Hannibal-LaGrange College’s Traditional Nursing Program Becomes an Online Success
Making a Difference
Hannibal-LaGrange College (HLG) is a Baptist College located in Hannibal, Missouri. Its mission is to provide an excellent liberal arts education in a distinctively Christian environment, thus preparing students for both personal and career effectiveness. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree for Registered Nurses Program (RN to BSN) admitted its first students in September 1986. This program was designed specifically for working registered nurses. In 2005 HLG consulted with Learning House, Inc., a total e-Learning solutions company, to begin the process of preparing the online class room, in an attempt to better meet the needs of working nurses. In fall 2006, HLG offered its first BSN online course, "Health Care Today." With that first course, HLG made the jump from face-to-face classes to online classes. Due to the convenience of an online program, combined with HLG's reputation for successful nursing programs in a Christian environment, HLG has seen an increase in enrollment for the BSN program.
One of the first BSN students to take online courses through HLG was Alyssa Rose of Carthage, IL. Alyssa completed her Associate of Science in Nursing at Hannibal-LaGrange College in May of 2005. She left that summer intent on returning to complete her BSN. Alyssa took the NCLEX (the test for licensure as a registered nurse) and was successful the first time, as was her entire graduating class. During the summer she took a medical mission trip to the Philippines, with other students and sponsors from HLG. Her mission team provided basic health care, minor surgeries and medication to those in need, while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through film evangelism and VBS.
Alyssa returned to HLG in the fall to complete her BSN with a minor in Missions. She started her first BSN class in fall 2005. Alyssa has seen HLG through the transition and says, "I am proud to say that I received my nursing degree from Hannibal-LaGrange."
In December 2007, Alyssa Rose will be the first to graduate the BSN program since it went online. She plans to return to the Philippines the summer of 2008 on her 4th mission trip there. Because of the flexibility that she had with online courses, she was able to work for over half of the program at a local hospital as a staff nurse and now assists the nursing division at HLG as a student worker. Alyssa says that after graduation, "she would like to work overseas as a missionary nurse in whatever capacity God leads." Due to the contributions of the HLG Nursing Instructors, Administrators and Learning House, Inc., the BSN online program is a proven success.
For information about HLG’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
Article submitted by Karen Keim, Nursing Advisor and Recruiter at HannibalLaGrangeCollege