Missouri Western State University Nursing School Review
Missouri Western State University (MWSU), Commonly known as a Western was established in 1915. During those years, it was known as St. Joseph Junior College, a liberal arts college that taught transfer programs for four-year colleges. In 1969, the junior college was changed to a four year college and ultimately it received designation to become a university in late 2005, hence, a final change of name to the current name.
Nursing Degrees at Missouri Western State University
Nursing at the university is under the Department of Nursing and Allied Health. Three nursing programs are offered, two baccalaureate nursing tracks and one Master of Science in nursing track. The three programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. One of the baccalaureate tracks, BSN for RNs is not offered at the university but through collaboration with Metropolitan Community College at the colleges’ main campus. More details are given below:
BSN Pre-Licensure
The Bachelor of Science Pre-licensure program at Missouri Western State University welcomes entry level students who want to start the journey in professional nursing. The program equips students with prerequisites required by the Missouri Board of Nursing towards application for the NCLEX-RN exam. In this preparation, students complete 124 credit hours of both nursing and non-nursing supporting courses.
The pre-licensure program also has an early acceptance option for high achieving high school seniors in the state. Students who apply and get the early acceptance chances are required to take some selected BSN courses during their senior year. To maintain the Early Acceptance/ Nursing Scholar status, high school graduates must attain a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.2. Once admitted, both categories of students take the first two years to complete general education and supporting course while nursing major courses are only taken from the junior level.
BSN for the RN
The Bachelor of Science in nursing for the RN aims at helping RNs complete their baccalaureate degree in flexible manner that accommodates their working schedules. The program welcomes nurses who hold active RN licensure in Missouri or students who have applied for Dual Admission from Metropolitan Community College. It is offered as a partnership with Metropolitan Community College- Penn Valley campus and as such all courses are offered there. The ADN program at MCC is articulated in such a way that students receive 71 credits for their ADN at Metropolitan and later making a smooth transition to MWSU
For flexibility of classes, courses are taught only once per week at Penn Valley and students are eligible to graduate after two years of study. Clinical times may vary to accommodate the different schedules of working RNs.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Health Care Leadership
This program is for BSN graduates of either CCNE or NLNAC accredited programs. Admission into the program occurs twice in the fall and spring semesters. It is a very convenient program since classes happen in a one night per week format. As indicated, the Healthcare Leadership is the only track offered.
Note
At the Centre for Professional Development of Missouri Western State University, nursing can register for Nursing Home Administration courses that can help nurses to meet the Contact hours for recertification.
Contact:
Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph,
MO 64507