10-02-2024 11:52am

COLLEGES FAST-TRACK

Notre Dame of Maryland partners with Goucher College for nursing program

Notre Dame of Maryland University and Goucher College are partnering to offer a fast-track bachelor of science nursing degree program for students to earn a second degree.

The partnership will allow Goucher students who graduate with any bachelor’s degree and have the necessary general education and pre-required classes, the ability “to have a seamless transition” into NDMU’s 15-month, second-degree program, according to Kathleen Z. Wisser, NDMU’s dean of nursing.

“They (Goucher graduates) have a pre-health advisor who guides that student,” Wisser said. “The student may love biology and get their degree in that but also want to be a nurse. At Goucher, they will earn a baccalaureate degree and go right into our degree.”

Since 2019, NDMU has offered the 15-month fast-track nursing program for those seeking a career change. Any school that does not have its own nursing program can have a similar partnership, she said, noting that Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg is already a partner.

NDMU President Marylou Yam and Goucher College President Kent Devereaux participated in a ceremonial signing of the joint agreement Sept. 13 on NDMU’s Baltimore campus in the University Academic Building’s Center for Caring with Technology.

“We are proud to partner with Goucher to offer an opportunity for pre-health students to transition into Notre Dame’s accelerated, second-degree bachelor of science in nursing program,” Yam said in a news release. “As a registered nurse myself, I know first-hand the positive impact that professional nursing has on healthcare outcomes, health policy and research. This agreement demonstrates Notre Dame’s continuing dedication to help build the pipeline of registered nurses in our state.”

Devereaux said the partnership between NDMU and his Towson college “allows us to support our students’ success while helping to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in Maryland.”

NDMU’s nationally-accredited ABSN program is held over four consecutive semesters, with starting dates in January, May and September. Two formats are available, an in-person one with classes held on both NDMU’s Baltimore campus and its Elkridge campus, and a hybrid model with virtual classes and only clinicals and simulations held in-person.

NDMU’s nursing students achieved a 94.81 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council of Licensure Exam for registered nurses during the 2024 fiscal year.

“They are very well prepared while here,” Wisser said.