Davenport University is part of a new regional collaboration to provide nurses to fill thousands of job openings in Michigan. The initiative is called West Michigan BSN Connect because it connects Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) with three partner universities, including Davenport.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association reported there were 5,000 open nursing positions around the state last year. GRCC received grant funding to develop a new streamlined pathway for those with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at three partner universities: Davenport, Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University (GVSU).

West MI BSN Connect has a shared BSN transfer course in partnership with the three universities that all have established ADN-to-BSN completion programs that will support West MI BSN Connect. GRCC’s ADN program prepares students to earn their Associate Degree in Nursing and become Michigan Registered Nurses (RNs) by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. The new pathway includes transfer agreements that allow ADN students to move seamlessly into a partner university’s RN to BSN program.

The program saves students time and money in completing their BSN, with each program’s curriculum designed to accommodate the shared course as part of their degree requirements.

Davenport Associate Dean for Nursing Aleta Pillai, Ph.D., RN, said this ADN-to-BSN grant plays a critical role in breaking down barriers for Davenport students seeking to advance their nursing careers.

“We are committed to expanding access to nursing education and addressing the growing demand for highly skilled nurses,” Pillai said. “Collaboration is a key component of this grant with GRCC. We are empowering students and enhancing our collective ability to serve communities around the state. West MI BSN Connect will ensure a more resilient and responsive health care system for the future.”

West MI BSN Connect will also focus on maximizing student success, with the following strategies:

• Maintaining and delivering a curriculum that transfers into partner BSN programs.

• Engaging in co-branding and targeted recruitment efforts.

• Providing enhanced student services, including academic support, coaching, mentoring, financial aid counseling and access to college/university resources.

• Offering financial relief through scholarships and by waiving application and transcript fees for GRCC students in the ADN-to-BSN pipeline.

• Monitoring and refining strategies through data analysis of program enrollment, student outcomes and completion rates.

The partners will meet regularly to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and discuss opportunities to partner with employers. These partnership meetings will focus on areas such as clinical placements, scholarships and tuition reimbursement. Employers will also help recruit people within their ranks who want to further their education.

For more information about West MI BSN Connect and upcoming opportunities, please visit GRCC’s website. For more information about Davenport’s nursing programs, please visit the university’s website.