Accelerating Success

Simpson-Mercy 3+1 Nursing Program Puts Kolbie Bass ’25 on Career Fast Track

Bass always knew she wanted to work with little kids, but becoming a pediatric nurse was not on her radar until her May Term experience at Simpson.

“I was at Mercy Hospital downtown [Des Moines] shadowing in labor and delivery,” said Bass, who studied health and exercise science at Simpson. “I got to do all the baby things and that’s where I realized I wanted to be a nurse. But I didn’t want to leave Simpson. Fortunately, it just happened that the 3+1 [nursing] program came out in perfect timing.”

In 2022, Simpson College and Mercy College of Health Sciences announced an affiliation that allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science or biology from Simpson and a bachelor’s in nursing from Mercy College in just four years.

Bass jumped on the opportunity and graduated with her two degrees last spring. In October, the newly minted RN began her residency program as a pediatric ICU nurse at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. It’s a specialty she fell in love with during her preceptorship at Mercy Children’s Hospital.

“Once I had my preceptorship, I knew immediately that this is what I wanted to do,” said Bass. “It opened my eyes to how lots of children are suffering. I got to go in and help these children and their families. It’s rewarding just feeling like you’re making an impact — not just with medical care, but building relationships with them, too.”

Perfect Preparation

Bass is grateful to begin her career as an RN, largely crediting Simpson faculty for creating such a smooth transition to her studies at Mercy College.

“I told all my Simpson professors that they prepared me so well. I felt really confident in everything they had taught me. Having so much foundational knowledge was super helpful because the accelerated nursing program is intimidating when you first start.”

The 3+1 program provided the ideal package of opportunities for Bass. She was able to enjoy everything she loved at Simpson — serving as a teaching assistant for biology classes and the human cadaver lab, playing intramural sports, participating in FCA and so much more. And her accelerated RN degree from Mercy College opened the final doors to her dream career.

“I would tell students that want to do nursing, but don’t want to leave Simpson, that the 3+1 program is definitely worth it. I enjoyed my time so much at Simpson — I wouldn’t trade it for the world. And I would 1,000 percent relive every hardest day and do it all over again.”