Pittsburg State University

Nursing Programs Offered

BSN Program Details

The baccalaureate program in nursing at Pittsburg State University prepares individuals for careers in professional nursing. The program leads to the degree, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with an upper division major in nursing. Graduates are eligible to write the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEXRN) for licensure as registered nurses. In addition, graduates have a sound academic foundation for graduate study. Students are admitted to the upper division clinical nursing courses following satisfactory completion of approximately 66 semester hours of prerequisites which also meet the general education requirements of the University. The length of the program may be modified by transferring credits from another educational institution, full or part-time study, or through proficiency examinations.

These lower division prerequisites are listed under the Four Year Curriculum. Supervised experience in health agencies is an integral part of every clinical nursing course. Hospitals, home health agencies, county health departments, physicians’ offices, adult care homes, nursery schools, private homes and the public schools are examples of settings used for clinical learning. Most clinical settings are within a thirty mile radius of the University. Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical sites. Placements are limited in many
settings; therefore, assignments to clinical agencies are determined by the department to achieve course objectives, utilize departmental resources efficiently, and to honor contracts with the various agencies.

MSN Program Details

The vision of the Department of Nursing is to assume a leadership role, in collaboration with the area health care and educational institutions, in providing baccalaureate nursing education to prelicensure students and degree completion registered nurses, as well as advance practice education to graduate students. To achieve the vision of a leadership role, the faculty members develop their expertise as educators and role models through life long learning, practice, service, and scholarship.

The philosophy for the graduate program in Family Health Nursing builds upon the baccalaureate philosophical statement with an emphasis on the family. The family is the focus of nursing, and through assessment and intervention with the family unit, both individual and societal health is promoted. Family nursing is particularly concerned with the stages, cultural practices, and transitions that can impact the health status of the family. Advanced practice nursing education at PSU is responsive to the health care needs in rural southeast Kansas and the region.

The master’s program prepares its graduates for advanced practice in the area of family health (including functional areas of education or administration) and family nurse practitioner. Graduates are eligible for national certification examinations and to apply to the Kansas State Board of Nursing for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) status upon completion of their degree. They will be designated as either a Family Clinical Nurse Specialist or as a Family Nurse Practitioner depending upon their choice of track.