Mitchell College seeks chemistry/biology curriculum changes, requests shift from secondary-admission to direct-entry

Mitchell College presented revisions to its nursing curriculum at the Board of Examiners for Nursing meeting on March 19, proposing to replace college algebra with statistics, add microbiology, and move anatomy and physiology 1 earlier in the program so students complete it before key nursing courses.

Martha Craig Kershaw, director of nursing at Mitchell College, said the changes respond to gaps she identified during her program review. Kershaw told the board she plans to hire an anatomy and physiology instructor and coordinate course content so students have the needed foundation before starting clinical nursing courses.

Kershaw also asked the board how to submit a request to change the program’s admission model from secondary admission to direct entry. Department of Public Health staff and board members advised her to provide a written rationale, describe the specific changes to admissions criteria, and submit those documents to DPH contact Helen Smith for forwarding to the board for review.

Board members voiced general support for the curriculum edits and asked Kershaw to supply the written materials the department requires. No formal vote was taken; the board requested Mitchell submit documentation through DPH for formal review and possible approval at a future meeting.

Why it matters: Curriculum and admission-model changes affect what students must complete before clinical courses and how the program accepts applicants. The board must review and approve those changes under state oversight.