RockhuRst univeRsity 2012–2014 catalog

Research College of NursingAdministrationPresident/DeanAssociate Dean for Academic ProgramsDirector of Financial AidDirector of Student AffairsDirector of Learning Resource CenterDirector, Web-Based EducationDirector of Transfer and Graduate RecruitmentDirector of Technological ResourcesAccelerated B.S.N. Program DirectorTraditional B.S.N. Program DirectorGraduate Program DirectorNancy DeBasio, Ph.D., R.N.Stacie Withers, B.A.Lori Vitale, M.A., Ed.S.Tobey Stosberg, B.S.N., R.N.Sheryl Max, M.N., R.N.Leslie Mendenhall, B.A.Will GivensSharon Snow, Ph.D., R.N.Julie Nauser, Ph.D., R.N.Lynn Warmbrodt, Psy.D., R.N.IntroductionResearch 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 Bachelorof Science in Nursing. (The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is awarded jointly bythe two institutions.) Research College of Nursing is a private non-sectarian institution ofhigher learning sponsored by Research Medical Center.The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) is organized and available to qualifiedstudents 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 adultstudents. 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 ina field other than nursing at a regionally accredited institution. The nursing component isdesigned to be completed in a calendar year (twelve months).Students of the nursing program are enrolled at both institutions. The B.S.N. degreeconsists 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 withfive tracks. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track prepares nurses for an advancedpractice role as a health care provider in a variety of primary care settings. The secondtrack, Executive Nurse Practice: Health Care Leadership (ENP), provides nurses with theskill sets necessary to function in management roles in complex health care delivery systems.The Nurse Educator track prepares nurse educators with knowledge and strategiesfor teaching in both clinical and academic settings. The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)track is an advanced generalist who assumes accountability for patient care outcomes atthe point of care through the assimilation and application of evidence-based informationto design, implement, and evaluate patient plans of care. The CNL is a leader in all settingsin 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 inResearch College of NursingUndergraduate Programs231