Nursing program creating change to adapt for growing field
Colleges and universities across the country are attempting to adapt to the ever-growing need of nurses national wide. Missouri State University is restructuring their nursing program in order to accept more students each year, but even with this change, a high number of applicants are still being denied each semester.
The requirements for the Missouri State University School of Nursing include submitting a $50 application fee, a current resume and essay, completing eight hours job shadowing a registered nurse, completing a list of general education and prerequisite requirements, have a series of vaccinations administered, and completing a CPR certification course.
Sophomore Kelli Clemens shared that the entire nursing program is in plans to restructure the program to allow more students. Last year, around 60 students were accepted. For the current school year, 46 students are being selected each semester, creating a class size of 72.
Junior Aubrey Glasco felt the number being accepted was fair compared to many other nursing schools across the state.
“72 is a lot, I haven’t heard of any programs with higher numbers than that. 72 as far as a class size is pretty good looking at how many applicants they get,” Glasco said. “It’s definitely better than it has been in the past.”
The biggest decision these students need to make is how many nursing programs to apply to, what would be considered their top choice, and what school they would set aside as their back-up plan.
Clemens came to college thinking she would end up transferring to Rockhurst University, where her education would be free because she works at a local hospital. Clemens only applied to Missouri State and Rockhurst.
“Coming into college I was like ‘okay, I’m going to go to Rockhurst’ and then I realized ‘wow, I really want to stay at Missouri State because this is where all my friends are, and the program is really great here,’” Clemens said. “It’s highly competitive and I got in. I want to stay here because I feel like it’s more deserving because of how competitive it is.”
Clemens stated the average GPA for acceptance for Missouri State’s program was a 3.88, which was important when studying for tests. For Clemens, studying in a group help her study more efficiently and nail down key concepts.
“I’m in a group with Sigma Kappa’s and we all make a Google Doc and have our own parts in that Google Doc with all of our notes for every class, so one girl will type all the PowerPoints, some will type onto the document during class,” Clemens said. “The whole lecture document will be around 100 pages and we study the entire 100 pages because it is every word [the professor] said.”
Clemens feels that because of her hard work in the program, the acceptance to Missouri State meant she was wanted.
“I felt more wanted to stay here because I got in compared to Rockhurst where I felt like it was easier for me to get in,” Clemens said.
Junior Aubrey Glasco feels the nursing program should accommodate those students that are working full-time jobs, often times outside of healthcare, in order to support themselves.
“In the realm of healthcare experience, I got a job in retail and it accommodated my schedule well and I enjoyed working there,” Glasco said. “I never felt the need to quit and get a job in healthcare and I think that ultimately harmed my chances of getting in, but I don’t think that’s fair considering I had to find a place to work that worked best for me and my schedule.”
To study effectively, Glasco would color code her notes and flashcards per lecture or topic and will study for at least an hour without a break. Glasco also attends peer assisted study sessions, also known as PASS sessions, to get last minute ideas nailed down. These PASS sessions can help students narrow down what will potentially be on the test while learning the material in a way that will be helpful on the test.
Glasco applied to Missouri State and Cox College. While Glasco was denied from Missouri State, she received acceptance from Cox and will be attending this fall.
Director of Nursing Stephen Stapleton declined requests for comment.
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