You may be surprised to know Mercy College of Northwest Ohio isn’t just “that nursing school Downtown,” said Anne Loochtan, vice president of academic affairs/dean of faculty.
“We’ve been more than a nursing school for many years,” she said. “But people don’t know that.”
As companies continue to lay workers off, more people are turning to Mercy College to enter into the health care field said Denise Hudgins, director of communications.
“There is a time where people have some income left, but not enough for a two-year or four-year commitment,” she said.
In addition to nursing, the school offers degrees in health care administration, health information science and radiologic technology. Short-term programs in phlebotomy, basic life support, advanced cardiac life support and palliative care for end-stage patients can run a few times a year, Loochtan said.
The school is waiting for approval from the Ohio Board of Regents for short-term programs in polysomnography, sleep study and ophthalmic technology.
Students can take some classes through distance learning like podcasts, video casts, lecture downloads and software that set up interactive learning experiences for students.
“We’re trying to expand our offerings via distance to offer a wider range,” Loochtan said. “New studies are showing the persistence of learning is better with a well-done online course than with some in-class courses.”
Mercy College doesn’t have a formal job placement program because most of its students don’t have any trouble finding jobs, she said. Most are employed before finishing their final semesters; they just have to get proper licenses or credentials.
Loochtan said some entry-level programs requiring certificates are harder to fill than degree jobs because they require a very specific skill set.
“There are more than 250 other health care careers that are not nursing,” she said.  “Some of them have better job prospects because people don’t know about them.”
Ben Cowell got his phlebotomy certification after a six-to-seven week course at the college, he said.  He was hired by Mercy St. Anne Hospital immediately after his one-month clinical experience.
For people who are not ready to commit to a long-term degree program, Loochtan suggested a “career ladder path.”
She said people want a short program to test the waters, and then they get a job that pays a little more. The next step might be a one-year certificate or a two-year degree. Then, they can go back for a bachelor’s degree. She has had a few students follow that ladder to their Ph.D.s.
“You take it one step at a time and there are plenty of resources in Toledo to help,” she said.  “If they just try it, try something, they can get through it.”
The school offers financial aid, and returning students with degrees do not have to retake classes already on their transcripts.
Loochtan said admission counselors are available to help students.
For more information, call (888) 800-MERCY or visit www.mercycollege.edu.