Dr. Polly Peterson (left) and Larry Mingler (right) sign an agreement between the University of Jamestown and Dakota College at Bottineau nursing partnership. Photo: Conrad Volsch

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A partnership between the University of Jamestown and Dakota College at Bottineau for nursing education became official Monday.

Under the agreement, students will begin their nursing education at one of DCB’s Dakota Nursing Program sites in Valley City, Minot, or Bottineau, earn their Associate’s Degree, and be eligible to become a registered nurse. Students who complete DCB’s program will then be able to seamlessly transfer into UJ’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Once at UJ, students will be able to complete their remaining coursework either in person on UJ’s campus or online in as little as 18 months.

President Dr. Polly Peterson thanked those who helped bring the partnership together, giving students a big opportunity with the hopes of filling the nursing shortage in the state.

University of Jamestown Provost Dr. Paul Olson says the mission of the partnership is dedicated to the wholeness of students.

“UJ has the oldest four-year nursing program in the state and has prepared thousands of women and men to enter the nursing profession since the late 1940s. The partnership we have with DCB is the next step in our program’s evolution,” said Dr. Paul Olson, UJ’s provost. “Most importantly, this partnership will help us help students reach their educational and professional goals while addressing a critical labor need across the state.”

The partnership will focus on helping to fill the nearly 500 nursing positions in the state ranging from hospitals and clinics to nursing homes.

Larry Mingler, Dean of Dakota College at Bottineau and CEO, added that they’re excited to start this venture with helping students being the overall goal.

Julie Traynor, Director Nursing Program at Dakota College at Bottineau, works with 4 community colleges in the state. She talked about the satellite locations that have been installed across the state for interactive learning. The University of Jamestown was the 17th location for such a program.

Students interested in the program can view program details online at either www.dakotacollege.edu or www.uj.edu.