Loyola University Maryland Proposes New Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in Partnership with Mercy Medical Center

Loyola University Maryland announced on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, that it intends to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to help address Maryland's ongoing nursing workforce shortage. This program will be in partnership with Mercy Medical Center, which will provide clinical placements at Mercy's downtown Baltimore campus, in addition to other resources and support.

The University is formally requesting a recommendation for implementation from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and will seek additional approvals and accreditation after a favorable response from MHEC. The four-year undergraduate BSN program would begin to be integrated into Loyola's curriculum during the 2024-25 academic year and would be available for new incoming Loyola undergraduate students in the Fall of 2025.

"Loyola's mission to prepare graduates for lives of meaningful professional service and leadership calls us to address the critical need for new nursing graduates in Maryland," said Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., president of Loyola University Maryland. "We are honored to partner with Mercy Medical Center to create a BSN program dedicated to academic excellence and service with a special commitment to underserved, marginalized communities in Baltimore. Through this step, Loyola would help address the critical shortage of registered nurses in Maryland and the nation."

About 70 percent of Loyola's total undergraduates come from outside Maryland, and its current portfolio of natural and applied sciences courses already includes biology, chemistry, biochemistry, forensic studies, and pre-health sequences. Loyola enrolls approximately 600 pre-health students each year, who achieve high acceptance rates into medical, dental, and other health professions schools - some years even at twice the national acceptance rates.

"Loyola is a proven leader, known for graduating young people who excel in the sciences. At our Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts university, our students also benefit from a rich, values-based core curriculum that helps them become the ethical, compassionate, analytical leaders needed in health care," said Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Ph.D., NCC, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "This proposed major is a natural extension for Loyola, especially as our Jesuit mission calls us to graduate leaders who are capable of meeting the needs of our community."

Loyola and Mercy have a shared history as faith-based, mission-driven institutions deeply committed to the City of Baltimore. Founded in 1852 by the Society of Jesus, Loyola merged in 1971 with Mount Saint Agnes College, a women's college founded by the Sisters of Mercy, who also founded Mercy Medical Center in downtown Baltimore in 1874.

"As a community teaching hospital, Mercy is excited to partner with Loyola University Maryland to begin building a leading nursing program amid the ongoing nursing shortage in Maryland," said David N. Maine, M.D., president & CEO of Mercy Health Services. "Our shared mission of service, core values, and Catholic identity form a strong foundation to build an exemplary academic program. This promising collaboration will generate a new pipeline of high-quality nurses dedicated to clinical excellence and improving community health in Baltimore City."

A report commissioned by the Maryland Hospital Association projects a shortfall of 13,800 registered nurses (RNs) by 2035 in Maryland alone.

More information about the MHEC program review process can be found on their website at mhec.maryland.gov. Several community leaders and organizations have provided letters of support for the proposal. Leaders and organizations who would like to lend their support are invited to contact Loyola's office of external relations.