More on the story: http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/a...57&located=rss

When administrators at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point talk about the school's recently announced nursing program, they are quick to mention the partnership with central Wisconsin's technical colleges.

The technical colleges are just as excited.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for our graduates, because there is now a career path that allows them to achieve that bachelor's degree without leaving the community," said Janet Newman, dean of Mid-State Technical College's Service and Healtth Division.

MSTC and Northcentral Technical College are likely to supply the majority of nursing students who head to UWSP. After receiving associate degrees, they can enroll at UWSP to get a bachelor's of nursing degree, the first available in central Wisconsin.

Officials from NTC did not return numerous calls for comment.

UWSP chose to create a two-year bachelor's completion program, instead of a full four-year program, in part because of the success the two tech schools have had with nursing.

"What we need is the finishing program," said UWSP Provost Mark Nook.

Nurses who receive bachelor's degrees tend to become managers or move higher into the health care industry, Newman said.

"It just enhances the flexibilitty and access" for students, Newman said.

There should be plenty of students ready to sign up. MSTC admits 40 students to its core nursing program every semester and currently has about 170 students taking nursing-specific courses. Another 200 are taking pre-nursing credits.

A majority of those will end up staying in central Wisconsin, Newman said, so allowing them to stay in the area, while at the same time advancing their education, is a new opportunity for the technical college students.

Many of the technical college students have gone on to finish bachelor's programs, but have had to travel outside the region to do so. Because a majority of tech college students work while taking classes, and are from central Wisconsin, heading elsewhere isn't always an optimal option.

"It also makes it a relatively less costly route for students," Newman said.