History
The Hesston College nursing program enrolled its first class of students in the fall of 1966. Two years later in May of 1968, 18 students became the first Associate Degree graduates of the Hesston College nursing program. Over time, 1133 individuals have graduated from the program and launched careers in nursing. These graduates include traditional-aged, dorming students from all over the United States and world, as well as commuting students from the local region who come to Hesston College for a first-time college experience or to retool for a new career.
Proven Record of Excellence
The Hesston College nursing program has earned a trusted reputation in preparing graduates for the Registered Nurse (RN) role. Of our nursing graduates to date, more than 98.6% have passed the national licensure exam and are now registered nurses. Hesston College graduates are valued employees in a variety of settings and RN roles in the local Kansas region, throughout the United States, and internationally.
Accreditation History
Hesston College was the first Associate Degree program in Kansas to achieve accreditation from the National League for Nursing (NLN) in 1970. Since that time, the program has maintained continuous accreditation by the NLN Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The program is also approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. Both of these agencies set forth standards and expectations to ensure the quality of classroom and clinical education that Hesston College nursing students receive.
Why Nursing Graduates Say They are Glad They Chose Hesston
Hesston College provides a person-centered, supportive educational setting in which students can gain confidence in their knowledge, gifts and nursing skills. Nursing faculty members are concerned about the education their students receive, and work with students on a one-to-one basis. Faculty members believe that an open, supportive relationship with students is the greatest asset of the Hesston College nursing program. Surveys show that Hesston College nursing alumni are very satisfied with the personal care and support they received from nursing faculty. Here are a few samples of alumni comments taken from recent surveys:
- "The sense of integrity is what I enjoyed about this program. The instructors help students with care and compassion, not with ridicule and sarcasm."
- "I valued the way faith was incorporated into nursing and the relationship between instructors and students."
- "Caring and compassion were taught and demonstrated by nursing faculty who showed us a personal touch throughout the program. I think this helps Hesston College nurses become more caring and compassionate in their practice, too."
- "A very strong point of the Hesston program is the art of nursing learned here. The art is relating to people. Positive interpersonal skills were demonstrated by faculty in relating to each other, students and patients. This is an aspect of nursing often forgotten in our high-tech world. I'm convinced that a smile, well-timed humor, a hand to hold, or a shoulder for a patient or family member to cry on can do more for healing than any pill or knife. Its the 'art of nursing'..it's the art of Jesus."
- "Hesston College prepared me with excellent basic nursing knowledge that has allowed me to excel as a nurse. The faculty provided me with a strong foundation to provide holistic care. I often get compliments for my nursing practice and am asked where I obtained my nursing degree. I encourage the interviewing of Hesston College graduates at my employment agency because I know how well-prepared they will be."
- "I greatly enjoyed the nursing program and have never regretted my choice to attend Hesston College. It's wonderful to have Christian nursing instructors teaching students how to 'heal' patients physically, spiritually and emotionally. I value all that I learned at Hesston and pray that I can be as good a nurse as I was taught to be."
Unique Aspects of the Nursing Program
As part of a church-affiliated campus community, students are encouraged to explore their personal values and faith perspective to understand how this can enhance nursing care of clients. A thread of holistic nursing care runs throughout the curriculum, upholding the program's purpose to prepare nursing graduates "who view nursing as a service and are equipped to deliver direct, quality client care through nurturing the body, mind and spirit."
Each nursing course examines aspects of faith, ethics and caring as students consider their nursing role and the needs of clients. In the Biblical Literature course required of all students, Michele Hershberger of the Bible faculty and Bonnie Sowers of the Nursing faculty combine their academic areas to help students integrate concepts from the Biblical narrative with real-life nursing experiences. Their goal is to empower students to bring hope and love to clients along with technical nursing interventions.