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Linda Zoeller, Director
Main Office:  3477 CHHS (Oakland Campus)
Telephone:  (269) 387-8150
Fax:  (269) 387-8170

Kelly Ackerson
Mary Baukus
Jennifer Brown
Alice DeYoung
Sharie Falan
Yvonne Ford
Patricia Fuehr
Eva Jerome
Joni Jones
Wendy Kershner
Mary D. Lagerwey
Juanita Manning-Walsh
Susan Nelson
Corinne Overmyer
Elizabeth Phillips
Kimberly Searing 
Mary Stahl
Mary Ann Stark
Sally Sutkowi
Sally Vliem
Ruth Zielinski

The Western Michigan University Bronson School of Nursing opened in 1994, the result of several years of planning and collaboration by University and community leaders. The school was founded based on the need for baccalaureate prepared nursing professionals as articulated by local and national nursing leaders.

The WMU Bronson School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). The prelicensure track provides the nursing degree for individuals who are entering the nursing profession, while the Registered Nurse progression track offers an avenue to the degree for the licensed nurse who graduated from a diploma or associate degree program in nursing.

The WMU Bronson School of Nursing curricula are designed to prepare nurse generalists who comprehend the discipline and the profession of nursing and who are competent to provide, coordinate, and evaluate patient care in the multiple social contexts in which health care is delivered. The graduate of the program will deliver nursing care to individuals, groups, and communities.

The Western Michigan University Bronson School of Nursing seeks to prepare thoughtful, professional nurses who possess the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to deliver quality health care in this century. The faculty believe that the long-standing social contract between nursing and society conveys an understanding that community needs direct nursing services, that nurses develop partnerships with clients and other health care providers to promote holistic health care, and that caring is intrinsic to nursing. The curriculum integrates knowledge from liberal arts, sciences, and the discipline of nursing. The program emphasizes the development of skills, knowledge, and competencies essential for the scope of clinical judgment that distinguishes the practice of a professional nurse. Concepts of patterning, holism, caring, service to vulnerable groups, and partnership are emphasized. 

Accreditation

The Michigan Board of Nursing is the regulatory body that grants provisional and full approval of nursing education programs in the State of Michigan. Full approval of the WMU Bronson School of Nursing undergraduate program was granted in July 2002 following provisional status prior to that time.

The Western Michigan University Bronson School of Nursing undergraduate program is accredited through 2017 by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036-1120, phone: (202) 887-6791. The CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency. As a “specialized professional accrediting agency, CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs” (CCNE document).

The Bronson School of Nursing undergraduate program has also received endorsement from the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation, which is the credentialing body for holistic nursing. This endorsement enables graduates of the program to be exempt from prerequisites should they choose to sit for the National Certification Examination in Holistic Nursing.  

Direct Admission to the Professional Nursing Program (BSN)

Students who have recently graduated from high school demonstrating excellent academic performance in their high school curriculum, particularly in the sciences, in addition to high ACT (or equivalent) scores will be considered for direct admission to the professional nursing program. Direct admission to the professional nursing program is very selective and highly competitive.

Students are being considered for fall direct admission as University applications are received by the school. Limited seats will be available each fall semester.

Selection criteria for direct admission to the professional nursing program requires at least ALL of the following:

• High school GPA of at least 3.6 or higher.
• All ACT subsection scores at or above 27.
• One year of high school chemistry (grades will be evaluated).
• Two years of high school biology (grades will be evaluated).

Students will be required to maintain a minimum of 3.25 University cumulative GPA, earn a “B” (3.0) or better in each of the prerequisite sciences courses (CHEM 1510 and CHEM 1520; CHEM 1530 and CHEM 1540; and BIOS 1910 and BIOS 2400) and earn no less than a “C” (2.0) in all other courses to maintain their place in the professional nursing program. Failure to maintain these standards will result in the student being placed into pre-nursing, and will need to reapply for the professional nursing program on a competitive basis with other applicants.

Pre-nursing Curriculum

The WMU applications of high school students who are admitted to WMU and indicate “Pre-nursing” as their field of interest will be advised to begin the required Pre-nursing Curriculum and will begin the program of studies in the fall semester of the freshman year. Current WMU students, transfer students, and second degree students may choose to become “Pre-nursing”. It is highly recommended that the student make an advising appointment with an advisor in CHHS.

The Undergraduate Professional Nursing Program

This program, with two curriculum tracks, leads to the completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). 

1. A Prelicensure Track is offered for individuals who do not hold a Registered Nurse license.
2. A second track, the RN Progression Track, has been specifically designed for Registered Nurses.

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