Simpson College and Mercy College partner for nursing degree

Simpson College of Indianola and Mercy College of Health Sciences of Des Moines are partnering to offer a new multi-faceted nursing degree that could draw new students into the field.

Mercy College's Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Nancy Kertz said students coming out of the new four-year joint program will walk into jobs with an annual salary around $70,000.

"It will depend on the location and the specialty the student has," Kertz said about the expected salary upon graduation.

Many nursing education programs exist in Iowa, but Kertz said this new program, called 3+1 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, will draw students because it offers multiple degrees, it will take students only 12 months to complete the nursing part of the education, and it has a relatively low cost.

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Simpson College President Marsha Kelliher announced a new partnership with Mercy College of Health Sciences creating a two-degree program in four years. March 1, 2022.
Simpson College President Marsha Kelliher announced a new partnership with Mercy College of Health Sciences creating a two-degree program in four years. March 1, 2022.

"We've kept the cost of this program as low as we possibly can," Kertz said about the Mercy College nursing degree.

The total cost of the new 3+1 program could range from $36,000 to $216,000. That's tuition only. Room and board would be in addition to that amount.

Kertz said the 12-month nursing degree portion of the program is $36,000 in tuition alone, in today’s dollars.

“That’s why we get so many students from out of state enrolled in our nursing program,” Kertz said. “I’ve seen some programs cost $40,000 to $70,000.”

According to Simpson College Vice President for Enrollment Leigh Mlodzik, the Simpson part of the tuition could range from $0 to $180,000 for those three years or more.

Mlodzik said in an email the Simpson Promise program covers the cost of tuition for students from Iowa whose family adjusted gross income is below $60,000. However, Simpson students that receive the college's lowest academic scholarship who are not also eligible for any need-based aid could be paying more than $60,000 a year.

The exact cost of the dual-degree program depends on the Simpson College scholarships to each student, Mlodzik said. Room and board expenses would be in addition to that tuition.

Officials from Simpson and Mercy held a press conference Tuesday to outline the elements of the new program.

Students will graduate in four years with a Simpson College Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology or Health and Exercise Science, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) from Mercy.

Kertz said the new program will accept new students all year, rather than just in the fall.

"We think the year-round start window will draw some athletes because we can work around their athletic calendars," Kertz said.

Mercy College's Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Nancy Kertz said students coming out of the new four-year joint program between Simpson College and Mercy College will walk into jobs with an annual salary around $70,000. March 1, 2022.
Mercy College's Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Nancy Kertz said students coming out of the new four-year joint program between Simpson College and Mercy College will walk into jobs with an annual salary around $70,000. March 1, 2022.

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Students would take their licensing exams for nursing after graduation.

John Woell, Simpson's senior vice president and academic dean said of the degrees Simpson doesn't offer, nursing is the one program that perspective students ask about most often.

Kertz said the program, which begins in the fall of this year, is expected to draw 10 students immediately and up to 60 students when the program is fully developed. Current Simpson students can enroll in the program.

Simpson College has approximately 1,200 full-time students. In the fall of 2019, Mercy College of Health Sciences had approximately 800 students. Kertz said the college is graduating around 200 nursing students a year.

Woell said he expects the new nursing degree will attract students wanting to go into physical therapy, dietetics, athletic training or become a physician's assistant.

"There's significant synergy between nursing and biology or exercise science and these other career paths," Kertz said. "These are multi-disciplinary fields that compliment each other."

Teresa Kay Albertson covers Des Moines' southern suburbs for the Register and the Indianola Record-Herald. Reach her at talbertson@registermedia.com or 515-419-6098.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New nursing degree could draw new students into field