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Marie F. Gates, Director
Mary Baukus 
Teri A. Davis
Alice DeYoung
Sharie Falan
Patricia Fuehr
Diane B. Hamilton 
Judy Hoelscrer
Eva Jerome
Joni Jones
Wendy Kershner
Mary D. Lagerwey
Juanita Manning-Walsh
Susan Nelson
Bonnie E. Rencher
Judith Sadler
Kimberly Searing 
Mary Stahl
Mary Ann Stark
Sally Sutkowi
Joyce Thompson
Sally Vliem

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 2007 by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washinton, 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 second CCNE visit took place in March 2007. The decision will be announced in Fall 2007.

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.

Admission to Prenursing Curriculum

The WMU applications of high school students who indicate nursing as their field of interest and who satisfy the minimum admission considerations for the Prenursing Curriculum will be forwarded to the Bronson School of Nursing. A final selection will be made by the Bronson School of Nursing. These students will be admitted to the Prenursing 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 be admitted to the Prenursing curriculum on a space available basis. Interested students should make an appointment with the Bronson School of Nursing student advisor for application information.

The Undergraduate Professional Program

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

A Prelicensure Track is offered for individuals who do not hold a Registered Nurse license.

A second track, the RN Progression Track, has been specifically designed for Registered Nurses.

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