Loyola University Maryland proposes new nursing program in partnership with Mercy Medical Center

Loyola University Maryland announced Aug. 15 that it intends to offer a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program to help address Maryland’s ongoing nursing workforce shortage. The program will be in partnership with Mercy Medical Center, which will provide clinical placements at Mercy’s downtown Baltimore campus, in addition to other resources and support. 

According to an Aug. 15 news release, Loyola is formally requesting a recommendation for implementation from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and will seek additional approvals and accreditation after a favorable response from MHEC. The four-year undergraduate BSN program would begin to be integrated into Loyola’s curriculum during the 2024-25 academic year and would be available for new incoming Loyola undergraduate students in the fall of 2025. 

“Loyola’s mission to prepare graduates for lives of meaningful professional service and leadership calls us to address the critical need for new nursing graduates in Maryland,” said Terrence M. Sawyer, Loyola president. “We are honored to partner with Mercy Medical Center to create a BSN program dedicated to academic excellence and service with a special commitment to underserved, marginalized communities in Baltimore. Through this step, Loyola would help address the critical shortage of registered nurses in Maryland and the nation.” 

About 70 percent of Loyola’s total undergraduates come from outside Maryland, and its current portfolio of natural and applied sciences courses already includes biology, chemistry, biochemistry, forensic studies and pre-health sequences. Loyola enrolls approximately 600 pre-health students each year, who achieve high acceptance rates into medical, dental and other health professions schools – some years even at twice the national acceptance rates, according to the news release.   

“Loyola is a proven leader, known for graduating young people who excel in the sciences. At our Jesuit, Catholic, liberal arts university, our students also benefit from a rich, values-based core curriculum that helps them become the ethical, compassionate, analytical leaders needed in health care,” said Cheryl Moore-Thomas, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “This proposed major is a natural extension for Loyola, especially as our Jesuit mission calls us to graduate leaders who are capable of meeting the needs of our community.”  

Loyola and Mercy have a shared history as faith-based, mission-driven institutions in Baltimore. Founded in 1852 by the Society of Jesus, Loyola merged in 1971 with Mount St. Agnes College, a women’s college founded by the Sisters of Mercy, who also founded Mercy Medical Center in downtown Baltimore in 1874. 

“As a community teaching hospital, Mercy is excited to partner with Loyola University Maryland to begin building a leading nursing program amid the ongoing nursing shortage in Maryland,” said David N. Maine, president and CEO of Mercy Health Services. “Our shared mission of service, core values and Catholic identity form a strong foundation to build an exemplary academic program. This promising collaboration will generate a new pipeline of high-quality nurses dedicated to clinical excellence and improving community health in Baltimore City.” 

A report commissioned by the Maryland Hospital Association projects a shortfall of 13,800 registered nurses (RNs) by 2035 in Maryland alone.   

The leaders of Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore and Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg signed a partnership in April to enable graduates of Mount St. Mary’s to earn their nursing degrees at Notre Dame. 

The new program will enable life-sciences students graduating from Mount St. Mary’s to earn a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing at Notre Dame in 15 months. They will be able to study either at the main campus in north Baltimore or at the hybrid campus in Elkridge. New graduates will then be qualified to sit for their registered nurse licensing exam.

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