Hastings College has signed agreements with Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) and Des Moines University (DMU) to create additional medical-related career pathway opportunities for students.
“With a growing number of students looking for careers in health care and related fields, we want to provide more opportunities for them. These agreements help ensure our students who meet the requirements have additional options,” said Dr. Kittie Grace, Hastings College interim Dean for Academic Affairs.
The NMC partnership, which is a 3+1 program, will help students looking to go into respiratory therapy, a program that’s in high demand, especially in rural areas.
During their first three years at Hastings College, students must complete the health systems major along with physics and college algebra to complete the prerequisites for the respiratory therapy program. Students must also complete other academic and minor requirements while working closely with an advisor.
Students can then complete the NMC respiratory therapy program in one year with the option to stay in Hastings or move to another NMC site.
In the end, and once credits transfer back, students will graduate from Hastings College with a bachelor’s of arts in health systems, and an associate degree from NMC that will allow them to work as respiratory therapists.
Initially, there will be five seats available for Hastings College students who are good applicants for the NMC program. After completing coursework, they will need to pass the licensing exam and can then work in healthcare.
“The program brings a multitude of advantages for both the healthcare sector and students. This partnership addresses the shortage of respiratory therapists, especially in rural areas. It also offers a local option for students interested in getting respiratory therapy training,” said Michelle Olson, director of enrollment services at NMC. “The program bridges a crucial gap in the healthcare industry while giving students the unique opportunity to partake in a traditional college experience.”
The agreement with DMU gives Hastings College students opportunities to apply for a number of healthcare programs offered by the medical university, including guaranteed interviews. It also offers one guaranteed slot for a Hastings College student looking to enter the podiatry program, and another slot for a student looking to enter occupational therapy program.
Previous and ongoing Hastings College agreements include athletic training with the University of Nebraska Omaha; a radiology program with Mary Lanning Healthcare; a pharmacy early assurance program with the University of Nebraska Medical Center; a pharmacy partnership with Creighton University; and nursing agreements with the Bryan College of Health Sciences and the Creighton University College of Nursing.
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Discover more at hastings.edu.
