2017 ADN graduates Seth King and Christina Crain practicing their nursing skills with instructor Chable Johnson, center.

WINONA LAKE — Grace College will host a baccalaureate nursing program beginning in fall 2017, in partnership with Bethel College. Since 2004, Grace and Bethel have partnered in nursing education through an associate degree program on the Grace College campus. The transition to a BSN program at Grace has been recently approved by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing to begin in August.

“We are thrilled to have a BSN at Grace starting next fall,” stated Dr. Bill Katip, president of Grace College. “The current demand for well-trained nurses as well as student interest in a baccalaureate program have led to our decision to transition from an ADN to a BSN,” he continued. “Bethel College has a reputation for high-quality nursing education. We couldn’t have a better partner for our new BSN program.”

Dr. Deborah Gillum, dean of nursing at Bethel College, says a recent recommendation by the Institute of Medicine has significantly impacted nursing nationwide. “The Institute of Medicine has recommended that we have a national registered nurse workforce that is 80% BSN-prepared by 2020. This, combined with research that shows improved patient outcomes when care is provided by nurses with at least a BSN, have led to preferential hiring of BSN-trained nurses,” she said. “We are happy to help meet the healthcare needs of Kosciusko County and beyond with the BSN program at Grace.”

A hallmark of Bethel’s BSN program is that students begin clinicals one year earlier than most nursing programs, thereby increasing student confidence and competence with their newly acquired skills. Bethel’s nursing programs boast 100 percent job placement for all graduates, in addition to 100 percent employer program satisfaction. The National Council Licensure Examination pass rate for nursing associate degree graduates from the Grace College campus was 100 percent for the last two years.

The Bethel College School of Nursing was ranked seventh in the nation in Top RN Degree Programs for 2017. The list, compiled by Accredited Schools Online, ranked schools nationwide based on criteria including cost, graduation rates and student resources. With a score of 97.2 out of 100, Bethel is the only Indiana college to appear in the top 30 and the only Council for Christian Colleges and Universities school to appear in the top 20.