First envisioned in 2009, RCU’s nursing program has grown over the past 15 years into a vital pathway for preparing confident, compassionate nurses to serve communities across Michigan and beyond.

The university first launched an RN to BSN program, which helped established registered nurses earn a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree. In 2011, the Michigan Board of Nursing approved the university’s traditional pre-licensure program. In 2014, the first class graduated 17 students, marking the beginning of a legacy that now includes 12 graduating classes, with the 13th underway.

Impressive Pass Rate

RCU’s nursing program has maintained an impressive first- time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, reaching 91% in recent years and 86% this year. Overall, the program has averaged near 90% success since its founding, a testament to both student commitment and faculty mentorship.

Accreditation remains a key indicator of the program’s success. After an initial site visit in 2011, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education awarded the school a five-year accreditation, followed by a 10-year renewal in 2016. Earning full accreditation without recommendations for improvement highlights the program’s high standards. The CCNE will return for its next comprehensive visit in fall 2026.

Consistent Leadership

Having consistent leadership transitions has further strengthened the program. Former dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. John Collins retired this year, and Jennifer Robinson, assistant professor of nursing, stepped in to lead the program. Robinson, a neurosurgical critical care nurse practitioner who is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, brings both clinical expertise and academic vision to the role.

Personal Connections

RCU’s nursing faculty are deeply invested in student success. Because of the program’s intentionally smaller size, professors know their students personally. Adjunct clinical instructors, many of whom are specialists in their fields, return year after year, fostering consistency and mentorship within the program.

“It’s not that we don’t want to grow, but we never want to lose what makes RCU special — personal attention, mentorship and community,” said Susan Griffin, nursing program coordinator.

Strong Partnerships

Located in a region rich with hospital systems, RCU maintains strong partnerships across Macomb and Oakland counties, including placements with Corewell Health, Henry Ford Health, Trinity Health, McLaren Oakland and others.

These partnerships allow students to complete six- to eight-week clinical rotations across a wide range of specialties. Also,senior students complete a 168-hour one-on-one preceptorship in their final semester, working directly alongside a registered nurse in real-world settings.

Health initiatives

Beyond hospital walls, RCU nursing students also engage in meaningful community health initiatives, such as:

• Substance use disorder mobile clinics
• Flu shot health fairs in Auburn Hills
• Detroit Marathon medic teams
• Hospice care experiences with AccentCare
• Service partnerships with Grace Centers of Hope

These opportunities reflect RCU’s mission to prepare nurses who serve both hospitals and communities with excellence and compassion.

Generous Donors

The growth of the nursing program has been significantly supported by generous donors, including Ed and Joan Work, whose investment has transformed simulation and assessment labs. Recent upgrades include:

• Twelve new health assessment lab tables
• High-fidelity simulation manikins
• Specialized auscultation manikins for heart and lung sounds
• Feeding tube models
• Updated hospital beds, pumps and simulation technology

These tools ensure students are prepared before ever stepping into a hospital setting. “When our students walk into clinicals now, they walk in ready,” Robinson said.

Direct Admission

The program has expanded in recent years. RCU now offers direct admission for qualified incoming freshmen, providing automatic entry into the nursing program with a 3.0 prerequisite GPA.

Enrollment capacity has increased from 24 to 40 approved students per cohort, with recent classes welcoming around 30 new students and continuing to grow. The most significant growth has come from students entering RCU as freshmen, specifically for nursing, a shift from earlier years when many students transferred in.

Alumni Support

Many alumni return to campus to speak at White Coat Ceremonies, and they mentor current students, including Michelle Capriola, an alumnus of the first graduating class who now serves as a clinical instructor. Nursing students regularly present capstone research projects alongside Oakland University graduate students.

Sarah (Brackney) Feldman ’21 earned “Best in Show” honors at Sigma research and induction events alongside graduate programs from larger universities. Feldman now works as a labor and delivery nurse at Summa Health in Ohio.

Making Their Mark

RCU nursing alumni are making a difference across healthcare. Graduates have gone on to work in:

• Nurse practitioner and DNP programs
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist programs
• Specialized roles, such as perfusionist training at Rush University
• Military service in the United States Air Force

Transformations

Perhaps the most powerful testament to RCU’s nursing program is the transformation witnessed in its students. Griffin described watching first-year students walk in unsure of medical terminology, and later overhearing seniors confidently discussing patient care like seasoned professionals. “Hearing the growth in how they speak and the confidence in their experience is amazing,” she said.

Bright Future

Now with full accreditation, technological advances and rooted in community, RCU’s nursing program continues to grow, not simply in numbers, but in impact. Rochester Christian University is not just preparing nurses, it is shaping the future of healthcare.

For more information about RCU’s nursing program, click here.