MMCC Announcements

Mid Michigan Community College and MidMichigan Health recently announced a partnership that will assist Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in the workforce to attain their Registered Nurse (RN) degree.  The collaboration will allow a cohort of twenty LPNs within the MidMichigan Health affiliations to go through the nursing program at its affiliate sites. 

"The LPN to RN Step Up program is an outstanding collaboration that enhances our relationship with Mid Michigan Community College," said Richard M. Reynolds, president of MidMichigan Health. "What's more, it serves to provide advancement opportunities for our own employees as a means of strengthening personal and professional growth, thereby improving overall retention and employee satisfaction."

The new program, dubbed the "Mid Nursing Program," is made possible because MMCC has been approved by the Michigan State Board of Nursing for a twenty seat increase specifically for educating a cohort of MidMichigan Health employees.

"Currently our nursing program has 220 permanent seats. This program will allow an additional 20 temporary seats to be filled specifically with MidMichigan Health nurses," noted Barb Wieszciecinski, Director of Nursing at MMCC.  "MidMichigan Health employees in the program will be admitted through the same selective admissions process that we use for all students.  The program will follow the same curriculum and result in the same levels of success."

MMCC's respected nursing graduates consistently perform well above the state and national average on licensure tests.

MidMichigan Health, a regional provider of quality healthcare services, has more than 140 LPNs throughout the organization.  As the needs of the organization changed, it became clear that a portion of its LPNs would need to transition to roles traditionally filled by RN's.  The Mid Nursing Program will gradually move LPNs through that next level of training.

"Mid Michigan Community College has been a longtime academic partner of MidMichigan Health," said Jennifer Swartz, M.S.N., R.N., program leader and practice scholar for MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland. "The benefits of this partnership are multifaceted, including that the licensed practical nurse population will be offered opportunities for advancement in their education. It also fosters more opportunities for current employees interested in clinical instruction, and an increase in the overall registered nurse population across our system who are ambassadors of MidMichigan Health."

"Workforce development is critically important in Michigan's sluggish economy.  We're continually working with area employers - like MidMichigan Health - to help them meet their training needs," said Matt Miller, MMCC spokesman.  "This program is a model for how innovative ideas can solve problems and create opportunities for employees."

For more information:

-Matt Miller, MMCC: 989-386-6600, mmiller@midmich.edu

-Bernadette Stocking, MidMichigan Health:  989-839-3931, bernadette.stocking@midmichigan.org