About

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.

Organization

Southwestern Michigan College - Dowagiac Campus

Southwestern Michigan College

Southwestern Michigan College is a public higher education institution located on a 240-acre campus in Dowagiac, MI. It offers affordable and accessible education with a focus on postsecondary career preparation and transfer courses at less than half the cost of most four-year colleges. The college emphasizes student success through personalized services, small class sizes, and high-quality academic experiences. It features suite-style residence halls with private, fully-furnished suites, and offers programs like Michigan Reconnect for adults 25+. Their phlebotomy program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online coursework with in-person clinical and lab training, designed for national certification.

Highlights:

  • Affordable, high-quality education
  • Personalized attention
  • Suite-style on-campus housing
  • Free or reduced tuition programs like Michigan Reconnect
  • Hybrid Phlebotomy Technician program
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