Central College, Mercy College of Health Sciences partner on 3+1 nursing program

Central College has partnered with Mercy College of Health Sciences to offer a 3+1 program focused on nursing. (Photo by gorodenkoff/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

A partnership between two private colleges will allow qualifying students to earn two bachelor’s degrees within four years through a transfer from Central College in Pella to Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines.

Central College and Mercy College of Health Sciences have entered into an agreement to create a 3+1 dual-degree program for students studying nursing, according to a news release.

“Central has a storied history of preparing students to be servant leaders in their communities,” said Central College President Mark Putnam in the release. “With this partnership, we know Central’s students will be prepared to do a world of good. Iowa, the nation and the world face a shortage of nurses and healthcare professionals. Central is in an enviable place to build the pipeline of compassionate and skilled nurses of the future.”

Students will work toward their degree in select majors at Central for three years through the program, according to the release, needing to complete at least 90 credits. Then, if they meet admission requirements for Mercy College, students will transfer to the university to spend their final year in its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Once they’ve graduated, students will have earned bachelor’s degrees from both Central and Mercy College. Central College Dean of Faculty Aaron Roerdink said in the release that students have expressed interest in having a Des Moines-based 3+1 program like this one, and an added bonus is that they can start Mercy’s accelerated program during the fall, spring or summer semesters.

“The time for innovation is now,” Mercy College President Adreain Henry said in the release. “As a society, we have a tremendous need for compassionate, knowledgeable nurses. We cannot wait for solutions to find us. This partnership between Mercy College and Central College positions both of our historic institutions to lead the way toward a better future for healthcare, preparing more nurses to meet the needs of the future.”