Pratt Community College and Barton Community College Partner to Expand Nursing Education Opportunities

Pratt Community College (PCC) and Barton Community College (BCC) have partnered to expand nursing and healthcare career options in the area. Students can begin their healthcare studies at PCC and then continue with Barton’s nursing program right on the PCC campus. This partnership provides students with an easy path to grow their healthcare careers close to home while helping meet the region’s demand for healthcare professionals.

Are Pratt Community College and Barton Community College still separate institutions?

PCC and BCC remain separate colleges, each with its own leadership and programs. This partnership lets PCC students complete prerequisite courses on their campus before entering Barton’s nursing program. Both schools keep their independence while working together to grow nursing education in the area.

What is the Pratt Community College and Barton Community College nursing partnership?

The PCC–BCC Nursing Partnership lets students start healthcare studies at PCC and then continue with Barton’s nursing program, which is held right on the PCC campus. PCC offers Allied Health certification programs like Patient Care Technician, Certified Nurse Aide, Home Health Aide, Medication Aide, Phlebotomy, EKG Technician, and a Pre-Nursing program that includes Barton’s prerequisites. These programs create a smooth path for students to move from PCC’s healthcare training into Barton’s nursing program and become Registered Nurses right here.

Why was this partnership created?

This partnership helps meet the region’s healthcare staffing needs and expands nursing education for local students. By aligning PCC’s Allied Health and Pre-Nursing courses with Barton’s nursing program, students get a clear path into nursing. This supports both the workforce and community health.

“The partnership between Pratt Community College and Barton Community College models the success institutions working together may accomplish. This partnership serves students, local communities, and the state by providing an additional location for nursing education. PCC’s pre-nursing program and Allied Health courses create a pathway through which students may transition seamlessly into the BCC nursing program located on the Pratt campus,” says Monette DePew, Interim President & Vice President of Instruction

How does this partnership benefit Pratt Community College and its students?

The partnership offers PCC students more healthcare education and career choices. They can begin with PCC certification programs to gain hands-on experience and accelerate job opportunities. Those who want to continue can finish Pre-Nursing and then join Barton’s nursing program. This helps students advance their education and become Registered Nurses without leaving the Pratt community. “The students who complete the BCC nursing program on the Pratt campus increase the number of quality healthcare workers in our area and across the State of Kansas,” DePew stated.

Why does this partnership matter for our community?

This partnership strengthens the local healthcare workforce by offering nursing education close to home. “By preparing students locally and giving them a clear path into nursing, PCC and Barton are working together to strengthen healthcare across our region,” says Erica Meitler, Director of Allied Health at Pratt Community College. Training healthcare workers locally helps meet the demand for nurses and creates career opportunities nearby.

For more information or questions, please visit our website at prattcc.edu/allied-health or call 620-450-2233.