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.
Southwestern Michigan College, Dowagiac Campus, is a college in Dowagiac, Michigan, serving students through occupational and academic education. Its career-focused fields include Automotive Service Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, Cybersecurity, Emergency Medical Technician, Medical Assistant, Nursing, ADN, Nursing: LPN-RN, Phlebotomy, and Welding. The college emphasizes education that can be used across career settings and maintains a 240-acre Dowagiac campus with residence halls and student activities. Southwestern Michigan College also operates a Niles campus, giving the institution a two-campus structure. Its stated motto, “Knowledge for All,” reflects an institution designed to provide broad educational access. The Dowagiac campus combines career preparation with college life, including housing and opportunities for students to participate in campus activities.