Avila University Nursing School Review
Avila University (AU) is a Church university; strongly affiliated and supported by the Catholic Church. The university is sponsored by the St Joseph Sisters of Carondelet and started off a women’s school. It has undergone tremendous changes including relocations to new places and change of name. In 1969, Avila college started admitting male students to become a fully co-ed higher center. It remains as a college until 2001 when it became a fully pledged university serving Kansas City and beyond.
Nursing at Avila University
The school of nursing at Avila University has two nursing programs: a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree program and a Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completion track. The programs have been approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The traditional nursing program has three entry points which helps different classes of students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. It takes in direct entry students, post baccalaureate and guaranteed admission students as explained below:
Avila Baccalaureate Nursing Program
This nursing program at Avila University and prepares students through a four- year curriculum to take the NCLEX-RN exam and hence, become registered nurses. General education and liberal arts courses are taken in the freshman and sophomore years while students take nursing courses in the next two years. Below are ways through which students can secure admission into this program:
i) Direct-Entry Admission
This is meant for high school graduates who took nursing courses during their senior years at high school. To maintain eligibility for the direct entry opportunity, high school seniors enrolled for the Avila Nursing Program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 when starting on the nursing program.
ii) Guaranteed Admission
This entry point is given to all students who take their prerequisites and core courses of the nursing program at Avila. In this case, students who attain a GPA of 3.0 are granted guaranteed admission into nursing program as long as all other admission requirements are met.
iii) Post Baccalaureate Admission
This entry point is meant for students for students who want to get into the nursing program at Avila but already have another bachelor degree. Such students will be admitted into the program if their cumulative GPA scores from former bachelor program are satisfactory and meet the minimum requirements.
iv) Previous Nursing Enrollment
Students transferring to the nursing program at Avila University will be accepted only if their transfers cumulative GPA in the nursing courses is a minimum of 2.5.
RN to BSN
The RN to BSN program at Avila University is under the Adult Learner Accelerated-Avila Advantage category. This program is meant for registered nurses who hold Missouri licensure or those eligible for one. On the other hand, RNs must be have a minimum age of 23years or relevant working experience of 3 years as an RN. Candidates must also be graduates of an accredited associate nursing program.
Since the program builds on prior nursing experience, coursework delivery takes an accelerated approach with classes starting every month for 8-week cycles. Classes are scheduled in 1 night/week, weekends and online or in a blended format at either Avila or Truman campuses. RNs can choose from the two emphasis tracks under this RN to BSN program:
- RN to BSN Patient Centered Care
- RN to BSN Health Care Management
Important Notes on The Program
Students must note that Avila University School of Nursing admits nursing students annually; nursing courses starting only in the fall semester. This indicates that students must expect delays in admission, being sidelined or even having to be in long waiting lists due to competitive admission criteria. The program admits only 56 candidates in the annual admission, a very small number compared to high number of applications received. Students must also be aware that they are expected to cover for their own transport expenses to and from clinical sites and hospitals either on their own or carpooling with their colleagues.
Contact:
Avila University
11901 Wornall Road, Kansas City,
MO 64145
