Success Story: On the cusp of nursing application season

March 19, 2025

Thomas Russell hasn’t graduated from high school yet, but he can’t wait to become a nurse.

The Traverse City Central senior is dual enrolled in medical terminology and a math class at NMC currently. This summer, following his high school graduation, he’ll take Anatomy & Physiology I, followed by A & P II in the fall. Once he completes all those prerequisites, he’ll be eligible to apply to the nursing program.

Russell’s undaunted by the challenges to a profession which, broadly speaking, is still recovering from the powerful impact of the COVID pandemic. At NMC, he has a lot of company, as nursing remains arguably NMC’s most competitive program. Russell, 18, is among 160 students now in a pre-nursing pipeline, at various stages of prerequisite course completion. April 1, applications will open for the 40 available seats in the associate degree program starting this fall.

Grade point average, prerequisite completion, entrance exam score, prior degree status and veteran status all factor into the admission decision, said nursing program director Betsy Boris.

After completion of his prerequisites, Russell will be eligible to apply this fall for spring 2026 admission. He said “a lot of reflection” led him to choose nursing. He’s worked in construction, and found he wanted more interaction with people. He’s been a caregiver to his mother, who has disabilities, and experienced the patient side himself due to a severe allergy as a child.

“At the base of it, it’s just being able to help people,” he said. “I found a very solid grounding in helping people, and what that made me feel like.”

NMC runs the largest nursing program north of Grand Rapids, and graduates provide skilled, proficient patient care. NMC exceeds both Michigan and U.S. average pass rates on the RN license exam, the NCLEX. In 2024, 97% of NMC nursing students passed.

“Application season is always an exciting time for our students as well as faculty and staff, as we welcome future nurses to this challenging yet rewarding and fulfilling field,” Boris said. “NMC is proud to train many of the nurses who go on to work at Munson Healthcare, at nursing homes and in public health, sharing their skills with the entire region.”

Through a partnership with Davenport University, NMC students can also earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The first class of 12 graduated last summer. Another 14 will start this summer.

Right now, Russell is leaning toward long-term care nursing. “Something where I can build a deeper connection with the individual,” he said.

He’ll also be able to take advantage of the Community College Guarantee. As a 2025 high school graduate, the scholarship will cover the cost of his associate degree.

“I’m on top of that,” Russell said. “Very glad and thankful.”