BCC Taking Applications for Nursing Programs

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC), which offers a range of nursing classes, is now taking applications for the fall 2023 semester. 
 
BCC offers financial aid and college credits for all courses, allowing students to easily continue their education at BCC or transfer to four-year schools. 
 
Practical Nurse (PN): BCC offers a 10-month certificate program as a lead-in to licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Prerequisites include Biology 150, English 101 and Psychology 107, and applicants must score a 258 or higher on an Accuplacer math exam. Admission is rolling, with an application deadline of July 1, 2023. The cohort begins in September 2023 and ends in June 2024. The PN program is open to Massachusetts high school students as part of the dual enrollment program. 
 
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): BCC's ADN program ranked number six in the Nursing School Almanac's Best Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Programs in Massachusetts in 2021. Students who enroll in the ADN program may sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in three years and earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree in the fourth year. The first year of the program comprises prerequisite classes, plus two years of nursing courses. Accepted students may apply for the pipeline program at Berkshire Health Systems, which offers full tuition reimbursement for the ADN program, plus full-time pay and benefits for 16 hours of work per week. The application deadline for the ADN program is June 1, 2023. 
 
LPN to ADN Bridge: This program is an opportunity for current LPNs who want to advance their career and receive an associate degree to sit for the Registered Nurse Licensure. The program has the same requirements as the ADN program, but after prerequisites are complete, the LPN can enter into the third semester of the ADN program and complete their degree in just two semesters. LPN to RN Bridge is ideal for students who wish to continue working as an LPN while completing pre-reqs for the ADN program. The application deadline for the LPN to ADN Bridge program is June 1, 2023. 
 
RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): BCC employs an RN to BSN Coordinator who works with four-year colleges such as UMass, Elms College, Westfield State University, Southern New Hampshire University and University of Rhode Island to assist students in pursuing a BSN degree. Many courses can be taken at BCC, with the last 30 credits to be completed at such other universities. Application deadlines vary according to selected program and college. 

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Dalton Man Accused of Kidnapping, Shooting Pittsfield Man

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Dalton man was arrested on Thursday evening after allegedly kidnapping and shooting another man.

Nicholas Lighten, 35, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Friday on multiple charges including kidnapping with a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder. He was booked in Dalton around 11:45 p.m. the previous night.

There was heavy police presence Thursday night in the area of Lighten's East Housatonic Street home before his arrest.

Shortly before 7 p.m., Dalton dispatch received a call from the Pittsfield Police Department requesting that an officer respond to Berkshire Medical Center. Adrian Mclaughlin of Pittsfield claimed that he was shot in the leg by Lighten after an altercation at the defendants home. Mclaughlin drove himself to the hospital and was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries. 

"We were told that Lighten told Adrian to go down to his basement, where he told Adrian to get down on his knees and pulled out a chain," the police report reads.

"We were told that throughout the struggle with Lighten, Adrian recalls three gunshots."

Dalton PD was advised that Pittsfield had swabbed Mclaughlin for DNA because he reported biting Lighten. A bite mark was later found on Lighten's shoulder. 

Later that night, the victim reportedly was "certain, very certain" that Lighten was his assailant when shown a photo array at the hospital.

According to Dalton Police, an officer was stationed near Lighten's house in an unmarked vehicle and instructed to call over the radio if he left the residence. The Berkshire County Special Response Team was also contacted.

Lighten was under surveillance at his home from about 7:50 p.m. to about 8:40 p.m. when he left the property in a vehicle with Massachusetts plates. Another officer initiated a high-risk motor vehicle stop with the sergeant and response team just past Mill Street on West Housatonic Street, police said, and traffic was stopped on both sides of the road.

Lighten and a passenger were removed from the vehicle and detained. Police reported finding items including a brass knuckle knife, three shell casings wrapped in a rubber glove, and a pair of rubber gloves on him.

The response team entered Lighten's home at 43 East Housatonic before 9:30 p.m. for a protective sweep and cleared the residence before 9:50 p.m., police said. The residence was secured for crime scene investigators.

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