The Muskegon Community College Nursing Program awarded a record 163 nursing diplomas and degrees in 2012 — 83 Associate Degrees in Nursing, and 80 Practical Nurse Diplomas. Among practical nurse graduates, 100% passed the LPN licensing exam on first attempt compared to a Michigan average of 92.57%, and a national average of 84.23%. For the RN licensing exam, 95.12% of the 83 graduates passed NCLEX-RN on first attempt compared to the Michigan average of 91.92% and the national average of 90.34%.
Muskegon Community College Nursing Program traces its roots back to 1962 with a vocational nursing program. In 1981, a career ladder associate degree nursing program was established to supplant the Hackley School of Nursing Diploma Program and the MCC Practical Nursing Program. The program has remained fully approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing since inception and in 2006 was nationally accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC), the only national accrediting body for Associate Degree Nursing programs. Benefits of national accreditation include transfer of credit based on recognition of the educational quality of the program and the institution and funding support for students from federal and state agencies. Muskegon Community College Nursing Program is among only 14 of the 28 Associate Degree Nursing Programs in Michigan that are accredited by the NLNAC.
“The job market is improving in Michigan – our graduates are finding RN and LPN jobs within six months of graduation. We have articulation and transfer agreements with Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University and Michigan State University, and the majority of our graduates are continuing their nursing education to the bachelor’s and master’s degree level,” said Pam Brown, Director of MCC’s Nursing Program. “We are committed to nursing excellence and to supporting students to succeed in their professional nursing careers.”
Starting salaries for registered nurses in Michigan currently average $50,000 to $55,000 and the job outlook is expected to grow by 26%, faster than the average job growth according to the Michigan Center for Nursing (www.michigancenterfornursing.org).
For more information, go to www.muskegoncc.edu/nursing. Advising appointments can be made at (231) 777-0362.