Bellevue University and Indian Hills Community College Educates Local Nurses from RN to BSN

PHOTO, L-R: Tasma Troutman, RN, BSN; Tonya Small, RN, BSN; and Olivia Steele, RN, BSN.

Thanks to an educational partnership between Indian Hills Community College (IHCC) in Ottumwa, IA, and Bellevue University in Nebraska, three Scotland County Hospital & Clinics nurses have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Tonya Small, Olivia Steele and Tasma Troutman, all had an Associate Degree in Nursing from IHCC. In 2022, they learned of the RN to BSN degree opportunity through Bellevue University that was offered with full tuition paid scholarship to IHCC RN graduates. The degree takes 18 months to complete. Small, Steele and Troutman started their program in March 2022 and completed the program this summer. At Scotland County Hospital & Clinics, Steele is the Medical-Surgical Floor Supervisor, Small works on the Medical/Surgical Floor and Troutman works at Memphis Medical Services.

Bellevue started the first RN to BSN class under this initiative in January 2022. The response was incredibly favorable and Bellevue University added two more start dates: one class began in March 2022, and another group began in June 2022. To be accepted into this program, a student must hold a current nursing license and work as an RN. The program provides a unique opportunity for students to complete their degree online while continuing to serve local patients.

According to Bellevue University, the program has attracted nurses with varying experience, from newly graduated to those with decades of experience. The students represent several healthcare facilities in the area: MercyOne Centerville Medical Center, Ottumwa Regional Health Center, Scotland County Hospital, and nine from other facilities.

According to the Bellevue University website: Bellevue University’s RN to BSN program provides cutting edge, online education to establish tomorrow’s effective transformational nurse leaders and managers in the influence of healthcare outcomes and to enhance the quality of life for individuals, communities, and global populations through the advancement of nursing science. The university has closely partnered with Indian Hills Community College and local healthcare facilities to help the region overcome the impacts of COVID-19 while also helping motivated students achieve their dreams.

Dr. Dixie Holden, Department Chair of Nursing and Simulation at IHCC, said, “Bellevue University partnered with Indian Hills Community College to provide tuition free admission into their BSN program. This program allowed graduates of the IHCC associate degree in nursing program to further their education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing. By obtaining the BSN, graduates have more opportunities opened up for them to advance in their careers. With the nationwide nursing shortage only getting worse, having BSN prepared graduates in rural areas will help smaller health care facilities move existing nurses into managerial roles, keeping more experienced nurses in the area.”

Since 2016, Bellevue University has partnered with IHCC to help students in many degree programs continue their studies after earning associate’s degrees. A Bellevue University Relationship Manager is located on site at IHCC to help students experience a smooth transition.