Hesston College Nursing Program Review

Hesston College (HC), a two-year school founded by the Mennonite Church, was established in 1909. The school is very small, with a student body of 450, so students can expect individual attention from their professors and intimate classroom settings.

In addition to its programs in the liberal arts, sciences, education, and pastoral ministries, Hesston College offers nursing programs, both for prospective nurses and for nurses who want to advance in the field. Hesston College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; the nursing programs have additional accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approval from the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

Associate Degree Nursing

Hesston College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program, also called the two-year nursing program, prepares students to work as Registered Nurses (RN). The program begins each fall, and takes four semesters to complete. On this track, a student must earn at least sixty-eight credits to graduate. This includes forty-one nursing credits and twenty-seven general education credits. After completing the program requirements, a graduate must take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) before seeking work as an RN.

Associate Degree Nursing – LPN to RN

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can also enroll in the ADN program, in the one-year track. Hesston College awards the incoming LPN with eighteen advanced placement nursing credits, allowing her to skip the first two semesters of nursing courses. She can complete the whole LPN to RN program in just two semesters, if she has completed most, if not all, of the following general education requirements before enrolling: anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, developmental psychology, principles of nutrition, college writing, oral communication, one humanities course, introduction to computers, college algebra, first-year seminar. At the end of the LPN to RN program, the LPN is prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and advance in her nursing career.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Transfer Track

Hesston College is a two-year school, and does not offer a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. However, through the BSN Transfer track, it prepares students to enroll in a BSN program at another college or university. Over the course of four semesters, a student on the BSN transfer track will earn sixty-three or sixty-four credits, leading up to an Associate of Arts degree. The coursework includes nursing prerequisites and general education classes, but does not include any nursing courses. A graduate of the BSN transfer track will be prepared to enter a four-year BSN program in the third year. He should be able to complete all the nursing coursework for his BSN degree in just two additional years.

Pre-nursing Program

Following the suggested course sequence for the traditional ADN program, a student can complete the ADN program in just two years. However, if full-time study does not work for a student’s schedule, she has the option of enrolling at Hesston College as a pre-nursing student. Over the course of two semesters (fall and spring) or one semester (spring), she can complete most of the general education coursework required for the ADN program. This will allow her to have a lighter course load once she begins the ADN program. If she chooses this option, she can take just three classes each semester while she is enrolled in the four-semester ADN course sequence.

Contact:
Hesston College
325 S. College Drive,
Hesston, KS 67062

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