Welcome to the School of Nursing
The WSU School of Nursing is located in the largest urban area in the state of Kansas and consequently the health care community is the largest and most comprehensive in the region as well as the second-largest employment sector in Wichita. The School of Nursing is the second largest nursing program in the state with approximately 400 baccalaureate and masters students.
The City of Wichita, with a population of over 300,000, provides students with cultural and recreational opportunities. Many students take advantage of the availability of part-time jobs to help finance their education. The resources of a large urban area provide greater opportunities for students in the health professions. While the University has always served the urban population, the mission statement for the Institution reinforces the need for strong ties to the community.
The School of Nursing has contracts with approximately 100 clinical agencies in Wichita and the surrounding communities. Wichita is a major health care referral center and clinical facilities for essentially all clinical specializations are available and are used by both undergraduate and graduate nursing students.
The Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) fully accredits the undergraduate and graduate programs in the School of Nursing. WSU is distinguished from the other Regents institutions by an urban mission. Using all of the educational, economic, cultural and entertainment advantages associated with the metropolitan area in which it is located, WSU offers its students a special kind of education that equips graduates with the intellectual, technical and professional skills to meet a modern changing world.
Mission: The mission of the School of Nursing is to prepare students from diverse populations to provide professional nursing across the continuum of health care, and is consistent with the mission of the College of Health Professions. Faculty in the School of Nursing promote innovation and excellence in nursing education through practice, scholarship, teaching and service at both the baccalaureate and graduate level. Core Values: Excellence, Professionalism, Student-centered, Innovation, Respect.
Philosophy: In support of the mission of the School of Nursing, the faculty believes that the health of society can be influenced through teaching, practice, service and scholarship. The core values within the program are excellence, professionalism, student-centered, use of innovation, and respect for others. The faculty provides programs and courses that offer maximum flexibility and assistance for students with differing backgrounds and educational goals. This is seen as essential for the success of students in the Program
The Undergraduate Program prepares students for beginning practice in nursing in any setting where there are clients in need of care. The beginning practice nurse values scientific inquiry as a basis for professional practice; believes in life-long learning as a necessity in the practice setting; uses critical thinking skills and problem solving techniques necessary to make sound nursing judgments; is responsible and accountable to assist clients to identify and participate in meeting diverse and rapidly changing health needs; and functions with other disciplines to promote the health of individuals, families and groups.
The RN to BSN Completion Program offers advanced placement to registered nurses seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The curriculum is designed so that the RN who has received an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an NLN accredited program and who meets the work experience criteria may achieve advanced standing in the basic nursing program through retroactive credit. Retroactive credit (25 hours) will be awarded during the final semester of coursework upon written notification to the Director of the Undergraduate Program. RN-Diploma students may achieve the twenty-five nursing credits through credit by examination (CrE) and portfolio review where applicable.
The RN to MSN Program allows the exceptional Registered Nurse to achieve the baccalaureate and master's degrees in an accelerated time frame, with 10 hours of baccalaureate course work replaced by 9 hours of graduate course work. This plan is designed for RN students who hold career goals which extend beyond the bachelor's degree and whose professional expertise and capabilities strongly indicate a potential for advanced study.
The Graduate Program prepares students for advanced practice roles in nursing. Graduate education provides discovery, description, development and dissemination of knowledge which contributes to the evolving science of nursing. The skilled advanced practice nurse values scientific inquiry as a basis for professional practice, analyzes factors influencing health, implements and evaluates strategies for improving health, provides leadership, and strives to contribute to the discipline of nursing.
WSU Nursing Alumni Society Newsletter