CEDAR FALLS — The University of Northern Iowa has tabbed a vice president from Mercy College of Health Sciences to lead the development and implementation of its new bachelor of science in nursing program.
Nancy Kertz will serve as the university’s executive director of nursing and chief academic nurse administrator for a new degree the university projects will initially serve 24 students in the fall of 2024.
Last week, the university received the blessing of the Board of Regents to move forward with providing the degree program to help address the state’s nursing workforce shortage. Officials hope it will also be another reason potential students apply and seek admission.
Kertz
“The addition of Dr. Kertz to the UNI community marks a pivotal hire for our university as we seek to help fill a vital need in the Iowa workforce,” President Mark Nook said in a statement. “Research also indicates that nursing is one of the most in-demand fields of study among Iowa students seeking a four-year degree. We believe UNI is uniquely positioned to provide the combination of hands-on experience and curriculum necessary to serve the students and residents of our state. We are enthused to have Dr. Kertz join us to lead these efforts.”
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$2 million is the projected startup cost for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. A chief academic nurse administrator will soon be named to lead it.
With 17 years of experience in higher education leadership and nursing program development, Kertz will play a “strategic role in developing a cutting-edge curriculum” in addition to obtaining state and national accreditation, a university news release said.
She’ll also figure prominently in developing strategic community partnerships with clinical experience providers and future employers of program graduates.
Kertz joins UNI after serving as the vice president of academic affairs and provost at Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines for three years, according to her LinkedIn page.
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She also served on the president’s cabinet where she provided leadership in areas including academic and governance matters, strategic planning, institutional metrics, and diversity and inclusion strategies.
“I am delighted to join the University of Northern Iowa community and lead this important initiative to educate nurses and other health care professionals,” Kertz said in the release. “The national nursing shortage is intensifying at an alarming rate, and the state of Iowa is certainly being impacted in both rural and urban areas. I applaud the vision of President Nook and the UNI leadership team in developing an academic program that will help make a difference in the lives of countless Iowans.”
A $151.1 million budget was unanimously approved that includes average base rate hikes of 3%, 8%, and 9.5%, respectively, for electric, natural gas and water customers.
Prior to her role as vice president and provost at Mercy College of Health Sciences, Kertz had served as the college’s dean of nursing from 2016 to 2019. In that role, she led efforts to revise curriculum and develop new programs.
Kertz holds a bachelor’s degree and doctorate in nursing from Indiana State University and South Dakota State University, respectively, as well as certification as a family nurse practitioner.
Photos: Grundy Center football defeats Woodbury Central in state semifinal round
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Grundy Center celebrates on the field after their victory against Woodbury Central in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center juniors Trent Cakerice, left, and Clay Saak bump shoulders mid air as they celebrate their victory against Woodbury Central in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center defenders swarm Woodbury Central junior Eric McGill as he runs the ball in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center junior Colin Gordon makes a pass against Woodbury Central in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center junior Justin Knaack drives through the Woodbury Central defensive line in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center sophomore Tiernan Vokes yells as he celebrates his touchdown against Woodbury Central in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center junior Tanner Laube tackles Woodbury Central senior Will DeStigter at the legs in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center senior Stuart Whitehill runs the ball for yardage against Woodbury Central in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center's Colin Gordon, Justin Knaack and Stuart Whitehill celebrate after Whitehill makes the interception and runs for yardage against Woodbury Central in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center junior Tanner Laube deflects a pass intended for Woodbury Central senior Kyan Schultzen in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center junior Tanner Laube deflects a pass intended for Woodbury Central senior Kyan Schultzen in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center junior Tanner Laube tackles Woodbury Central junior Eric McGill out of bounds in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center junior Ryder Ross attempts to block a pass from Woodbury Central junior Drew Kluender in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
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Grundy Center junior Clay Saak wraps around Woodbury Central sophomore Zack Butler as he runs the ball in the semifinal round of the state football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday.
