Applications are being accepted for a faith-integrated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that begins classes in August at Columbia International University, pending approval by the State Board of Nursing.  

CIU President Dr. Mark Smith says the program fits perfectly into CIU’s mission to “educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.”

“When people are hurting and open and broken, they are open to Jesus, they are open to Christ. Medical crises call us to understand that there is an eternity,” Smith said. “This is one of the most effective ways to reach the world and present Christ.”

Initiating and leading CIU’s nursing program is Dr. Jill McElheny, a nurse with 27 years of diverse health care experience. McElheny comes to CIU from Colorado Christian University where under her guidance, enrollment in the nursing program doubled.

A native of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, McElheny first felt the tug toward Christian nursing as a child, a commitment that has led her to challenging opportunities around the world including service with the Samaritan’s Purse medical disaster team.

McElheny is looking for students who see nursing as a calling.

“We teach students in a Christian nursing program that every single patient is on holy ground,” McElheny said. “And when you walk into the patient’s room, your mindset should be that you are approaching that patient with compassion. That’s what we’re going to teach them here.”

All the Columbia area hospitals as well as an organization serving lower income population centers are ready to welcome CIU nursing students for clinical experience required for their education. But before that, the students will practice on manikins in CIU’s state-of-the-art Simulation Center, located on the CIU campus.  

“With every clinical course they will spend four weeks in simulation on campus before they spend four weeks in the hospital or the clinical setting,” McElheny said. “During those four weeks of simulation, we’ll debrief and learn from the mistakes they may have made, and then they’ll be checked off before they can enter the clinical facilities. They will be very well prepared.”

Also, all prerequisites and nursing coursework will be taught on the CIU campus.

McElheny notes that professional organizations such as the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and all branches of the military support the BSN degree for entry to practice nursing.

Apply for the BSN program or request information at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.

CIU also offers an online RN-BSN program giving registered nurses the opportunity to advance their careers with the BSN degree.