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Strategic Partnership Series
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS SERIES
Photo by Scott Rahe
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A Commitment to Excellence in Nursing
Both South Central College and Minnesota State University, Mankato are respected as institutions graduating high caliber nursing students to meet critical healthcare needs throughout the state. This past June, the two entered into a partnership to increase collaboration and emphasize their commitment to education and excellence in nursing.
The Maverick (Nursing) Advance (Transfer) Plan (MAP) provides a pathway for South Central College graduates with an Associate Degree in Nursing to pursue their Baccalaureate Degree with a seamless transfer to Minnesota State Mankato’s online degree completion program. The university’s BS in Nursing is unique in that it is individualized and flexible, offering rolling admission with five different start dates every year. Laura Schwarz, faculty member of the School of Nursing at Minnesota State Mankato expanded upon the individualization of the program in sharing, “Qualified SCC nursing students are guaranteed admission to the RN-BS Program and can apply and be accepted while they are finishing out their final semester at SCC. The partnership allows for dual advisement from both institutions and for students to meet the RN-BS Program director and advisor while in the Associate Degree Nursing Program at SCC to learn more about the program and ask questions”. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree opens up a wide variety of career pathways for nurses, allowing them to work in traditional settings of hospitals, clinics, and trauma centers, but also public health.
There is a natural synergy between South Central College and Minnesota State Mankato in the implementation of this official agreement- the university’s RN to BS Program has long been South Central College Nursing grads’ number one choice for completing their Baccalaureate in Nursing education. Kris Retherford, Dean of the College of Allied Health and Nursing at Minnesota State University, Mankato,
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS SERIES
- Kris Retherford
shared, “We are very excited about this partnership that will allow students from SCC to take advantage of a smooth transition into our fully online RN Baccalaureate Completion program.” Following the execution of the partnership, the university has nearly doubled the number of SCC nursing program graduates admitted to the degree completion program for fall of 2021. This number is anticipated to grow significantly, as enrollments continue to come in for both August and October cohorts.
The MAP agreement comes on the heels of the university’s pursuit of alternative delivery formats and degree completion programs for non-traditional students, whose lives may not be compatible with the traditional pipeline of a four-year degree following high school graduation. 100% online degree completion programs allow for the flexibility of working professionals to further their education, while continuing to serve the needs of their community. Jeff Pool, Outreach Coordinator with University Extended Education at Minnesota State Mankato highlighted the importance of this in sharing, “Online provides the convenience for students to be able to complete their degree where they are at and continue to work in their communities”. The RN-BS program is built for working nurses-100% online, and no requirement for additional clinical time. “Nursing is a high need, high demand job market right now, and this allows us to continue to contribute to that job market without having to pull students away.”
Looking towards the future, the world will continue to need big ideas in health and wellness. The MAP agreement demonstrates a commitment to excellence in nursing in southern Minnesota. If you are interested in learning more about the MAP program, please contact the RN Baccalaureate Completion Program Coordinator, Dr. Laura Schwarz (laura. schwarz@mnsu.edu).
