Drake University is launching an accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program in an effort to help tackle increasing workforce needs. The program will start in the fall 2024 semester.

Drake will offer two options for completing the degree. Students who have completed the prerequisites, with or without a Bachelor of Science degree, will be able to start the 12-month accelerated Bachelor of Science course work. Students who complete the prerequisites at Drake will be able to graduate with two degrees, a Bachelor of Science in health sciences and a Bachelor of Science in nursing, without having to transfer to another institution.

Students who take the second route will complete an interdisciplinary curriculum of prerequisites that combines coursework in the biomedical, pharmaceutical and clinical sciences before advancing to the accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing courses during their final year.

The dual-degree model will allow students to either enter the nursing field after completing the prerequisites or pursue a graduate-level education to become a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

Students will complete their clinical rotations in their fourth year at Broadlawns Medical Center, which is expanding its partnership with Drake after opening a community clinic next to the campus in September 2023.

Mary Owens, who was recently hired as the nursing program director, will lead the new nursing program.