The University of Northern Iowa officially opened a new educational space for its brand new Department of Nursing and Public Health on Thursday. The phase one renovations to the Innovative Teaching and Technology Center were just completed over the summer, making room for the inaugural class of 26 students. Nancy Kertz is the program’s department head.
The Iowa Board of Regents approved the Nursing program for UNI in 2022, after research from the Iowa Board of Nursing showed that nurses were in high demand in Iowa. Kertz says they’re ready to get started.
Sophomore McKenzie McDonald of Bettendorf is following in her mother’s footsteps as a nurse and says she’s excited about being in this program.
McDonald says she’s just now getting a sense as to the importance of being in UNI’s first nursing cohort.
Nancy Kertz, program department head.
Nursing students and guests pack the room.
UNI Department of Nursing training area
Last week, the Nursing program received a $275,000 grant that will go toward enhancing programs for internal health and critical care education.
