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Ferris, Kirtland Community College Sign New Articulation Agreement in Nursing

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University recently hosted representatives from Kirtland Community College to sign a new articulation agreement in Nursing. This partnership will enable students who have earned an associate degree in Nursing from Kirtland to smoothly transition into Ferris’ Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

“The college of Allied Health Sciences at Ferris State University is very pleased to join with Kirtland Community College to provide an opportunity for nurses to earn their bachelor’s degree,” Ferris Allied Health Sciences Dean Ellen Haneline said. “The Ferris bachelor’s program adds to the excellent preparation received at Kirtland to prepare the nursing workforce of the future.”

Ferris State University’s RN to BSN completion program was originally established as a model of articulation for community college nursing graduates and has maintained that philosophy with a design that facilitates transferability and career mobility, explained Julie Coon, Ferris School of Nursing director.

“The program has a reputation for providing a consumer-friendly curriculum in formats that have been relevant and supportive of the working Registered Nurse,” Coon said.

While the program started as an off-campus evening program in 1984, today’s program has responded to the demand for greater flexibility and is now offered primarily online with more than 400 RNs enrolled in spring 2010.

“The School of Nursing at Ferris endeavors to respond to the needs of its stakeholders by providing the program in a blended format for a critical mass of RNs located in a geographic region or fully online for the growing number of students who prefer the flexibility of that format,” she added. “We look forward to working with Kirtland Community College to determine how we can best meet the needs of their graduates.”

Added Fritz Erickson, Ferris provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, “It’s a pleasure to partner with Kirtland Community College; this partnership provides Kirtland’s students the opportunity to continue their education with the completion of a bachelor’s degree in Nursing, and we at Ferris are very pleased to be working with such a fine group of folks at Kirtland.”

Mary Ann Frick, KCC associate dean of Health Science said, “Kirtland Health Science students will greatly benefit from the articulation agreement signed with Ferris. It will facilitate a smooth transition for Kirtland nursing students who wish to transfer and complete their baccalaureate degree at this well-respected Michigan university. It was obvious from our meeting with the president and Allied Health Sciences administrators from Ferris that they truly understand and appreciate the excellent Health Science programs we offer at KCC and wish to facilitate the continued education of our graduates.”

In addition to the articulation agreement in Nursing, KCC’s Assistant Registrar Kathleen Wray announced that other partnerships with Ferris are being explored in order to provide increased opportunities for Health Science students from northern Michigan to complete a bachelor’s degree at Ferris.

“It’s all about providing opportunities and options to our graduates to earn credentials which will make them even more marketable in a highly competitive job environment,” Wray said.

Ferris State University is a four-year public university with campuses in Big Rapids, Grand Rapids and satellite campuses across the state. Ferris offers more than 170 educational programs, including doctorates, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, through nine academic colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Arts, Sciences and Education, Business, Education and Human Services, the Michigan College of Optometry, Pharmacy, Engineering Technology, Kendall College of Art and Design, and the College of Professional and Technological Studies. Ferris also has a University College that provides students with instruction in study skills, reading, career exploration and features an Honors Program. Founded in 1884 by educator, Michigan Gov. and United States Sen. Woodbridge N. Ferris, the university’s mission is to prepare students for successful careers, responsible citizenship and lifelong learning.