Nursing Project News

Construction begins on College of Nursing

In just less than two years, all of the necessary components to build the College of Nursing Northern Division have been completed, and construction is underway.

The concept of creating a partnership between Northeast Community College (NECC) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) was conceived several years ago when Bob Driewer, former chief executive officer of Faith Regional Health Services (FRHS), talked to state Sen. Mike Flood about the need for nurses in Northeast Nebraska. Flood approached NECC and UNMC officials with the idea of bringing a nursing division to Norfolk and the project blossomed into a partnership between the two schools. A study was then conducted that showed multiple demographic findings that emphasize the need for accessible and advanced educational opportunities in the northern region of Nebraska.

In the spring of 2007, a feasibility study was conducted to determine if enough money could be raised to build and equip the facility. Following favorable results, the capital campaign was kicked off in the fall of 2007.

Other components of the partnership were the signing of a Letter of Intent by officials from NECC, the University of Nebraska and UNMC, and FRHS in the spring of 2007 and finalizing academic and operational agreements in March of 2008. In May of this year, Governor Dave Heineman signed the State budget that includes funds for UNMC’s operation of its new College of Nursing Northern Division, the last necessary component for the partnership.

With an anticipated completion date of August 2010, classes for Northeast’s basic nurse aid, licensed practical nursing, and associate degree nursing and UNMC’s bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing will be offered in the state-of-the-art facility beginning fall semester 2010.