Stronger Together

TU’S JOINT NURSING PROGRAM WITH MERCY COLLEGE OF OHIO

Prior to the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in the first months of 2020, the United States grappled with another healthcare-related crisis, one only further exacerbated by the pandemic. The country has been and continues to be in the midst of a severe shortage of nursing professionals. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), such degree programs across the nation are struggling to meet the demand for graduates to fill a growing number of vacancies in this field. In light of this issue, TU announced in 2019 a partnership with Mercy College of Ohio’s School of Nursing in order to offer an entirely new degree track for the Dragon student body.

“According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses are projected to generate approximately 711,900 new jobs, the largest number for any occupation,” said TU’s President, Dr. Lilian Schumacher during her 2019 announcement of the partnership. The collaboration began during the 2020-2021 academic year and allows incoming nursing students to earn two degrees simultaneously - a Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science from Tiffin University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mercy College of Ohio. “Students entering Tiffin University and completing this dual degree program will help fill the need for nurses in the state of Ohio. Having additional credentials will allow them to demonstrate a broader set of industry-specific knowledge to potential employers,” said President Schumacher.

Dr. Susan Wajert, President of Mercy College, echoed President Schumacher’s sentiment when the collaboration was first advertised. “This is an innovative way for two colleges to partner to meet the healthcare needs of the communities we serve. Students who participate will have a broader educational perspective as they prepare for the nursing profession.”

According to Dr. Peter J. Holbrook, TU's Provost and Chief Academic Officer, "Both schools benefit greatly from this partnership. TU is a more traditional academic institution, housed within a rural community, whereas Mercy is located in Toledo, a more urbanized area in close proximity to such assets necessary for any student nurse's success. Mercy College’s program utilizes Bon Secour Mercy Health’s facilities, including a Level One Trauma Center (Saint Vincent’s Mercy Medical Center). This is essential for students needing clinical field experience. Mercy benefits from a tuition and enrollment numbers standpoint, and TU is able to give its students access to top-notch resources otherwise unavailable to us.”

Lori Edgeworth, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Partnerships at Mercy College believes that so far, the program has been very successful, and cites what a joy it is to watch students from both institutions work together. “Once the TU people set foot on Mercy’s campus, they’re treated like one of our own. There’s no competition or segregation. Nobody cares once the scrubs are on, and it’s refreshing to see. I think playing to each other’s strengths like this is the way of the future for higher education. Collaboration over competition. No single school will ever be able to offer every degree program in existence, and I believe the way for institutions to survive is to lean on each other. We’re all working toward the same goal, which is preparing the next generation for the rigors of the real world, creating a brighter future for all of us. Not only that, but this partnership makes significant strides toward solving the nursing shortage in both our state and across the country.”

Though these efforts alone might not be enough to completely eradicate the shortage of nursing professionals, TU and Mercy College agree that large-scale change often begins within one’s own communities, and that any step forward is one worthy of celebration. Lori believes wholeheartedly in this philosophy, and is happy to see the two institutions working happily alongside each other. Though the joint program is only a few years old, she is already looking to the future, brainstorming other ways in which both schools can help each other help their students. “I would definitely like to see the partnership expand to other areas in the future. For example, Mercy College offers a Master’s of Health Administration and Tiffin has a College of Business and MBA program. This could be another great opportunity for collaboration.”