New health careers program gives high school students access to college-level courses

QUINCY — Area high school students now have access to college-level courses in nursing and other healthcare careers through a Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences initiative.

Three area high schools are participating in the dual enrollment program — Quincy High School, Unity High School in Mendon and Griggsville-Perry High School in Pike County.

Interested students from those schools can receive online access to their choice of five college-level healthcare career courses. With online access students can complete the college-level courses while continuing to meet their high school academic and social responsibilities.

“Through this program, students can reduce the number of credit hours they will need to complete after high school to earn a college degree in a healthcare care,” Jan Akright, academic dean at Blessing-Rieman College, said in a press release. “It also gives students the opportunity to experience college-level courses, making the transition after high school a bit easier. Finally, it enables students to explore the health sciences field before making a full commitment when they reach the college of their choice.”

The courses count toward the student’s degree if they choose to attend Blessing-Rieman after graduation from high school.

“There is a great need for healthcare professionals nationwide and in the region,” said Jenna Crabtree, dean of enrollment management. “The Blessing-Rieman dual enrollment program can introduce interested students to the possibilities of an exceptional career with a lifetime of opportunities.”

Crabtree welcomes interested students from school districts not yet participating in the program, or their guardians, to contact her at 217-228-5520, ext. 6961, or administration@brcn.edu.

Blessing-Rieman offers a joint bachelor of science in nursing degree, a joint bachelor of science in radiologic science and a joint bachelor of science in respiratory care, all in partnership with Quincy University and Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo.

Blessing-Rieman also offers an associate of science in medical laboratory degree, online registered nurse to bachelor in nursing and master in nursing degree programs, direct admit and second degree transfer options.

The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education and holds continuing accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.