The Saint Luke's School of Nursing and Dordt College have been partners for almost a decade.

But now, a new and hopefully better affiliation has been signed for the sake of the students and the community.

Michael Stiles, Chancellor of St. Luke's says, "It will deepen the pool of registered nurses to care for patients across Siouxland for years to come."

Now...nursing students will be able to receive the best of both words in terms of education, improved financial aid, and the opportunity to participate in activities like athletics and music.

But some students say what continues to draw them to this integrated program is its background.

Nursing student, Leah Hanenburg, says, "St. Luke's fulfills just the good education part of it and we also get the christian education part of it at Dordt, so I feel like both needs are met."

Both institutions say enrollment has been steadily increasing during the years and employers consistently rate the performance of Dordt and St. Luke's graduates above average in their professional career.