Oglethorpe University Nursing Partnership Prepares Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders

The world needs nurses. Aging populations, increased demand for care, and underfunded nursing programs put heavy strain on the global healthcare system. Many nurses are simply burnt out.

It’s a complex issue that places heavy expectations on those hoping to fill the ranks. New nurses need to be more than just technically skilled; they need to be adaptable, curious, thoughtful and empathetic.

These traits are the hallmarks of an Oglethorpe student—and the driving force behind the university’s recent partnership with one of the nation’s top nursing schools.

Last year, Oglethorpe University announced a new partnership with the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University. The partnership allows eligible Oglethorpe students to efficiently enroll in the Master of Nursing program after completing their undergraduate education in any major.

The pathway has already drawn strong interest from Oglethorpe students, particularly those in biology, one of the university’s most popular majors. Recent graduate Alanys Elvir Bustillo ’25 is currently enrolled in Emory’s Master of Nursing program, putting her Oglethorpe education into practice.

“There are many programs out there that can get the work done to prepare trainees for nursing programs,” says Dr. Karen Schmeichel, professor of biology at Oglethorpe. “But the opportunity for a liberal arts-backed preparation is unique.”

That liberal arts foundation is what sets Oglethorpe students apart as they prepare for rigorous graduate study in nursing. Oglethorpe’s science students, in particular, benefit from hands-on undergraduate research, close faculty mentorship, and opportunities that develop academic sophistication and critical problem-solving skills.

Oglethorpe’s partnership with Emory stands out as a powerful bridge between a liberal arts education and a fulfilling, in-demand career in nursing.