My wife is searching for a nursing school in Kansas City to obtain her
BSN.  We just moved to Kansas City a month ago and are VERY unfamiliar
with the educational institutions in the area.  She already has a
bachelor of science in Social Service Administration but will need to
take the necessary pre-requisites (chemistry, microbiology, anatomy,
etc.) at a local community college or she may choose to take it at the
nursing school if it is offered.  This question pertains to only to
WHAT IS THE BEST NURSING SCHOOL, not what is the best community
college to take prereqs.

We are NOT looking for the school with the lowest tuition.  We are NOT
looking for the school with the quickest-to-degree program.  What we
ARE looking for is a well-accredited, highly reputable, professional
school nursing with a high placement rate in the nursing sector that is a GOOD
VALUE for our hard earned money.

Please provide as much detail to your recommendation. An alternative
recommendation can also be given for additional consideration.  Thank
you in advance for your assistance.

Greetings Threeeleven311,

   Good for your wife wanting to pursue a nursing career! I was
unfamiliar with schools in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City,
Kansas. I called a friend of mine who taught and interpreted at both
schools/hospitals, and was also a patient in both hospitals. (You
didn?t say which, but since the nursing schools are not more than 5
miles apart, it does not really matter!) Per my friend, who is an MSN,
both schools are good, but she personally felt KU, Kansas had the
winning edge, due to state laws regulating education and nursing
school. KU is a better buy as well! My friend said she would prefer
also to be a patient in the KU hospital! Both schools offer plenty of
exposure to inner city maladies and pathology, and are accredited by
the CCNE.

Your wife should visit each campus, pick up information, talk to the
admissions folks, talk to folks in the school of nursing and perhaps
try to talk with some of the current students.

Another good tip from my friend: She recommended your wife try for the
BSN/MSN degree program, as your wife already has her BS. In this
program she can achieve her MSN in far less time than going for each
one separately.

=============================
The University of Kansas, KU
=============================
University of Kansas
School of Nursing
3901 Rainbow Blvd
Mail Stop 2029
Kansas City, KS 66160

KU, the University of Kansas? web site:
http://www2.kumc.edu/son/

KU accreditation
?The KU School of Nursing's baccalaureate and master's programs are
accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One
Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC, 20036, (202) 887-6791.
This organization is a nationally-recognized professional accrediting
body for collegiate nursing programs. The baccalaureate and master's
programs are also approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. The
Nurse Midwifery Program is accredited by the Accreditation Division of
the American College of Nurse-Midwives, 818 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite
900, Washington, D.C. 20006, (202) 728-9860.?
http://www2.kumc.edu/son/accreditation.html

KUMC
http://www.kumc.edu/

Maps and Contact information at KUMC
http://www.kumc.edu/Pulse/howtocontact.html

?The University of Kansas has long been recognized nationally as a
"best buy" university by Kiplinger's, the Fiske Guide to Colleges,
Kaplan's and the Princeton Review for the high quality of its programs
and faculty and its reasonable tuition rates. And the university
continues to be committed to its tradition of financial accessibility
and academic excellence, which includes more than 40 nationally ranked
programs.?
http://www.tuition.ku.edu/

Tuition rates at KU (Less than UMKC, by the way!)
http://www.financialaid.ku.edu/publications/06ay/06AYcoa.shtml

?KU is a major comprehensive research and teaching institution that
serves as a center for learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor.
KU is the only Kansas Regents institution to hold membership in the
Association of American Universities, a select group of 62 public and
private research universities that represent excellence in graduate
and professional education and the highest achievements in research
internationally.

The School of Nursing
The KU School of Nursing prepares students for a world that is vastly
different than that which awaited the first graduating class in 1909.
The continuing evolution of health care and technology opens new doors
for nurses. Ranked as one of the top 29 public university schools of
nursing in the nation, KU is proud of the academic opportunities
available to undergraduate and graduate students. The KU School of
Nursing's baccalaureate and master's programs are accredited by the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).?
http://www.allnursingschools.com/schools/ID435/

Request more information here:
http://www.allnursingschools.com/r/?schoolID=435

Here is a list of some faculty at KU nursing school:
http://www2.kumc.edu/son/currentresearch.html

?The KU School of Nursing master's degree program came in 36th in the
nation. Among only the public universities, KU's nursing school ranks
26th.?
http://www.oread.ku.edu/Oread00/OreadApr14/onthehill.html

http://www.ljworld.com/kunews/rankings.html

http://www.kuconnection.org/2004apr/news_2.asp

KU 2005 State of the School Presentation Given to KU School of Nursing
Faculty/Staff

http://www2.kumc.edu/son/deansmessage.htm

?Despite the nursing shortage across the country, the KU School of
Nursing continues to turn away record numbers of applicants. The
school received 498 applications this year, but had only 120 available
spots.

A rapidly aging baby-boom population is a main reason for the nursing shortage.
Limited resources and a tight state-funded budget are two reasons for
the high number of rejections, Rita Clifford, associate dean of
student affairs, said.
The school received only seven more applications than last year, but
rising numbers continue to worry the school?s administration because
it cannot accommodate more students.

?We never like to turn away anyone who we think would be a good
nurse,? Clifford said. She said she worried about the students who
didn?t make it in.?
http://www.kansan.com/stories/2005/mar/09/news_campus_nursing/



==============================================
The University of Missouri, Kansas City, UMKC
==============================================
UMKC
2220 Holmes
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
Phone: (816) 235-1700*
Fax: (816) 235-1701
E-mail: nurses@umkc.edu 
http://web1.umkc.edu/nursing/contact.html

?The UMKC School of Nursing offers multiple degree and concentration
choices with course scheduling that is variable. The School's location
and partnerships have developed a wide range of clinical experiences,
research and specialty opportunities.
The School of Nursing offers a pre-licensure bachelor of science in
nursing degree for those who are not registered nurses. The School of
Nursing's RN-to-BSN program is for those who are registered nurses.
Applicants who graduated from a non-accredited associate degree or
diploma program will need to meet specific course requirements once
admitted to the UMKC School of Nursing.?
http://web1.umkc.edu/nursing/academics.html


?Students come to the UMKC School of Nursing to hone their passion for
people with the skills and technical knowledge to give them lasting
careers in health care. The School of Nursing offers advanced degrees
to nurses who wish to continue their education and began offering a
pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) in 2001.
The School of Nursing was established in 1979, although nursing
degrees were offered prior to that through UMKC?s graduate studies
program. Today the School offers several master?s degrees including
family, adult, pediatric, women's health and neonatal nurse
practitioner programs; bachelor?s and master?s completion programs for
registered nurses; and a cooperative Ph.D. program in nursing. The
School of Nursing is working to address the nursing shortage and lack
of diversity within the nursing workforce through its partnerships and
through grants that fund initiatives to recruit and retain students.
Dean and Professor: Nancy M. Mills, RN, Ph.D. ?
http://web1.umkc.edu/text/colleges.asp

Tuition at UMKC
http://sfa.missouri.edu/und-costs0506.php

?The UMKC School of Nursing is recognized nationally for its
innovative, progressive programs. We're proud of the fact that the
school is ranked 70th in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report
2001 graduate rankings. The UMKC School of Nursing shares that tier
rank with nursing programs at schools including the University of
Connecticut, California State University at Los Angeles, Creighton
University and SUNY-Stony Brook.?
http://web1.umkc.edu/nursing/welcome.html


?UMKC is home to a nationally recognized campus for health sciences
professions. The UMKC School of Nursing joins Truman Medical Center,
Western Missouri Mental Health Center and Children's Mercy Hospital
along with the UMKC Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, and the Institute
for Human Development on Hospital Hill in central Kansas City.?
http://www.allnursingschools.com/schools/ID660/


?Is your program accredited?
Yes, the UMKC School of Nursing programs are accredited by the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).?
http://web1.umkc.edu/nursing/adgenfaq-tt.html#accredited

FAQs of UMKC
http://web1.umkc.edu/nursing/adgenfaq-tt.html

?Although a UM campus only since 1963, UMKC began classes 30 years
earlier as a private institution, the University of Kansas City. The
Kansas City School of Law merged with the institution in 1938,
followed by the Kansas City-Western Dental College in 1941, the Kansas
City College of Pharmacy in 1943, and the Conservatory of Music in
1959.
     In addition to these professional schools, UMKC has a School of
Graduate Studies, a college of Arts and Sciences, schools of
administration, education, medicine and nursing, and a coordinated
undergraduate engineering program with UMC.
     The UMKC campus has four components: the main Volker campus, the
Conservatory campus, Hospital Hill near downtown Kansas City, and the
Truman campus in suburban Independence. Many courses are also offered
at other locations within the metropolitan area.
     The major university in western Missouri, UMKC is committed to
both liberal and professional education, with emphasis in the three
principal areas of the health sciences, the creative and performing
arts, and urban studies.?
http://campus.umr.edu/provost/fbumsystem.html

==================
Other information:
==================

Things to ask when you visit a nursing school:

Specialties - What specific nursing specialty have you chosen? Is it
available in your area?

Accreditation ? Look for schools that have been accredited by the
National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing and Education. Accredited schools
have met the necessary standards set by these organizations for
nursing education. Although accreditation by either organization is
good, dual accreditation is ideal.

Clinical Rotation ? Necessary while completing coursework. Does the
school provide enough clinical rotation time? Are the clinical
placements varied enough? Do they provide hands-on experience? This
information is best to get from current students.

NCLEX exam pass-rates ? The percentage of students passing this exam
is a good barometer of well the school is preparing its students. Ask
your prospective school for this data from the last 5-10 years.
http://www.nursingschoolsearch.com/choose-a-nursing-school.htm

?Currently, there are two nationally recognized accreditation
organizations for nursing:
NLNAC ? National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission
·	Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the national
accrediting body for all types of nursing education programs.
CCNE ? Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
·	An autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of
the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of
baccalaureate and graduate education programs preparing effective
nurses.
·	As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports
and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing education
programs and the continuing growth and improvement of collegiate
professional education.
Accreditation also assists in the further improvement of the
institutions or programs as related to resources, processes, and
results. The monitoring of certificate, diploma, and degree offerings
is tied closely to state examination and licensing rules, and to the
oversight of preparation for work in the profession. Although schools
that have been accredited by either organization are acceptable, look
for those that have dual accreditation whenever possible.?
http://www.nursingschoolsearch.com/nursing-school-accreditation.htm


Download this free manual on accreditation standards
http://www.nlnac.org/manuals/Manual2004.htm

Search for accredited schools
http://www.nlnac.org/Forms/directory_search.htm

Here is a list of all nursing schools in Kansas, in case you want to look around!
http://www.nursingschools.com/cgi-bin/schools/search.cgi?data_file=data&match_limit=30&match_start=1&match_stop=30&altrowcolor=dddddd&separator=%A0%7C%A0&prev=%3C%3C+Prev&next=Next+%3E%3E&byname=&region=KS&country=&template_file=list_template.html&search_and_display_db_button=+S+E+A+R+C+H+
Nursing schools in Missouri
http://www.nursingschools.com/cgi-bin/schools/search.cgi?data_file=data&match_limit=30&match_start=1&match_stop=30&altrowcolor=dddddd&separator=%A0%7C%A0&prev=%3C%3C+Prev&next=Next+%3E%3E&byname=&region=MO&country=&template_file=list_template.html&search_and_display_db_button=+S+E+A+R+C+H+

Books:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0803607997/medismartcom/104-1626582-8500738
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1929693168/medismartcom/104-1626582-8500738

Hope this helps your wife make a decision!
If any part of my answer is unclear, please request an Answer
Clarification, before rating and closing this question. I will be glad
to assist you further on this question.

Sincerely, Crabcakes



Search Terms
=============
nursing school + reviews + Kansas City
KU nursing school + ranking
UMKC nursing school + ranking
tuition + KU
tuirion + UMKC

---

Request for Answer Clarification by threeeleven311-ga on 09 Aug 2005 19:01 PDT

Crabcakes - Thank you for your response you have provided timely,
relevant information that will make our decision more fact based.

Both KU and UMKC seem like logical choices based on reputation alone. 
But perhaps there may be another school or two that lingers under the
traditional radar screen.  Perhaps a lesser known school, that offers
a BSN or MSN, that is accredited by either the NLNAC or CCNE or both. 
A school that wouldn't have the top of mind awareness like a KU or
UMKC but still have a reputable program.

The reason I ask is because I worry that based on your findings my
wife may not be immediately accepted into KU based on their low number
of available open spots.  The same may or may not be true of UMKC.

I would ask that you please revisit with your friend and ask her
opinion of alternatives in a "just in case" scenario.  If another
alternative is given, I would ask for the same type of information
that you provided for the other two schools.

I apologize for asking for more information beyond my original
request, but based on your current answer I have a need to understand
more about the nursing school market in Kansas City - is there an GOOD
alternative besides KU or UMKC?

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 09 Aug 2005 23:39 PDT

Hi again,
  I look into this for you ASAP!
Sincerely, Crabcakes

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 10 Aug 2005 10:42 PDT

Hi again, I have not forgotten you! My internet service had  been
going on and off for a day or two due to rain. The ISP is about to
replace a bad drop, which is delaying my response. Please be patient
for one more day!

Thank you for your patience!
Sincerely, Crabcakes

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 10 Aug 2005 14:17 PDT

Hi again!

  I have found a few more colleges, but they are a bit distant. I
still don;t know if you are on the Kansas side or Missouri side!

Baker University, Topeka Kansas
================================
BAKER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING
Stormont-Vail Healthcare
Pozez Education Center
1500 SW 10th St., Topeka, KS
?Baker University is accredited by the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools in Kansas State Board of Education, the BSN
program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education and the Kansas State Board of Nursing.?
?The School of Nursing admits students in both the Fall and Spring
semesters. Baker College of Arts and Sciences students receive
priority admission to the nursing school.  All program prerequisites
must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher on a 4.0 grade point
scale, with an overall prerequisite cumulative GPA of at least 2.7. 
Only required prerequisite courses will be considered in calculating
the GPA.  Pass/Fail grades will not be accepted unless approved by the
Student Affairs Committee.  Interested applicants should contact
Debbie Wallace, Student Affairs Specialist, at 785-354-5850 or
1-888-866-4242 (toll free). Scholarships and individualized financial
counseling are available. For more information, contact Casey Wright
at 785-594-4595 or 1-800-873-4282 (toll free).?
Topeka is about 60 miles from Kansas City, Kansas. 
http://www.bakeru.edu/departments/nursing/academic_nursing.htm


Washburn University School of Nursing is also in Topeka
========================================================

Washburn University
School of Nursing
1700 SW College Ave
Topeka, KS 66621
http://allnursingschools.com/schools/ID436/

I can?t open their site:   www.washburn.edu/sonu/   which may be down temporarily.



Mid America Nazarene College
=============================
?MidAmerica's nursing program is approved by the Kansas State Board of
Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education. The division works closely with health care agencies such
as Olathe Medical Center, Shawnee Mission Medical Center, the Visiting
Nurse Association, Children's Mercy Hospital, the University of Kansas
Hospital, and the Kansas City Rescue Mission.

MNU offers three tracks leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing:  
·	Four-year basic baccalaureate program 
This is the basic program designed to accommodate the majority of
students seeking a BSN degree.
·	Accelerated basic baccalaureate program 
http://www.mnu.edu/nursing/
  

I'll look for Missouri schools, and post later.
Sincerely, Crabcakes

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 10 Aug 2005 22:43 PDT

It's me again, Threeeleven,

  I have found some smaller schools in Kansas City, MO. I wiuld still
recommend going for KU, using the smaller schools as a back-up plan!

Central Missouri State University
=================================
Welcome to the Department of Nursing!
Central Missouri offers students the unique opportunity to have
clinical experiences in both urban and rural communities.  Each day
brings diverse opportunities for our students to use intellect, skill,
and compassion.
I encourage you to visit campus and learn for yourself why more than
10,000 students each year call Central Missouri home.
Julie Clawson
Department Chair, Nursing
UHC 106 A
660-543-4775
clawson@cmsu1.cmsu.edu
(816) 802-2220
2800 Clay Edwards Dr
Kansas City, MO 64116
http://www.cmsu.edu/x24634.xml

The school does not mention their accreditation
http://www.cmsu.edu/x24657.xml

Map
://www.google.com/maps?li=lmd&hl=en&q=nursing+schools+loc:+Kansas+City,+MO&num=10&cid=39099722,-94578333,7517976521143479518&radius=0.000000&hl=en&ie=UTF-8


Avila University
================
11901 Wornall Road  
Kansas City, Missouri    
 64145    
800 GO-AVILA
 http://www.avila.edu/departments/nursing/01index.htm

?Avila University was the first liberal arts school in the
metropolitan area and one of the first in the state of Missouri to
establish a baccalaureate nursing program.  The division received its
first accreditation from the Missouri State Board of Nursing (MSBN) in
1948 and the National League for Nursing (NLN) in 1966.  The program
has had continuous accreditation since that time.  In 2000, the
program applied for and was awarded accreditation by the Commission on
Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for the maximum time period of 10
years. The program is granted approval by the Missouri State Board of
Nursing.?

Map
http://www.cmsu.edu/x24657.xml

Driving directions
http://www.avila.edu/campus/maps.htm



By the way, my friend said to contact HER friends for further
information about KU and UMKC:

http://www2.kumc.edu/son/faculty/Bios/Domian.htm

and
http://www2.kumc.edu/son/faculty/Bios/Breedlove.htm

I wish your wife well in her studies!

Sincerely, Crabcakes

Crabcakes delivered right on target with my expectations.  A thorough
response with references from someone in the community and a solid
recommendation based on the researcher's findings.  Google Answers was
the perfect solution to my question - thanks Crabcakes.