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Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health

Mount Mercy’s Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health (MHCNH) is the university’s first-ever named college with 400+ nursing students and 40+ health care students across its undergraduate and graduate programs.

Exceptional Pass Rates

Mount Mercy nursing students have a 95% pass rate on the NCLEX exam (2021).

Setting the standard for health care excellence

Simple mission. Profound impact.

Over the past 90 years, Mount Mercy University has been the standard for nursing excellence in eastern Iowa. Our nurses are prepared to provide outstanding care, offer compassionate service, and continue the legacy of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Mount Mercy University Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The baccalaureate, master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Pre-licensure BSN program

In addition to coursework and clinical experiences leading to graduation, students must follow these steps to gain licensure as a Registered Nurse in Iowa:

  1. Go to the Iowa Board of Nursing website.
  2. On the website, click on “Licensure” and scroll to “Exam.”
  3. Directions for initial licensure for new graduates is fully explained on this page with links to NCLEX-RN Exam and the licensure application.

Change the course of human health

Get financial support, paid employment, and additional bonuses through the MercyReady Nursing Education Assistance Program, the UnityPoint Health Career Launch Program, or the Regional Medical Center RN Education Assistance Program.

 

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Nursing at Mount Mercy University (0:30)

Learn more about our Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health programs.

A student and professor using the state-of-the-art nursing sim lab
Video Link

Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health Tour (2:18)

Watch a video tour of Donnelly Center.

Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health signage outside of Donnelly Center on Mount Mercy main campus
Video Link

DNP: The Journey to Becoming a Nurse (1:38)

Ashley Umoren '22 DNP shares her long journey to becoming a nurse.

doctor of nursing practice student Ashley Umeron talking about her experience on becoming a nurse
Video Link

We go beyond nursing

In addition to our rich history as the leading educator for nursing professionals in the area, we also offer programs in everything from health care administration and health care leadership to public health and health care navigation.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

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Health Care Administration (BS)

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Health Care Leadership (BS)

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Health Care Navigation (BS)

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Public Health (BS)

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RN-BSN

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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

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Student Handbooks

As a health care student, there's a lot to explore. Here are the Nursing & Health student handbooks:

 

Undergraduate Student Handbook
Graduate Student Handbook

Where leaders are empowered

Learning by doing.

We offer high-quality, integrated theoretical nursing content, clinical lab simulation (including telehealth), and hands-on experience. Our full-time nursing faculty are recognized as the best in their field. Nurses from local hospitals and agencies also serve as professors—bringing their real-world experience from the hospital into the classroom.

Why a health degree from Mount Mercy?

Through internship and service opportunities at local hospitals (Mercy Medical Center and UnityPoint Health–St. Luke’s Hospital), community clinics, and home health agencies, students work directly with a diverse population in the rapidly-changing health care landscape.

Dr. Kim Bro

Dr. Kim Bro

Dean of Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health

Dr. Kim Bro, dean of the Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health, has been teaching nursing students full-time since 2006. She has been with Mount Mercy University full-time since 2010.

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Ann Davidshofer

Ann Davidshofer

Chair, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Ann Davidshofer’s clinical background includes experience in critical care, emergency, medical, and surgical. She also developed education programs for several critical care units and served in management roles.

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Dr. Lacey Ritter

Dr. Lacey Ritter

Chair, Health Programs

Prior to joining Mount Mercy in 2021, Dr. Lacey Ritter assisted in teaching sociology and gender studies at Wingate University in North Carolina.

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Dr. Julie Shaw

Dr. Julie Shaw

Director of Graduate Nursing Programs

Dr. Julie K. Shaw, with MMU since 2015, is a certified adult and gerontologic nurse practitioner with previous practice experience in telehealth, intensive care, neurology, post acute care, and palliative care.

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Shawna Patterson

Shawna Patterson

Chair, RN-BSN Program

Shawna Patterson previously worked as an advanced practice nurse in the acute adult division at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Hospital. She was selected for the 100 Great Iowa Nurses program in 2021.

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Links & Resources

Sigma Kappa Xi

BON Professional Licensure Requirements

Transformational gifts

Mount Mercy received a truly transformational gift from Ron Herold and his wife Paula Martin Herold RN ’61 to establish the Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health and launch the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in 2018.

Mount Mercy also received a grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust to update assessment and simulation labs and to implement telehealth simulation experiences across all our nursing education programs.

In 2023, generous gifts from the Francis J. Pruss Education Trust, Margaret Murrin Christiano Trust, and Terri and the late Art Christoffersen made significant improvements to spaces inside Mount Mercy University’s Donnelly Center. This included renovations to several classrooms and updates to the student lounge.

Change the course of human health

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