MidAmerica Nazarene University and HCA Midwest Health – the region’s largest healthcare system, entered into a collaborative agreement last week, making MNU a Preferred Education Partner with HCA Midwest Health, solidifying the long-standing association between the two organizations. MNU School of Nursing students have benefitted from clinical placements at the health system’s hospitals, and this new agreement provides additional placements, greater exposure and collaboration with HCA nurses and leaders, and opportunities to transition to HCA career positions upon graduation.
HCA Midwest is the Kansas City area’s largest healthcare provider, with seven hospitals, dozens of outpatient centers, clinics, physician practices, surgery centers, and other facilities and services. HCA Midwest is also one of the area’s largest employers, with over 10,000 colleagues. The scope of these HCA resources makes this collaboration highly valuable to MNU students, faculty and graduates, according to MNU School of Nursing Associate Dean Sarah Miller, EdD, DNP, APRN, FNP-C.
“This is a step beyond our current relationship,” Miller says. “Students will have more exposure to HCA leaders and nurses, allowing them to glean relevant knowledge from nursing leaders inside the boardroom and on the frontlines of patient care.”
Miller says additional clinical placements may offer more students a nearly seamless transition to a career if they choose to work for an HCA facility after graduation. She adds that HCA will offer “capstone” placements at the end of a student’s program, giving them a real feel for working on the unit.
“Both organizations will continue to look for ways to be more collaborative, which will lead to an expansion of the relationship,” Miller says.
“We are facing a nursing shortage throughout the country, including here in Kansas City,” said HCA Midwest Health Division Chief Nursing Officer, Amber Boes “Partnerships like the one we solidified today with MidAmerica Nazarene University are critical to exposing students to the profession earlier in their education journey, while also being mentored with HCA nursing leaders. MidAmerica Nazarene University is a well-known and respected nursing education leader, and we are proud to solidify our partnership even further, which will not only provide greater opportunities for students, but mutually benefit both organizations as we strategically address the nursing shortage, and collaboratively build the future workforce of our community.”
MNU President David Spittal, EdD, is enthusiastic about strengthening an established relationship that benefits students.
“This partnership is evidence of the university’s commitment to preparing nurses and health professionals. We are pleased to continue and expand our affiliation with the HCA system.”
The agreement takes effect immediately. For more information about MNU’s School of Nursing, visit www.mnu.edu/nursing.
About MNU School of Nursing
MidAmerica Nazarene University is a comprehensive, private, Christian, liberal arts university of more than 1500 students in Olathe, Kansas offering associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, certificates and continuing education. The School of Nursing offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the following formats: an RN to BSN, an Accelerated BSN, and a traditional BSN program. Graduate programs include an accelerated Master of Science in Nursing and a Nurse Practitioner program. Select nursing programs are offered online. More information on nursing education at MNU may be found at www.mnu.edu/nursing.
About HCA Midwest Health
As the Kansas City area’s leading healthcare provider, HCA Midwest Health consists of seven hospitals and dozens of outpatient centers, clinics, physician practices, surgery centers and an array of other facilities and services to meet the area’s healthcare needs. HCA Midwest Health is one of the area’s largest employers, with more than 10,000 colleagues and a local economic impact of more than $1.3 billion each year. That includes more than $113 million annually in charity and uncompensated care and almost $200 million in federal, state and local taxes to help improve the schools, roads and infrastructure of the communities we serve. HCA Midwest Health facilities include Research Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Belton Regional Medical Center, Lafayette Regional Health Center and Research Psychiatric Center. HCA Midwest Physicians, which is part of HCA Midwest Health, is a network of experienced, multi-specialty physicians located throughout the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Currently HCA Midwest Physicians represents 600+ providers. It includes 80+ specialties, providing care in 150+ locations to serve our community. The physicians, licensed professionals and support staff who comprise the HCA Midwest Health team are dedicated to improving healthcare in the Greater Kansas City and outlying areas to create healthier communities that lead to healthier tomorrows. For more information, visit HCAMidwest.com.