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

Three area high schools are currently participating in the Dual Enrollment Program; Quincy High School, Unity High School in Mendon, and Griggsville-Perry High School in Pike County, IL. 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 career,” said Jan Akright, academic dean, Blessing-Rieman College. “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, MBA, dean, 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, Quincy, IL, and  Culver-Stockton College, Canton, MO. Blessing-Rieman also offers an Associate of Science in Medical Laboratory degree, online RN to BSN and Master of Science 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 (CCNE), the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), and  holds continuing  accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC),  The College is approved by the Illinois Department of Higher Education, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, the Missouri Division of Profession Registration, Board of Nursing, and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).