Southwest Baptist University Nursing School Review

Southwest Baptist University (SBU) is a Christian university grounded in the Baptist faith. It was founded in 1878, with a large main campus at Lebanon which was later relocated to Bolivar. The university academic programs integrates faith, liberal arts with the aim of making students not only learn but also develop and grow in their faith. The university also reaches other parts of Missouri through it satellite campuses in Springfield, Salem and Mountain View.

Southwest Baptist University Nursing

Nursing programs at the university are offered through St John’ College of Nursing and Health Science, an integral part Southwest Baptist. The college of nursing is a collaborative venture of the university and St John’s Mercy Health System; another faith based institution. The two has nursing programs ranging from associate degrees to Master of Science in nursing. In between are a bridge programs for LPNs and the uncommon Paramedic bridge programs giving a transition to nursing. The college has been approved to offer nursing degrees by the Missouri State Board of nursing and have also been accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Associate of Science in Nursing

This program, as mentioned earlier is a join venture between two faith based institutions. Classes are however held at Southwest Baptist University at the Springfield campus and clinical sessions at St John’s Health System. Completion time is estimated to be two academic years of 72 credit semesters. As a church university, students take two courses on the Old and New Testament as part of the general education courses.

Upon completion, students can apply to write the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses and earn an associate of science in nursing degree. For students wishing to advance their nursing career, they can apply to continue with the Southwest Baptist BSN completion program.

LPN Bridge: LPN to ASN

This program is for Licensed practical nurses holding current Missouri licenses. Those LPNs who meet the admission requirement for Southwest ASN program are accepted and complete and LPN Bridge course in order to receive advanced standing. After advanced placement, students join the regular ASN class at the third semester. The two bible courses mentioned above are mandatory requirements for graduation. 30 credits must be completed at Southwest excluding the advanced standing credits.

Paramedic Bridge Program: Paramedic to ASN

Paramedics licensed in the state have the chance of getting into professional nursing at Southwest Baptist University. Eligible candidates complete a paramedic/ advanced placement Bridge course to receive advanced standing. After successful completion of the bridge program, all other course requirements are similar to those of the LPN to RN program including integration with the ASN class at third semester level. Completing the program enables student to apply for the NCLEX-RN exam to become RNs.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The RN to BSN completion program is an accelerated hybrid degree option consisting of online and classroom based instructions.  Students from a nationally accredited ASN or diploma program receive 30 lower division nursing credits.  Students then need to complete 35 online upper division nursing major credits hours at Southwest Baptist and 24 supporting credits in both online and classroom instruction formats. A total of 128 credits are required including all others transferred from the earlier degree program.

Master of Science in Nursing

The Master of Science in nursing program at Southwest Baptist University is designed for BSN graduates of nationally accredited programs.  It is an accelerated program offering coursework in a blended online format.  In preparation for advanced nursing roles, students can choose from the following concentrations:

  • Parish Nursing
  • Missionary Nursing
  • Nursing Education
  • Nursing Administration

Contact:
Southwest Baptist University
1600 University Avenue, Bolivar,
MO 65613