14.0 General Information Nursing at University of Northwestern - St. Paul

In the late 1940’s, Northwestern Bible School established a Department of Missionary Medicine, offering qualified applicants one year of study in practical medical work. There were two purposes identified for the creation of this program: First, the program was designed to teach prospective missionaries how to care for themselves, and second, how to relieve, at least in part, suffering and illness so that people could better understand the love of Jesus. Northwestern offered studies in medical and surgical diseases with emphasis placed on the nursing care of these diseases. The program included course work in anatomy, physiology, personal hygiene, dietetics and diet therapy, obstetrics, child care, minor surgical emergencies, first-aid, contagious diseases (including tropical health diseases), and essentials of nursing care.

University of Northwestern - St. Paul continues to recognize the ongoing call to educate and equip students in the healthcare professions to address the healthcare needs of others within the home, church, community, and world. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment demand for healthcare providers will continue to grow over several years, with the employment of registered nurses growing substantially. In 2010, Northwestern launched the Health Sciences major, providing a rigorous preparation to qualify students for application to several health professional programs. Students desiring nursing came through Northwestern’s pre-nursing program, but were forced to look elsewhere to obtain a degree in nursing. Based on records from 2010-2011, nursing had the largest number of inquiries from students interested in healthcare services, showing a strong interest in nursing among prospective student populations. In addition, a growing number of students showed a willingness to change their major to nursing if such a program were to exist.

In response, Northwestern submitted a Letter of Intent on March 14, 2012 to the Minnesota Board of Nursing requesting approval to establish a nursing program that would offer a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Submission of the Application for Initial Approval for the proposed BSN program occurred in Fall 2012. On January 16, 2013, the Minnesota Board of Nursing conducted a site visit, with consideration of initial approval. On February 7, 2013 initial approval was granted to admit its charter class in May 2013.

On September 20, 2013, Dr. Ginger Wolgemuth, Chair of the Department of Nursing, submitted an application to be considered for initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), with a site visit scheduled for September 2014. On May 28, 2015, Northwestern was notified that the CCNE Board of Commissioners granted accreditation to the Baccalaureate Nursing Program for 5 years, effective as of September 8, 2014, and extending to June 30, 2020. In response to receiving national accreditation status, on June 3, 2015, the Minnesota Board of Nursing granted continuing approval to the University of Northwestern – St. Paul for the Baccalaureate Nursing program, having demonstrated compliance with all program approval rules.

Northwestern made renovations to the second and third floors of the Wilson Center, formerly called Northwestern Office Center (NOC). A Nursing Learning Center (NLC), including classroom, clinical, computer laboratory space, and a student lounge were created on the second floor. The third floor of the Wilson Center housed nursing administration, faculty and staff offices, including a nursing conference room. During Summer 2015, a larger classroom was created on the first floor of the Wilson Center, as a result of the need for additional classroom 9 space for the BSN program. Clinical sites (cooperating agencies) were secured to provide a variety of experiential learning opportunities for students at all levels of the program. Augmentation of library holdings and inclusion of general education courses contributed to strong program resources.

Today, Northwestern’s BSN pre-licensure program provides a Christ-centered, biblically based, service-focused nursing education, having a strong foundation in biblical studies, liberal arts and the sciences. Designed as a hybrid program, face-to-face, blended, and online courses are provided in an accelerated or traditional pathway.

University of Northwestern - St. Paul’s BSN program will endeavor to alleviate the increased need for Baccalaureate-prepared RNs. There is currently sufficient employer need in the region for BSN-prepared nurses and future opportunities for employment of University of Northwestern - St. Paul’s BSN graduates. Additionally, Northwestern’s BSN graduates will gradually make an impact in area hospitals, clinics, long-term care agencies, and within the community, thus improving the quality of health care for the community and region.