Central ND News

The University of Mary and Missouri Slope in Bismarck have launched a new partnership aimed at addressing the nursing shortage in long-term care facilities. This collaboration offers students with a bachelor's degree in another field an accelerated pathway to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) within 16 months. Students will gain hands-on clinical experience, particularly focusing on elderly care.

This initiative responds to a national nursing shortage exacerbated by recent regulatory changes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which now require long-term care facilities to staff registered nurses around the clock. The program will commence in January 2025, with Missouri Slope providing full-tuition scholarships to selected students who agree to work at their facility for two years after graduation.

Reier Thompson, CEO of Missouri Slope, emphasized the importance of this program: “The long-term care industry has long faced challenges attracting and retaining nursing talent. COVID-19 only intensified these issues... It truly is a community-focused solution to a national problem.”

Thompson also expressed hope that this partnership could serve as a model for other facilities nationwide: “We wanted to apply that same mindset to the post-acute care industry as we struggle as a nation to prepare for our aging population... Naturally, introducing more students to the post-acute care industry through this model will also open their hearts and minds.”

Dr. Mary Dockter, Dean of Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences at University of Mary, shared her excitement about the collaboration: “Missouri Slope is already a strong partner for our health sciences programs... Their commitment aligns perfectly with our mission.” Dr. Billie Madler added that the partnership highlights "our shared dedication to a well-prepared nursing workforce."

Students enrolled in this program will benefit from advanced training facilities on campus and real-world experience at Missouri Slope. The accelerated BSN pathway targets mature students ready for healthcare careers, preparing them for specialized roles in long-term care settings.

Thompson concluded by stating: “Setting the vision to become a care community of learning and innovation is rooted in our desire... Even if they pursue opportunities outside of Missouri Slope, their experience here will benefit the industry as a whole.”

By collaborating with educational institutions like University of Mary, Missouri Slope aims not only to meet immediate staffing needs but also contribute towards building sustainable healthcare solutions.