Graceland University Nursing School Review

Graceland University (GU), formerly Graceland College is a church university of the Community of Christ Church. The college offered is first college education program at Iowa in 1985, where its main campus still remains to be.  Graceland University has since established other satellite campuses, one of which is located at Independence in Missouri, home to the school of nursing which dates back to 1910. The Graceland College was awarded the charter to be a fully pledged university in 2000 and hence changed its name to Graceland University.

Nursing at Graceland University

Nursing at Graceland University is not offered in at the main campus in Lamoni, Iowa, but rather, at the Independence campus in Missouri. The school of nursing has been approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and Iowa Board of Nursing and has also been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Programs range from baccalaureate tracks to doctor of nursing practice as explained below:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to RN Program

The BSN degree at Graceland University helps students to learn the skills of professional nursing through a combination on both liberal arts and science courses. The program has different options through which students can complete the nursing curriculum; all through a full time, on campus basis.

  • Option 1

In the first option, students who have not completed supporting and liberal arts courses can apply for admission into the main campus at Lamoni, Iowa. Such students spend their freshman and sophomore years at the main campus and only transfers to the Independence Campus, Missouri where the nursing courses are offered.

  • Option 2

The second option is for students who have already met all the lower division course requirements, either from former college nursing, a pre nursing program and (or) associate degree. Such students are advised to apply directly for admission at the Independence campus in Missouri. As such, students join campus at junior level and take their remaining two years of nursing major courses. It is also important to note that all nursing courses for the second option students in summer while those of the first option are matriculated into the program in the fall semester.

There is also an accelerated option for the same program, specifically designed for a limited number of high achievers.  This allows students to complete the program a semester less than the stipulated time. In this case, students take a senior level course at junior level and another two other senior level courses at a summer session between the junior and senior year. In total, a minimum of 124 credit hours are required for students to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Graceland University.

RN to BSN

The RN to BSN program at Graceland University is a completely online nursing program that allows registered nurses with diploma or associate degrees to complete a Bachelor of Science degree. Students receive 28 credit hours in recognition of the prior nursing degree and more credits can be received through application of recognition of general education courses.  Students are allowed to take practicum lessons at their local health agency of choice which is supervised by a local preceptor.

RN to MSN Program

This too, at Graceland University is an online program. The program enables RNs to complete in tandem, a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in nursing degree.  It is a kind of bridge program that allows RNs to complete their coursework towards a MSN in an accelerated version. More so, students have the option of stepping out of the program at BSN completion level.  Through a combined curriculum of BSN and MSN coursework, students work their way to advanced practice nursing with two options at MSN level:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Educator

Practicum sessions can also be completed at the local community with only a 4-day campus visit for the BSN ‘stop out’ option and 2-day campus visit for the MSN level.

Master of Science in Nursing

A Master of Science at Graceland is designed for BSN prepared RNs. It offers two flexible options of completing the program; a full time and part time option. It is also offered online and students complete the program through a cohort online mode. Only two campus-based focus sessions are required from the students while all other requirements can be met online. Two options are available as specialty tracks; Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator tracks.

Post-Graduate MSN Certificate

The post masters programs allow students to complete a graduate level certificate program in either Family Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Educator options. These two programs are also offered online with two on-campus focus sessions in Missouri.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The DNP is also an online/ distance learning program from the Graceland University’s School of nursing. The program prepares nurses who will be in a position to integrate nursing research findings and into practical applications. The entire coursework for the DNP is delivered online and students only need to attend campus-based focus sessions on two occasions, 2 days each.

Contact:
Graceland University
1401 W. Truman Road, Independence,
MO 64050