SOUTHEAST Wis. (CBS 58) -- Two Wisconsin schools are working together to address the state's nursing shortage.

Mount Mary University and Waukesha County Technical College are starting a "Nursing 1-2-1 Program."

It will allow high school graduates and transfer students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in four years.

Mount Mary's President says one reason for the nursing shortage is more nursing professionals are retiring. 

"There's going to be a lot of need for healthcare and so the need is expanding as the supply is diminishing. This is an opportunity we saw available for us to come together and create a program that's a seamless opportunity for students to receive their nursing education," said Christine Pharr, President of Mount Mary University.

Students will enroll in classes at Mount Mary for the first and fourth years of the program. The second and third years will be spent at Waukesha County Tech.