A new program invites career changers to answer God’s call to serve. Concordia University Wisconsin has launched a new Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DE-MSN) program to help you make your move—and make it meaningful.
Have you ever found yourself in a grocery store with your child when, without warning, she’s overcome by severe back pain and can no longer stand? That happened to us. Our saving grace appeared within moments when a nearby shopper approached and calmly said, “Hi, I’m an ER nurse. Is she OK? What’s going on?”
My husband and I were stunned—overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, we watched this woman, a complete stranger, pause her day to help our daughter. She was off duty, mid-shopping, and yet fully present and ready to assist. She cared. We looked at each other, then upward, as my husband quietly said, “Praise God.”
That is what it means to be a nurse. Not just a profession, but a calling—someone who steps in without hesitation, with skill, compassion and clarity in the moments when others are frozen. She was a true blessing.
Right there in the produce aisle, she assessed our daughter with a series of tests and gentle stretches. Thankfully, it was only a muscle spasm—painful but not serious. Avoiding hours in the emergency department and the stress of uncertainty was an immeasurable relief.
Had that nurse not been there, I’m not sure what we would have done. But because she was, we didn’t have to find out.
The mortar
Dean of the School of Nursing Jessica Leiberg, though new to her role at Concordia University Wisconsin, is not new to the profession—or to what it means to be that person of strength in another’s time of need.
“I loved it!” said Leiberg, who began her nursing career in the ICU. “It’s incredibly demanding but rewarding. You become the connection between the doctors, the patients and their families. I always say providers are the bricks, but nurses are the mortar that holds everything together.”
Holding everything together when everything seems to be falling apart—that’s what nurses do best.
Faith in action
Alumna Abby Hafemann (’25) has been working at Aurora St. Luke’s since 2022. She began as a CNA, then became a nurse extern last year, and, as of June 2025, an RN.
Her family has a long history of attending Concordia—her two sisters, her mom and her aunt all graduated from CUW’s nursing program. Her dad, uncle and grandpa are also alumni.
“I saw how Concordia shaped them both academically and spiritually, and I knew I wanted the same experience,” Hafemann said. “When I learned about the nursing program’s reputation for combining faith-based learning with hands-on clinical practice, it felt like the perfect fit.”
She believes nursing is more than just a career—“it’s a calling to serve others with compassion, empathy and grace.”
“My goal as a nurse is to be the hands and feet of Christ—to bring comfort to those who are suffering, to listen when someone feels unheard, and to provide care that heals both body and spirit.”
Out in the field, Hafemann sees nurses balancing heavier workloads and hospitals struggling to fill staffing gaps. Despite those challenges, she witnesses incredible resilience and teamwork from her fellow nurses, who continue to show up day after day for their patients.
Huge demand, short supply
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development projects a deficit of between 12,000 and 19,000 nurses by 2040, according to a recent report. With population growth and increased life expectancy, the shortage is expected to worsen as patient needs rise. Nurses work in many different areas of health care—bedside nursing, clinics, schools and public health, for example. CUW is addressing this issue at the collegiate level.
“We need more nurses not only to meet the demand, but to ensure that patients receive the personalized, high-quality care they deserve,” Hafemann said. She emphasized that the DE-MSN program is an incredible opportunity for those who feel called to make a difference, even if nursing wasn’t their first path.
Designed to guide career changers into the nursing field with confidence, this is a 64-credit program that can be completed in either 22 or 34 months. The curriculum includes advanced theory, hands-on labs and supervised clinical rotations.
“When hospitals hear that a nurse graduated from Concordia, they know they’re getting the best,” Hafemann said. “Concordia’s emphasis on serving with compassion and integrity mirrors exactly what I wanted to bring to my nursing career.”
With a strong faith and sense of community, the fight to enlist more nurses into the profession continues. If you are struggling to find meaning in your current program or career path, you might want to consider nursing. CUW’s program prepares students to lead with both skill and heart, according to Hafemann. “That’s something truly special.”
“Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” – Matthew 17:20
Further reading
- “Concordia names Jessica Leiberg as dean of School of Nursing”
- “Concordia University responds to nursing shortage with new DE-MSN program for career changers”
- “Lead the Change in Healthcare: Why an MSN Degree Matters Now”
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking to advance your nursing career, CUW is here to support you every step of the way. With flexible programs, faith-integrated learning, and a community that truly cares, you can become the kind of nurse the world needs. Explore our nursing programs today and discover how CUW can help you lead with compassion and purpose.