MSU Mankato To Offer Nursing Program On Iron Range

MANKATO (AP) - Minnesota State University, Mankato, will start offering online courses this spring to help nursing students on the Iron Range complete their four-year registered nurse degrees at home.

Hibbing Community College offers a two-year nursing program, but the closest four-year program to the Range is at St. Scholastica in Duluth.

Kristine Retherford, dean of Minnesota State's health and nursing college, says the idea behind the MSU Iron Range Nursing Program is to provide a convenient way for nurses to complete their degrees closer to home. However, anyone may take the courses, not just Hibbing Community College students.

The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board will cover faculty salaries for the online program, which will allow students to complete their bachelor's degree in as few as three semesters.