UNMC history: Nursing college rises to meet health care needs

In the 1970s, the UNMC College of Nursing recognized a need in the state and developed a plan to remedy it.

There were registered nurses across the state who wanted to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing but could not take the time off to attend courses in Omaha or Lincoln. So, the UNMC College of Nursing initiated a program offering BSN classes at locations outside of Omaha and Lincoln.   

The college received funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, an organization that was concentrating on the development of health care professions at the time, specifically pediatric nurses. After two years of planning, the program was implemented in 1977.

Nursing Dean Rena Boyle, PhD, and Associate Dean Jane Carney did much of the work to create the program by interviewing prospective students and establishing partnerships with state and community colleges and clinical agencies.

Students enrolled in the program had the same requirements as students on campus at UNMC in Omaha and Lincoln. They completed the program in four years of part-time study. Non-nursing courses were provided by state and community colleges. Faculty created lectures delivered through video and audio tapes, which were given to cooperating agencies for students to view independently. Student groups met weekly for a telephone conference with faculty.

While completion of clinical work was concurrent with the theory portion of coursework for on-campus students in Omaha and Lincoln, off-campus students completed their clinical work in the summer after completing the theory. Faculty traveled to community locations to supervise clinical practice. When the locations were far from Omaha, the faculty member would live in the community for up to six weeks. 

The first five communities to host the remote learning BSN program were Scottsbluff, Chadron, Grand Island, Kearney and Hastings. Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Chadron State College and Kearney State College (today the University of Nebraska at Kearney) provided students with non-nursing courses and opportunities to view or listen to lecture recordings. Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings and St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island were just two of the clinical partners.

In 1986, the program expanded by adding North Platte, Norfolk, Wayne, O’Neil, Geneva, Hebron, Fairbury, Falls City, Auburn, Valentine and Ainsworth.

The program didn’t just benefit the students outside Omaha and Lincoln; faculty also learned new teaching skills. They developed relationships with students and other professionals in smaller communities that brought insights to health care needs and practice outside of the metro areas. The program also increased UNMC’s image and influence across Nebraska.