Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College received approval through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) to begin offering an Associate Degree Nursing Program option on evenings and weekends beginning summer 2020. The program was granted approval from ACEN in November 2019 and from the Mississippi Institutions for Higher Learning on February 7, 2020.

The Transition into Professional Nursing Pathway (TPNP) will encompass the existing LPN-to-RN program option, as well as adding an EMS/Paramedic-to-RN option, and a Respiratory Therapists-to-RN option for qualified EMS/Paramedics and Respiratory Therapists desiring to transition to the role of registered nurses. Two options for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) students to transition to registered nurse already exist.

Dr. Joan Hendrix, associate vice president of the Health Sciences Division, said that the initial feasibility study was conducted 10 years ago in 2010, and again in 2018, to assess the practicality of offering an evening/weekend nursing program at MGCCC. “Results indicated a growing need for additional well-educated, well-trained, professional nurse graduates (RNs and LPNs), on the Gulf Coast, that are caring, compassionate, and professional,” she said. “Based on this assessment, we decided to transform the curricula preparing ADN and PN students to work collaboratively and effectively with other health care professionals. By focusing on interprofessional clinical experiences and practices, providing opportunities for a more seamless career transition into the nursing profession aligned more and more with the mission of the college and the entire health sciences division.”

Application for the associate degree nursing evening/weekend options must be submitted between April 1 and May 15, 2020.  The first day of classes is set for May 30 at the college’s Bryant Center.

For more information, call (228) 267-8637 or email loretta.havard@mgccc.edu.