Columbia College’s nursing program has evolved in remarkable fashion over the past four years. One might say the program is awash in success with a state-of-the art facility, cutting-edge technology and perfect pass rates on the NCLEX exam. And while the program is enjoying a great run, it has faced some challenges along the way.
Linda Claycomb, nursing instructor and chair of Columbia College’s nursing program, arrived at the college in 2008. Soon after her arrival, Claycomb found that a shift was occurring in the college’s nursing student population.
“We no longer had LPNs (licensed practical nurse) or students with prior nursing experience, which really demanded a different curriculum,” Claycomb says.
Constrained by a shortage of time and resources, the program struggled to adjust to this change. Common issues included the lack of clinical space, adequate staffing and access to advanced technology. Recognizing a change had to be made to help the program take the next step, the college moved the nursing program into Federal Hall, located in the heart of downtown Columbia.
The move significantly enhanced the program’s instructional capabilities. With a larger space and more technology, Claycomb and the nursing faculty were able to make changes to improve their curriculum.
“It was a great move for us, because it gave us an opportunity to design something we felt would work for the students,” Claycomb says.
With the move, the program also addressed issues regarding accreditation and licensure. By establishing the Columbia College Nursing Network (CCNN), an interactive audio-visual conferencing tool connecting learners at the main campus with students at Columbia College-Lake of the Ozarks, the program creatively addressed a shortage of qualified instructors. Over time, the faculty found that test scores between the two campuses were strikingly similar, validating CCNN as an effective tool to educate students and address staffing issues.
“We’ve made it work exceptionally well,” Claycomb says. “To us, it shows that we’re delivering a stable curriculum.”
While the nursing program has experienced what Claycomb calls “growing pains,” it certainly is on solid footing now. This past fall, the college rolled out a bachelor of nursing for its online students; work also is underway to provide a bachelor of nursing to day students in 2016. And with the space and learning opportunities the Brouder Science Center provides, the future looks bright for the nursing program.
please let me know when and how to go back to schoolfor nursing
please
Dorothea, applying is easy. Just click on the APPLY button on the top right side of any of our web pages. However, give us a call at 875-7610 and we will get you connected to the right office depending on your needs and the nursing program you are wanting.
Will this program be offered to individuals in the Gurnee Il area
Ericka, this was designed to be an Online program. However, I believe we have a campus near you. Our Crystal Lake campus’s phone number is (815)447-440. At this campus you would be able to pick up some of the general education courses in-seat that you may need. But the nursing (NURS) classes are only available as Online coursework.
To clarify, we currently have two active nursing programs. One is an Associate in Nursing available in Columbia, Missouri and Lake of the Ozarks. Secondly we have our RN to BSN program available Online. Students have to have their RN license first and a degree to be eligible. In August 2016 we will have our 4 year traditional Bachelor in Nursing.
Hello I would like know will I be able to do a online bachelor of nursing degree program. I have a bachelor of science from this school.
Hi Ms. Shepard,
Please contact our nursing department at (573) 875-7220 to learn more. Thank you for your note!
Debra,
that is wonderful. This will mean you will have all your general education requirements done. Therefore you should be able to get this degree done quickly if you have an associates in nursing and your RN license. If you do not have this then you will want to apply to our Associates in Nursing Program first.
i have the same question. Still undecided what to become when I grow up- There are sooooooooooooo many possibilities. Keep changing my major, and recently found out the major I CHANGED TO WAS NOT WHAT I remembered it to be. tHIS SOUNDS GREAT.
Suzi to do our Online RN to BSN program, students have to have their RN (registered nurse) license and an Associate in Nursing first. If you do not have those two criteria, then you will either want to apply to the day program to start the regular in-seat program or attempt our Associates in Nursing that is available in the Day, Evening, or at the Lake campus. Call 875-7610 and we will get you connected to the right office depending on your status of what will best fit your needs.
Hello everybody, thank you for this program, hope to benefit from it.