DES MOINES, Iowa — Mercy College of Health Sciences announced the launch of a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU), a collaborative clinical education model developed in partnership with MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. Beginning in Fall 2026, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students will complete the majority of their clinical training on dedicated units at MercyOne, gaining the depth of experience and clinical confidence that defines practice-ready graduates.
Unlike traditional clinical rotations, the DEU model places students in a consistent clinical environment where experienced MercyOne nursing staff serve as unit-base clinical instructors. Academic faculty from the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing function as partners and evaluators, creating a unified teaching model that bridges the classroom with the bedside. Students assigned to DEU units will develop clinical skills, professional relationships, and the clinical judgment that classroom instruction alone cannot replicate.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in how we prepare nurses for the realities of practice,” said Vincent Salyers, EdD, MSN, ANEF, FAAN, FNAP, the inaugural Dean of the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing. “The Dedicated Education Unit model allows our students to build genuine competence and confidence within a real care team, not just rotate through it. That difference matters, both for the students and for the patients they will one day serve.”
For prospective and current students, the DEU offers a meaningfully different clinical experience. Rather than beginning from scratch each semester on a new unit with unfamiliar staff, DEU students build continuity, which deepens their clinical knowledge, strengthens professional relationships, and develops the kind of clinical judgment that comes from sustained, real-world learning. The shared framework for competency development and evaluation, co-designed by Mercy College faculty and MercyOne clinical staff, ensures that every student’s progress is assessed against the standards healthcare employers expect.
“MercyOne is proud to partner with Mercy College to shape the next generation of Iowa’s nursing professionals,” said Chris Courtney, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. “The DEU model aligns directly with our commitment to clinical excellence and to building a strong, sustainable nursing workforce. Students who learn with us in this model will be situated for success from day one.”
The DEU initiative reflects both institutions’ commitment to addressing Iowa’s healthcare workforce needs. By producing graduates who are confident, competent, and already familiar with MercyOne’s care environment, the partnership creates a natural pipeline from education to employment, strengthening long-term staffing capacity while raising the standard of clinical learning.
The Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing and MercyOne share a vision of establishing a nationally recognized model of clinical education excellence, one that advances healthcare outcomes in Iowa and beyond.
About Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences is a health sciences specialty school rooted in the Catholic heritage of the Sisters of Mercy. Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Iowa, Mercy College offers master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees, certificates, and continuing education courses. Through our unique hands-on learning, unparalleled clinical rotations, and accelerated education offerings, our students are prepared to enter the workforce quickly with the critical skills necessary to make an immediate impact in their chosen healthcare careers. Guided by our Core Values of Knowledge, Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence, Mercy College has been transforming students into successful healthcare professionals for over 125 years.
About MercyOne Medical Center – Des Moines
About MercyOne
MercyOne is a connected system of health care facilities and services dedicated to helping people and communities live their best life. MercyOne’s care providers and staff make health the highest priority. The system’s clinics, medical centers, hospitals and affiliates are located throughout the state of Iowa and beyond. Headquartered in central Iowa, MercyOne is a member of Trinity Health (based in Livonia, Michigan) – one of the largest not-for-profit Catholic health care systems in the nation. Learn more at MercyOne.org.
