Nursing | Southwestern Michigan College

Nursing | Southwestern Michigan College
Nursing
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WELD 235
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Honors Program
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Contact the Academic Advising and Resource Center
David C. Briegel Building, Room 1104
Hours
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
askanadvisor@swmich.edu
269-782-1303
Nursing
Nurses have an inherent desire to help and to heal. It's who they are and what they do. For more than 50 years, Southwestern Michigian College's nursing graduates have been helping save lives throughout the region.
Our associate degree in nursing program is regarded as one of the best in the region, with national accreditation (ACEN), the highest standards for admission, a 100% job placement rate, and a cutting-edge facility.
Do you have questions or are you ready to apply?
Are you in high school or a recent graduate?
Click here for Freshmen Admissions
Are you an adult wanting to continue your education and have questions?
Click here for Adult Admissions
Are you ready to apply?
Click here
Nursing Program
About the Nursing Degree
The goal of the nursing program at SMC is to train nurses who are knowledgeable, experienced, compassionate, and capable of providing total patient care and becoming leaders in their workplaces.
Whether you want to work in an adrenaline-inducing emergency room, in the infant care unit, or any other specialty, you can prepare for whatever the future holds in a program that pairs caring instruction with hands-on practice and clinical experiences.
After completing basic prerequisite courses and gaining admission to the program, you’ll deep-dive into the world of nursing. You’ll learn how to properly administer medication, understand the psychology behind patient interactions, explore the dynamics of caring for patients of varying ages, research care across cultural contexts, and more. Class sizes are small so that you can build meaningful relationships with instructors and so that instructors can make sure you are progressing appropriately.
From day one, you will gain experience practicing clinical tasks and applying what you learned in the classroom. After you’ve developed your skills, you’ll move on to complete clinicals at real health facilities and in simulation labs so that you graduate already having experience performing the tasks you’ll complete on the job and well-equipped to excel.
The associate degree in nursing is a two-year degree designed to prepare you to enter the workforce. It will also transfer well to most four-year schools for a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
SMC offers two tracks, one for students new to the nursing field and one for already-certified LPNs. An active LPN license satisfies the Foundations in Nursing course and can help LPNs finish the program more quickly. Additional prior learning credits may be available to active LPNs.
A practical nursing certificate is also offered as a step-out option for students accepted into the nursing program. If interested in this certificate, current students should speak with their advisor.
Admissions Information and Deadlines
Admission to the nursing program is a separate process from being admitted to the college. It is the student’s responsibility to understand and meet admissions requirements prior to admission. For answers to frequently asked questions, visit
Nursing—Frequently Asked Questions
Application Process
Apply for admission to SMC
Fill out the free application here.
Select Health Services (AA-Nursing Track)  or Health Services (AA-Nursing Track-Current LPN License) on the application.
Complete Pre-Requisite Courses
Refer to the prospective nursing student packet
Prospective Nursing Student Packet RN
or
Prospective Nursing Student Packet LPN-to-RN
for more information on pre-requisite courses and admissions information.
Contact the Program Advisor to discuss admissions requirements for the Nursing Program
Email Kwajalein Dodd at
kdodd01@swmich.edu
Apply to the Nursing Program
Complete the application packet (
Nursing Application Packet RN
or
Nursing Application Packet LPN-to-RN
) and return it to the nursing office.
You will be notified of your admission decision by mail or email.
Additionally, to become an RN, you must complete the nursing program and earn the associate degree in nursing and then pass the NCLEX exam to earn the RN designation.
Forty students are admitted to the nursing program each fall and spring semester. Students must have a 2.75 or better in prerequisite courses and a minimum Kaplan admission exam score of 60 to apply to the program. Admission is highly competitive and is not guaranteed. There is currently no waiting list for admission.
Application Deadlines
June 1 for Fall Regular Program Admission
November 1 for Spring Regular Program Admission
Student Achievement Data
Licensure Pass Rates
Year
SMC Average
National Average
2024
97.4%
91.16%
2023
87.5%
88.56%
2022
80%
79.91%
Completion of Program Rates*
Program
2023-2024
2022-2023
2021-2022
A.A.S.-RN
43.1%
27.6%
25.6%
*SMC calculates completion rates based on students completing the Nursing Program in four semesters.
Job Placement Rates
2024
2023
2022
In process
100%
100%
*SMC calculates job placement rates based on survey respondents.
Curriculum Guides
View the full curriculum guide for the
Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (RN)
View the full curriculum guide for the
Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (LPN to RN)
View the full curriculum guide for the
Certificate in Practical Nursing
What Can I Do With a Nursing Degree?
Nursing is one of the fastest growing occupations available and demand for nurses will always be steady. It is also one of the highest paying careers for an associate degree. Registered Nurses (RN) provide total patient care under the jurisdiction of a physician. Positions are available in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, physicians' offices, and home healthcare. The average annual median pay is $93,600. Faster than average job growth is expected between now and 2034.
Careers and Salaries
Career Option
Salary
Registered Nurse:
$93,600
2024 median pay. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Earn Your Bachelor's Degree In Nursing For Less!
Andrews University Transfer Partnership with SMC
Licensed registered nurses who have graduated from the SMC nursing program and have passed the NCLEX-RN exam can complete their bachelor's degree through SMC's unique partnership with Andrews University. Learn more about the Andrews RN to BSN Program
here
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Learn More About Nursing
About the School of Nursing and Health Services
Student Testimonial-Emmanuel
Student Testimonial-Jess
Professor Deb Green
WATCH MORE
Facilities
The Nursing and Health Education Building reopened in 2019 following a $9.6 million renovation. It is equipped with state-of-the-art skill and simulation labs to train students for real-world scenarios.
SEE MORE IMAGES OF THE COLLEGE
Accreditation
Why accreditation?
Accreditation is a sign of superior quality, as institutions must meet rigorous standards and conduct continuous self assessment, planning and improvement. Choosing an accredited school means you will receive the best education and will be more attractive as a potential employee or candidate for advanced study.
The associate in applied science in nursing program at Southwestern Michigan College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Rd. NE Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
Learn more about ACEN accreditation
The RN program is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing.
Southwestern Michigan College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (
hlcommission.org
), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Commission may be found at 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604. They may be reached by telephone at (800) 621-7440. SMC is also a member of the
American Association of Community Colleges