Central College signed an agreement with Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa, to offer its 3+1 dual degree nursing program. The signing with Central President Mark Putnam and Mercy College President Adreain Henry on October 8 launches a new opportunity for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mercy College and a liberal arts bachelor’s degree from Central.
“Central has a storied history of preparing students to be servant leaders in their communities,” says Putnam. “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.”
With this agreement, students can attend Central for three years while pursuing select majors, completing Core requirements and participating in campus life activities and extracurricular programs. After completing their Central classes, students who meet admission requirements will be eligible to enroll in Mercy College’s one-year Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for their fourth year of coursework. Students who complete this 3+1 program will graduate with both a bachelor’s degree from Central and a BSN degree from Mercy College in four years, providing a path for future career advancement and exploration.
This articulation agreement gives Central students an additional 3+1 option for an accelerated nursing degree.
“A distinguishing factor of this 3+1 agreement is the ability to begin Mercy College’s Accelerated BSN program in the fall, spring and summer semesters,” says Aaron Roerdink, Central’s dean of faculty and Class of 1997 Central graduate. “Students have been asking for more opportunities like this in the Des Moines area. With our proximity, a student can begin the nursing program while staying connected with Central’s campus and their classmates.”
“The time for innovation is now,” Henry emphasized. “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.”
To participate in the Accelerated BSN program, students must complete a minimum of 90 credits toward a Central bachelor’s degree and meet the admission requirements for Mercy College of Health Sciences. Individuals interested in the program can explore Central’s nursing website and discuss requirements and plan their progression with Central’s academic advisors and pre-health advisor Jeremy Burke, Class of 2026 Class Dean.
