WIU Department News

2008 Bertha Greishaber Fink Scholarship Recipient

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to Susan Brown, recipient of the 2008 Bertha Greishaber Fink Scholarship which is given to assist undergraduate or graduate students in a nursing program at Western Illinois University.

2008 Dorothy R. 'Dode' Hanson Scholarship Recipient

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Patty Smith was selected as recipient of the 2008 Dorothy R. “Dode” Hanson Scholarship which is given to assist undergraduate students in a nursing program at Western Illinois University. Congratulations Patty.

BOT Recommends Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

MOLINE, IL -- The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees recommended a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at its meeting today (June 6, 2008) at the WIU-Quad Cities Campus.

The proposed 125-semester hour BSN degree is designed for individuals who wish to become registered nurses and obtain a bachelor's degree. Western's BSN program will allow students to begin their education at WIU as a freshman in the pre-BSN major, complete two years of general education and nursing support courses, and apply for admission into the nursing major. In 2007, the BOT and the Illinois Board of Higher Education granted approval to Western to offer the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN-BSN completion degree program to allow associate degree and diploma nurses to develop skills for a higher level of nursing practice.

The degree program will be forwarded to the Illinois Board of Higher Education for consideration.

"The College is very appreciated to the Board of Trustees for its continued support of our initiatives," said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Inessa Levi. "This new program will directly address the chronic and severe shortage of nurses in our region while providing excellence in academic opportunities."

IBHE Approves Nursing Degree Program at WIU

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

MACOMB, IL -- The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) today (Dec. 4) approved a Western Illinois University request to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

The BSN degree, which was approved by Western's Board in June 2007, was created to meet the demand for additional education for nursing professionals in western Illinois. The 121- to 124-semester hour degree program will serve registered nurses who have completed an associate degree or a three-year diploma program.

"We are pleased that this new -- and much needed -- degree program was approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education," said WIU President Al Goldfarb. "The Bachelor of Science in Nursing fits with the University's strategic plan goal to enhance academic offerings. We look forward to working with the region's healthcare facilities and community colleges to provide this quality academic program to their employees and students."

Lea Monahan was named the first director of Western Illinois University’s School of Nursing in July 2007.

"This degree will add to, and enhance, the registered nurse's basic knowledge of the nursing profession and provide them with the opportunity for career advancement," Monahan said. "The program, which is a response to a critical shortage of trained professionals regionally and nationally, will be a valuable addition to the biological sciences department, the College of Arts and Sciences and the University."

The program complements six health-related degree programs offered by WIU: undergraduate and graduate biological sciences programs and communication sciences and disorders programs; and the bachelor's degree programs in health services management and clinical laboratory science.

"We have strong resources in place to support the new BSN program," College of Arts and Sciences Dean Inessa Levi said. "This program fulfills the institution's goal to positively impact our region by meeting the educational needs of our communities."

Levi noted that several organizations were involved with the original program proposal, including officials from McDonough District Hospital, Carl Sandburg College, Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing, Spoon River College, Graham Hospital School of Nursing and John Wood Community College.

"The Macomb region is fortunate to have the long-standing Spoon River Associate Degree in Nursing program, which is vital in our success of meeting nurse staffing needs. Western's new BSN program will provide us with another avenue for nurse recruitment, as well as provide an excellent opportunity for our current RN staff who wish to continue their education," said Wanda Foster, vice president for nursing at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb. "We look forward to our continued working relationship with Western and to serving as an anchor clinical site for the new program."

The University will begin the accreditation process with the Illinois Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Copy By: Darcie Shinberger, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606