March 13, 2025

Ferris State partners with GRCC, Davenport and GVSU for streamlined educational approach to nursing degrees, address workforce needs

Ferris State University is partnering with three other institutions to create a streamlined pathway for Associate Degree in Nursing graduates to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at a local, accredited program, helping meet a growing demand.

Ferris State is teaming up with Grand Rapids Community College, Davenport University, and Grand Valley State University for the program, called West MI BSN Connect.

The program is supported by grant funding to develop a shared Bachelor of Science in Nursing transfer course.  
There is a critical need for people with nursing skills, with nearly 5,000 open nursing jobs in Michigan last year, according to the Michigan Health and Hospital Association.

“This partnership is a perfect example of how higher education collaborates to support students, but also the greater community,” said associate professor Becky Johnson Himes, who is Ferris State’s program coordinator. “This streamlined pathway helps students earn their degrees and build valuable, in-demand skills that will directly lead to helping people.”

Ferris State, Davenport and GVSU all have established associate-to-bachelor completion programs that will support West MI BSN Connect.

GRCC's program prepares students to earn their Nursing Associate Degree and become Michigan Registered Nurses by passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

The new pathway includes transfer agreements that allow associate degree students to move seamlessly into a partner university’s Registered Nursing and bachelor programs.

The structure ensures that students do not incur extra time or expense in completing their BSN, with each program's curriculum designed to accommodate the shared course as part of their degree requirements.
West MI BSN Connect will also focus on maximizing student success, with the following strategies:

• Maintaining and delivering a curriculum that transfers into partner BSN programs.
  Engaging in co-branding and targeted recruitment efforts.
• Providing enhanced student services, including academic support, coaching, mentoring, financial aid counseling, and access to college/university resources.
• Offering financial relief through scholarships and by waiving application and transcript fees for GRCC students in the RN-to-BSN pipeline.
• Monitoring and refining strategies through data analysis of program enrollment, student outcomes, and completion rates.

The educators plan to meet regularly to evaluate program effectiveness and discuss opportunities for enhanced employer partnerships.

These partnership meetings will focus on areas such as clinical placements, staff diversity and support for ADN graduates, including scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and clinical placements. Employers will also collaborate in recruitment efforts aimed at incumbent workers looking to further their education in nursing.
The program underscores the partners’ commitment to increasing educational access, reducing barriers to degree completion and helping local employers meet their staffing needs in the healthcare industry.