In education today, students are presented with a host of different options and paths for their post-secondary academic careers. Even if you know what you want to study or what career field you want to enter, it’s important to know what you’re looking for in a program and which one will set you up for success.
Since 1970, William Jewell College of Nursing has expanded its undergraduate programs to make unique pathways for all students to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and join the field as well-rounded caregivers. Based on our decades of experience, here is everything you should look for in an undergraduate nursing program:
Diverse coursework and curriculum
When considering different nursing programs, it’s important to look at the coursework and curriculum requirements throughout your time as a student. Do the classes sound interesting and engaging to you? Are there diverse options for students to pursue their passions? Is the curriculum well-rounded?
Every one of our nursing programs includes a combination of coursework and clinical experience. We believe in the value of both academia and hands-on experiential learning to create a two-fold education system. Your clinical experiences also help you develop specialized skills for unique patient demographics and medical specialties.
Throughout your undergraduate career, you will have the opportunity to work in several different medical facilities assisting nurses with day-to-day patient care. The William Jewell College of nursing maintains relationships with healthcare providers in the following areas of care:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Home health
- Public schools
- County health
- Senior care
- Mental health
Our approach to the nursing curriculum considers both the whole student and the whole patient. Our goal is to produce well-rounded caregivers with critical thinking skills, time management skills, bedside manner and leadership skills, in addition to being academically prepared to provide medical care.
It is for this reason that we offer all of our undergraduate programs in person only. This way, you don’t sacrifice experiential learning and collaboration among your peers, both of which are invaluable tools you will need in your career as a nurse.
A degree timeline that works for you
While degree timelines may change during your undergraduate career, it’s important to choose a nursing program that provides you with a clear path to graduate. In addition to a timeline for courses, you may also want to consider the resources available to help you stay on track and meet your individual needs.
At William Jewell College of Nursing, we offer three different undergraduate nursing programs to adapt our curriculum to the needs of every student. Whether you’re looking for the traditional college experience, an accelerated timeline or joining us from another program, we can place you where you are best suited.
Four-year nursing program
Our four-year undergraduate nursing program is the most traditional and most comparable to a four-year college experience. Your first three semesters will take place exclusively on campus with classroom and laboratory education led by a professor. Starting your sophomore year, you will begin clinical rotations in conjunction with your coursework.
Three-year nursing program
Our three-year nursing program closely follows the curriculum of the four-year program but on an accelerated timeline. The number of required credits is also the same, but our counseling staff will help you space them out over 6 semesters and at least one summer term.
This fast-track program is our response to the healthcare industry’s timely need for more passionate, qualified and empowered nurses.
Transfer nursing program
If you are looking to transfer from another nursing program, we can evaluate your degree progress to fold you into the class of students that best matches your academic benchmark. Our goal is always to match you with a program that meets you where you’re at, not to set you back.
Exceptional faculty to learn from
Faculty expertise and experience can make a major impact on your learning. Especially nursing, but also as with any care-related career, it’s important to learn from people who have real-world experience and a credible education background.
Over 75% of our classroom instructors at Jewell are practicing nurses. We highly focus our curriculum on professionalism and practical applications from the start of your undergraduate nursing education.
Additionally, many of our counseling and administrative staff members are also retired or currently practicing nurses as well, including the chairmen of the department. This means that people with direct experience will provide guidance and mentorship throughout your time as an undergraduate.
Available student resources
Additional resources, whether on campus or inside the nursing program you choose, can intensely benefit and enrich your nursing education. From tutoring and counseling to study space and peer groups, consider what other opportunities can help you as a student when looking at a nursing program.
In any one of our undergraduate nursing programs, you will have access to specialized academic resources like tutoring, one-on-one meetings with professors and the Nursing Arts Laboratory at no additional cost to you. These resources are in place to help students maintain success in rigorous, engaging academic programs.
Service and leadership opportunities
Part of being a well-rounded nurse and caregiver is giving back; in our undergraduate nursing programs, this starts with our William Jewell community. Nursing students are encouraged to participate in student-led service projects throughout their time on campus. These projects include blood drives, fundraisers, food drives and more.
As you move into junior and senior-level coursework, you will also have the opportunity to lead some of these service projects and encourage your peers to donate their time and resources.
Campus involvement
Our nursing students are William Jewell students first. Our program encourages you to live on campus and participate in campus activities, no matter your field of study.
Extracurricular activities at William Jewell will help you become a more well-rounded student, individual and caregiver, including:
- Greek Life
- Cardinal Sound
- Athletics
- Multicultural Clubs
- Theater
- Debate
- And more
Career opportunities after graduation
No matter which nursing program you choose, the ultimate goal is to land your dream job after graduation. As a prospective student, you should consider any available statistics or testimonials about the program’s student employment rate after graduation.
We are proud to say that 85% of William Jewell nursing students receive job offers prior to graduation, and 100% of students enter the workforce within three months of graduation.
We credit these accomplishments in part to our exceptional nursing faculty, in part to the outstanding work ethic of our students and in part to the relationships with working nursing professionals built by our clinical programs.
Working in a medical environment as an undergraduate allows students to begin networking prior to graduation, and forge relationships with leaders in their desired fields of care. William Jewell nursing students earn themselves a reputation for quality patient care and leaderly conduct that makes them stand out in the hiring space.
Start your path to a nursing degree at William Jewell College
Apply for free to one of our leading undergraduate nursing programs today to experience the William Jewell difference and earn your nursing degree. With three different undergraduate program options, exceptional faculty and on-campus student resources, there is a place for every student to excel and succeed.
If you have questions, reach out to our department chair, Dr. Leesa McBroom, and her dedicated nursing admissions staff at mcbrooml@william.jewell.edu.