Wichita State University Nursing School Review

Wichita State University (WSU) is a public state university located in Kansas that began operations in 1886. It was originally known as Fairmount College until it changed name in 1926 to Municipal University of Wichita. The school has grown over the years from a small Christian college to a large university that caters to a wide range of students through different programs.

The student activities council (SAC) is the largest student-run organization at the school and is known for the numerous events it plans and coordinates on a yearly basis to add to the thriving student life at the institution.

The university offers a wide range of programs to nursing students interested in undergraduate and graduate level courses. The options available are:

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

This program consists of 124 hours credit hours that include 58 pre-professional course hours that must be completed prior to entering the program. Admissions are accepted twice yearly with possibility to enter the program in the spring or fall. The course also includes 60 hours of professional course hours and 6 hours dedicated towards general education courses.

Applications are welcome from students that have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and that have satisfactory scores on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The general admission established courses in: Natural sciences and math, Social and behavioral sciences and humanities. A LPN that is eligible may take the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (ACE) to have credit hours considered according to work experience.

LPN to BSN PROGRAM

This program is only open to any Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) that wants to gain additional knowledge to earn their BSN. The LPN applying to the program must have 1000 clinical hours of work experience in the last year and successfully pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) on each of the four sections. Additionally, qualified professionals may be considered for credit consideration if they pass the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (ACE) LPN-RN. Admission to the professional curriculum of the program is only possible for those that complete the 58-61 hours of pre-professional course work and credit by exam.

RN to BSN Program

This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). It allows eligible registered nurses to obtain their BSN. Only applicants that have completed an accredited associate degree or diploma in nursing course can apply to the program. Applicants must also be able to provide proof of licensure and maintain cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all college work. Advanced standing is guaranteed to any RN that meets the necessary academic and employment criteria. This is an online course that is designed to facilitate the learning process while the student is engaged in other activities in their personal life.

WSU is part of the Professional Link for the Advancement of Nurses (PLAN) that is an agreement between Butler Community College (BCC) Department of Nursing, Hutchinson Community College Department of Nursing and Neosho Community College Department of Nursing. The PLAN program guarantees an accelerated approach to achieving the BSN by allowing students to take the courses that will result in completing both degree programs at a faster pace.

Early BSN admission option

Students that choose the Early Admission option are guaranteed admission into the nursing program provided they meet the necessary requirements. Those interested in the program must complete 48 prerequisite hours at WSU prior to submitting their applications to the nursing program. They must also pass the (TEAS) after completion of 30 college credit hours. This requirement is dispensed for students that have an ACT score of 27 or higher.

Graduate Programs

RN to MSN Program

Registered Nurses that want to achieve their BSN and MSN through an accelerated program will benefit from the curriculum and content of this RN to MSN Program. The program is only open to exceptional students that can demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and potential to undertake a fast track program with advanced studies. Students complete 9 hours of graduate coursework instead of 10 hours of baccalaureate coursework.

Applicants must meet the requirements for both the BSN and MSN program that are established by the university. They must demonstrate academic achievement through a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Additionally, all pre-requisite courses must be successfully completed.

Advanced Specialization Courses

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) are instrumental for the proper functioning of the health care system. At WSU, students can select the Adult Health and Illness Clinical Nurse Specialist specialization. Graduates work directly with patients and as consultants and indicate areas where change is necessary to guarantee client and patient satisfaction. They work as case manager, patient manager or work directly with patients to achieve targeted results.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

This course is open to both returning students and professionals that wish to undertake advanced roles in family health care. Graduates from the FNP program can work in rural health facilities, long term care, correctional health facilities and primary care and specialty clinics. Students acquire skills that allow them to work with adults and children to identify their specific needs and propose solutions in health promotion and disease prevention. The importance of holistic balance is emphasized in the course to ensure that students use an effective approach to guarantee patient well-being.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

ThePediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program at WSU is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. During this program, students are supervised by an experienced preceptor while delivering hands-on care to children and young adults. They will be able to work in ambulatory clinics, private practices, indigent clinics, specialty clinics and underserved health care facilities. They are trained to promote health in children and their families. They also acquire the skills required for the maintenance of minor and chronic illnesses.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

WSU offers the only Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program in the state of Kansas. The content of the program prepares students to be educators, consultants, roles models and expert practitioners. This allows the registered nurses and advance practice nurses to build on their knowledge and acquire the necessary skills that allow them to effectively provide essential care to their patients. Graduates can work in a number of specialties which include, but are not limited to oncology, cardiology and pulmonology.

Psychiatric – Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MHNP)

Students in this program are trained to assess, manage and diagnose the prevention of psychiatric disorders. They are taught about the various modalities that can be used to achieve the best results for patients. These include group psychotherapy, pharmaceutical management of mental disorders, and consultation. Graduates can assume roles in acute and chronic psychiatric care settings, mental health centers, psychiatric offices, hospitals and long–term care. They can also work as entrepreneurs to open their own private practice or provide consultation services to various clients in the different health care settings.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

There are two entry possibilities for those interested in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): a post-baccalaureate degree or post-master’s degree. The latter is only for nationally certified advanced practice nurses. The program builds on the skills and competencies of registered nurses. Those that enter the program through the post-baccalaureate degree program must have 74 credit hours, whereas students with post-master’s degree program must have 29 credit hours. The entire program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through to June 30, 2015.

The qualifications for each entry applicant will determine the types of specialties that they can enroll in. Applicants with the post-baccalaureate (BSN) route can choose the following specialties: Family Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Mobile Intensive Care Technician to BSN (MICT TO BSN)

Applicants that are nationally certified as an EMT-P are welcome to apply to this program. They must submit proof of graduation from a Council on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) accredited program. The course completed must comply with the recommendations outlined by the National Standard EMT-P curriculum. In the absence of this, applicants must have documented work experience that covers 1000 hours of EMT-P work.

Mobile Intensive Care Technicians (MICT) will receive their BSN after they complete the program. They must complete 58 hours of pre-professional course hours to be accepted into the professional course. Additionally, they must have a GPA of 2.75 in all college work and the minimum grade for all pre-requisite courses is “C”.

Online Courses:

Diabetes Mellitus Nursing

Students are taught about the type of diabetes and ways similarities between them. They will also learn about changes that have been made in the diagnosis system and the populations that are at risk. The course consists of 3 credit hours.

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation

Graduates from this program are eligible for certification by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Certification. The online course prepares them to work with breastfeeding women and with infants. This is a 3 credit hour course.

Continuing Education or Academic Credit Courses

Common Dermatological Conditions in Primary Care

Students that enroll in this online program will learn about the common dermatological conditions they are likely to encounter in primary care patients. This is an online program that delivers the information through an interactive format with the use of a guided instructional program. Students will learn about each condition and resources will be provided to find in-depth information about each.

Low Back Pain

The course follows the outline from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. It is an interactive online course that is presented with a case study format that stimulates critical thinking. Students will be presented with useful information that allows them to make clinical decisions about the types of back pains they encounter in their patients and solutions for treatment.

Contact:
Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount St. Wichita
KS 67260

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