Grand Rapids Community College Nursing Program Review

The Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is one of the Michigan community colleges dedicated to delivering higher education right at the community level. The college has its history back in 1914 when the University of Michigan proposed the need to have a junior college to train residents at the community level. Later on in 1991, taxpayers of Kent County passed a vote to change the college from a junior college to Grand Rapids Community College. Since then, the college has been offering many liberal arts and professional programs.

Nursing at Grand Rapids Community College

As a community college, the nursing programs offered at Grand Rapids are a maximum of two-year degrees. The programs are fully approved and accredited by Michigan Board of Nursing and NLNAC. Two associate of nursing routes exist and one nursing certificate program as follows:

Associate Degree in Nursing

The associate degree is a five and a half semester program which leads to the award of an associate degree in nursing. Students must take a pre-admission semester whereby they take prerequisite and general education courses. The five remaining semesters are exclusively geared towards nursing courses.

 Grand Rapids nursing department starts off its nursing students on nursing courses from the first semester hence, students receive intensive and dedicated nurse training throughout the period of study with the exemption of the pre- nursing semester. Students must take a minimum of 72 credits to be eligible for graduation and the NCLEX-RN exam and passing the state NCLEX-RN exam gives the students a chance to practice as a registered nurse.

Advanced Standing LPN to RN

Grand Rapids Community College offers interested licensed practical nurses a chance to become registered nurses via the advanced placement for RNs. The program allows the LPN student to use their licenses to earn credits required towards the associate of science in nursing degree. After the bridging coursework is taken, LPNs are able to progress into the ADN and become eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exams for RNs licensure.

For admission into this program, students must provide proof of LPN licensure in Michigan and official transcripts sent from the school that conferred the LPN certificate.  The LPN license should also be clean and unencumbered but students do not necessarily need to have working experience. After transfer credits are added, the total number of credits is similar to those of the traditional ADN.

Practical Nursing Certificate

Department of nursing at Grand Rapids offers the Certificate Program to enable students prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam. The certificate in practical nursing trains students to offer basic and bedside care to patients under the supervision of RNs. It takes students twice a year at fall and winter semesters whereby, students start-up on a pre nursing semester. After the pre-nursing semester, students must attend full time classes for an additional three semesters to enable completion of the clinical and theory segments of the program.

Career advancement opportunities also exist for Grand Rapids Community College graduates of the LPN program. As such, LPNs are allowed to enroll for the advanced placement LPN to RN program to enhance their quick transition to becoming registered nurses. The college also has articulation agreements via the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registers and Admission officers to allow transfer of the 2-year GRCC to 4-year BSN programs.

Contact:
Grand Rapids Community College
143 Bostwick Avenue, Grand Rapids,
MI 49503