Fontbonne University will offer a baccalaureate degree in nursing beginning fall 2022. The four-year program will provide a distinctive and robust curriculum designed to prepare graduates to sit for the National Certification and Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam and for modern practice as professional nurses.
Our program is arranged to deliver a strong liberal arts foundation that is further developed into rigorous and holistic nursing coursework, which includes exceptional clinical and state-of-the-art laboratory activities. Clinical experiences occur in a variety of renowned healthcare agencies, such as Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Mercy Hospital South, that will provide students with early access to patient interactions and ensure career readiness. Additionally, simulation activities are integrated extensively throughout the program to afford students opportunities to develop essential clinical and critical thinking skills.
Upon completion, our graduates will be prepared to provide safe, preventative, curative, and rehabilitative professional nursing care to diverse patient populations across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings.
Admission to the program is competitive. Priority consideration will be given to students who apply prior to February 15.
The Business Insider lists nursing as the second most in-demand career over the next decade. The World Economic Forum agrees, reporting that over the next ten years, the United States is expected to need an additional 175,900 new registered nurses. Many of the local nursing programs have five applicants for each available opening.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook projection for registered nurses at the national level is 12% between 2018-2028. In the state of Missouri, the projected need for registered nurses during the same time period is 16.2%. The 2019 Missouri Nursing Workforce Report provides additional evidence of current and future demand for registered nurses in Missouri. Currently, 34% of registered nurses in Missouri are older than 54, and 11% are older than 65. This suggests a significant number of registered nurses in our region will seek retirement in the coming decade. The Report indicates that the unemployment rate for registered nurses in Missouri is only 3.3%, “indicating that there is a limited supply of RNs and APRNs within the state available to meet the current need.”
According to the Missouri Hospital Association 2020 Workforce Report (St. Louis Region Profile), the St. Louis region has a 10.4% vacancy rate in RN positions, and the turnover rate is 16%. In the St. Louis region alone, there are over 1,700 vacant staff nurse positions.
According to the Missouri Hospital Association 2020 Workforce Report (St. Louis Region Profile), the St. Louis region has a 10.4% vacancy rate in RN positions, and the turnover rate is 16%. In the St. Louis region alone, there are over 1,700 vacant staff nurse positions.
Dr. Lisa Merritt received a Master of Science in Nursing and her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner credential from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2001 and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Saint Louis University in 2015. Dr. Merritt’s nursing experience covers several pediatric specialties, including primary care, otolaryngology, and emergency/urgent care. In addition, she has held faculty positions at the University of Missouri St. Louis and the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Merritt has received several awards in nursing excellence and scholarship. In addition, her expertise in pediatric health and nursing education has led to numerous publications and national and international presentations. One of Merritt’s interests is using technology to support nursing education. In 2018, Merritt was selected as one of 30 nursing faculty nationwide to participate in the Inaugural American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)-Apple Digital Innovation Bootcamp. She continues to integrate technology and innovative teaching strategies to increase engagement and meet the learning needs of today’s students.
“I’m thrilled to join the Fontbonne family and be part of this new nursing program. I am a native of St. Louis, so building a program in my community is an honor. In addition, Fontbonne’s commitment to excellence, integrity, diversity, and service aligns well with my own personal and professional values.
One of the current challenges for the nursing profession is the need for a more diverse workforce. The growing diversity in the U.S. demands a need to provide high-quality, culturally competent care to meet the needs of our diverse population. The nursing program at Fontbonne hopes to attract students from underrepresented groups in nursing – specifically men and individuals from African American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, and Alaskan native backgrounds. I am confident that our values-based curriculum, expert instruction, and small class sizes will give students from all backgrounds the tools they need to succeed.”
Questions about the nursing program?
New students are encouraged to contact Lisa Merritt, Director of Nursing.
Current students should speak to their academic advisor.