SPRING-OA 2022

SMWC prepares tomorrow’s healthcare heroes

By Lindsey Richardt ‘07

Following the sustained success of nursing, SMWC expands health-related offerings, seeing tremendous growth in fields with high job market demand.

Nursing has been a fast-growing major at Saint Mary-of- the-Woods College (SMWC) since its introduction in 2015. Its popularity has prompted the expansion of other health- related programs, which are also seeing significant gains in enrollment despite the heavy toll COVID-19 is taking on the healthcare industry. SMWC senior, Kara Shafer, says her resolve to become a nurse hasn’t wavered. “With every class and clinical, my passion for nursing grows, and the pandemic has not changed that. I have become more excited to start my career because I know there is a vast need, and I’ll be able to help,” said Shafer. In addition to the flagship nursing baccalaureate, SMWC has expanded its offerings to include exercise science, kinesiology and paramedic science degrees, emergency medical technician certification, graduate degrees in nursing and healthcare

administration and a post-graduate Family Nurse Practitioner certification. “The demand for nurses and other health-related professionals remains high and SMWC graduates have a high rate of job placement,” says Marcia Miller, Ph.D., RN, department chair and professor of nursing. The nursing program consistently meets its maximum cohort size and exercise science has grown by over 300 percent in just two years, according to the Office of Institutional Research. Miller says students choose SMWC because of the individualized, student-centered approach. “We have enough support to make sure no one falls through the cracks. Everyone has a nursing mentor, and together, we determine what support you need based on your learning style,” said Miller. SMWC differentiates itself in the nursing market with small class sizes and the ability to customize learning experiences that support student success.

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