Missouri State University-West Plains Nursing School Review
Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) is an integral part of Missouri State University-Springfield. They share the same historical timelines and the West plains Residence Centre was established in 1963, as part of the then Southwest Missouri State College (SMSC). The center received a joint accreditation as part of the said college in 1965 and later renamed it to become a campus of SMSC. Associate degree programs were started in the campus and nursing was one of them. With the change of the main university name to Missouri State University, so was the change of West Plains to become MSU-WP.
Nursing Programs at MSU-West Plains
Nursing programs at Missouri State University-West Plains are similar to those on offer at the main campus in Springfield except the graduate level programs. However, the West Plains campus has two additional associate of nursing degree tracks which are not offered at the Springfield campus. In total, the West Plains campus has four nursing programs whereby, two of the undergraduate tracks are offered via a State Outreach Program from the flagship campus. The undergraduate degrees are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education while the Associate degrees at West Plains are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
Associate of Science in Nursing (Registered Nurse Track)
Missouri State University-West Plains offers future nurses an entry level nursing program into professional nursing. The program comprises of 72 semester credits designed to be completed in two years of six semesters including two summer sessions. The program prepares students to be eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses besides earning an associate of science in nursing degree.
Associate of Science in Nursing (LPN to RN Program)
The Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse track gives qualified students the opportunity to progress into professional nursing. It prepares students to apply for the NCLEX-RN exam within one academic year of three semesters including one summer session. Students take two nursing transition courses during the summer session and which can grant up-to 15 nursing credits and 6 non-nursing credits towards the associate degree. Together with the advanced standing credits received, students must cover 72 credits to be allowed to graduate.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Bachelor of Science programs at Missouri State University-West Plains are similar to those offered to those in Springfield campus. These programs are offered through Missouri State Outreach program of distance learning. In this case, students can apply for admission into the:
- 4-Year BSN Program
- BSN Completion/RN to BSN Program
The generic Bachelor of Science in nursing requires 125 credits to complete whereby, the first two years consist of a pre-nursing portion. Completion of the pre-nursing component makes the students eligible to apply for the nursing majors which take another two years.
The RN to BSN completion program takes students who have already completed their associate degree nursing. In this case, ADN students at West Plains and transfer students can apply to complete their BSN program at West Plains but take courses from Springfield.
Note
All nursing courses at baccalaureate level taken at West Plains are covered through an outreach program that exclusively uses live video conferencing for curriculum delivery. This precisely means Bachelor of Science students at West Plains catch Springfield campus nursing classes live via video conferencing.
Contact:
Missouri State University – West Plains
128 Garfield Avenue, West Plains,
MO 65775
