Fort Morgan, CO 11/16/2021. Morgan Community College (MCC) received notice on November 12, 2021, from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) that its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program was approved for accreditation. The accreditation is effective February 17, 2021, the first day of the program review during CCNE’s virtual site visit. Due to the retroactive accreditation, MCC’s first graduating class of BSN students in May 2021 are considered to have graduated from an accredited program.
The RN to BSN program is the first baccalaureate degree offered by MCC. The college obtained approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), MCC’s regional accreditation agency, to offer the BSN program in June of 2019. The CCNE accreditation is an additional layer of accreditation offered specifically for nursing programs. The program was created to provide a pathway for Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) students with a Registered Nurse (RN) license to complete their BSN degree locally. MCC started its first cohort of BSN students in January 2020. In May of 2021, the college proudly presented ten students with their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
“The creation of a BSN program is a heavy lift, and this third-party accreditation by CCNE assures students that the program is high quality and meets recognized standards of similar programs offered by other colleges or universities,” said Dr. Curt Freed, MCC President. “Congratulations to the MCC faculty and staff who worked hard for this accreditation and thank you to the Williams Family Foundation for their significant support of the program.”
“East Morgan County Hospital (EMCH) has received great benefit from MCC’s RN to BSN program,” said Linda Roan, EMCH Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and MCC Advisory Council member. “We have had four nurses that completed their BSN through this program. Two of the nurses assumed a leadership position and one of the RNs would not have been able assume the leadership position without the BSN. In addition, the program assists nurses to get a greater understanding of nursing and healthcare, which is of great benefit to nurses in any position within the profession. I would highly encourage any nurse to attend this program!”
The BSN completion program ultimately provides students the opportunity to advance in their workplace, prepared by the program’s focus of research, community health, and leadership, as well as addresses the nurse shortage crisis. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), which represents over 4 million nurses across the U.S., the shortage of nurses was created by an increase of retiring nurses and patients of Baby Boomer age. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this crisis.
“The RN to BSN Completion Program at Morgan Community College has many advantages, including affordable tuition rates,” stated MCC Nursing Faculty, Kimberly Senn, DNP, RN, FNP-BS. “Students feel comfortable earning their degree while working and living in their own community and beyond. It’s online and flexible so students can take courses from anywhere.”
“Getting my BSN was important for me in advancing my knowledge and career in nursing,” said James Corwin, MCC alumnus. “The field of nursing has a wide range of opportunities and having my BSN makes my career goals more attainable. I was hesitant to continue my nursing education after completing the rigorous ADN program, yet I’m glad that I continued while I was still in study mode. My familiarity with MCC staff, the close proximity of the college, and the affordability of the program were paramount in my decision to choose MCC.”
In 2018, the Williams Family Foundation created an $2,275,000 endowment through the MCC Foundation to support the college’s BSN program. The endowment funds the BSN Endowed Chair position in perpetuity. The college chose to pass this cost savings along to students, making MCC’s RN to BSN program one of the most affordable programs in the state.
“The Williams Family Foundation has always been an enthusiastic supporter of Morgan Community College,” stated Dr. Shaun Thompson, Williams Family Foundation Trustee. “We are excited and proud of the work MCC is doing in health care education and support them wholeheartedly. This RN to BSN program is innovative and goes a long way toward training nurses locally and meeting needs of Morgan County and beyond.”
“The RN to BSN program allows dedicated, and often long-term nurses of Morgan County and beyond the opportunity to further their education with a BSN, and profoundly impact the counties they live in and serve,” stated MCC Director of Nursing, Jennifer Thistle, MSN, RN. “Program graduates can move into management positions, continue their education to become practitioners, or serve patients at the bedside with additional educational expertise.”
For additional information about the program, contact Gwen Steffen, Student Success Advisor for health programs at [email protected] or (970) 542-3224, or visit www.morgancc.edu/bsn.
Fort additional information about Morgan Community College, visit www.morgancc.edu.
About the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education:
Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing.
About the Higher Learning Commission:
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation, founded in 1895 that accredits degree-granting post-secondary education institutions in 19 different states. The HLC ensures institutions have the capacity to provide a quality teaching and learning curriculum while meeting current industry standards.www.hlcommission.org
