WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The 2017 commencement ceremony at Missouri State University-West Plains included a couple of important milestones in the campus’ history. The university graduated its 5,000th student overall, and the Department of Nursing graduated its 1,000th Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) student.
For the department’s director, Amy Ackerson, the moment reminded her of the “rich tradition of quality nursing education” that has been a hallmark of the program since its inception in 1983.
“I think this milestone validates that we are doing the best possible work we can,” she said. “The nursing faculty work tirelessly for the institution to educate at the highest level they can. They attend workshops, travel to other schools, participate in faculty development and advance their degree just to assure we have successful students.
“Moreover, though, the nursing faculty care about the students,” she added. “I truly believe that our success comes from the kindness and dedication to student success on an individual basis, which makes us unique. I believe the students know how much the faculty want to see them succeed, and that creates an atmosphere of trust and collaboration that students at other programs may not be able to report.”
PROGRAM GROWTH
The ASN program is selective admission; therefore, only a limited number of highly qualified students are accepted each summer. When the program began, university officials were allowed to enroll 20 students for its first year by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, which approves nursing education programs in the state. Now, the program, which also is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, is approved to enroll 35 regular track students and 25 LPN-to-RN bridge students each fall.
Even with the significant expansion of the program over the years, the nursing shortage in south-central Missouri continues to grow, Ackerson pointed out. “Every graduate who seeks employment as a nurse finds a job in the field of nursing. Usually, they are offered a job before they graduate, and yet, we still have healthcare agencies looking for nurses to hire,” she said. “Without this nursing program and the nursing program at the South Central Career Center (SCCC), our local healthcare agencies would struggle to find qualified nurses to care for the residents of our region.”
MEETING FUTURE NEEDS
To help meet the growing need for nurses, Ackerson said university officials hope to double the number of students enrolling in the regular track program in the next three years, implement an online LPN-to-RN bridge program and work with Missouri State in Springfield to create a dual enrollment Associate of Science in Nursing/Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ASN/BSN) program. She also hopes to expand the program’s simulation lab, made possible in 2011 with a $250,000 federal grant.
“Our hope is to grow our nursing program in the next few years to accommodate the needs of the healthcare providers in the community and region,” she said.
TREMENDOUS SUPPORT
That can happen with the continued support of university administrators and the community, Ackerson stressed. “The support the nursing program has from the community, the SCCC, Ozarks Medical Center, Willow Care, Inc., and others is key to our daily operations. We could not keep this tradition going without the support of those agencies,” she said.
“The nursing program also has incredible administrative support, as well as support from all other academic areas on campus,” she added. “Missouri State-West Plains believes in the value and importance of the nursing program, and that shows in all the interactions we have with each faculty and staff member on campus. We are infinitely thankful to the administration and the entire campus community for all they do for the ASN program.”
Just as important are the graduates, who spread the word about the program through their words and their work, Ackerson said.
“Our graduates make us very proud, and our hope is that they remain proud of the nursing program that helped start their career. They, in turn, become vital supporters in the nursing field and help us be sustainable. We have had multiple generations of families attend our program, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren. Those kinds of stories keep us going,” she explained.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Here are some of the other highlights of the nursing program since its inception.
• 1980 – The Southwest Missouri State University Board of Regents approves the Associate of Science in Nursing degree for the SMSU-WP campus.
• 1982 – The Missouri State Board of Nursing and the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education approves the Associate of Science in Nursing degree for the West Plains campus.
• 1983 – The program welcomes its first class of 20 students.
• 1985 – The Missouri State Board of Nursing grants the SMSU-WP nursing program full approval status, with a five-year site approval.
• 1988 – Nursing students from the program rank number one in Missouri and fourth in the nation by the National Council Licensure Examination Summary Profiles.
• 1988 – The nursing program is accredited by the National League of Nursing.
• 1989 – The nursing program is granted approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing to enroll 25 students per class.
• 1990 – The nursing program is granted approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing to enroll 35 students per class.
• 1990 – The program begins offering a LPN-to-RN track for the Associate of Science in Nursing degree, allowing LPNs to continue their education to become registered nurses.
• 1994 – The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, this region’s accrediting agency for colleges and universities, grants accreditation in February to SMSU-WP to offer the Associate of Science in Nursing and the Associate of Arts in General Studies degrees. The campus receives the five-year maximum term for accreditation. Prior to 1994, SMSU-WP and its degree programs were accredited under the umbrella of SMSU-Springfield’s accreditation from the NCA.
• 1994 – In June, the nationally-recognized nursing program is granted another eight years of accreditation by the National League for Nursing.
• 1994 – Nursing program graduates post a pass rate of 93.7 percent on the National Council Licensure Examination, among the highest pass rating of any program in the nation.
• 2002 – The nursing program retains full accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, once again receiving the maximum term for accreditation.
• 2010 – The nursing program once again receives full accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
• 2010 – Looney Hall undergoes extensive renovations to convert the facility from the university’s one-stop student services center to classrooms and laboratory space for the university’s allied health programs, including nursing and respiratory care.
• 2011 – In April, university officials host an open house for Looney Hall, giving the public its first view of a new allied health simulation lab made possible with a $250,000 federal grant.
• 2011 – The Donna Jones Endowed Professorship of Nursing is established, providing the money needed to add to the salary for its recipient, bringing that person closer to current market salaries.
• 2014 – Nursing program officials begin an evening LPN-to-RN bridge program.
• 2016 – All full-time nursing faculty are credentialed with a minimum of a master’s degree in nursing, including two family nurse practitioners.