By Eli Meschko
Media & Communications Coordinator
Shannon Merk, Chair of the Nursing Department, originally had no intention of entering the field of nursing.
Years ago, she sought out an opportunity to become a volunteer EMT in her local community. While working, she met a nurse who suggested she consider becoming a nurse’s aide.
Her initial reaction was to say no, but the nurse insisted she would be good at it. So, she took the test and began working as a nurse’s aide at a local nursing home. After just a few months, that same nurse asked if she had ever considered becoming a nurse herself.
“I sought out different nursing programs and took a placement test,” Merk said. “I came home and told my husband that I was going to go back to school. That was the beginning of my nursing journey.”
She first obtained her associate degree in nursing from Western Iowa Tech Community College and spent about five years working in a local hospital before being asked if she was interested in becoming a clinical coordinator.
However, to take on that role, she needed her bachelor’s degree, so she enrolled at the University of Phoenix and earned her degree. Still, more opportunities continued to come her way.
While working as a clinical coordinator, she was approached with the chance to become a unit nurse educator. Intrigued, she again enrolled at the University of Phoenix to pursue her master’s degree in nursing education. After completing her degree, she spent several years as a unit educator before another opportunity arose.
A faculty member at a local college asked if she’d be interested in becoming a college educator. So, in 2012, she began working as a nurse educator and faculty member. She enjoyed the experience but soon realized she wanted to take on a leadership role, which required even more education.
“I sought out what that would look like, and lo and behold, I found Briar Cliff,” Merk said. “I obtained my nurse practitioner certificate as an adult gerontology nurse practitioner. From there, I enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at BCU and I graduated in 2020.”
What drew her back to Briar Cliff five years later wasn’t just the title upgrade or her connection as an alumna. It was the experience she had as a student. She noted that the uniqueness in diversity and sense of community were some things that stuck in her mind.
Through her experiences as both an educator and a student, she has seen how the field of nursing continually evolves alongside patients. Today’s patients are sicker, with more complex conditions, but they are also living longer.
She believes it’s essential for students to understand that they’re treating more than just symptoms or chronic illnesses — they’re caring for the whole person. She emphasizes active learning as critical for aspiring nurses, designing her classes to be engaging and hands-on rather than limited to traditional textbook learning.
“We might have an hour of reviewing topics and lectures, but then we’re really diving in and doing that active learning,” Merk said. “It’s really important to teach students that just because a textbook says this is what a disease process looks like, the way it presents in each person is going to be completely different.”
Part of what makes Briar Cliff’s nursing program stand out is its emphasis on simulation-based learning. The program blends classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience, providing students with a comprehensive, real-world approach to nursing education.
Simulations allow students to navigate client scenarios, adapt to unexpected challenges, and apply their knowledge in real time. Each simulation is followed by a post-conference session where students reflect on what went well, what didn’t, and how they can improve.
“When our students enter the workforce, they’ll be prepared for what they should do and how to be a leader when a crisis is presented,” Merk said. “Under my leadership and the great education from our faculty, it’s really important to empower our students to be future leaders in this field.”
Growing the nursing program while upholding Briar Cliff’s Franciscan values is also one of her key goals. She believes community engagement and service, built directly into the program, are vital experiences for students.
Looking ahead, she sees unique opportunities to collaborate with other academic programs at Briar Cliff. She’s particularly excited about incorporating interdisciplinary learning into future simulation experiences.
“We have a wonderful physical therapy program,” Merk said. “Many nursing clients need physical therapy when they're in an acute care situation. So how can we work with that program? We have a wonderful psychology department. How can we work with that department? And we have our theology department—how can we blend that into what we do as nurses at the bedside? I think there are so many opportunities, and that’s just a few.”
Having come full circle from nursing student to department chair, she is now focused on fostering innovation and interdisciplinary learning within Briar Cliff’s nursing program. She sees immense potential in the next generation of nurses but also recognizes the challenges that come with the profession.
As she guides these future nurses, she reminds them that compassion must begin with themselves. Nursing takes grit and perseverance, but it also requires grace. Each day brings new challenges, and the key is to quiet inner doubts, stay focused on their goals, and take things one day at a time.