The Kansas State Board of Nursing officially approved the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at Southwestern College at their quarterly meeting on December 10.  Following approval, the nursing program has formally launched and is now accepting applications for admittance, with the first cohort of nursing students to begin instruction in the fall of 2025. 

“We are thrilled to begin admitting qualified students and are looking forward to next fall when we will get to work preparing students to become highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals,” said Shona Turner, associate professor of nursing and director of nursing.

Southwestern presently offers a pre-nursing pathway in the Natural Sciences division. Students in that pathway will make application to the BSN program as they enter their third year at Southwestern. Qualified students will receive first priority for one of the 20 available seats in each cohort.

“Having a Bachelor of Science level Nursing Program in our community creates an important recruiting source for healthcare delivery in our region. As we’ve worked to launch the nursing program and continue to build it, we have benefitted greatly from the support of many local partners,” said President Liz Frombgen.

The college has partnered with William Newton Hospital to host the simulation lab on the hospital campus, which allows for enhanced networking opportunities and environmental immersion.

“Housing our simulation lab on a hospital campus is unique and will create many interesting learning opportunities for our students,” said Turner.

Additionally, the college has received gifts of furniture and equipment from South Central Kansas Medical Center. The program has garnered generous support from community members who have contributed underwriting support for start-up costs and funding scholarships to support nursing students. The college utilized a matching grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to further the impact of local support.

“We are incredibly grateful to our partners and community members who have in many ways made the aggressive launch timeline and high level of expectation a possibility through their support,” added Frombgen.

One such partnership is with Cowley College in Arkansas City. Following program approval the college signed an articulation agreement with Cowley College allowing students from Cowley College the opportunity to gain a BSN from Southwestern, keeping them in Cowley County as they complete their nursing training.

The agreement between Cowley College and Southwestern College will provide students an opportunity to earn an Associate of Science in Pre-Nursing after two years and a BSN from Southwestern after an additional two years of focused training including clinical rotations. The agreement declares that Cowley College is a preferred partner, if and when seats are left unfilled by Southwestern students, Cowley College qualified pre-nursing pathway students will be given priority for admission to the program.

“We are committed to leveraging the nursing program at Southwestern College to benefit the health and wellness of our community and region as we prepare healthcare professionals who will make our college proud through their work and service.,” said Frombgen 

To learn more about the nursing program at Southwestern College visit www.sckans.edu/nursing.

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