This past May, Washburn School of Nursing celebrated its 50th anniversary. Jane Carpenter, dean and associate professor for the School of Nursing, believes that Washburn will continue to provide a high-quality education to its students and prepare them for practice in a variety of environments.
The nursing program at Washburn University started in the fall of 1974, and in 1982, the program was granted status as a School of Nursing. Carpenter shared her thoughts on the accomplishment of Washburn’s nursing program in these 50 years.
“So far in 50 years, we have graduated 4,557 pre-licensed BSN students. We have graduated 107 RN to BSN students. We have 112 DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) graduates. We have graduated 252 PMHNP (Psychiatric Mental Health) certificate students. By the end of this year, we will have graduated over 5,000 students and they are providing care throughout our community, throughout the state, across the country and [we] also have some students working internationally,” Carpenter said.
In 1974, Washburn University’s nursing program started with a modest enrollment of just 55 students. At that time, the program was still in its early stages, and the number of students reflected the limited opportunities and awareness of nursing careers.
Fast forward to 2024, and the transformation of Washburn’s nursing program is nothing short of remarkable. Over the decades, the program has expanded significantly, reflecting both the growing demand for healthcare professionals and the university’s commitment to nursing education. By 2024, an astounding 5,000 graduates have emerged from the program, illustrating not only its popularity but also its reputation for excellence.
Carpenter also shared some of the goals and plans that Washburn has set for the upcoming years.
“We want to continue to have success. We want to continue to expand our simulation opportunities by adding virtual reality goggles as part of our simulations, and we are continuing our work in the community. Also, we…keep the curriculum current and updated with the [things] that change in care. There is always new technology we need to prepare our students for,” Carpenter said.
Washburn’s commitment to community health and service learning has strengthened its connection with local healthcare systems, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the challenges of modern nursing. Overall, the progress of Washburn University in nursing reflects a dedication to quality education and a response to the evolving needs of the healthcare industry.
Edited by Jeremy Ford and Morgan Albrecht
