Manchester launches two nursing programs
Manchester University President Dave McFadden announced today that the northeast Indiana school now offers two nursing programs.
It is accepting applications for:
- Accelerated BSN Second Degree – An accelerated program for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The BSN Second Degree track is a full-time, 16-month program at Manchester’s Fort Wayne campus. It offers students an immersive nursing education to quickly meet the increasing demand for health care professionals. Apply here.
- Traditional BSN – A four-year program for recent high school graduates seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Traditional BSN nursing students start with two years at the North Manchester campus before moving on to more advanced work at the Fort Wayne campus. Apply here.
Nursing classes begin in fall 2021. Virtual and in-person opportunities are available for those who want to know more about each program.
- Graduates will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), required to become licensed as a registered nurse.
“As a cornerstone of the health professions, nursing represents a major step forward in MU’s health science initiatives,” McFadden said. “Nursing is a natural extension of Manchester’s historic strengths in health sciences, from undergraduate preparation for medical, dental and optometry doctoral programs, as well as MU’s own Doctor of Pharmacy Program.”
Lea Johnson joined Manchester in 2018 as vice president for health science initiatives to plan, develop and launch nursing and other programs to meet market needs and help Manchester advance its mission to “graduate persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.”
In the past three years, Manchester launched the nation’s first program that will graduate students 
with a dual degree in Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Pharmacogenomics; moved ahead with plans to launch a Master of Science in Nutrition and Nutrigenomics; and started the accreditation process to offer a doctoral degree in physical therapy.
Hired in 2019, Beth Schultz is founding director of the nursing program.
“When you graduate from a Manchester nursing program, you’ll be equipped as a highly skilled and caring professional. Our faculty will foster an appreciation for the greater good and provide the know-how to ensure positive outcomes for patients, their families and communities,” Schultz said.
Manchester nursing education is distinctive: - It focuses on both rural and urban health.
- It incorporates a strong interdisciplinary learning model.
- It is infused with liberal arts competencies such as communication, conflict resolution, critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, service, collaboration and leadership.
.tmb-small.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=b81b9e62_1 "Beth Schultz")
MU nursing students will be introduced to many facets of the profession, including psychiatric/mental health, geriatric and pediatric health, maternity nursing, critical care, nutrition and pharmacology.
They will take part in a wide variety of clinical experiences, including specialized care facilities, regional hospitals and community-centered clinics. Even the classrooms will be experiential, incorporating the latest in virtual technologies, such as the zSpace augmented and virtual reality learning platform; the Sentinel City learning platform that focuses on community and population health; and the Anatomage 3D anatomy simulator.
“Although the teaching tools are advanced, Manchester nursing programs are built on a strong set of values that include a deep commitment to integrity, a respect for the infinite worth of every individual and a goal to serve others,” Johnson said.
Service learning is an integral component, giving students opportunities to grow professionally and personally.
The need for nurses is well-documented. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 16.5% growth in the nursing workforce by 2024 and, according to ProjectionsCentral.com, Indiana will experience approximately 4,600 annual openings between 2016 and 2026.
In addition to direct patient care, professional opportunities for nurses with a bachelor’s degree include forensic nursing, nursing leadership, information technology, research, occupational health, public health, case management and nursing education.
“Manchester’s longstanding reputation for excellence in the health sciences and its foundation in the liberal arts will assure that MU nursing graduates are well-rounded health care professionals, ready to provide ethical, evidence-based and compassionate care,” McFadden said.
More information can be found at www.manchester.edu/nursing.
For the media
March 15, 2021