DES MOINES, IOWA – (APRIL 28, 2025) Amid a nationwide shortage of qualified nurses and nurse educators, Mercy College of Health Sciences is stepping up to address the growing need by launching a new Master of Science in Nursing – Education (MSN-Ed) track in Fall 2025.
With an aging population, ongoing public health challenges, and a wave of retirements sweeping through the nursing profession, the demand for skilled, compassionate nurses continues to rise. But behind every great nurse is a great educator.
Founded in 1899 as a nurse training school, Mercy College has spent over 125 years preparing students for careers in healthcare. Today, the College offers five distinct pathways for nursing education, from traditional associate and bachelor’s degrees to accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and RN-to-BSN completion programs. The new MSN-Ed track will become the College’s second master’s degree offering, joining the Master of Science in Nursing – Organizational and Systems Leadership (MSN-OSL), which launched in 2022.
“Nurse educators are among the most critical members of the healthcare team,” said Mercy College Interim Dean of Nursing Jane DeGooyer. “Our faculty includes experienced nurses who have spent significant time in practice. They now choose to invest their time and expertise in preparing the next generation of nurses.”
The MSN-Ed curriculum will share seven foundational nursing core courses with the existing MSN-OSL program. Students in the Education track will then progress through a series of courses focused on instructional design, assessment, curriculum development, and clinical teaching. The program will culminate in an immersive experience, allowing students to apply their skills in real-world teaching and mentorship settings.
Mercy College’s expansion into nursing education at the graduate level aligns with its mission to meet urgent healthcare workforce needs while continuing to provide high-quality, patient-centered education.
For more information about the Master of Science in Nursing – Education track, visit MCHS.edu/MSNEd.
About Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences is a health sciences specialty school rooted in the Catholic heritage of the Sisters of Mercy. Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Iowa, Mercy College offers master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees, certificates, and continuing education courses. Through our unique hands-on learning, unparalleled clinical rotations, and accelerated education offerings, our students are prepared to enter the workforce quickly with the critical skills necessary to make an immediate impact in their chosen healthcare careers. Guided by our Core Values of Knowledge, Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence, Mercy College has been transforming students into successful healthcare professionals for over 125 years.
