Opportunities await you in Nursing

Welcome to Graceland University School of Nursing. Our School of Nursing offers prospective students a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate level programs. Delivery options include face-to-face and distance learning modalities. The School of Nursing's outstanding faculty and staff are eager to assist you in reaching your goals. Whether you are beginning a career in nursing or advancing your nursing career, the Graceland University School of Nursing is dedicated to preparing professional nurses to meet the health care needs of our communities.

The undergraduate face-to-face nursing program located in Independence, Missouri offers the traditional student many opportunities to gain valuable experience in the classroom and a variety of specialized clinical settings. Graduates are highly regarded and sought by local health care facilities and across the nation.

The Distance Learning Program offers the Registered Nurse a variety of opportunities in both undergraduate and graduate level degree programs. These programs are designed for the working professional nurse and provide the flexibility to meet the demands of work and/or home schedules. The online delivery method makes classes convenient. Within the United States, a practicum may be completed in the student's home community. Our programs are nationally accredited by the (CCNE) Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NS, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120 Phone 202-887-6701.

There is an urgent need for nurses in our nation's health care system and that need continues to grow. Graceland University School of Nursing offers the highest quality nursing education to prepare you to meet new and exciting roles in the health care field. Contact us if you would like to know more about how we can help you achieve your goals.


Claudia D. Horton, Ph.D., RN
Dean, School of Nursing

History of the School of Nursing

Graceland College admitted its first students to the Lamoni, Iowa campus in 1895. The Division of Nursing became the sixth academic area of Graceland university in 1969 when administrators of the diploma program at the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital in Independence, Missouri, recognized the need for baccalaureate degrees in nursing and worked collaboratively with Graceland to move its educational base into the four-year collegiate setting. In recognition of the need to support nursing educational experiences in a variety of clinical settings, the university established the Independence, Missouri, campus, located in the Greater Kansas City area, for upper division nursing courses.

Since its inception, the Graceland nursing program has provided opportunities for registered nurses to obtain their bachelor's degree. In 1987, the distance learning component was added providing additional flexibility for nurses who preferred to work at their own pace in their home setting. Enthusiastically received by Registered Nurses coast-to-coast, students are now enrolled from all 50 states.

In 1995, a Master of Science in Nursing degree program was approved by the North Central Association and became Graceland University's first graduate program. It was patterned after the R.N.-B.S.N. Distance Learning Program, allowing nurses the opportunity to combine directed independent study at home with on-campus Focus Session courses as a means of earning a graduate degree in advanced practice nursing.

Baccalaureate and graduate distance learning programs have gradually been converted to an online delivery format within the last two years. As of June 2007, all courses have completed the conversion to online. The interactive online format offers valuable opportunities for interaction among student groups and between students and faculty.

Accreditation Information

The right accreditations help ensure that you are receiving a quality education. Graceland University is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All Graceland nursing degree programs are approved by the Missouri (B.S.N. programs only) and Iowa State Boards of Nursing, and are nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Graceland School of Nursing selected CCNE to be their accrediting body due to it's rigorous standards and respect within the academic and health care communities.

You may contact our accrediting bodies at the following addresses:
NCA: 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 800-621-7440, www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.
CCNE: One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791, www.aacn.nche.edu.

Mission/ Philosophy Statement

Mission Statement
The mission of the School of Nursing is to create learning communities where professional nursing students develop their potential for meaningful and productive lives as baccalaureate generalist nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse educators.

Philosophy Statement
As an integral part of Graceland University, the School of Nursing supports the Christian framework set forth in the Value Statements of the University and further enhances the achievement of University General Education Goals by nursing students.

The goal of the School of Nursing is to enable students to become professional nurses who respect and care about the worth of all individuals, who are capable of thinking critically and who can provide quality nursing care in diverse settings to individuals, families, communities and societies within the global health environment. Consequently, the School of Nursing educates students to become professional nurses who synthesize and apply concepts from the liberal arts, nursing curricula and nursing practice.

As reflective practitioners, professional nurses apply the nursing process in a holistic and caring way to promote the optimal health of individuals, families, and communities. The roles of the professional nurse include Learner, Clinician and Leader. Development within each role occurs along a novice-to-expert level continuum.

Learning is life-long. Learners possess intellectual curiosity fostered by the incorporation of current research findings (evidence) in their nursing practice. Clinicians provide competent, holistic care across the lifespan. Nurse Leaders collaborate with other health disciplines to develop policies and institute changes in healthcare.

Professional Nursing Standards, the AACN Essentials for B.S.N. and M.S.N. Education, and the missions, goals and philosophies of the University and School of Nursing guide curricular development and delineation of expected student learning outcomes. Curricula are developed to instill professional nursing values and a commitment to Evidence-Based practice. Effective learning is best facilitated by employment of active learning and self-reflective strategies.

Central to the mission, goals, and curricular design of Graceland University's School of Nursing programs is the development and achievement of student learning outcomes necessary for practice as baccalaureate generalist nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse educators. All graduates are expected to achieve student learning outcomes related to higher level thinking, communication and nursing role performance.

Entry into professional nursing begins with education at the baccalaureate level. At all levels the educational process is a shared endeavor between students and faculty. Opportunities for theoretical and experiential learning are provided in an atmosphere that stimulates each learner. The faculty support learning communities for traditional as well as nontraditional students. Each student has the right and responsibility to develop his/her highest personal and professional potential.

Student Outcomes

Graduate Program Student Learning Outcomes

Higher Level Thinking

• Apply knowledge of a variety of theories as the foundation for advanced practice nursing.
• Integrate critical thinking skills within the roles of advanced practice nursing: practitioner, educator or administrator.
• Demonstrate skill in evaluating and applying nursing research to a selected area of nursing.

Nursing Role Performance

• Utilize an expanded knowledge base in advanced nursing practice for providing health promotion and health restoration with individuals, families, groups and communities.
• Demonstrate clinical judgment in coordinating resources for the provision of nursing care.
• Assume a leadership role within professional nursing, health care delivery systems and multicultural communities.
• Demonstrate incorporation of professional values in nursing practice, education, administration and research.
• Analyze strategies to influence health policy within interacting social, economic and political systems.
• Demonstrate initial competencies in an advanced practice nursing role: practitioner, educator or administrator.

Communication

• Exhibit advanced communication skills required for effective collaborative and expanded professional relationships.

B.S.N. Programs Student Learning Outcomes

Nursing Role Performance

Level I (B.S.N.-R.N.)

• Applies the nursing process components to meet the priority health needs of clients.
• Utilizes scientific theory and a holistic assessment model in planning, prioritizing and implementing nursing care of clients.
• Promotes positive adaptation of clients on the wellness-illness continuum.

Level 2 (B.S.N.-R.N. & R.N.-B.S.N.)

• Utilizes multidimensional roles (e.g. advocate, educator, collaborator, etc.) of nursing in the provision of care to individuals, families or communities.
• Collaborates with others to provide quality healthcare to individuals, families or communities.
• Intervenes as an advocate in complex health situations for individuals, families and communities.

Graduate (Exit) Level (B.S.N.-R.N. & R.N.-B.S.N.)

• Plans, coordinates, and implements holistic plans of care for clients with diverse health care needs that reflect application of the nursing process, promote client adaptation, and advocate for the health needs of individuals, families and communities.

Higher Level Thinking

Level 1 (B.S.N.-R.N.)

• Demonstrates higher level thinking skills in applying research to the professional nursing role.
• Critiques published research for relevance in nursing

Level 2 (B.S.N.-R.N. & R.N.-B.S.N.)

• Utilizes higher level thinking skills in the performance of professional nursing activities.
• Utilizes research (evidence-based practice) findings in the performance of professional nursing activities.

Graduate (Exit) Level (B.S.N.-R.N. & R.N.-B.S.N.)

• Utilizes higher level thinking skills and research evidence in the planning and delivery of nursing care.

Communication

Level 1 (B.S.N.-R.N.)

• Demonstrates use of appropriate interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with peer members of the health care team.
• Demonstrates client focused communication in a therapeutic relationship.
• Documents accurate and clear representation of interventions performed.

Level 2 (B.S.N.-R.N. & R.N.-B.S.N.)

• Applies principles of scholarly writing, including effective organization of thought, grammar usage and APA formatting.

Graduate (Exit) Level (B.S.N.-R.N. & R.N.-B.S.N.)

• Communicates effectively orally and in writing; collaborates effectively with health care team members; and employs communication skills in the establishment of therapeutic relationships with individuals, families and groups.