GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA — Gwynedd Mercy University announced it will launch a three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program beginning in Fall 2026 to accelerate entry into a workforce facing projected shortages.
The university said the accelerated program shortens the traditional four-year timeline, allowing students to save an estimated $29,000 in tuition while entering the workforce sooner.
Officials said students may also access nursing partnerships that include career placement and loan repayment opportunities, with potential savings ranging from $25,000 to $40,000.
The program comes as Pennsylvania faces a growing nursing shortage, with the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania projecting a need for more than 20,000 additional registered nurses by 2026.
“This new track offers students a faster, more affordable way to earn a BSN degree while still enjoying a traditional undergraduate college experience,” said Jane Tang, dean of the Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Tang said the program is also intended to help address workforce shortages at both the state and national levels.
Gwynedd Mercy University has graduated more than 1,200 nursing students since Fall 2020 and has expanded its healthcare education programs in recent years.
The university recently opened the Frances M. Maguire Healthcare Innovation Center, which supports training for healthcare students.
In addition to the new undergraduate track, the university offers graduate-level programs focused on preparing nurse educators, including a Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator Track, a post-master’s certificate, and a doctoral program in teaching and learning.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has reported nearly 2,000 full-time faculty vacancies across nursing schools nationwide, highlighting ongoing workforce challenges in both clinical and academic settings.
More information about the university’s nursing programs is available at https://www.gmercyu.edu/academics/schools/school-of-nursing-and-health-professions.
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