Loras College Announces Nursing Program in Conjunction with NICC
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Loras College and Northeast Iowa Community College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly offer 3+2 Nursing Dual Degree Program. Loras President Jim Collins (’84) and NICC President Liang Chee Wee, have signed an agreement to provide Loras students admission into NICC’s Nursing program.
Beginning in Fall 2019, students at Loras College can begin their academic journey as part of the 3+2 Nursing Program. Under the MoU, Loras students complete coursework in general education and their academic major during the first three years at Loras. Also during this time period, students must successfully complete coursework in anatomy and physiology, nutrition, a January term course that qualifies them to take the Certified Nursing Assistant exam, followed by an online dosage calculation course to prepare them to take the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) nursing admission exam.
In addition to achieving specific minimum course grades, students must receive a passing score on both exams to gain admission to the program. Students complete their nursing coursework at the NICC Peosta campus typically in their fourth and fifth years and complete their clinical rotations in Dubuque.
“We are delighted that Loras students who are interested in healthcare will have the opportunity to pursue a nursing degree while also completing their bachelor’s degree at Loras,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Donna Heald said. “The program offers students the benefit of combining a bachelor’s level degree program with nursing coursework to reflect their specific interests and professional goals. The currently approved undergraduate majors that provide a pathway to the 3+2 Nursing program include kinesiology and Spanish with additional options coming soon.”
Upon successful completion of the fifth year, students are awarded their Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree from Loras College, their Associate’s Degree in Nursing from NICC and will be eligible to write the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse with the added credential of a bachelor’s degree.
“NICC values this partnership with Loras College where we combine our talents and gifts to educate and train future healthcare professionals,” NICC President Liang Chee Wee, Ph. D, said. “The graduates through this partnership will add to the quality workforce needed by healthcare providers in our region.”
Loras students enrolled in the 3+2 program will be eligible for financial aid for all five years of the program, with all merit-based aid remaining intact through year five. In addition, students entering the fifth year of the program will receive a $6,000 nursing scholarship to support their tuition and course fees.
About Loras College
Founded in 1839, Loras College leverages its historic roots as Iowa’s first college, the second oldest Catholic college west of the Mississippi River and one of the nation’s 10 diocesan colleges to deliver challenging, life-changing experiences as part of its residential, Catholic setting. In 2018, Loras was the highest ranked Catholic college in the state of Iowa according to College Consensus, the 13th Best Regional College in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report and one of America’s Top 200 Most Loved Colleges/Universities by Forbes Magazine. Loras students ranked No. 2 in the world as part of the global Peeptrade Investment Challenge while a second group ranked No. 4. For the 10th consecutive year, Loras Media Studies student-led television station (LCTV) was named the TV Station of the Year by the Iowa College Media Association (ICMA).
About Northeast Iowa Community College
NICC is a public, tax-supported, two-year educational institution, serving eight counties in northeast Iowa. Approximately 5,000 students enroll at NICC every fall to study in more than 60 academic programs. For more information about NICC, visit www.nicc.edu.