Pathway to Nursing Program in Manhattan

This unique dual degree program offers you a valuable opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Kansas State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) from 成人头条. Both programs are conveniently located on the K-State campus in Manhattan, KS.

A degree from K-State will accelerate your nursing career toward your specialty area of interest and allow you to have twice the impact on patient care. For example, if you鈥檙e interested in mental health, pairing your BSN with a degree in psychology can provide valuable insights into mental health, while a degree in business can equip you with entrepreneurial skills essential for navigating healthcare systems.

The 成人头条 State BSN program is the first and only BSN program in Kansas located at two state universities. Students develop their skills in our state-of-the-art simulation laboratories and diverse clinical rotations. With small class sizes, students are personally mentored by faculty members who are experts in their field.

Contact us to learn more about the benefits of the dual degree program and find out which degree pairings are popular for nursing careers.

Key Program Features

Key Program Features

  • Receive two bachelor鈥檚 degrees in 5 years. This dual degree gives students the opportunity to earn two degrees from two prestigious universities in approximately five years. Nurses who complete the Pathway to Nursing program can customize their nursing practice. By earning a second degree in addition to nursing, you have the opportunity to individualize your expertise and enter practice with an edge. For example, if you鈥檙e passionate about working with Armed Services Veterans, you may consider majoring in Kinesiology at KSU. Similarly, you may consider earning a Psychology degree at KSU if you plan to serve those with mental illness.
  • Earn professional qualifications. Students completing this program are qualified for entry-level nursing positions in all healthcare settings. The BSN degree also prepares students for graduate-level study.
  • Receive national preparation. The BSN degree prepares students to take the national RN licensing exam and become registered nurses.
  • Receive full coursework and clinical experience. This program encompasses the same amount of coursework and clinical experience as our traditional program but in a compressed time frame.
  • Small class sizes. Students will enjoy learning intimately with their expert instructors and peers. Nursing lectures will never exceed 20 students for one instructor, and practicums will never exceed 10 students for one instructor.
  • Expert faculty. The instructors teaching in the KSU Pathway are often practicing in the community. They bring their real-time real-life experiences to class to help illustrate important concepts.  
Conditional - Admission Criteria

Conditional 鈥 Admission Criteria

  • Minimum criteria must be met in order to be admitted to the traditional nursing program:
  • Admitted to WSU as a degree bound, active, undergraduate student
  • No more than 6 credit hours of general education or elective courses left to complete at the start of the nursing program
  • Must remain a current undergraduate student at Kansas State University. You cannot graduate from Kansas State University while pursuing the dual degree.
  • Meet application deadline of February 1 (fall start) or September 1 (spring start)
  • Fully completed application packet submitted by application deadline
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.75
  • If student has taken courses at WSU, they must have a minimum 2.00 institution GPA
  • 3 of the 5 required science courses must be transcripted (grade awarded) to be eligible to apply to the undergraduate prelicensure programs. The required courses include: 
    • Chemistry
    • Anatomy and Physiology
    • Microbiology
    • Pathophysiology
    • Clinical Pharmacology

 


Selection Rubric

GPA Total

  • Points in this criteria will be given by calculating your GPA total multiplied by 10
    (e.g. 3.65x10=36 points).
  • Maximum of 40 points allowed.

Science Grade

  • Using the most recent grade, 6 points will be awarded per science grade with a 2.00 (C) or better.
  • A maximum of 30 points can be allowed.

Healthcare Experience

  • Points are awarded on qualifying experience detailed in the application packet.
  • Maximum 3 points allowed.

Diversity Experience

  • Points are awarded on qualifying experience detailed in the application packet.
  • Maximum 2 points allowed.

Typed Essay

  • Submit no more than a 350-word essay describing the following:
    • Your understanding of the role of the nurse
    • Why you want to be a nurse.
  • Both prompts must be answered.
  • Maximum 3 points allowed.
Final - Admission Criteria

Note: Failure to meet all the above conditions will result in forfeiture of your final admission to the nursing program.

Program FAQs

Program FAQs

How does the Pathway to Nursing Program in Manhattan work?
  • Students apply to K-State and declare pre-nursing.
  • Students work on nursing pre-requisites while simultaneously working to complete K-State degree.
  • After completing pre-requisites, students apply to 成人头条 and the WSU Traditional BSN program.
  • Students graduate at the same time with both bachelor's degrees.

All students are assigned a health professions advisor in the College of Health and Human Sciences that work in conjunction with the students鈥 academic advisor. Students begin the program working towards their bachelor鈥檚 degree from K-State while fulfilling the requirements needed for the nursing program. Once requirements are met, students submit an application for WSU鈥檚 Traditional BSN program. Accepted students will spend the next two years in the Traditional BSN program and earn a BSN degree from WSU. Both degree programs are based in Manhattan, Kansas.

What is the cost of tuition?

This information can be found on the Tuition and Fees web page. 

When did the WSU's Traditional BSN program begin on the K-State Manhattan campus?

The Kansas State Board of Nursing granted approval for WSU to accept students to its Traditional BSN program in fall semester 2022.

What are the advantages of the WSU/K-State nursing program?

This dual degree program gives students the valuable opportunity to earn two degrees from two prestigious universities in approximately five years. A degree from K-State will advance your nursing career toward your specialty area of interest and allow you to have twice the impact on patient care. 

Who is eligible to apply for this program?

This program is available to any student who is admitted to K-State. Students will apply to K-State and declare their major of choice as well as declare pre-nursing. Students who meet the eligibility requirements established will be eligible to apply to the WSU Traditional BSN program.  Please visit the WSU School of Nursing website for information about the Traditional BSN program鈥檚 eligibility requirements.

How long will it take to complete WSU鈥檚 Traditional BSN program offered on the K-State Manhattan campus?

The Pathway to Nursing program may be completed in as little as five years, but may require additional time depending on the K-State major selected by the student. There are some majors whose coursework requirements are better suited for this program. Students should work with the health professions advisor to review their long-range plan to determine the time it would take to complete both degrees.

What are the requirements for acceptance to WSU's Traditional BSN program on the K-State Manhattan campus?

In addition to the program requirements for students enrolled at WSU's main campus in 成人头条, students must also be an active, degree-seeking student at KSU to apply. Please visit the WSU School of Nursing website for information on the Traditional BSN program and graduate programs.

What major will I enroll in at K-State? 

There are several majors specifically coordinated with the nursing program designed for program completion within five years. These majors include human development and family science, integrative human sciences, nutrition and health, and kinesiology. However, students in the pathway program may choose to enroll in any of the 250 majors offered at K-State.

Before selecting any major, students should visit with a College of Health and Human Sciences representative to create a long-range plan with the student's selected major to understand the course load and sequence of courses that will be required to fulfill both the K-State degree and the nursing pre-requisite courses.

Will all clinical rotations and courses be in Manhattan?

All courses will be on the K-State campus in Manhattan, Kansas. Clinical rotations will be held at various clinical sites across the state of Kansas.

What prerequisite courses do I need to apply for the nursing program?

Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more about required prerequisite courses.

Is there a separate application for this program?

All students applying to the WSU Traditional BSN program will complete the same application. Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more.

How will I be advised through the Pathway to Nursing program?

Students who enter the Pathway to Nursing program will meet with an academic advisor, (sometimes called a major advisor) specific to their major, and a health professions advisor in the K-State College of Health and Human Sciences. Academic advisors help students understand what they must do to complete the requirements of their major (degree). Health professions advisors help students understand what they must do to become competitive applicants to health professional schools and programs.

Once a student applies and is accepted into the WSU Traditional BSN program, students will transition to a WSU nursing advisor as they complete the nursing portion of the program.

How many students will be admitted into the program?

20 students will be admitted into the program each semester.

How many admit periods or cycles are there?

There are two Program Entry Points for the Traditional BSN Program: Spring and Fall. Application deadlines are Feb. 1 for fall entry and Sept. 1 for spring entry.

What does the coursework look like for just the nursing classes?

Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more about coursework.

Once students complete the K-State degree requirements is admission to the traditional BSN program at WSU guaranteed?

No, admission to the traditional BSN program at WSU is not guaranteed. All students will apply to the traditional BSN program and admission is competitive. Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more.

If I am part of the WSU/K-State nursing program, will I be able to apply to other nursing schools?

Students in the program will have met the general requirements to apply to other nursing programs. However, specific nursing programs may require additional courses that were not required for this program. Required courses for certain nursing programs should be discussed with your health professions advisor.

I am a registered nurse with an Associate鈥檚 Degree. Will I be able to complete my BSN degree at WSU鈥檚 Traditional BSN program on the K-State campus?

If a student already has their RN license and holds an Associate鈥檚 Degree, the program that would fit their interest is WSU鈥檚 RN-BSN completion program. The RN-BSN program is completely online and can be completed in three semesters as a full-time student.

I already have a BA in Psychology. Will the Accelerated BSN program be available through WSU鈥檚 BSN program at K-State鈥檚 Manhattan campus?

WSU's Traditional BSN program will be offered at K-State鈥檚 Manhattan campus. The Accelerated (ABSN) program is offered on WSU鈥檚 main campus in 成人头条, Kansas. Please visit WSU鈥檚 School of Nursing website for information about the Accelerated BSN program, Traditional BSN program and Graduate programs.