fb icon myAcc icon

A Tradition of Nursing Excellence

A Tradition of Nursing Excellence

Nursing History

Donate Now Button

Melissa Fournier

“Our graduates work across the globe and have a very strong foundation in nursing from Alpena Community College. The proud traditions of nursing will continue as we expand our program to the south and offer the LPN courses in Oscoda starting fall 2018."

Melissa Fournier, MSN, RN, CNE, CLL
ACC Director of Nursing
ACC Alumna 1998 


A History of ExcellenceIn 1973 the first-ever class of nursing students graduated from Alpena Community College, earning a Certificate in Licensed Practical Nursing. From that first class of 27 graduates, ACC’s nursing program has had a long tradition of excellence in nursing education.

Before the creation of ACC’s nursing program individuals interested in nursing had to leave Alpena to pursue their educational goals. Once away, many would find employment in other communities, resulting in a shortage of nurses at Alpena General Hospital and other local healthcare facilities.

Over the years ACC’s nursing classes have been held in a variety of locations, including a church, the previous concrete technology room, East Campus, the county’s former poor farm, and the fisheries building. In 1995, the nursing program found a permanent home and moved to the second floor of the Natural Resources Center.

The foundational part of the success of the nursing program comes from the outstanding individuals including nursing directors, faculty, and administrative assistants who have worked diligently over the past 45 years to help students to become nurses.

The program currently admits 20 new students each for the fall and spring semesters for both the LPN certificate and RN associate’s degree, yielding an annual capacity of 80 students. Since its inception, the nursing program has graduated 1,282 LPNs and 797 RNs and they can be found working in a variety of capacities and various healthcare settings throughout the United States.

ACC’s nursing program meets the strict accreditation requirements of the Michigan State Board of Nursing, and in 2017 received the prestigious Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the highest level of accreditation.

Suitably proud of its achievements and the successes of its students, ACC’s nursing program will continue to grow and faculty will continue to train tomorrow’s nurses in the new Center for Health Sciences.

Due to the success of the LPN program and responding to local demands, the nursing program expanded in 1983 and an associate degree nursing program began, with the first class of 24 graduates.

Alex Chmura


“The ACC Nursing Program was such an incredible experience for me.  I get asked all the time at work where I received my degree and I am proud to say ACC. I really hope that the program continues to build and provide individuals with the same opportunities and pride!”

Alexandria Chmura, RN
ACC Alumna 2015



ACEN Nursing Logo

The Practical Nurse Certificate and Associate Degree nursing programs at Alpena Community College at the Alpena and Oscoda campus located in Alpena and Oscoda, Michigan respectively are accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nurse Certificate and Associate Degree nursing programs is initial accreditation. For more information about this accreditation, visit www.acenursing.org.

ACEN | 3390 Peachtree Road NE | Suite 1400 | Atlanta, GA 30326 | 404.975.5000