Joyce University of Nursing & Health Sciences

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Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences

Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences (Joyce University) is a private healthcare university located in Draper, Utah. Formerly known as Ameritech College of Healthcare, the school rebranded as Joyce University in 2022 after being granted institutional accreditation by the Northwestern Commision on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Joyce University offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in nursing as well as an associate degree in occupational therapy.

History

The school was founded in 1979 in Provo, Utah as the American Institute of Medical Dental Technology. It ran as a small technical school with an exclusive dental and allied health emphasis until 2006, when it introduced its first nursing degree program and changed its name to Ameritech College.

In 2015, the institution changed its name again to Ameritech College of Healthcare to better reflect the institution's focus on nursing and health science education.

Transition from Ameritech to Joyce University

On February 18, 2022, the institution was granted NWCCU accreditation and university status. At this time, the institution rebranded to Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences. The renaming process included 3 years of research and brand testing, as well as faculty, staff, student, and alumni involvement. The university released this statement on its name choice:

"The name Joyce embodies who we are collectively and captures our mission and values. It is a name that honors and celebrates our people while being personal and human. It is concise, but powerful, exemplifying the caring nature of healthcare professionals. It has visual symmetry, is pleasing to say, evokes spirit, and symbolizes the journey of transformation that occurs through a process of personal growth. In one word, Joyce contains the reward for this journey—richness, satisfaction, and joy."

Academics

The Joyce University mission is "To prepare people to serve as competent professionals, to advance their careers, and to pursue lifelong learning."

Accreditation

On February 18, 2022 Joyce University achieved accredited status with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Prior to NWCCU accreditation, the institution was accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools from December 25, 2005 until August 15, 2022.

In addition to institutional accreditation from the NWCCU, each Joyce University area of study is programmatically accredited.

Joyce University's Associate of Science Nursing program has been granted programmatic accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN, formerly NLNAC).

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master's degree program in nursing at Joyce University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Joyce University's Associate of Science Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Admissions

Joyce University has three annual admissions periods and three annual start dates. While individual programs may have more specific requirements, general admission to the institution requires students to submit a completed application and provide proof of high school graduation, pass a TEAS entrance exam, pass a background check and drug screening, pass the distance education readiness assessment, complete a physical/mental examination by a healthcare provider, provide proof of health insurance, make arrangements to cover tuition costs, and if transferring from another educational institution, submit official transcripts.

Programs

Joyce University offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in nursing, as well as an associate degree in occupational therapy.

The Associate of Science in Nursing degree prepares students to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and begin a career as a registered nurse. The Associate of Science in Nursing degree can be completed in as few as 20 months and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing. There are no college prerequisites to enter the program. Coursework is offered online with in-person labs, simulations, and clinicals.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree prepares students for the NCLEX and RN career. This program can be completed in 3 years and features curriculum that is wider in scope than the Associate of Science in Nursing degree. Prospective students are not required to complete college prerequisites prior to enrolling. The majority of coursework is completed online, with labs, simulations, and clinicals completed in-person.

The RN to BSN program is a bachelor's degree designed to advance the skills and expand the earning potential of registered nurses who already have an associate's degree. It is 4 semesters of online coursework and can be completed in just over one year. Prospective students must hold an Associate of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited institution, and must obtain an active unencumbered RN license to practice as a registered nurse within the US during the program's first semester.

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (aBSN) is a program designed for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and are looking to change careers to the field of nursing. By transferring up to 46 credits from a previous bachelor's degree, students can become prepared for the NCLEX and RN licensure in 5-6 semesters, or a minimum of 20 months. Prospective aBSN candidates must hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree with at least a 2.75 GPA.

The Direct-Path MSN pathway is also designed for career changers with a non-nursing bachelor's degree, and enables MSN-degree seeking students to earn their BSN and sit for RN Licensure in 20 months, then earn advanced placement in the MSN program which can be completed in another 12 months. Over the course of 8-9 semesters (minimum of 3 years), students complete the nursing foundations, advanced-level coursework, and practical training that prepares them for licensure and an advanced career in nursing leadership.

All didactic coursework is completed online, with both virtual and in-person labs and simulations, as well as supervised direct-care clinicals. Prospective students will enroll through the aBSN program and must have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field with a minimum GPA of 2.75 to apply.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is a graduate-level program that prepares working nurses with an existing BSN degree for leadership roles in the field of nursing. This program has a Nursing Leadership track with two concentrations in Nursing Education and Executive Nurse Leadership which prepares graduates for certifications for either Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) or Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) credentials. The MSN can be completed remotely in as little as 1 year with no on-campus requirements and practice experience hours in the student's community. Prospective students must have a BSN degree with at least a 3.0 GPA and an active unencumbered RN license.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Science is an online course with an in-person lab and fieldwork component. and can be completed in as few as 20 months. There are no college prerequisites to enter the program. This program is now available to students in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, or Washington.

Student Outcomes

The job placement rate for Joyce University students (2021–2022) is 93%. The 2020-2021 retention rate for Joyce University students is 96%.

As of 2022, 80% of students who enrolled at Joyce University graduated. In 2022, Joyce was ranked as a top nursing school in Utah by Niche ², Incredible Health ⁵, and Nurse.org ⁶.

Student Demographics

2.3% of Joyce University students identify as first-generation college students.

The demographic makeup of the student body by race is as follows:

• 74% white
• 12% Hispanic/Latino
• 6% unspecified
• 1% multiracial
• 4% Asian
• 2% Black or African American
• 1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• .04% American Indian or Alaskan Native

Student Life

Students at Joyce University will experience a blended classroom environment, with much of the coursework completed online through a Canvas portal. Some courses may be asynchronous and can be completed at the student's convenience, others may be synchronous and require students to be logged in for a live session.

All courses that require a lab or simulation will feature a hands-on learning component. Some may be administered through a virtual simulation environment while others will require in-person student participation at the Joyce Johnson Simulation Center at the Draper, Utah campus. The nursing programs also offer students local and international clinical options. International clinicals typically take place in Guatemala or Honduras through a volunteership with non-profit clinics.

Students can also engage with their peers and faculty through the student council, and various in-person and virtual events hosted by the college.

Faculty

Dr. John Smith-Coppes joined Joyce University's staff as Provost and Chief Academic Officer in 2022. Dr. Smith-Coppes served as senior leader at Rasmussen University for over a decade, most recently serving as the Vice President and Executive Director of Rasmussen's School of Nursing. Dr. Smith-Coppes holds a Doctorate of Higher Education and Organizational Change from Benedictine University; a Master of Business Administration from Bethel University; Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of San Diego; and graduate education from Harvard University.

Dr. Janet Houston, DNP, RN is the Dean of Nursing at Joyce University. Houston holds a BSN from University of Pennsylvania 1990, MSN from University of Utah 1994, and DNP from American Sentinel University 2017.

Dr. Crystal Young, PhD is the program director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Joyce University. She has an AS in occupational therapy, BS in health science, MS in education and a PhD in education from Keiser University.

Daniel Wakamatsu is a lead clinical faculty member at Joyce University. In 2022, he was awarded the Utah Business Healthcare Hero award. In 2019, Wakamatsu expanded the institutions' clinical practices to include international clinicals for Joyce University students. The international clinicals program provides students with immersive clinical experiences that prepare them to care for and improve the health of diverse and resource-limited communities.

Joyce Johnson, MSN, RN, served nearly a decade as the lead OB nurse faculty at Joyce University and upon her retirement in 2022 was honored as the institution's first Associate Professor Emeritus. Johnson served as a member of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), and the National Certification Corporation. Joyce University's state-of-the-art simulation center was named in her honor in 2019.

Campus

Joyce University is located in Draper, Utah. The hybrid learning model employed by the institution enables BSN, aBSN, DP-MSN, and students from across Utah and Colorado to participate online, with occasional trips to Draper for in-person labs and simulations. OTA students may attend virtually from Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Texas, with occasional in-person labs in Draper, Utah. Clinicals and fieldwork typically take place in the student's state of residence.

The Joyce University campus is a 55,000 square foot campus equipped with classrooms, offices, and training facilities.

Joyce Johnson Simulation Center

Joyce University's Draper campus is home to the Joyce Johnson Simulation Center which features an anatomy and physiology lab, OB room, medication dispensary room, and debriefing rooms. The center is equipped with state-of-the-industry equipment including high-fidelity adult, pediatric, and maternity patient mannequins, hyper-realistic synthetic cadavers, and realistic hospital settings.

Clinical Locations

Joyce University nursing students complete clinical hours during which they work in direct patient care settings under the supervision of a clinical instructor or nursing staff. Students can complete clinical hours in their state of residence or choose an international clinical option when available.

The university is partnered with NGOs I Am Hope Guatemala and Clínica Esperanza Roatán in Honduras for students to complete clinical hours. Joyce University nursing students work with these organizations to provide education and logistical, medical, and mental health support to diverse communities.

External links

Official website

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