Mott Community College and Eastern Michigan University Secure $2 Million Grant for ADN-to-BSN Program
Mott Community College (MCC) and Eastern Michigan University (EMU) have been awarded a $2 million grant to develop a collaborative Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This initiative is part of the Sixty by 30 ADN-to-BSN Completion Grant Program, aimed at enhancing the affordability and accessibility of nursing education in Michigan.
The grant will support current MCC ADN students, as well as recent graduates who are practicing registered nurses (RNs), by inviting them to participate in the primarily online BSN program. The funding will be utilized to cover tuition assistance, provide mentorship, hire program coordinators, and upgrade lab facilities.
A Collaborative Effort to Address Michigan’s Nursing Shortage
This ADN-to-BSN program is a strategic move to address the growing need for BSN-prepared nurses in Michigan. The Sixty by 30 initiative, overseen by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, seeks to increase the percentage of working-age adults with a postsecondary certificate or degree to 60% by the year 2030 (source).
MCC plans to use the grant to offer financial assistance to students, especially those currently enrolled in the ADN program and recent graduates employed as RNs. The funds will also be allocated for hiring a program coordinator to assist students during enrollment and a retention specialist to provide ongoing support, mentorship, and coaching throughout their academic journey.
Leaders in the Field Highlight Program’s Impact
Key figures involved in the project, including Dr. Anar Guru, PT, DPT, Dean of Health and Human Services, Dr. Rhonda Burks, DNP, RN, professor of nursing and ADN-to-BSN Nurse Navigator at MCC, and Dr. Stephanie Souliam, DNP, RN, Director of the Nursing Program, emphasize the importance of this collaboration. Dr. Burks noted that some of the grant funds would be used to enhance MCC’s facilities, including updating student study lounges, simulation labs, and classrooms, to better serve adult learners.
Boosting Employment Opportunities for Nursing Graduates
The grant aims to encourage more ADN-qualified nurses to pursue their BSN, thereby increasing their employability and addressing the state’s nursing shortage. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 84% of new BSN graduates received job offers upon graduation, with 96% employed within six months (AACN Fact Sheet).
Additionally, a 2021 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers reported that only 55% of bachelor’s degree graduates across all fields were employed full-time within six months of graduation. The growing preference for BSN-prepared nurses is evident, with 25% of hospitals requiring a BSN and nearly 70% expressing a strong preference for these graduates.
Innovative Educational Pathways for Michigan Nurses
MCC and EMU are working closely to ensure a seamless transition for students from the ADN to the BSN program. As part of this initiative, some EMU courses will be delivered on the MCC campus, taught by MCC faculty. This unique approach aims to meet the specific needs of MCC students while fostering collaboration between the two institutions.
The Sixty by 30 grant funds must be fully utilized by September 30, 2026. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has set a deadline of September 30, 2023, for grant applications and plans to distribute funds on a rolling basis to community colleges in partnership with Michigan public universities or nonprofit BSN programs (Michigan.gov Sixty by 30 Initiative).
Continued Support for Nursing Education
Even after the grant period concludes, MCC and EMU are committed to supporting nursing students in pursuing higher education. MCC has already established several partnerships with universities to facilitate RN-to-BSN programs and will continue expanding these opportunities.
For more information about the ADN-to-BSN program and available resources, visit MCC’s Health and Human Services page.
