ESCANABA — Bay College is working with state regulatory agencies to resume its well-regarded Practical Nursing (PN) program at its campuses in Iron Mountain and Escanaba, returning a critical pipeline to filling important health care positions across Michigan.

The college has submitted a comprehensive plan for the future of its PN program to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, which is under the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The agency’s review includes a site visit and an analysis of its curriculum, facilities and program personnel.

“At Bay College, we are committed to partnering with state officials to relaunch our PN program to bring back a critical pipeline that can help fill desperately needed nursing jobs in the Upper Peninsula and across Michigan,” said Dr. Nerita Hughes, president of Bay College. “Our PN students are passionate about their studies and excited about their careers in health care, and they look forward to returning and resuming their studies.”

, faculty and personnel in place to quickly resume its engaging PN courses as well as hands-on training labs that are part of its comprehensive PN program at both campuses in the U.P.

“We are excited to continue Bay College’s well-regarded PN program, which is known for producing high-quality graduates who provide incredible care,” said Dr. Patrick Reinhard, dean of Nursing and Allied Health programs at Bay College. “Our team appreciates the opportunities to work with state regulators to highlight the successes of our PN program and its promising future.”

Bay College leaders also have been working with state lawmakers to build awareness and support for the college’s PN program, which has vast benefits to helping address nursing shortages across Michigan.

The college’s proposed timeline for the state review of the PN program includes campus visits in September with a possible vote to reinstate the program by the Michigan Board of Nursing in November. With the agency’s timely review and approval, the college plans to finalize course planning and student offerings later this year and resume the PN program in January 2026.

The Nursing Program at Bay College is critical to filling the talent pipeline with needed health care personnel in the U.P. and across Michigan. More than 100 students are currently enrolled in the Nursing Program at Bay College. Over the past five years, 274 Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses currently working in the U.P. have graduated from Bay College. More than 700 Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses currently working in Michigan have graduated from Bay College in the past 10 years.