Nursing (Liberal Arts)

Wheaton College offers a 3-2 Liberal Arts/Nursing Program leading to both a B.S. from Wheaton and a B.S.N. or advanced degree from CCNE and NLNAC accredited nursing schools. Since 1982, this program has prepared students for the nursing profession by providing a solid Christian liberal arts foundation including the basic sciences. During the three years the student is at Wheaton, students enroll in the courses that will enable them to meet the admission requirements for nursing schools. Assistance is given the student in transferring to the nursing school affiliate of choice. The last two years or more are spent at the nursing school.

Please consult the Wheaton College On-line Catalog regarding course prerequisites to fulfill the requirements for the Liberal Arts Nursing major. 

Pathways to the Nursing Profession at Wheaton

These are options for preparing for the nursing profession at Wheaton:

1. LA/N as a first major - 3-2 program
2. LA/N as a second major - all requirements for the major must still be fulfilled including enrollment in nursing school
3. Non-LA/N major with an interest in the nursing profession and a desire to complete admissions requirements for application to nursing schools

Nursing School Affiliates

These are specifically 3-2 programs:

• Emory University, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing >>, Atlanta, GA, for the BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
• Vanderbilt University School of Nursing >>, Nashville, TN, for the MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)

The nature of the agreements Wheaton has with the schools is affiliate-specific. If one of Wheaton's nursing school affiliates changes their program, Wheaton must reflect those changes by adjusting and adapting our pre-nursing program. The nursing profession desires to have more highly educated nurses and nurse leaders. Nursing schools have been in transition in order to educate better prepared nurses and nurse leaders for the future. Some schools have phased out their BSN and/or ABSN programs. Some have initiated Direct Entry Masters programs. 

Rush University College of Nursing >> initiated their Generalist Entry Masters program (GEM). Now a bachelor's degree is required for admission. Many schools offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). In collaboration with the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing >> at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, students may pursue the DNP degree (MN/MSN/DNP). A DNP is also offered at Rush and Vanderbilt.