Sep. 19—BEMIDJI — Nursing administrators and academic leadership from
Bemidji State
and
Northwest Technical College
recently entered a new partnership to provide an easier transition from NTC’s associate’s degree program to BSU’s bachelor’s degree program through BSU’s Operation LEAD.
During a Sept. 16 signing ceremony in NTC’s nursing simulation lab, officials committed to Operation LEAD, which aims to create a pathway for nursing students to “Learn to lead, Expand their knowledge, Advance their careers and Discover new jobs” en route to accessible, affordable bachelor’s degrees from BSU.
Operation LEAD participants who graduate from NTC are automatically admitted to the BSU nursing program, and all of their NTC credits will transfer, a release said.
Dan Voss, director of academic partnerships at BSU, noted the ease associated with Operation LEAD and the pathway it aims to provide for NTC students to continue their education.
“You don’t even have to apply,” Voss said in the release. “You register for Operation LEAD, and we are saving a spot for you in our program.”
Operation LEAD was designed to help working professionals pursue new health care career opportunities built around a flexible, accommodating schedule. Students can start courses — which last eight weeks each and are offered fully online — five times per year rather than two with a traditional semester model.
While full-time students can complete the program in one year, nurses also have the option to enroll part-time if that best fits their schedules.
Voss added that BSU’s nursing program was designed around a student juggling full-time schooling and full-time nursing work while also having single-parent responsibilities for two children.
“If we can build a program that works for those students, we will have a fabulous program,” Voss said, “and that’s what we built.”
Other benefits for Operation LEAD students include exclusive access to one of 20 scholarships — either a $1,000 transfer scholarship, a $2,500 Minnesota Workforce Development Scholarship or both. Participants can also meet with BSU academic advisors and register for BSU courses on-site at their two-year college.
Each Operation LEAD student also receives a personalized graduation plan and BSU nursing graduates can complete Public Health Nurse Registration and End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium certifications, in addition to a bachelor’s degree.
Operation LEAD started as a partnership between BSU and Minnesota North College. Other colleges that participate include Alexandria Community and Technical College and Pine Technical and Community College.