Contact: Katryn Conlin, Communications Director
[email protected] / 651-385-6364
For Immediate Release
MSC Southeast to suspend its 2-year registered nursing program at the end of Spring semester, 2019
One-year Practical Nursing program not affected by decision
Winona and Red Wing, MN (November 28, 2017) -- Minnesota State College Southeast announced today that it plans to suspend its Professional Nursing (Associate Degree Nursing, RN) program effective the end of Spring semester, 2019.
- Current students will be able to complete their degrees
- New Students will not be admitted to the Associate Degree Nursing program
- The Practical Nursing one-year diploma is not affected by the decision
The college made the decision to voluntarily suspend the Associate Degree Nursing program because it has not been meeting Minnesota Board of Nursing standards for Professional Nursing (RN), which require that a minimum of 75% of students pass the NCLEX-RN(R) licensing on their first attempt.
"By taking steps to voluntarily suspend this program, students who are currently enrolled will be able to complete the associate degree in nursing, graduate, and sit for the NCLEX-RN® exam," says Jennifer Eccles, MSC Southeast Dean of Health. "However, it was necessary to stop admitting new students for Spring semester 2018 in order to prevent them from enrolling in a program that could be suspended before they graduate."
Practical Nursing and other health care programs unaffected by decision
Some incoming students may opt to enroll in the college's one-year Practical Nursing program, which is not affected by the suspension. Additional allied health options at MSC Southeast include Certified Nursing Assistant, Radiography, Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Assistant, and Massage Therapy.
"We want people to know that our Practical Nursing program is accredited by ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) and is in good standing with the Minnesota Board of Nursing," says Dr. Dorothy Duran, President of Minnesota State College Southeast. "Our Radiography and Medical Laboratory Technician programs have earned accreditation as well."
The suspension does not affect the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program, which will be offered by Winona State University at MSC Southeast's Red Wing campus starting in January.
"Minnesota State College Southeast is dedicated to providing a quality education experience for our students and our communities. We remain committed to providing education in the health care fields," says Dr. Duran. "Student success is our top priority, both that of our current students and our prospective students."
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About Minnesota State College Southeast
Minnesota State College Southeast is a two-year technical and community college that prepares students for a lifetime of learning by providing education for employment, skill enhancement, retraining, and transfer, to meet the needs of students and the community. The Winona campus opened in 1949, merging with the Red Wing campus in 1992 and updating its name to Minnesota State College Southeast in 2016 with the change of mission to offer both technical training and the associate of arts degree. Minnesota State College Southeast is a member of Minnesota State. For more information, visit www.southeastmn.one.