Bay College Iron Mountain Campus has received approval from the Michigan Board of Nursing (MBON) to reinitiate the practical nursing program. This decision was announced at the MBON regularly scheduled meeting held Thursday November 5, 2026, following the lengthy process of creating and submitting an application and self-study proving the need and sustainability of the program at Bay College.
The application and self-study were approved at the September Board of Nursing meeting. Following application approval, an onsite inspection was conducted in October, 2026, by a Board of Nursing site visitor. The site visitor submitted an independent report of the visit to the MBON members for review prior to the Board’s November meeting.
Jennifer Farnsworth MSN, NNP-BC, RNC-NIC-NNIC, recently appointed Director of Nursing at the Iron Mountain Campus, shared, "There is such a need for LPNs within our communities in the Upper Peninsula, including Dickinson County and the surrounding areas. I am elated to be able to start a cohort of practical nursing students here in Iron Mountain this January.”
Bay College Iron Mountain Campus Executive Director Jason Sullivan said, “I am very excited about what this allows Bay to bring to Dickinson County and the surrounding area. This opportunity helps us fulfill one of our core purposes: to serve the community. Ultimately, it allows us to help local residents train for secure, high-demand careers right here at home."
Bay College President Dr. Nerita Hughes added, “This approval represents another step in our commitment to expanding educational opportunities, strengthening our healthcare workforce pipeline, and responding to the critical workforce needs of the communities we serve throughout the Upper Peninsula.”
The practical nursing program will be a full-time, three semester program, with competitive entry. There will be 16 seats available each year for entrance. Students who enter in January of 2027 will have a projected graduation date of December 2027. Interested individuals should fill out an application to Bay College with an interest of Practical Nursing at the Iron Mountain Campus.
For questions about this press release, contact Director of Nursing Iron Mountain Campus Jennifer Farnsworth, MSN, NNP-BC, RNC-NIC-NNIC at (906) 217-4059 or farnswoj@baycollege.edu.
About Bay College
Bay College is the community’s college with a mission of: Student Success, Community Success, and Culture of Success. Bay is devoted to each individual’s achievement in the classroom, on-campus, online, in the community and into the workforce by providing career certificates, associate degrees, transferable university credits, industry certifications, trainings, and professional development programs which develop skillsets, enrich individuals, and advance careers. #BayIsTheWay