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Missouri Western, Mosaic Life Care to provide innovative, affordable path for promising students to pursue their nursing careers
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and Mike Poore sign the Nursing Scholars of Promise agreement in the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary Community Lab at Missouri Western State University on Nov. 7.
Nov. 7, 2024 – Missouri Western State University and Mosaic Life Care have signed a partnership agreement to provide financial, academic and career support to nursing students. The Nursing Scholars of Promise (NSP) program will cover three-quarters of the costs of earning a degree in nursing at Missouri Western in exchange for a four-year commitment to work at Mosaic following their graduation.
“The Mosaic-Missouri Western Nursing Scholars of Promise builds on the strong relationship between our institutions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “For aspiring nurses who may lack the funds to pay for their degree this innovative program provides crucial financial support to students up front. Moreover, this earn-while-you-learn program provides guaranteed part-time employment at Mosaic during their schooling, helping them acclimate to the hospital environment and earn additional income.”
“In addition to providing an affordable path to their degree, work experience, and an opportunity to earn additional income, Missouri Western students in this program will also benefit from the support of a special advisor, dedicated to their educational success and career preparation,” said Mike Poore, Mosaic Life Care CEO. “With the help of Missouri Western, we are proud to embark on this new ’grow-our-own’ program to address the critical shortage of talented nurses.”
This latest collaboration between the University and Mosaic Life Care builds on the existing partnership between the institutions aimed at meeting the region’s healthcare workforce demands. In 2022, Mosaic and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation jointly contributed $500,000 toward the creation of a nearly $1 million state-of-art interprofessional lab at Missouri Western, which was named in their honor. The lab enables students across healthcare disciplines to develop their hands-on technical skills in simulated environments and supports students in the University’s respiratory therapy program.
“Emphasizing exceptional affordability, supportive student academic and career advising, hands-on work experience, and a simple, clearly-defined educational and career pathway,” said Kennedy, “the Nursing Scholars of Promise program illustrates that Missouri Western is a career-focused university, for everyone.”
For more information and to apply to the Nursing Scholars of Promise, visit the Department of Nursing website.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu ..
Missouri Western, Mosaic Life Care to provide innovative, affordable path for promising students to pursue their nursing careers
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and Mike Poore sign the Nursing Scholars of Promise agreement in the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary Community Lab at Missouri Western State University on Nov. 7.
Nov. 7, 2024 – Missouri Western State University and Mosaic Life Care have signed a partnership agreement to provide financial, academic and career support to nursing students. The Nursing Scholars of Promise (NSP) program will cover three-quarters of the costs of earning a degree in nursing at Missouri Western in exchange for a four-year commitment to work at Mosaic following their graduation.
“The Mosaic-Missouri Western Nursing Scholars of Promise builds on the strong relationship between our institutions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “For aspiring nurses who may lack the funds to pay for their degree this innovative program provides crucial financial support to students up front. Moreover, this earn-while-you-learn program provides guaranteed part-time employment at Mosaic during their schooling, helping them acclimate to the hospital environment and earn additional income.”
“In addition to providing an affordable path to their degree, work experience, and an opportunity to earn additional income, Missouri Western students in this program will also benefit from the support of a special advisor, dedicated to their educational success and career preparation,” said Mike Poore, Mosaic Life Care CEO. “With the help of Missouri Western, we are proud to embark on this new ’grow-our-own’ program to address the critical shortage of talented nurses.”
This latest collaboration between the University and Mosaic Life Care builds on the existing partnership between the institutions aimed at meeting the region’s healthcare workforce demands. In 2022, Mosaic and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation jointly contributed $500,000 toward the creation of a nearly $1 million state-of-art interprofessional lab at Missouri Western, which was named in their honor. The lab enables students across healthcare disciplines to develop their hands-on technical skills in simulated environments and supports students in the University’s respiratory therapy program.
“Emphasizing exceptional affordability, supportive student academic and career advising, hands-on work experience, and a simple, clearly-defined educational and career pathway,” said Kennedy, “the Nursing Scholars of Promise program illustrates that Missouri Western is a career-focused university, for everyone.”
For more information and to apply to the Nursing Scholars of Promise, visit the Department of Nursing website.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu ..Collaborative research team wins at Alpha Chi National Convention
April 23, 2024–A team of four undergraduate students from Missouri Western State University won the Trisha Yarbrough Collaborative Research Competition at the Alpha Chi National Conference in Birmingham, Alabama on April 6. The victory came with a $5,000 award.
The winning team was made up of seniors Jordon Anderson, nursing major from St. Joseph; Juniper Brown, political science major from St. Joseph; Mercedes Mareske, digital animation major from Frankford, Missouri; and Tia Vernon, education major from North Kansas City, Missouri. Their research project was titled “Artificial Intelligence and Selective Exposure: Generating a Public Perception.”
To compete, students from diverse majors collaborated on a scholarly paper centered on the conference theme, which was “Innovative Scholarship for Tumultuous Times.” Their project was sponsored by Dr. Angela Haas, associate professor of history.
The Missouri Western Chapter of Alpha Chi, sponsored by Dr. Haas and Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology, celebrated its 35th anniversary this year as an honors society at MWSU.
News release written by Patty Lashbrook, sophomore convergent journalism and public relations major.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.
Collaborative research team wins at Alpha Chi National Convention
April 23, 2024–A team of four undergraduate students from Missouri Western State University won the Trisha Yarbrough Collaborative Research Competition at the Alpha Chi National Conference in Birmingham, Alabama on April 6. The victory came with a $5,000 award.
The winning team was made up of seniors Jordon Anderson, nursing major from St. Joseph; Juniper Brown, political science major from St. Joseph; Mercedes Mareske, digital animation major from Frankford, Missouri; and Tia Vernon, education major from North Kansas City, Missouri. Their research project was titled “Artificial Intelligence and Selective Exposure: Generating a Public Perception.”
To compete, students from diverse majors collaborated on a scholarly paper centered on the conference theme, which was “Innovative Scholarship for Tumultuous Times.” Their project was sponsored by Dr. Angela Haas, associate professor of history.
The Missouri Western Chapter of Alpha Chi, sponsored by Dr. Haas and Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology, celebrated its 35th anniversary this year as an honors society at MWSU.
News release written by Patty Lashbrook, sophomore convergent journalism and public relations major.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.
State grant to support RN to MSN-Nurse Educator program
Jan. 9, 2024–For the third year in a row, Missouri Western State University has received a state grant to address the growing nursing shortage. The $386,780 grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing will be used to develop an accelerated program for registered nurses with an associate’s degree to get master’s degrees that will prepare them to teach in Missouri schools of nursing.
“We’re grateful to the State Board of Nursing, Governor Parson and the Missouri General Assembly for recognizing the importance of educating nurses in the state,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “Our nursing program does an outstanding job of educating not only the nurses of tomorrow, but the nurse educators of tomorrow as well.”
The program will allow registered nurses with an associate’s degree to quickly attain a Master of Science in Nursing, nurse educator track from Missouri Western. The grant will provide scholarship support for ten students who agree to teach in a Missouri school of nursing for at least three years after completing the accelerated RN to MSN program.
“An often overlooked factor in the nursing shortage is the shortage of faculty that limits capacity at nursing schools across the country,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, professor and chair of the Department of Nursing. “This grant will enable us to prepare more clinical nursing faculty to work in the state of Missouri.”
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a total of 2,166 full-time faculty vacancies were identified in a 2022 survey of 909 nursing schools with baccalaureate and/or graduate programs across the country. Besides the vacancies, schools cited the need to create an additional 128 faculty positions to accommodate student demand. The data show a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 8.8%.
The program will begin in August, with applications accepted beginning in March. RNs who are interested in learning more can email nursing@missouriwestern.edu.
The grant was one of 20 totaling $5 million announced by Gov. Mike Parson last month.
“It is vitally important that we continue to invest in Missouri’s health care workforce to stay competitive nationally, especially for our high demand fields such as nursing,” Gov. Parson said.
The latest grant follows a 2023 award that supported a pilot program to help licensed practical nurses remain on the job while earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and a 2022 award to allow greater use of Missouri Western’s clinical simulation lab.
“We were one of just two schools of nursing in the state to get grants in all three years, which I believe reflects the stellar quality of our program, our faculty and our graduates,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “I am very appreciative of Dr. Kendall and all of our nursing faculty and staff for the amazing work that they do.”
The grants are part of the Nursing Education Incentive Program (NEIP).
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning ..
State grant to support RN to MSN-Nurse Educator program
Jan. 9, 2024–For the third year in a row, Missouri Western State University has received a state grant to address the growing nursing shortage. The $386,780 grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing will be used to develop an accelerated program for registered nurses with an associate’s degree to get master’s degrees that will prepare them to teach in Missouri schools of nursing.
“We’re grateful to the State Board of Nursing, Governor Parson and the Missouri General Assembly for recognizing the importance of educating nurses in the state,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “Our nursing program does an outstanding job of educating not only the nurses of tomorrow, but the nurse educators of tomorrow as well.”
The program will allow registered nurses with an associate’s degree to quickly attain a Master of Science in Nursing, nurse educator track from Missouri Western. The grant will provide scholarship support for ten students who agree to teach in a Missouri school of nursing for at least three years after completing the accelerated RN to MSN program.
“An often overlooked factor in the nursing shortage is the shortage of faculty that limits capacity at nursing schools across the country,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, professor and chair of the Department of Nursing. “This grant will enable us to prepare more clinical nursing faculty to work in the state of Missouri.”
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a total of 2,166 full-time faculty vacancies were identified in a 2022 survey of 909 nursing schools with baccalaureate and/or graduate programs across the country. Besides the vacancies, schools cited the need to create an additional 128 faculty positions to accommodate student demand. The data show a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 8.8%.
The program will begin in August, with applications accepted beginning in March. RNs who are interested in learning more can email nursing@missouriwestern.edu.
The grant was one of 20 totaling $5 million announced by Gov. Mike Parson last month.
“It is vitally important that we continue to invest in Missouri’s health care workforce to stay competitive nationally, especially for our high demand fields such as nursing,” Gov. Parson said.
The latest grant follows a 2023 award that supported a pilot program to help licensed practical nurses remain on the job while earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and a 2022 award to allow greater use of Missouri Western’s clinical simulation lab.
“We were one of just two schools of nursing in the state to get grants in all three years, which I believe reflects the stellar quality of our program, our faculty and our graduates,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “I am very appreciative of Dr. Kendall and all of our nursing faculty and staff for the amazing work that they do.”
The grants are part of the Nursing Education Incentive Program ..Nursing programs accreditation extended for maximum term
Missouri Western nursing students helped administer flu shots and provide health education during the Student Wellness Fair Oct. 18, 2023, in the Fulkerson Center.
Nov. 27, 2023–The baccalaureate and master’s degree nursing programs at Missouri Western State University have been reaccredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for 10 years, the maximum length of time allowed for accreditation. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are now accredited through Dec. 31, 2033.
“The outstanding care that our nursing graduates provide to patients throughout the region and the country is the best evidence of the quality of our nursing program,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “This accreditation provides additional assurance to students and employers that nurses who graduate from Missouri Western are well prepared for the challenges of today’s healthcare environment. I congratulate the Nursing Department faculty, staff and students for their outstanding work.”
The accreditation process is a thorough review of the nursing program based on four standards: mission and governance; institutional commitment and resources; curriculum and teaching-learning practices; and program outcomes. The nursing department began the process with a self-evaluation in 2021. CCNE then sent an accreditation team for an on-site evaluation earlier this year. Based on that team’s report, in October the CCNE Board of Commissioners ruled that all four standards had been met and there were no compliance concerns noted.
“Accreditation is a painstaking process that takes a lot of work by a lot of people, including our faculty, staff, students and clinical partners,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, chair of the Department of Nursing. “It’s very gratifying that our work resulted in accreditation for the maximum of 10 years, and I think it says a lot about the quality of our program and the quality of our graduates.”
Nursing education at Missouri Western dates back to 1971, when a two-year associate degree program began accepting 15 students per year. The four-year program has been nationally accredited since it began in 1986, when it accepted 20 students per year. The pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program currently enrolls up to 120 students per year. The department also offers an RN to BSN track that allows current registered nurses to obtain their bachelor’s degree in an online, flexible format that accommodates working schedules. RNs can earn their BSN degree in as little as 12 months.
The Master of Science in Nursing was added in 2010, and offers concentrations in health care leadership and nurse educator. The College of Science and Health and the Craig School of Business also partner to offer a MSN/MBA degree.
For information about Missouri Western’s nursing program, visit missouriwestern.edu/nursing or call 816-271-4415. For more information about CCNE accreditation, visit aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation.
The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing at Missouri ..
Nursing programs accreditation extended for maximum term
Missouri Western nursing students helped administer flu shots and provide health education during the Student Wellness Fair Oct. 18, 2023, in the Fulkerson Center.
Nov. 27, 2023–The baccalaureate and master’s degree nursing programs at Missouri Western State University have been reaccredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for 10 years, the maximum length of time allowed for accreditation. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are now accredited through Dec. 31, 2033.
“The outstanding care that our nursing graduates provide to patients throughout the region and the country is the best evidence of the quality of our nursing program,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “This accreditation provides additional assurance to students and employers that nurses who graduate from Missouri Western are well prepared for the challenges of today’s healthcare environment. I congratulate the Nursing Department faculty, staff and students for their outstanding work.”
The accreditation process is a thorough review of the nursing program based on four standards: mission and governance; institutional commitment and resources; curriculum and teaching-learning practices; and program outcomes. The nursing department began the process with a self-evaluation in 2021. CCNE then sent an accreditation team for an on-site evaluation earlier this year. Based on that team’s report, in October the CCNE Board of Commissioners ruled that all four standards had been met and there were no compliance concerns noted.
“Accreditation is a painstaking process that takes a lot of work by a lot of people, including our faculty, staff, students and clinical partners,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, chair of the Department of Nursing. “It’s very gratifying that our work resulted in accreditation for the maximum of 10 years, and I think it says a lot about the quality of our program and the quality of our graduates.”
Nursing education at Missouri Western dates back to 1971, when a two-year associate degree program began accepting 15 students per year. The four-year program has been nationally accredited since it began in 1986, when it accepted 20 students per year. The pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program currently enrolls up to 120 students per year. The department also offers an RN to BSN track that allows current registered nurses to obtain their bachelor’s degree in an online, flexible format that accommodates working schedules. RNs can earn their BSN degree in as little as 12 months.
The Master of Science in Nursing was added in 2010, and offers concentrations in health care leadership and nurse educator. The College of Science and Health and the Craig School of Business also partner to offer a MSN/MBA degree.
For information about Missouri Western’s nursing program, visit missouriwestern.edu/nursing or call 816-271-4415. For more information about CCNE accreditation, visit ..Missouri Western PTA students achieve 100% pass rate on national board exam
Dr. Maureen Raffensperger, professor emerita, pins 2023 physical therapist assistant graduate Kennedie Kieffer during a May 2023 ceremony. All 14 of the PTA graduates who took the national board exam in 2023 passed on their first attempt.
Sept. 27, 2023–All 14 students who graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Missouri Western State University this year passed the national board exams on their first attempt.
“A 100% pass rate on a national exam is an exceptional achievement, and I am proud to congratulate our students for their outstanding performance and our faculty who prepared them so diligently,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “The PTA program is an outstanding example of the way Missouri Western prepares our students for life after graduation.”
Missouri Western’s 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) compares to a national average of 83.6%. The students’ success is the result of some deliberate changes the program has made to better prepare graduates for a career in physical therapy.
Dr. Maureen Holtz
“We have been working very hard the past three years to make curriculum changes to reflect the needs of the workforce and to better prepare students for the board exam,” said Dr. Maureen Holtz, assistant professor and director of the PTA program. “The attainment of a 100% first-time pass rate underscores the legacy of quality and commitment to excellence that the MWSU PTA program has demonstrated since its beginning 25 years ago.”
Missouri Western PTA students not only do well on the board exam, they earn employment in the field. Holtz says the program has had a 100% job placement rate after one year in each of the last three years, and she expects that to continue with the Spring 2023 class.
“While the success of our graduates on the board exam certainly demonstrates the high level of knowledge attained in the program, we as a program are most proud of the level of professionalism that our students have developed, which prepares them to continue to grow as health care professionals,” Holtz said.
Missouri Western offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree that prepares students for a rewarding hands-on healthcare career in a variety of clinical settings. The program begins each fall, and students take a total of 72 credit hours over four semesters and two Summer sessions.
The 2023 PTA graduates will be honored for their 100% pass rate at halftime of the Griffon football homecoming game vs. Emporia State Saturday. Also honored will be the December 2022 nursing graduates, who also achieved a 100% pass rate on their licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and ..
Missouri Western PTA students achieve 100% pass rate on national board exam
Dr. Maureen Raffensperger, professor emerita, pins 2023 physical therapist assistant graduate Kennedie Kieffer during a May 2023 ceremony. All 14 of the PTA graduates who took the national board exam in 2023 passed on their first attempt.
Sept. 27, 2023–All 14 students who graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Missouri Western State University this year passed the national board exams on their first attempt.
“A 100% pass rate on a national exam is an exceptional achievement, and I am proud to congratulate our students for their outstanding performance and our faculty who prepared them so diligently,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “The PTA program is an outstanding example of the way Missouri Western prepares our students for life after graduation.”
Missouri Western’s 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) compares to a national average of 83.6%. The students’ success is the result of some deliberate changes the program has made to better prepare graduates for a career in physical therapy.
Dr. Maureen Holtz
“We have been working very hard the past three years to make curriculum changes to reflect the needs of the workforce and to better prepare students for the board exam,” said Dr. Maureen Holtz, assistant professor and director of the PTA program. “The attainment of a 100% first-time pass rate underscores the legacy of quality and commitment to excellence that the MWSU PTA program has demonstrated since its beginning 25 years ago.”
Missouri Western PTA students not only do well on the board exam, they earn employment in the field. Holtz says the program has had a 100% job placement rate after one year in each of the last three years, and she expects that to continue with the Spring 2023 class.
“While the success of our graduates on the board exam certainly demonstrates the high level of knowledge attained in the program, we as a program are most proud of the level of professionalism that our students have developed, which prepares them to continue to grow as health care professionals,” Holtz said.
Missouri Western offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree that prepares students for a rewarding hands-on healthcare career in a variety of clinical settings. The program begins each fall, and students take a total of 72 credit hours over four semesters and two Summer sessions.
The 2023 PTA graduates will be honored for their 100% pass rate at halftime of the Griffon football homecoming game vs. Emporia State Saturday. Also honored will be the December 2022 nursing graduates, who also achieved a 100% pass rate on their licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the ..Missouri Western, Mosaic Life Care to provide innovative, affordable path for promising students to pursue their nursing careers
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and Mike Poore sign the Nursing Scholars of Promise agreement in the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary Community Lab at Missouri Western State University on Nov. 7.
Nov. 7, 2024 – Missouri Western State University and Mosaic Life Care have signed a partnership agreement to provide financial, academic and career support to nursing students. The Nursing Scholars of Promise (NSP) program will cover three-quarters of the costs of earning a degree in nursing at Missouri Western in exchange for a four-year commitment to work at Mosaic following their graduation.
“The Mosaic-Missouri Western Nursing Scholars of Promise builds on the strong relationship between our institutions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “For aspiring nurses who may lack the funds to pay for their degree this innovative program provides crucial financial support to students up front. Moreover, this earn-while-you-learn program provides guaranteed part-time employment at Mosaic during their schooling, helping them acclimate to the hospital environment and earn additional income.”
“In addition to providing an affordable path to their degree, work experience, and an opportunity to earn additional income, Missouri Western students in this program will also benefit from the support of a special advisor, dedicated to their educational success and career preparation,” said Mike Poore, Mosaic Life Care CEO. “With the help of Missouri Western, we are proud to embark on this new ’grow-our-own’ program to address the critical shortage of talented nurses.”
This latest collaboration between the University and Mosaic Life Care builds on the existing partnership between the institutions aimed at meeting the region’s healthcare workforce demands. In 2022, Mosaic and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation jointly contributed $500,000 toward the creation of a nearly $1 million state-of-art interprofessional lab at Missouri Western, which was named in their honor. The lab enables students across healthcare disciplines to develop their hands-on technical skills in simulated environments and supports students in the University’s respiratory therapy program.
“Emphasizing exceptional affordability, supportive student academic and career advising, hands-on work experience, and a simple, clearly-defined educational and career pathway,” said Kennedy, “the Nursing Scholars of Promise program illustrates that Missouri Western is a career-focused university, for everyone.”
For more information and to apply to the Nursing Scholars of Promise, visit the Department of Nursing website.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu ..Missouri Western, Mosaic Life Care to provide innovative, affordable path for promising students to pursue their nursing careers
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and Mike Poore sign the Nursing Scholars of Promise agreement in the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary Community Lab at Missouri Western State University on Nov. 7.
Nov. 7, 2024 – Missouri Western State University and Mosaic Life Care have signed a partnership agreement to provide financial, academic and career support to nursing students. The Nursing Scholars of Promise (NSP) program will cover three-quarters of the costs of earning a degree in nursing at Missouri Western in exchange for a four-year commitment to work at Mosaic following their graduation.
“The Mosaic-Missouri Western Nursing Scholars of Promise builds on the strong relationship between our institutions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “For aspiring nurses who may lack the funds to pay for their degree this innovative program provides crucial financial support to students up front. Moreover, this earn-while-you-learn program provides guaranteed part-time employment at Mosaic during their schooling, helping them acclimate to the hospital environment and earn additional income.”
“In addition to providing an affordable path to their degree, work experience, and an opportunity to earn additional income, Missouri Western students in this program will also benefit from the support of a special advisor, dedicated to their educational success and career preparation,” said Mike Poore, Mosaic Life Care CEO. “With the help of Missouri Western, we are proud to embark on this new ’grow-our-own’ program to address the critical shortage of talented nurses.”
This latest collaboration between the University and Mosaic Life Care builds on the existing partnership between the institutions aimed at meeting the region’s healthcare workforce demands. In 2022, Mosaic and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation jointly contributed $500,000 toward the creation of a nearly $1 million state-of-art interprofessional lab at Missouri Western, which was named in their honor. The lab enables students across healthcare disciplines to develop their hands-on technical skills in simulated environments and supports students in the University’s respiratory therapy program.
“Emphasizing exceptional affordability, supportive student academic and career advising, hands-on work experience, and a simple, clearly-defined educational and career pathway,” said Kennedy, “the Nursing Scholars of Promise program illustrates that Missouri Western is a career-focused university, for everyone.”
For more information and to apply to the Nursing Scholars of Promise, visit the Department of Nursing website.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu ..Collaborative research team wins at Alpha Chi National Convention
April 23, 2024–A team of four undergraduate students from Missouri Western State University won the Trisha Yarbrough Collaborative Research Competition at the Alpha Chi National Conference in Birmingham, Alabama on April 6. The victory came with a $5,000 award.
The winning team was made up of seniors Jordon Anderson, nursing major from St. Joseph; Juniper Brown, political science major from St. Joseph; Mercedes Mareske, digital animation major from Frankford, Missouri; and Tia Vernon, education major from North Kansas City, Missouri. Their research project was titled “Artificial Intelligence and Selective Exposure: Generating a Public Perception.”
To compete, students from diverse majors collaborated on a scholarly paper centered on the conference theme, which was “Innovative Scholarship for Tumultuous Times.” Their project was sponsored by Dr. Angela Haas, associate professor of history.
The Missouri Western Chapter of Alpha Chi, sponsored by Dr. Haas and Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology, celebrated its 35th anniversary this year as an honors society at MWSU.
News release written by Patty Lashbrook, sophomore convergent journalism and public relations major.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.
Collaborative research team wins at Alpha Chi National Convention
April 23, 2024–A team of four undergraduate students from Missouri Western State University won the Trisha Yarbrough Collaborative Research Competition at the Alpha Chi National Conference in Birmingham, Alabama on April 6. The victory came with a $5,000 award.
The winning team was made up of seniors Jordon Anderson, nursing major from St. Joseph; Juniper Brown, political science major from St. Joseph; Mercedes Mareske, digital animation major from Frankford, Missouri; and Tia Vernon, education major from North Kansas City, Missouri. Their research project was titled “Artificial Intelligence and Selective Exposure: Generating a Public Perception.”
To compete, students from diverse majors collaborated on a scholarly paper centered on the conference theme, which was “Innovative Scholarship for Tumultuous Times.” Their project was sponsored by Dr. Angela Haas, associate professor of history.
The Missouri Western Chapter of Alpha Chi, sponsored by Dr. Haas and Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology, celebrated its 35th anniversary this year as an honors society at MWSU.
News release written by Patty Lashbrook, sophomore convergent journalism and public relations major.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.
State grant to support RN to MSN-Nurse Educator program
Jan. 9, 2024–For the third year in a row, Missouri Western State University has received a state grant to address the growing nursing shortage. The $386,780 grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing will be used to develop an accelerated program for registered nurses with an associate’s degree to get master’s degrees that will prepare them to teach in Missouri schools of nursing.
“We’re grateful to the State Board of Nursing, Governor Parson and the Missouri General Assembly for recognizing the importance of educating nurses in the state,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “Our nursing program does an outstanding job of educating not only the nurses of tomorrow, but the nurse educators of tomorrow as well.”
The program will allow registered nurses with an associate’s degree to quickly attain a Master of Science in Nursing, nurse educator track from Missouri Western. The grant will provide scholarship support for ten students who agree to teach in a Missouri school of nursing for at least three years after completing the accelerated RN to MSN program.
“An often overlooked factor in the nursing shortage is the shortage of faculty that limits capacity at nursing schools across the country,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, professor and chair of the Department of Nursing. “This grant will enable us to prepare more clinical nursing faculty to work in the state of Missouri.”
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a total of 2,166 full-time faculty vacancies were identified in a 2022 survey of 909 nursing schools with baccalaureate and/or graduate programs across the country. Besides the vacancies, schools cited the need to create an additional 128 faculty positions to accommodate student demand. The data show a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 8.8%.
The program will begin in August, with applications accepted beginning in March. RNs who are interested in learning more can email nursing@missouriwestern.edu.
The grant was one of 20 totaling $5 million announced by Gov. Mike Parson last month.
“It is vitally important that we continue to invest in Missouri’s health care workforce to stay competitive nationally, especially for our high demand fields such as nursing,” Gov. Parson said.
The latest grant follows a 2023 award that supported a pilot program to help licensed practical nurses remain on the job while earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and a 2022 award to allow greater use of Missouri Western’s clinical simulation lab.
“We were one of just two schools of nursing in the state to get grants in all three years, which I believe reflects the stellar quality of our program, our faculty and our graduates,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “I am very appreciative of Dr. Kendall and all of our nursing faculty and staff for the amazing work that they do.”
The grants are part of the Nursing Education Incentive Program (NEIP).
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning ..State grant to support RN to MSN-Nurse Educator program
Jan. 9, 2024–For the third year in a row, Missouri Western State University has received a state grant to address the growing nursing shortage. The $386,780 grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing will be used to develop an accelerated program for registered nurses with an associate’s degree to get master’s degrees that will prepare them to teach in Missouri schools of nursing.
“We’re grateful to the State Board of Nursing, Governor Parson and the Missouri General Assembly for recognizing the importance of educating nurses in the state,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “Our nursing program does an outstanding job of educating not only the nurses of tomorrow, but the nurse educators of tomorrow as well.”
The program will allow registered nurses with an associate’s degree to quickly attain a Master of Science in Nursing, nurse educator track from Missouri Western. The grant will provide scholarship support for ten students who agree to teach in a Missouri school of nursing for at least three years after completing the accelerated RN to MSN program.
“An often overlooked factor in the nursing shortage is the shortage of faculty that limits capacity at nursing schools across the country,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, professor and chair of the Department of Nursing. “This grant will enable us to prepare more clinical nursing faculty to work in the state of Missouri.”
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a total of 2,166 full-time faculty vacancies were identified in a 2022 survey of 909 nursing schools with baccalaureate and/or graduate programs across the country. Besides the vacancies, schools cited the need to create an additional 128 faculty positions to accommodate student demand. The data show a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 8.8%.
The program will begin in August, with applications accepted beginning in March. RNs who are interested in learning more can email nursing@missouriwestern.edu.
The grant was one of 20 totaling $5 million announced by Gov. Mike Parson last month.
“It is vitally important that we continue to invest in Missouri’s health care workforce to stay competitive nationally, especially for our high demand fields such as nursing,” Gov. Parson said.
The latest grant follows a 2023 award that supported a pilot program to help licensed practical nurses remain on the job while earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and a 2022 award to allow greater use of Missouri Western’s clinical simulation lab.
“We were one of just two schools of nursing in the state to get grants in all three years, which I believe reflects the stellar quality of our program, our faculty and our graduates,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “I am very appreciative of Dr. Kendall and all of our nursing faculty and staff for the amazing work that they do.”
The grants are part of the Nursing Education Incentive Program ..Nursing programs accreditation extended for maximum term
Missouri Western nursing students helped administer flu shots and provide health education during the Student Wellness Fair Oct. 18, 2023, in the Fulkerson Center.
Nov. 27, 2023–The baccalaureate and master’s degree nursing programs at Missouri Western State University have been reaccredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for 10 years, the maximum length of time allowed for accreditation. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are now accredited through Dec. 31, 2033.
“The outstanding care that our nursing graduates provide to patients throughout the region and the country is the best evidence of the quality of our nursing program,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “This accreditation provides additional assurance to students and employers that nurses who graduate from Missouri Western are well prepared for the challenges of today’s healthcare environment. I congratulate the Nursing Department faculty, staff and students for their outstanding work.”
The accreditation process is a thorough review of the nursing program based on four standards: mission and governance; institutional commitment and resources; curriculum and teaching-learning practices; and program outcomes. The nursing department began the process with a self-evaluation in 2021. CCNE then sent an accreditation team for an on-site evaluation earlier this year. Based on that team’s report, in October the CCNE Board of Commissioners ruled that all four standards had been met and there were no compliance concerns noted.
“Accreditation is a painstaking process that takes a lot of work by a lot of people, including our faculty, staff, students and clinical partners,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, chair of the Department of Nursing. “It’s very gratifying that our work resulted in accreditation for the maximum of 10 years, and I think it says a lot about the quality of our program and the quality of our graduates.”
Nursing education at Missouri Western dates back to 1971, when a two-year associate degree program began accepting 15 students per year. The four-year program has been nationally accredited since it began in 1986, when it accepted 20 students per year. The pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program currently enrolls up to 120 students per year. The department also offers an RN to BSN track that allows current registered nurses to obtain their bachelor’s degree in an online, flexible format that accommodates working schedules. RNs can earn their BSN degree in as little as 12 months.
The Master of Science in Nursing was added in 2010, and offers concentrations in health care leadership and nurse educator. The College of Science and Health and the Craig School of Business also partner to offer a MSN/MBA degree.
For information about Missouri Western’s nursing program, visit missouriwestern.edu/nursing or call 816-271-4415. For more information about CCNE accreditation, visit aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation.
The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing at Missouri ..Nursing programs accreditation extended for maximum term
Missouri Western nursing students helped administer flu shots and provide health education during the Student Wellness Fair Oct. 18, 2023, in the Fulkerson Center.
Nov. 27, 2023–The baccalaureate and master’s degree nursing programs at Missouri Western State University have been reaccredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for 10 years, the maximum length of time allowed for accreditation. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are now accredited through Dec. 31, 2033.
“The outstanding care that our nursing graduates provide to patients throughout the region and the country is the best evidence of the quality of our nursing program,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “This accreditation provides additional assurance to students and employers that nurses who graduate from Missouri Western are well prepared for the challenges of today’s healthcare environment. I congratulate the Nursing Department faculty, staff and students for their outstanding work.”
The accreditation process is a thorough review of the nursing program based on four standards: mission and governance; institutional commitment and resources; curriculum and teaching-learning practices; and program outcomes. The nursing department began the process with a self-evaluation in 2021. CCNE then sent an accreditation team for an on-site evaluation earlier this year. Based on that team’s report, in October the CCNE Board of Commissioners ruled that all four standards had been met and there were no compliance concerns noted.
“Accreditation is a painstaking process that takes a lot of work by a lot of people, including our faculty, staff, students and clinical partners,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, chair of the Department of Nursing. “It’s very gratifying that our work resulted in accreditation for the maximum of 10 years, and I think it says a lot about the quality of our program and the quality of our graduates.”
Nursing education at Missouri Western dates back to 1971, when a two-year associate degree program began accepting 15 students per year. The four-year program has been nationally accredited since it began in 1986, when it accepted 20 students per year. The pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program currently enrolls up to 120 students per year. The department also offers an RN to BSN track that allows current registered nurses to obtain their bachelor’s degree in an online, flexible format that accommodates working schedules. RNs can earn their BSN degree in as little as 12 months.
The Master of Science in Nursing was added in 2010, and offers concentrations in health care leadership and nurse educator. The College of Science and Health and the Craig School of Business also partner to offer a MSN/MBA degree.
For information about Missouri Western’s nursing program, visit missouriwestern.edu/nursing or call 816-271-4415. For more information about CCNE accreditation, visit ..Missouri Western PTA students achieve 100% pass rate on national board exam
Dr. Maureen Raffensperger, professor emerita, pins 2023 physical therapist assistant graduate Kennedie Kieffer during a May 2023 ceremony. All 14 of the PTA graduates who took the national board exam in 2023 passed on their first attempt.
Sept. 27, 2023–All 14 students who graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Missouri Western State University this year passed the national board exams on their first attempt.
“A 100% pass rate on a national exam is an exceptional achievement, and I am proud to congratulate our students for their outstanding performance and our faculty who prepared them so diligently,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “The PTA program is an outstanding example of the way Missouri Western prepares our students for life after graduation.”
Missouri Western’s 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) compares to a national average of 83.6%. The students’ success is the result of some deliberate changes the program has made to better prepare graduates for a career in physical therapy.
Dr. Maureen Holtz
“We have been working very hard the past three years to make curriculum changes to reflect the needs of the workforce and to better prepare students for the board exam,” said Dr. Maureen Holtz, assistant professor and director of the PTA program. “The attainment of a 100% first-time pass rate underscores the legacy of quality and commitment to excellence that the MWSU PTA program has demonstrated since its beginning 25 years ago.”
Missouri Western PTA students not only do well on the board exam, they earn employment in the field. Holtz says the program has had a 100% job placement rate after one year in each of the last three years, and she expects that to continue with the Spring 2023 class.
“While the success of our graduates on the board exam certainly demonstrates the high level of knowledge attained in the program, we as a program are most proud of the level of professionalism that our students have developed, which prepares them to continue to grow as health care professionals,” Holtz said.
Missouri Western offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree that prepares students for a rewarding hands-on healthcare career in a variety of clinical settings. The program begins each fall, and students take a total of 72 credit hours over four semesters and two Summer sessions.
The 2023 PTA graduates will be honored for their 100% pass rate at halftime of the Griffon football homecoming game vs. Emporia State Saturday. Also honored will be the December 2022 nursing graduates, who also achieved a 100% pass rate on their licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and ..Missouri Western PTA students achieve 100% pass rate on national board exam
Dr. Maureen Raffensperger, professor emerita, pins 2023 physical therapist assistant graduate Kennedie Kieffer during a May 2023 ceremony. All 14 of the PTA graduates who took the national board exam in 2023 passed on their first attempt.
Sept. 27, 2023–All 14 students who graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Missouri Western State University this year passed the national board exams on their first attempt.
“A 100% pass rate on a national exam is an exceptional achievement, and I am proud to congratulate our students for their outstanding performance and our faculty who prepared them so diligently,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “The PTA program is an outstanding example of the way Missouri Western prepares our students for life after graduation.”
Missouri Western’s 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) compares to a national average of 83.6%. The students’ success is the result of some deliberate changes the program has made to better prepare graduates for a career in physical therapy.
Dr. Maureen Holtz
“We have been working very hard the past three years to make curriculum changes to reflect the needs of the workforce and to better prepare students for the board exam,” said Dr. Maureen Holtz, assistant professor and director of the PTA program. “The attainment of a 100% first-time pass rate underscores the legacy of quality and commitment to excellence that the MWSU PTA program has demonstrated since its beginning 25 years ago.”
Missouri Western PTA students not only do well on the board exam, they earn employment in the field. Holtz says the program has had a 100% job placement rate after one year in each of the last three years, and she expects that to continue with the Spring 2023 class.
“While the success of our graduates on the board exam certainly demonstrates the high level of knowledge attained in the program, we as a program are most proud of the level of professionalism that our students have developed, which prepares them to continue to grow as health care professionals,” Holtz said.
Missouri Western offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree that prepares students for a rewarding hands-on healthcare career in a variety of clinical settings. The program begins each fall, and students take a total of 72 credit hours over four semesters and two Summer sessions.
The 2023 PTA graduates will be honored for their 100% pass rate at halftime of the Griffon football homecoming game vs. Emporia State Saturday. Also honored will be the December 2022 nursing graduates, who also achieved a 100% pass rate on their licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the ..Missouri Western, Mosaic Life Care to provide innovative, affordable path for promising students to pursue their nursing careers
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and Mike Poore sign the Nursing Scholars of Promise agreement in the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary Community Lab at Missouri Western State University on Nov. 7.
Nov. 7, 2024 – Missouri Western State University and Mosaic Life Care have signed a partnership agreement to provide financial, academic and career support to nursing students. The Nursing Scholars of Promise (NSP) program will cover three-quarters of the costs of earning a degree in nursing at Missouri Western in exchange for a four-year commitment to work at Mosaic following their graduation.
“The Mosaic-Missouri Western Nursing Scholars of Promise builds on the strong relationship between our institutions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “For aspiring nurses who may lack the funds to pay for their degree this innovative program provides crucial financial support to students up front. Moreover, this earn-while-you-learn program provides guaranteed part-time employment at Mosaic during their schooling, helping them acclimate to the hospital environment and earn additional income.”
“In addition to providing an affordable path to their degree, work experience, and an opportunity to earn additional income, Missouri Western students in this program will also benefit from the support of a special advisor, dedicated to their educational success and career preparation,” said Mike Poore, Mosaic Life Care CEO. “With the help of Missouri Western, we are proud to embark on this new ’grow-our-own’ program to address the critical shortage of talented nurses.”
This latest collaboration between the University and Mosaic Life Care builds on the existing partnership between the institutions aimed at meeting the region’s healthcare workforce demands. In 2022, Mosaic and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation jointly contributed $500,000 toward the creation of a nearly $1 million state-of-art interprofessional lab at Missouri Western, which was named in their honor. The lab enables students across healthcare disciplines to develop their hands-on technical skills in simulated environments and supports students in the University’s respiratory therapy program.
“Emphasizing exceptional affordability, supportive student academic and career advising, hands-on work experience, and a simple, clearly-defined educational and career pathway,” said Kennedy, “the Nursing Scholars of Promise program illustrates that Missouri Western is a career-focused university, for everyone.”
For more information and to apply to the Nursing Scholars of Promise, visit the Department of Nursing website.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu ..Missouri Western, Mosaic Life Care to provide innovative, affordable path for promising students to pursue their nursing careers
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and Mike Poore sign the Nursing Scholars of Promise agreement in the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary Community Lab at Missouri Western State University on Nov. 7.
Nov. 7, 2024 – Missouri Western State University and Mosaic Life Care have signed a partnership agreement to provide financial, academic and career support to nursing students. The Nursing Scholars of Promise (NSP) program will cover three-quarters of the costs of earning a degree in nursing at Missouri Western in exchange for a four-year commitment to work at Mosaic following their graduation.
“The Mosaic-Missouri Western Nursing Scholars of Promise builds on the strong relationship between our institutions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “For aspiring nurses who may lack the funds to pay for their degree this innovative program provides crucial financial support to students up front. Moreover, this earn-while-you-learn program provides guaranteed part-time employment at Mosaic during their schooling, helping them acclimate to the hospital environment and earn additional income.”
“In addition to providing an affordable path to their degree, work experience, and an opportunity to earn additional income, Missouri Western students in this program will also benefit from the support of a special advisor, dedicated to their educational success and career preparation,” said Mike Poore, Mosaic Life Care CEO. “With the help of Missouri Western, we are proud to embark on this new ’grow-our-own’ program to address the critical shortage of talented nurses.”
This latest collaboration between the University and Mosaic Life Care builds on the existing partnership between the institutions aimed at meeting the region’s healthcare workforce demands. In 2022, Mosaic and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation jointly contributed $500,000 toward the creation of a nearly $1 million state-of-art interprofessional lab at Missouri Western, which was named in their honor. The lab enables students across healthcare disciplines to develop their hands-on technical skills in simulated environments and supports students in the University’s respiratory therapy program.
“Emphasizing exceptional affordability, supportive student academic and career advising, hands-on work experience, and a simple, clearly-defined educational and career pathway,” said Kennedy, “the Nursing Scholars of Promise program illustrates that Missouri Western is a career-focused university, for everyone.”
For more information and to apply to the Nursing Scholars of Promise, visit the Department of Nursing website.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu ..Collaborative research team wins at Alpha Chi National Convention
April 23, 2024–A team of four undergraduate students from Missouri Western State University won the Trisha Yarbrough Collaborative Research Competition at the Alpha Chi National Conference in Birmingham, Alabama on April 6. The victory came with a $5,000 award.
The winning team was made up of seniors Jordon Anderson, nursing major from St. Joseph; Juniper Brown, political science major from St. Joseph; Mercedes Mareske, digital animation major from Frankford, Missouri; and Tia Vernon, education major from North Kansas City, Missouri. Their research project was titled “Artificial Intelligence and Selective Exposure: Generating a Public Perception.”
To compete, students from diverse majors collaborated on a scholarly paper centered on the conference theme, which was “Innovative Scholarship for Tumultuous Times.” Their project was sponsored by Dr. Angela Haas, associate professor of history.
The Missouri Western Chapter of Alpha Chi, sponsored by Dr. Haas and Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology, celebrated its 35th anniversary this year as an honors society at MWSU.
News release written by Patty Lashbrook, sophomore convergent journalism and public relations major.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.
Collaborative research team wins at Alpha Chi National Convention
April 23, 2024–A team of four undergraduate students from Missouri Western State University won the Trisha Yarbrough Collaborative Research Competition at the Alpha Chi National Conference in Birmingham, Alabama on April 6. The victory came with a $5,000 award.
The winning team was made up of seniors Jordon Anderson, nursing major from St. Joseph; Juniper Brown, political science major from St. Joseph; Mercedes Mareske, digital animation major from Frankford, Missouri; and Tia Vernon, education major from North Kansas City, Missouri. Their research project was titled “Artificial Intelligence and Selective Exposure: Generating a Public Perception.”
To compete, students from diverse majors collaborated on a scholarly paper centered on the conference theme, which was “Innovative Scholarship for Tumultuous Times.” Their project was sponsored by Dr. Angela Haas, associate professor of history.
The Missouri Western Chapter of Alpha Chi, sponsored by Dr. Haas and Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology, celebrated its 35th anniversary this year as an honors society at MWSU.
News release written by Patty Lashbrook, sophomore convergent journalism and public relations major.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.
State grant to support RN to MSN-Nurse Educator program
Jan. 9, 2024–For the third year in a row, Missouri Western State University has received a state grant to address the growing nursing shortage. The $386,780 grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing will be used to develop an accelerated program for registered nurses with an associate’s degree to get master’s degrees that will prepare them to teach in Missouri schools of nursing.
“We’re grateful to the State Board of Nursing, Governor Parson and the Missouri General Assembly for recognizing the importance of educating nurses in the state,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “Our nursing program does an outstanding job of educating not only the nurses of tomorrow, but the nurse educators of tomorrow as well.”
The program will allow registered nurses with an associate’s degree to quickly attain a Master of Science in Nursing, nurse educator track from Missouri Western. The grant will provide scholarship support for ten students who agree to teach in a Missouri school of nursing for at least three years after completing the accelerated RN to MSN program.
“An often overlooked factor in the nursing shortage is the shortage of faculty that limits capacity at nursing schools across the country,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, professor and chair of the Department of Nursing. “This grant will enable us to prepare more clinical nursing faculty to work in the state of Missouri.”
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a total of 2,166 full-time faculty vacancies were identified in a 2022 survey of 909 nursing schools with baccalaureate and/or graduate programs across the country. Besides the vacancies, schools cited the need to create an additional 128 faculty positions to accommodate student demand. The data show a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 8.8%.
The program will begin in August, with applications accepted beginning in March. RNs who are interested in learning more can email nursing@missouriwestern.edu.
The grant was one of 20 totaling $5 million announced by Gov. Mike Parson last month.
“It is vitally important that we continue to invest in Missouri’s health care workforce to stay competitive nationally, especially for our high demand fields such as nursing,” Gov. Parson said.
The latest grant follows a 2023 award that supported a pilot program to help licensed practical nurses remain on the job while earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and a 2022 award to allow greater use of Missouri Western’s clinical simulation lab.
“We were one of just two schools of nursing in the state to get grants in all three years, which I believe reflects the stellar quality of our program, our faculty and our graduates,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “I am very appreciative of Dr. Kendall and all of our nursing faculty and staff for the amazing work that they do.”
The grants are part of the Nursing Education Incentive Program (NEIP).
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning ..State grant to support RN to MSN-Nurse Educator program
Jan. 9, 2024–For the third year in a row, Missouri Western State University has received a state grant to address the growing nursing shortage. The $386,780 grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing will be used to develop an accelerated program for registered nurses with an associate’s degree to get master’s degrees that will prepare them to teach in Missouri schools of nursing.
“We’re grateful to the State Board of Nursing, Governor Parson and the Missouri General Assembly for recognizing the importance of educating nurses in the state,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “Our nursing program does an outstanding job of educating not only the nurses of tomorrow, but the nurse educators of tomorrow as well.”
The program will allow registered nurses with an associate’s degree to quickly attain a Master of Science in Nursing, nurse educator track from Missouri Western. The grant will provide scholarship support for ten students who agree to teach in a Missouri school of nursing for at least three years after completing the accelerated RN to MSN program.
“An often overlooked factor in the nursing shortage is the shortage of faculty that limits capacity at nursing schools across the country,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, professor and chair of the Department of Nursing. “This grant will enable us to prepare more clinical nursing faculty to work in the state of Missouri.”
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a total of 2,166 full-time faculty vacancies were identified in a 2022 survey of 909 nursing schools with baccalaureate and/or graduate programs across the country. Besides the vacancies, schools cited the need to create an additional 128 faculty positions to accommodate student demand. The data show a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 8.8%.
The program will begin in August, with applications accepted beginning in March. RNs who are interested in learning more can email nursing@missouriwestern.edu.
The grant was one of 20 totaling $5 million announced by Gov. Mike Parson last month.
“It is vitally important that we continue to invest in Missouri’s health care workforce to stay competitive nationally, especially for our high demand fields such as nursing,” Gov. Parson said.
The latest grant follows a 2023 award that supported a pilot program to help licensed practical nurses remain on the job while earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and a 2022 award to allow greater use of Missouri Western’s clinical simulation lab.
“We were one of just two schools of nursing in the state to get grants in all three years, which I believe reflects the stellar quality of our program, our faculty and our graduates,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “I am very appreciative of Dr. Kendall and all of our nursing faculty and staff for the amazing work that they do.”
The grants are part of the Nursing Education Incentive Program ..Nursing programs accreditation extended for maximum term
Missouri Western nursing students helped administer flu shots and provide health education during the Student Wellness Fair Oct. 18, 2023, in the Fulkerson Center.
Nov. 27, 2023–The baccalaureate and master’s degree nursing programs at Missouri Western State University have been reaccredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for 10 years, the maximum length of time allowed for accreditation. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are now accredited through Dec. 31, 2033.
“The outstanding care that our nursing graduates provide to patients throughout the region and the country is the best evidence of the quality of our nursing program,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “This accreditation provides additional assurance to students and employers that nurses who graduate from Missouri Western are well prepared for the challenges of today’s healthcare environment. I congratulate the Nursing Department faculty, staff and students for their outstanding work.”
The accreditation process is a thorough review of the nursing program based on four standards: mission and governance; institutional commitment and resources; curriculum and teaching-learning practices; and program outcomes. The nursing department began the process with a self-evaluation in 2021. CCNE then sent an accreditation team for an on-site evaluation earlier this year. Based on that team’s report, in October the CCNE Board of Commissioners ruled that all four standards had been met and there were no compliance concerns noted.
“Accreditation is a painstaking process that takes a lot of work by a lot of people, including our faculty, staff, students and clinical partners,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, chair of the Department of Nursing. “It’s very gratifying that our work resulted in accreditation for the maximum of 10 years, and I think it says a lot about the quality of our program and the quality of our graduates.”
Nursing education at Missouri Western dates back to 1971, when a two-year associate degree program began accepting 15 students per year. The four-year program has been nationally accredited since it began in 1986, when it accepted 20 students per year. The pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program currently enrolls up to 120 students per year. The department also offers an RN to BSN track that allows current registered nurses to obtain their bachelor’s degree in an online, flexible format that accommodates working schedules. RNs can earn their BSN degree in as little as 12 months.
The Master of Science in Nursing was added in 2010, and offers concentrations in health care leadership and nurse educator. The College of Science and Health and the Craig School of Business also partner to offer a MSN/MBA degree.
For information about Missouri Western’s nursing program, visit missouriwestern.edu/nursing or call 816-271-4415. For more information about CCNE accreditation, visit aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation.
The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing at Missouri ..Nursing programs accreditation extended for maximum term
Missouri Western nursing students helped administer flu shots and provide health education during the Student Wellness Fair Oct. 18, 2023, in the Fulkerson Center.
Nov. 27, 2023–The baccalaureate and master’s degree nursing programs at Missouri Western State University have been reaccredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for 10 years, the maximum length of time allowed for accreditation. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are now accredited through Dec. 31, 2033.
“The outstanding care that our nursing graduates provide to patients throughout the region and the country is the best evidence of the quality of our nursing program,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “This accreditation provides additional assurance to students and employers that nurses who graduate from Missouri Western are well prepared for the challenges of today’s healthcare environment. I congratulate the Nursing Department faculty, staff and students for their outstanding work.”
The accreditation process is a thorough review of the nursing program based on four standards: mission and governance; institutional commitment and resources; curriculum and teaching-learning practices; and program outcomes. The nursing department began the process with a self-evaluation in 2021. CCNE then sent an accreditation team for an on-site evaluation earlier this year. Based on that team’s report, in October the CCNE Board of Commissioners ruled that all four standards had been met and there were no compliance concerns noted.
“Accreditation is a painstaking process that takes a lot of work by a lot of people, including our faculty, staff, students and clinical partners,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, chair of the Department of Nursing. “It’s very gratifying that our work resulted in accreditation for the maximum of 10 years, and I think it says a lot about the quality of our program and the quality of our graduates.”
Nursing education at Missouri Western dates back to 1971, when a two-year associate degree program began accepting 15 students per year. The four-year program has been nationally accredited since it began in 1986, when it accepted 20 students per year. The pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program currently enrolls up to 120 students per year. The department also offers an RN to BSN track that allows current registered nurses to obtain their bachelor’s degree in an online, flexible format that accommodates working schedules. RNs can earn their BSN degree in as little as 12 months.
The Master of Science in Nursing was added in 2010, and offers concentrations in health care leadership and nurse educator. The College of Science and Health and the Craig School of Business also partner to offer a MSN/MBA degree.
For information about Missouri Western’s nursing program, visit missouriwestern.edu/nursing or call 816-271-4415. For more information about CCNE accreditation, visit ..Missouri Western PTA students achieve 100% pass rate on national board exam
Dr. Maureen Raffensperger, professor emerita, pins 2023 physical therapist assistant graduate Kennedie Kieffer during a May 2023 ceremony. All 14 of the PTA graduates who took the national board exam in 2023 passed on their first attempt.
Sept. 27, 2023–All 14 students who graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Missouri Western State University this year passed the national board exams on their first attempt.
“A 100% pass rate on a national exam is an exceptional achievement, and I am proud to congratulate our students for their outstanding performance and our faculty who prepared them so diligently,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “The PTA program is an outstanding example of the way Missouri Western prepares our students for life after graduation.”
Missouri Western’s 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) compares to a national average of 83.6%. The students’ success is the result of some deliberate changes the program has made to better prepare graduates for a career in physical therapy.
Dr. Maureen Holtz
“We have been working very hard the past three years to make curriculum changes to reflect the needs of the workforce and to better prepare students for the board exam,” said Dr. Maureen Holtz, assistant professor and director of the PTA program. “The attainment of a 100% first-time pass rate underscores the legacy of quality and commitment to excellence that the MWSU PTA program has demonstrated since its beginning 25 years ago.”
Missouri Western PTA students not only do well on the board exam, they earn employment in the field. Holtz says the program has had a 100% job placement rate after one year in each of the last three years, and she expects that to continue with the Spring 2023 class.
“While the success of our graduates on the board exam certainly demonstrates the high level of knowledge attained in the program, we as a program are most proud of the level of professionalism that our students have developed, which prepares them to continue to grow as health care professionals,” Holtz said.
Missouri Western offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree that prepares students for a rewarding hands-on healthcare career in a variety of clinical settings. The program begins each fall, and students take a total of 72 credit hours over four semesters and two Summer sessions.
The 2023 PTA graduates will be honored for their 100% pass rate at halftime of the Griffon football homecoming game vs. Emporia State Saturday. Also honored will be the December 2022 nursing graduates, who also achieved a 100% pass rate on their licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and ..Missouri Western PTA students achieve 100% pass rate on national board exam
Dr. Maureen Raffensperger, professor emerita, pins 2023 physical therapist assistant graduate Kennedie Kieffer during a May 2023 ceremony. All 14 of the PTA graduates who took the national board exam in 2023 passed on their first attempt.
Sept. 27, 2023–All 14 students who graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Missouri Western State University this year passed the national board exams on their first attempt.
“A 100% pass rate on a national exam is an exceptional achievement, and I am proud to congratulate our students for their outstanding performance and our faculty who prepared them so diligently,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “The PTA program is an outstanding example of the way Missouri Western prepares our students for life after graduation.”
Missouri Western’s 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) compares to a national average of 83.6%. The students’ success is the result of some deliberate changes the program has made to better prepare graduates for a career in physical therapy.
Dr. Maureen Holtz
“We have been working very hard the past three years to make curriculum changes to reflect the needs of the workforce and to better prepare students for the board exam,” said Dr. Maureen Holtz, assistant professor and director of the PTA program. “The attainment of a 100% first-time pass rate underscores the legacy of quality and commitment to excellence that the MWSU PTA program has demonstrated since its beginning 25 years ago.”
Missouri Western PTA students not only do well on the board exam, they earn employment in the field. Holtz says the program has had a 100% job placement rate after one year in each of the last three years, and she expects that to continue with the Spring 2023 class.
“While the success of our graduates on the board exam certainly demonstrates the high level of knowledge attained in the program, we as a program are most proud of the level of professionalism that our students have developed, which prepares them to continue to grow as health care professionals,” Holtz said.
Missouri Western offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree that prepares students for a rewarding hands-on healthcare career in a variety of clinical settings. The program begins each fall, and students take a total of 72 credit hours over four semesters and two Summer sessions.
The 2023 PTA graduates will be honored for their 100% pass rate at halftime of the Griffon football homecoming game vs. Emporia State Saturday. Also honored will be the December 2022 nursing graduates, who also achieved a 100% pass rate on their licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the ..