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Groundbreaking nursing education plan will strengthen workforce, expand education on LMC campuses

Lake Michigan College is thanking legislative leaders for championing and funding an innovative plan to expand nursing education opportunities across Michigan. The $56 million initiative was included in the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“This new initiative will offer more opportunities for students who earn their Associate Degree in Nursing to continue their education right here at Lake Michigan College,” LMC President Dr. Trevor Kubatzke said. “LMC’s nursing program has long been regarded as one of the best in the state. This new effort will help us to continue to address Michigan’s nursing shortage and strengthen healthcare right here in our community.”

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.

“Expanding access to Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs is a key component of building the nursing workforce our state needs,” Sen. Aric Nesbitt said. “Providing that access at community colleges will bring these programs directly to more communities, which is a win for students and our state. The types of partnerships this program reflects will ensure Michigan has the healthcare workforce it needs both now and into the future.”

The program will significantly increase the number of nurses with bachelor’s degrees in demand at Michigan’s hospitals.

”Spectrum Health Lakeland values our longstanding partnership with Lake Michigan College to educate and train the next generation of nurses in our community,” said Loren B. Hamel, MD, President, Spectrum Health Lakeland. “Nurses with a BSN degree continue to be in high demand, and this program will help establish a continuous pipeline of local talent while addressing staffing shortages impacting the entire health care industry.” 

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, grants will be administered by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and 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 Michigan Works! Association and the Michigan Association of Colleges of Nursing.

To learn more about LMC’s Nursing Program, visit lake michigancollege.edu/nursing.

Nursing students practice CPR during class

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Jeremy D. Bonfiglio
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Lake Michigan College
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