A research brief conducted by Public Policy Forum provides evidence that over “525,000 registered nurses are expected to leave the workforce between 2012 and 2022. These figures are according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recent projections. There is said to be a need to expand the workforce to 526,800 workers in the said period. All in all, the demand for nurses is expected to be 1 million by year 2022. On the other hand, the State of Wisconsin would need 24 percent growth in its RN workforce between 2010 and 2020.”       

The above statistics indicate that there is a health care workforce crisis right in our backyard. A nursing shortage would affect the quality of care for everyone from infancy through old age. The demand for nurses in the coming years in Wisconsin and the whole country paved the way for the partnership between MATC and Cardinal Stritch University Nursing School that would allow MATC nursing students to concurrently complete associate and bachelor degree requirements in an effort to get more qualified nurses to work sooner.

MATC and Cardinal Stritch took action on Oct. 16 in the third floor corridor of the health sciences building on the downtown campus, signing the articulation agreement that was witnessed by MATC students, administrators from both institutions, community members and media representatives.

Dr. Vicki J. Martin, president of MATC, announced, “We are pleased to have this innovative articulation agreement with Cardinal Stritch University. We have created a seamless curriculum and course schedule to ensure the completion of both an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in as little as two-and-one-half years. Quickly preparing nurses with these credentials is critical to meet the workforce demands and to provide students an affordable educational path.”

Cardinal Stritch University Interim President Kathleen Rinehart relayed, “This concurrent enrollment agreement not only enhances an already strong relationship between Stritch and MATC, it also reflects the type of timely, agile and innovative approach to nursing education in the 21st century that is necessary to prepare leaders in the field. Nursing students will receive instruction and clinical experience from two highly respected institutions that have educated nurses for decades. We are proud and eager to set the stage for a new chapter in nursing education.”

With both schools’ intentions aligned to the growing demand in the future, students also are pleased and eager to participate in this move. The unique articulation agreement would save students time and money as many of the Cardinal Stritch degree requirements are satisfied as students progress and complete the highly respected MATC nursing curriculum.

After graduating from MATC, the students are ready to enter the workforce as a registered nurse and finish their bachelor’s degree at Cardinal Stritch University, resulting in the economic and career benefits of becoming a registered nurse with a bachelor’s of science in nursing.

Makalia Parker, a MATC nursing student, is excited about the potential to further her education and increase her market value, adding, “I am very interested in learning about furthering my education through the partnership. I am definitely going to put some thought into it and get more information because a RN degree would make me more marketable as it comes with additional responsibilities.”