Administration
| President/Dean |
|
Nancy DeBasio, Ph.D., R.N. |
| Associate Dean for Academic Programs Director of Financial Aid |
|
Stacie Withers, B.A. |
| Director of Student Affairs |
|
Lori Vitale, M.A., Ed.S. |
| Director of Learning Resource Center |
|
Tobey Stosberg, B.S.N., R.N. |
| Director, Web-Based Education |
|
Sheryl Max, M.N., R.N. |
| Director of Transfer and Graduate Recruitment |
|
Leslie Mendenhall, B.A. |
| Director of Technological Resources |
|
Will Givens |
| Accelerated B.S.N. Program Director |
|
Sharon Snow, Ph.D., R.N. |
| Traditional B.S.N. Program Director |
|
Julie Nauser, Ph.D., R.N. |
| Graduate Program Director |
|
Lynn Warmbrodt, Psy.D., R.N. |
| |
|
|
Introduction
Research College of Nursing was founded in 1979 and admitted its first class in 1980. Research College of Nursing, in partnership with Rockhurst University, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. (The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is awarded jointly by the two institutions.) Research College of Nursing is a private non-sectarian institution of higher learning sponsored by Research Medical Center.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) is organized and available to qualified students in two undergraduate options: the traditional B.S.N. and the accelerated B.S.N.
The traditional B.S.N. is for first-time-in-college students, transfer students and adult students. It is designed to be completed in four years on a full-time basis.
The accelerated B.S.N. is for students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing at a regionally accredited institution. The nursing component is designed to be completed in a calendar year (twelve months).
Students of the nursing program are enrolled at both institutions. The B.S.N. degree consists of a minimum of 128 credit hours in nursing, liberal arts, and science courses. The majority of the liberal arts and science courses are taken prior to the nursing courses.
Research College of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with five tracks. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track prepares nurses for an advanced practice role as a health care provider in a variety of primary care settings. The second track, Executive Nurse Practice: Health Care Leadership (ENP), provides nurses with the skill sets necessary to function in management roles in complex health care delivery systems. The Nurse Educator track prepares nurse educators with knowledge and strategies for teaching in both clinical and academic settings. The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) track is an advanced generalist who assumes accountability for patient care outcomes at the point of care through the assimilation and application of evidence-based information to design, implement, and evaluate patient plans of care. The CNL is a leader in all settings in which health care is delivered. In addition, a new track Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) designed for individuals who hold a diploma in nursing or an associate degree in nursing will provide the opportunity to attain a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Individuals will complete appropriate prerequisites and baccalaureate- level nursing coursework as a component of this plan of study. Individuals may select one of three foci in the graduate component of the program: health care leadership, nurse educator, or clinical nurse leader. For further information, contact Research College of Nursing.
The faculty and administration of both institutions have carefully designed the nursing program to provide a consistent, integrated educational experience. While some information about purposes, curriculum, and policies of Research College of Nursing are provided in this Catalog, students and other interested persons should also review the Research College of Nursing Catalog.
Accreditations and Affiliation
Research College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Research College of Nursing holds membership in the Greater Kansas City Collegiate Nurse Educators, the Jesuit Conference of Nursing Programs, the Missouri Higher Education Council, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the Missouri Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Purposes
The purposes of the Research/Rockhurst Joint Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program are to:
- Prepare a professional nurse who can practice as a generalist in health promotion and with clients experiencing alterations in health in a variety of health care settings.
- Prepare an individual with a commitment to learning as a lifelong endeavor with the foundation necessary for graduate education, and
- Prepare a professional nurse who is an active citizen in the community and assumes responsibility for improving the health care of society.
Nursing Licensure
Graduates earning the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree may be eligible to apply to write the NCLEX-RN, National Comprehensive Licensure Examination—Registered Nurse. Graduation does not automatically ensure eligibility to write the licensure examination. Each graduate will be expected to schedule a date for the licensure examination. Upon passing the NCLEX-RN, the nurse is able to practice in the state where she/he applied for licensure. Nurses practice under the provisions of each state’s nurse practice act. In Missouri, it is the Nursing Practice Act, Missouri Statutes Chapter 335. The Missouri State Board of Nursing enforces the Act. The State of Missouri Nursing Practice Act governs the practice of professional nursing in Missouri. Sections of the Act pertaining to refusal or revocation of license are published in the Research College of Nursing Catalog and the Guide to Student Life. Nursing students should be familiar with the Missouri Nurse Practice Act.
Admission
Admission to the Research/Rockhurst Joint Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is based on the applicant’s academic record, evidence of scholastic ability, and interest in the goals of the institutions. Students make application for one of the two program options. Information in the section entitled “Undergraduate Studies” regarding admission is applicable to the traditional B.S.N. program. Information regarding admission to the accelerated B.S.N. program can be found in the current Research College of Nursing Catalog and on the college website: http://www.researchcollege.edu. Interested students may also call the Director of Transfer and Graduate Recruitment at Research College of Nursing.
Students who wish to transfer from another college where nursing course work has been completed must follow regular admission procedures. In addition, the student must:
- Present a letter of recommendation from the dean or chairperson of the nursing program attended.
- An interview with the Research College of Nursing Associate Dean for Academic Programs may be required.
Requirements for Admission
The Research College of Nursing Program encourages applications either through Rockhurst freshman admissions, internal Rockhurst transfers, or students transferring credits from other institutions. Enrollment is limited in both the traditional and accelerated programs.
Transfer students, both internal and external, must complete an application to Research College of Nursing, consult with the Director of Transfer and Graduate Recruitment at Research College, and be admitted to the nursing program to begin nursing courses. Transfer student applications are reviewed in the spring and admission is competitive.
Students will fulfill all prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in nursing courses.
To enroll in 2000 level nursing courses of the Research/Rockhurst joint program, students must meet the Science/Math grade requirements below.
Traditional BSN program: Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in all Science and Math courses.
Accelerated BSN program: Students must achieve a minimum grade of B- in all Science courses.
To enroll in 2000 level nursing courses of the Research/Rockhurst joint program, students must meet the GPA requirements below.
Traditional BSN program:
- Students must have a minimum cumulative Rockhurst GPA of 2.7 or greater at the end of the summer of their freshman year. If students do not achieve this GPA, they will be placed on a waiting list for consideration for admission with the next cohort group the following January.
- Those students who have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 must continue to maintain this GPA following completion of the fall sophomore coursework in order to enter the January nursing cohort. If students do not achieve a cumulative Rockhurst GPA of 2.7 for the fall semester, they will be placed on a waiting list to be reconsidered for admission with the next cohort the following January.
- All students placed on the waiting list will be evaluated on a competitive basis; placement on the waiting list does not guarantee admission to the nursing coursework.
Accelerated BSN program: Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.8.
Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in all science, math and nursing courses in order to continue progression in the nursing program. A grade of less than C (C-, D+, D, F, WF) or an AU is not satisfactory for progression.
Financial Aid
Freshman and sophomore students of the Research/Rockhurst Joint Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program who wish to apply for financial aid should do so through Rockhurst University. Junior, senior, accelerated and graduate nursing students should apply for financial aid through Research College of Nursing. More detailed information regarding financial aid may be found in the section “Undergraduate Financial Aid Programs and Policies,” and in the Research College of Nursing Catalog.
Academic Policies and Advising
For details regarding the academic policies of the nursing program, students should refer to the current Research College of Nursing Catalog.
Upon admission students are assigned to faculty advisors from Research College of Nursing who assist them in selecting courses, reviewing grade reports and completing degree requirements. Faculty facilitate the successful retention and progression of students through an effective and knowledgeable advising process. Academic advising is under the general supervision of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs of Research College of Nursing. Students experiencing problems may consult their academic advisor, individual faculty or the Counseling or Learning Centers at Rockhurst for assistance.
Academic Program Requirements
Degree Offered
Research College of Nursing and Rockhurst University confer the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for graduates of the joint program. This degree enables the graduate to apply to write the National Comprehensive Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse (R.N.) and to pursue graduate education if so desired.
This section contains a description of degree requirements for students entering the traditional B.S.N. program with no previous college credit. Information on the distinguishing characteristics of the accelerated B.S.N. program, beyond what is provided here, may be found in the Research College of Nursing Catalog. Each option is designed to provide as much flexibility as possible for the student population it serves.
Transfer students in the traditional B.S.N. program and students with a degree will need to have an evaluation of all transcripts of credit to determine what courses will be needed to meet the degree requirements for the B.S.N. It is recommended that students meet with their advisors to develop a plan of study projecting ahead as far as possible. As circumstances dictate the plan may be revised.
Course Descriptions
The following section provides course descriptions for the nursing major. Courses with a last digit of 1 are for accelerated B.S.N. students.
Nursing Electives
Nursing electives afford the student the opportunity to pursue an area of interest to develop knowledge and skills beyond the core content of the curriculum. The variety of course offerings or faculty-guided independent study in a given term is subject to availability of faculty and institutional resources. Selected courses in the College of Arts and Sciences are also identified and may be used to meet the nursing elective requirement. These courses will be listed following the nursing electives by course title only.
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Select College of Arts and Sciences Courses
Faculty
Janet L. Andrews (2008)
Professor
B.S.N., Graceland College, 1981; M.S.N., University of Missouri-Kansas City; Ph.D., Medical College of Georgia, 1997.
Leslie Bachar (2006)
Clinical Faculty
B.S.N., Wichita State University, 1986; M.S.N., University of Phoenix, 2007.
Margaret Bjelica (2004)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N.,Webster University, 1991; M.S.N. University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1998.
Kathy Bock Scaletty (1992)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., Avila College, 1975; M.S., University of Kansas, 1980.
Theresa Chang (2005)
Clinical Faculty
B.S.N., Kaohsime Medical College, 1982; M.S.N., Research College of Nursing, 2006.
Barbara A. Clemence (1985)
Professor Emeritus
B.S., University of Minnesota, 1959; M.A.,
New York University, 1964; D.N.Sc., Boston University, 1973.
Crysti Danaby (2010)
Instructor
B.S., Biology, Missouri Southern State College,
2000; B.S.N., Research College of Nursing, 2003;
M.S.N., Research College of Nursing, 2010.
Lana K. Davies (1992)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., Central Missouri State University, 1972;
M.S.N., University of Missouri, 1991.
Nancy O. DeBasio (1988)
Professor
B.S.N., Wagner College, 1968; M.A., New
York University, 1970; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1987.
Regina Fields (2007)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., Temple University, 1969; M.S.N., University of Kansas, 1999.
Connie Flowers (1999)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., Medical College of Georgia, 1978;
M.S.N., 1991.
Michele M. Haefele (1991)
Assistant Professor
B.A. Nursing, College of St. Catherine, 1979;
M.S., University of Kansas, 1989.
R. Elaine Hardy (1982)
Professor
B.S.N., Central University of Arkansas, 1970;
M.S.N., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1979; Psy.D., Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, 1992.
Gale B. Hickenlooper (1990)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., Syracuse University, 1969; M.P.H., University of Pittsburgh, 1977.
Stephanie Jernigan (2006)
Professor
B.S.N., University of North Carolina, 1992;
M.S.N., Duke University, 1997; FNP, ARNPBC, 1997.
Susan E. Kasal-Chrisman (1984)
Professor
B.S.N., Saint Louis University, 1980; M.S.N., Saint Louis University, 1984; Ph.D., University of Kansas, 1995.
Terri Kirkland (2004)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., University of Kansas, 1981; M.S.N., 2003.
Norma Lewis (1987)
Professor Emeritus
B.S.N., Avila University, 1958; M.S.N., University of Colorado, 1964; Ph.D., Kansas State University, 1983.
Susan H. Mahley (1983)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., University of Iowa, 1974; M.N., University of Kansas, 1981.
Sheryl A. Max (1980)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., University of Kansas, 1978; M.N., 1983.
Martha McElyea (1994)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., Saint Louis University, 1974; M.S.N., Southern Illinois University, 1982.
Jean M. Krieg (1985)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1971;
M.S.N., Wright State University, 1983.
Julie Nauser (1993)
Associate Professor
B.S.N., Research College of Nursing, 1984; M.S.N., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1993; Ph.D., Indiana University, 2007.
Rebecca A. Saxton (2006)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., Research College of Nursing, 2000; M.S.N., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2005.
Kelly Skinner (2011)
Assistant
B.S.N., Research College of Nursing, 2006; M.S.N., Research College of Nursing, 2008. D.N.P., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2011.
Kristin Smith (2008)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1992;
M.S.N.,1998; D.N.P., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2009.
Misty Smith (2008)
Instructor
B.S.N., Research College of Nursing, 2006; M.S.N., South University, Savannah, 2008.
Teresa Smith (1997)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., University of Nebraska, 1985, M.S.N., 1989.
Sharon K. Snow (1982)
Associate Professor
B.S.N., Avila College, 1972; M.S.N., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1987; Ph.D., 2006.
Shirley F. Spencer (1992)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., University of Kansas, 1979; M.S.N., 1985.
Tobey Stosberg (2008)
Instructor
B.S. Biology, Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State), 1996; M.S. Education, Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State), 1997;
B.S.N., Research College of Nursing, 2001.
Mary T. Sweat (1984)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., Marymount College, M.S.N.; University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1976.
Christi Thurlow (2008)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1982;
M.S.N., University of Nebraska, 1986.
Betty S. Tracy (1983)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., Northwestern University (Louisiana), 1957;
M.S.N., Washington University, 1963.
Faye Vandendaele (1999)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., William Jewell College, 1979; M.S.N., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1997.
Victoria Uzomah (2007)
Assistant Professor
B.S.N., Avila University, 2003; M.S.N., Research College of Nursing, 2005; D.N.P., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2009.
Lynn Warmbrodt (1982)
Professor
B.S.N., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1979;
M.S.N., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1981;
Psy.D., Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, 1992.
Donna Zimmerman (1995)
Assistant Professor
B.S.Ed., Northeast Missouri State University, 1977; B.S.N., 1979; M.S.N., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1983.
Council for the Joint Nursing Program
Nancy O. DeBasio, Co-Chair
President/Dean, Research College of Nursing
Associate Dean for Academic Programs
Jeffrey Breese, Co-Chair
Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Rockhurst University
Elizabeth Evans
Assistant Professor, Biology
Koleen Kolenc
Assistant Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Julie Nauser
Associate Professor, Nursing
Sharon Snow
Associate Professor, Nursing
Guy Swanson
Vice President for Business and Finance, Rockhurst University
Minda Thrower
Registrar, Rockhurst University
Stacie Withers
Director of Financial Aid, Nursing
