Two universities have partnered with a Springfield hospital system to expand nursing degrees and offer a career pipeline.
Drury University announced Monday it has joined the Southwest Baptist University Mercy College of Health Professionals partnership. The move allows Drury students progress toward a bachelor’s degree in health science from Drury and an associate’s degree in nursing from SBU. Students could further pursue a bachelor’s of science in nursing, as well.
Beth Harville, Drury provost, said in a press that students will get access to a program with an “esteemed legacy” in the area as they pursue a liberal arts education. Students can register for classes that will begin in the fall 2024 semester.
The SBU Mercy College of Health Professionals was formed in 1986 and has since expanded into radiography. In 2013 the college began offering an associate degree program for the field.
The partnership is hoped to bring more people into an industry in need of employees.
A year ago, Mercy — like other hospitals across the country — found itself in need of health care workers. Mercy and CoxHealth together reported about 2,000 jobs being open in 2023.
Mercy’s situation has improved, but a shortage of nurses still exists. Ettie Berneking, spokesperson for Mercy Springfield Communities, said it has 240 open nursing positions right now, though recruitment of nurses is up 6%.
A similar effort has been assembled by officials with Springfield Public Schools, Ozarks Technical Community College, Missouri State University and CoxHeath. Through the Alliance for Healthcare Education, the partners have built a career pathway for graduating high school students to earn progress toward similar degrees.
