New Partnership too Address Nursing Shortage in Rural Kansas
McPherson Collage students will soon have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through a new partnership with the University of Kansas (KU) School of Nursing, beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. This collaboration directly addresses the critical nursing shortage impacting rural communities across Kansas and reinforces McPherson College’s dedication to healthcare accessibility.
The program is designed for students seeking the benefits of a large, well-equipped public university nursing program alongside the personalized experience of a small, residential liberal arts college. Students will complete 60 credit hours of prerequisite coursework at McPherson College, guaranteeing admission to the KU nursing program. They will then finish their remaining 60 credit hours through a combination of courses at KU’s Salina campus and online learning, while continuing to live and participate in the McPherson College community. Degrees will be conferred by KU.
“McPherson College and the University of Kansas School of Nursing share a common goal: to educate healthcare professionals who will serve the needs of rural Kansas,” explained McPherson College Executive Vice President Aaron Meis. ”This partnership will educate nurses specifically interested in serving in rural settings, like the McPherson Center for Health.”
Clinical experiences will be readily available in rural healthcare facilities throughout central Kansas, including locations in Salina and McPherson.
“The KU School of Nursing is thrilled to partner with McPherson College to expand access to nursing education for students in central Kansas,” said Jean Foret Giddens, Ph.D., FAAN, dean of KU School of Nursing. ”Our Salina campus is prepared to educate and graduate nurses ready to serve rural communities and beyond.”
This partnership comes at a crucial time. A recent report from the Kansas Nursing Workforce center at KU highlighted a strong link between nurse-to-resident ratios and county health outcomes, emphasizing the vital role nurses play in the well-being of Kansans. The report also projects significant nursing shortages due to impending retirements (29% of registered nurses and 23% of licensed practical nurses in the next five years) and a 39% decline in nursing school enrollment over the past decade. The Kansas Department of Labor forecasts a need for over 28,000 nursing assistants,18,000 registered nurses,and 6,000 home health aides by 2026.
