The Department of Nursing and Allied Health and the College of Professional Studies at Missouri Western State University will hold a series of celebratory events during the week of Feb. 24 to recognize the department’s recent successful accreditation efforts.

“This was a very positive year for the accreditation process, and we want to invite everyone to celebrate with us and learn more about the educational opportunities we provide,” said Dr. Stephanie Corder, chair of the Department of Nursing and Allied Health.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) extended its accreditation for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for the maximum 10 more years. The initial CCNE accreditation for the Master of Science in Nursing program, which was established in 2010, is for the maximum five years. The Physical Therapist Assistant program was one of only a few programs accredited with “no deficiencies” by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education in 2013. And the Health Informatics and Information Management program is scheduled for an accreditation visit this spring from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.

Celebration events include:

  • Celebrating Caregivers: “Stress Less, Live More: How to Make a Good Life Great,” presented by Dr. Tim Crowley, who will remind caregivers in the health professions of the importance of caring for themselves as well as others. The presentation will be from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 in the Fulkerson Center. It is free and open to the public.
  • MSN Informational Session, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, Murphy Hall room 310. Join Missouri Western faculty, alumni and current students to learn more about the MSN in Healthcare Leadership and future plans for an MSN in Nursing Education.
  • RN to BSN Open House, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.26, Murphy Hall room 309. Registered nurses who are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will be given information about Missouri Western’s program on a drop-in basis.
  • Skills Lab Open House, 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, Murphy Hall rooms 305 and 307. High school and college students interested in the nursing, health information management or physical therapy assistant programs are invited to a tour of the skills labs and demonstrations of health information technology.
  • DONAH Students Giving Back, all day Friday, Feb. 27. The Student Nurses Association and Physical Therapy Assistant Club will collect donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Social Welfare Board.

The Department of Nursing and Allied Health is comprised of three programs: Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant and Health Informatics and Information Management. For more information, visit www.missouriwestern.edu/nursing or call 816-271-4415.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.