April 10, 2025
Story by Maggie Harris
Photos by Barton Communications
Barton Community College hosted a signing ceremony April 3 with Pratt Community College (PCC) to reaffirm their commitment to providing Nursing education in Pratt and the surrounding area.
Barton President Dr. Marcus Garstecki and PCC President Dr. Michael Calvert gathered along with representatives from local and state government offices, the College’s Board of Trustees, administration, staff, and students to sign a continuing agreement for Barton to provide Nursing education in the Pratt area.
The partnership focuses on healthcare training and providing vital services to the region. Garstecki said supporting our local and regional healthcare facilities is essential for growth in rural areas.
“I believe there are three pillars to keeping rural communities growing and thriving: education, healthcare, and a strong workforce,” he said. “What I think is really exciting about this partnership is that it covers all three of those pillars.”
Calvert said that after PCC lost its program, the Board began searching for a partner so that the Pratt area could continue providing essential healthcare training. Barton was at the top of that list because of its program’s stellar reputation.
“What started as a small conversation has grown into a great example of friendship, collaboration, and partnership,” he said. “It meets a need that is not going away. It is a need that will continue to grow, and as partners, we will meet that need.”
Barton has provided Nursing education in Pratt since August 2022. At the start of the partnership, students could enroll in and complete coursework for their Associate Degree in Nursing to become a Registered Nurse (RN). A Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program was added in 2023. In 2024, the RN and LPN programs completed national certification with a 100% pass rate.
For more information about Barton’s Nursing program, contact Director of Nursing Education Renae Skelton at skeltonr@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9355.