Called to care: Nursing students—and program—celebrate growth

By: Megan Patsavas, Assistant Vice President of University Communications

Nursing isn't just a career. It's a ministry.

More than four years ago, Director of Nursing Kristen Bayer began working with University leaders to build a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that expands upon the legacy of Concordia University Chicago's previous nursing partnerships with other universities and academic medical centers. Today, ten history-making students have graduated from the program-five in December and five in May-with the first cohort earning a 100% pass rate on their board exams. Now, nearly 100 other students are following in their footsteps.

"At Concordia-Chicago, we see nursing as a profound expression of Christian vocation," said University President Dr. Russell Dawn. "We are called to care for others, and so we launched the Nursing program to prepare students to serve those in need with excellence, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose."

The program combines didactic classes with experiential learning in CUC's state-of-the-art simulation and skills lab and through clinicals and capstone projects at hospitals and healthcare centers in the area. Small class sizes allow faculty to form close relationships with students, holding them to high standards while offering guidance and genuine care.

"We were extremely intentional when we were building this program," said Associate Director of Nursing Dr. Laurie Zack, MSN, APRN, LPC. "We wanted to create a process that really supported the students through their growth and development, through that socialization into the professional role of a nurse, and at the same time give a robust curriculum so that they are truly practice-ready."

For students, becoming practice-ready means integrating faith-based ethics and spiritual care, building empathy, serving the community, and developing clinical competence.

"Nursing is very focused on the whole person. It's a holistic model of care," Zack said. "You can't separate a person's spirituality from their health and well-being."

At the center of it all is Christ. For Bayer, the way CUC's Christian identity comes through in the Nursing program begins with Christ as the ultimate healer.

"He is the example for all of us… We can see examples of Him doing what we're asking our students to do in what we read in the Bible," Bayer said, adding, "Now go forth and be like Christ. Go forth and heal, go forth and help, go forth and comfort."

The above is just an excerpt-for the full story, check out the summer 2026 edition of Forester magazine.