St. Ambrose University in Davenport will soon have a new option for nursing students when the Davenport university opens the Nano Nagle Online School of Nursing this fall, university officials announced.
The new program, a division of SAU College of Health and Human Services, is designed to extend the reach of online nursing education across the country by offering flexible, remote learning opportunities for working healthcare professionals.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the way we work and learn has impacted healthcare and the nursing profession,” Lynn Kilburg, interim dean of SAU’s College of Health and Human Services, told the QCBJ on Wednesday, Jan. 18. “The Bureau for Labor Statistics projects that the demand for registered nurses will hit more than 3.6 million by 2030. But, there has been a decline in people joining the profession.”
She added that the new program can fill critical nursing workforce needs, especially those in rural areas. “This effort will extend an online delivery model. … The online program will complement the long-standing traditional program at St. Ambrose University which offers opportunities to students who are new to the profession of nursing. Together, the programs offer dynamic opportunities in support of the Nurse’s Creed to provide care for those who are in need,” Ms. Kilburg said.
“St. Ambrose has a long history of equipping leaders for service in healthcare,” Amy Novak, president of St. Ambrose, said in a statement. “Over 50% of our students are currently in health professions serving as physician assistants, social workers, public health practitioners, physical therapists, speech pathologists, as well as nurses. It is from this position of strength that we want to deliver ongoing nursing education in an online format to meet the needs of those entering and serving in this important field.”
The Nano Nagle Online School of Nursing at St. Ambrose was created with a focus on innovative, adaptive learning methods to prepare the next generation of workers. The person-centered curriculum aims to provide students, regardless of their geographical location, the opportunity to learn while they earn, leverage SAU’s robust network of healthcare systems, and integrate cutting-edge simulation and technologies into their educational experience.
SAU officials said the online school will offer fully online LPN-to-BSN and RN-to-BSN programs as well as offering the option for additional industry-recognized certifications and credentials to support career advancement. The school’s creation is also a direct response to the challenge of nationwide healthcare staffing shortages on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, which also put a spotlight on expanding the rural healthcare workforce.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, if rural and underserved communities experience the same healthcare patterns as populations with fewer barriers to access, physician demand could rise by 74,100 to 145,500 by 2033 in these areas. The Bureau for Labor Statistics suggests that the demand for registered nurses (RN), in particular, is projected to hit over 3.6 million by 2030 – a large gap to fill following 2021 when the number of RNs leaving the workforce was the steepest in over four decades.
“It is more important than ever that educational institutions use new modalities to build learning opportunities that recognize students, different needs and location-bound realities,” explained Ms. Novak.
SAU’s announcement of the new online school builds on an established consortium agreement with Presentation College (PC), where nursing education had long been its flagship. Upon PC’s announcement that it will be ceasing operations, effective May 8, the naming of SAU’s online nursing program pays tribute to the South Dakota college’s founder.
Venerable Honora Nagle, also known as Nano Nagle, was a pioneer of Roman Catholic education in Ireland. She founded the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM), commonly known as the Presentation Sisters, a global Catholic institute and founders of Presentation College.
“This joining is an example of the Presentation Sisters’ long history of partnering with others in our faith,” said Sister Mary Thomas, president of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “We are delighted to have these fine Catholic institutions coming together to provide for rural health care needs, especially in the area of nursing. This is going to be an exciting time for us today and into the future as we explore even more ways to expand our academic offerings to students.”
“St. Ambrose is committed to honoring that legacy through the establishment of the Nano Nagle Online School of Nursing,” said Ms. Novak. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to build on the long history of Presentation College and the Presentation Sisters to deliver SAU’s adaptive, online learning format. We want to ensure that, wherever you are located as a student, you have what it takes to become the nurse of your future and make a direct impact on the community in which you live and serve.”
For more information about the Nano Nagle Online School of Nursing at St. Ambrose, visit sau.edu/onlinenursing.
