will be able to now provide all necessary learning for a bachelor’s degree from SVSU at their Grayling campus.

The partnership between Kirtland Community College and SVSU increases support, pathways, and facilities as the institutions partner to deliver excellence in nursing education, as well as excellence in the graduates their program provides to the medical profession as a whole.

For more information contact Kirtland Community College’s Director of Nursing Amy Roy at (989) 275-5000 Ext. 254 or [email protected]

Kirtland Community College has been inspiring excellence for over 50 years and offers courses in Grayling, Gaylord, and online. Our Mission at Kirtland is to provide innovative educational opportunities to enhance student lives and build stronger communities. Through our offered educational programs, we believe Kirtland will be the first choice for learner-centered education guiding students and communities toward success. For more information about Kirtland Community College, visit Kirtland.edu, or call (989) 275-5000

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university offering more than 90 programs of study, including one of the largest undergraduate nursing programs in the Midwest. The university has maintained high standards of instruction and clinical preparation. In 2022, SVSU nursing students recorded a remarkable first-time pass rate of 92% on the national licensing exam (NCLEX), which nurses must pass to enter the nursing profession.