University of Missouri Kansas City Nursing School Review
University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is a long story of merges, re-organization and expansion. Founded in 1929, then as University of Kansas City, UM-Kansas City has undergone numerous changes especially in its education programs. This is evident to the number of distinct professional colleges that joined to become part of the University of Kansas City fraternity. However, with the establishment of the University of Missouri System in 1963, the university ceased to be known as UKC and became University of Missouri-KC becoming the second last member of the UM system before UM-Saint Louis.
Nursing at University of Missouri-Kansas City
The School of Nursing at UM-Kansas City is a relatively large school with many programs ranging from baccalaureate to doctoral degrees. The schools has programs for pre-licensure nurses, completion programs for registered nurses and accelerated nursing program for non-nursing baccalaureate graduates. A number of Master of Science in nursing tracks are also available, post masters certificate programs and the two terminal nursing degrees. Continuing nursing education for nurses is also part of the programs package. All programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and as are as follows:
Undergraduate Degrees
In the undergraduate category, University of Missouri –Kansas City has three nursing tracks:
Pre-licensure BSN
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing- Pre Licensure (BSN-PL) is open to high school graduates and transfer students wishing to become professional nurses. While on this track, students are expected to cover pre-nursing courses during the freshman years and proceed to apply to take nursing courses and clinical practicum starting from the second year.
UMKC has set strict guidelines for the period of the nursing and clinical sessions for transfers students. As such, students must complete three full years at the university regardless of how many credit they receive from transfers programs i.e., the three years cannot be compressed. There are 4 and 5 years study plans of fulltime study to complete the 128 credit hours required to graduate and to be eligible for the NLCEX-RN exam.
Accelerated BSN Program
The Accelerated track (AT) of the Bachelor of Science in meant for candidates who have a bachelor degree in another non-nursing area. The program requires coverage of 69 upper division nursing major credits which are designed to be completed in five compressed semesters. The university admits student every fall semester for the three-year full time program.
RN to BSN Program (online)
The RN to BSN is meant for RNs who are graduates of a state approved nursing program or graduates of non-accredited programs who pass the provisional policy of the university. Nurses must also hold active undisciplined RN licenses to become eligible candidates. Student can receive lower division and some general education courses by seeking transfer from their ASN degrees. Students from non-accredited nursing programs and diploma holders must complete some core nursing challenge courses to be allowed to transfer their credits. Rather than the usual patient bedside care focus for most clinical sessions of RN programs, this one takes a different direction and involves practicum sessions in Community Nurse Leadership projects.
Rural Nurse Initiative
This program is an extension of the RN to BSN program. The unique feature about it is that it focuses on delivering education advanced needs for nurses in underserved and rural communities. RNs in this program undertake their coursework via online and web enhanced modes without the need for on-site instructions. What’s more, nurses in these remote areas receive laptops and fast Broadband connections to enable them complete their program. This reimbursing initiative is HRSA funded as an incentive to promote and integrate rural nursing concepts for remote-based nurses. Both RN to BSN tracks have full time and part time study plans.
Graduate Degrees
Graduate nursing degrees at University of Missouri-Kansas start from a BSN -PhD option all the way to DNP and PhD programs for the MSN prepared student as explained:
BSN-PhD Program
This program is meant for highly motivated and highly achieving BSN students. The program is for BSN students of UMKC and allows students to be matriculated directly into the PhD, therefore avoiding duplication of credit hours. Students who have exceptional performance in their BSN may apply during their final semester of the Bachelors program for consideration. If students are accepted, they take four masters level courses before being allowed to take the PhD level coursework.
The curriculum can be completed on a full time or part time basis taking 3 and 4 years respectively. Post BSN students take a total of 73 credit hours to complete the program. Unfortunately, this program does not prepare advanced practice nurses with given specialties, rather it takes a generalist approach.
Master of Science in Nursing
The Master of Science in nursing bracket at University of Missouri-Kansas City has currently six emphasis areas for qualified candidates. There are two site-based tracks namely:
- Adult Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
Both programs require 42 credits to complete and are available at the universities main campus in Kansas City, Missouri Southern State University in Joplin and Missouri Western State University in St Joseph. Only a few of the courses for this two are available online otherwise, the highest percentage of the course is delivered on-site. On the other hand, four tracks are entirely offered online namely:
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Nurse Educator (NE)
A maximum of four days are required for main campus visit for any of the programs listed above.
Important Notes
University of Missouri Kansas City is having the last batch of MSN applicants for all the Nurse Practitioner areas mentioned above. Instead, a program of BSN to DNP program is being developed which will integrate each of the NP tracks.
Post MSN
This are certificate programs for MSN prepared students meant for students seeking national certification in their respective areas. Each of the six Master of Science nursing tracks listed above have a Post Master’s certificate program.
PhD Program
The Doctorate in Nursing at UMKC is an online/distance learning program that uses web-based curriculum delivery modes. Students only visit campus during two sessions during their entire period of study. Part time and full time study plans are available and can take 3 or 4 years to complete depending on whether the student is BSN of MSN prepared.
DNP Program
Just like the PhD program, the Doctor of Nursing practice program has full time and part time study plans taking 23 and 35 months respectively. The DNP is offered online with only two expected campus-based instruction sessions. Currently, University of Missouri Kansas is developing a BSN to DNP program to add to the current MSN-DNP admission requirement.
Continuing Education
The American Nurse Credentialing Center has accredited the university to offer Continuing Education for nurses. The CEUs offered meet the contact hour requirements for nurses to who want to renewal their certificates.
Contact:
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City,
MO 64110
