MARQUETTE—Northern Michigan University is reactivating its practical nursing (LPN) program.

“With the changes taking place in the local area’s health care systems, we were asked by Marquette General Health System and Duke LifePoint officials to consider offering the LPN degree again to help meet an anticipated need in the near future,” said Paul Lang, NMU provost and vice president for academic affairs.  

The six prerequisite courses totaling 15 credits will be offered this upcoming academic year – nine credits in the fall semester and six in the winter. From among the students who complete the prerequisites with the required C grade or higher, a cohort of 40 students will be selected for admission into the fall 2013 LPN courses. Students will complete the LPN courses in three semesters with 10 credits in fall 2013, 12 credits in winter 2014 and 12 credits in summer 2014.

Those interested in the program can apply for admission to NMU online at www.nmu.edu/admissions or by calling 906-227-2650 or 1-800-682-9797.

In March 2010, Northern announced a temporary suspension of its practical nursing program, starting in 2011-12. The decision was part of the School of Nursing’s strategic plan that, at the time, addressed a nursing faculty shortage in NMU’s high-demand bachelor’s nursing degree program, an anticipated decrease in LPN job opportunities in the local area and a 10 percent departmental budget reduction due to lowered state appropriation funding. 

“It was a sound, strategic decision at the time, but as regional workforce demands change – such as now with the Duke LifePoint and MGH agreement -- NMU does its best accommodate regional employee training needs,” said Lang. “Luckily, since the program was only suspended, not fully eliminated, NMU does not need to apply for state approval of the program, and that allows us to reactivate the program quickly so it’s available this fall semester.”

NMU’s fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 27.