Mount Mercy University Nursing School Review

Mount Mercy University (MMU), until 2010 known as Mount Mercy College (MMC), began as a two-year training college for women. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy Catholic Order, it opened its doors in 1928. From the very beginning, the school focused on nursing education. While the college now has over forty undergraduate majors and several graduate programs, it remains committed to educating future nurses. Mount Mercy University has a bachelor’s program in nursing, a degree completion program for Registered Nurses (RN), and a master’s program in nursing with several different tracks.

The nursing programs at the college are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Iowa State Board of Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program must commit to four years of full-time study (not including summers). In the first year of the course sequence, they focus on Mount Mercy University’s general education requirements and nursing prerequisite classes. In order to begin the six-semester nursing course sequence in the fall of their sophomore year, they must also complete a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) course. Most of sophomore year is also devoted to general education requirements; junior and senior BSN students focus completely on nursing coursework. At the end of the program’s four years, a graduate may take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN Completion

After gaining at least three years of experience as an RN, a graduate of an associate degree program or a diploma program can apply to Mount Mercy University’s RN to BSN program. The RN to BSN Completion program is offered through the college’s Adult Accelerated Programs Division, so it is designed to accommodate working adults. Depending on the RN’s work schedule, he may choose to study full-time or part-time.

Mount Mercy University participates in the Iowa Articulation Plan for RNs, allowing the incoming RN to transfer credits from his previous nursing program into the college’s BSN program. (He may also choose to gain advanced placement credits by taking a test to prove his nursing skills.) After an RN is accepted to Mount Mercy University’s RN to BSN program, he must meet with an advisor to help him plan out his individualized course of study, based on his previous education and work experience. Depending on how many advanced placement credits he receives and how many general education credits he needs to earn, the length of the RN to BSN program can vary considerably.

Master of Science in Nursing

An RN who is a graduate of a BSN program may enroll in Mount Mercy University’s zxxMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. She may begin either in the fall or the spring, and she may study on a full-time or part-time basis. Classes take place in the evening, in order to allow students to continue working throughout the program. On a full-time basis, the MSN program takes eighteen months to complete. The curriculum consists of thirty-six credits, which includes credits for core graduate nursing classes and credits for classes in a chosen area of specialization. Mount Mercy College offers three areas of specialization within its MSN program:

Health Advocacy:

The Health Advocacy track of the MSN program prepares nurses to engage in health promotion and disease prevention in communities. There is an emphasis on research in this track of the MSN program.

Nursing Education:

The Nursing Education track of the MSN program gives nurses the skills and knowledge they need to train future nurses.

Nursing Administration:

The Nursing Administration track is designed to help nurses be administrative leaders at healthcare facilities.

Contact:
Mount Mercy University
1330 Elmhurst Dr NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

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