Mennonite College of Nursing Illinois State University

Becoming Illinois State University's sixth academic college in 1999, the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University creates a dynamic community of learning. They offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and the length of the study will depend on which degree one is looking to obtain. The number of students admitted to the Mennonite College of Nursing varies from year to year depending on program capacity, enrollment targets they need to meet, and qualifications of applicants. At this time, MCN has fifty-seven staff members. The overall goal of the MCN is to develop nurses, beginning at an entry level, who will lead in improving health outcomes both locally and globally. Upon exploring this page, insight about the history behind the school, obtain all the need-to-know information, and a little bit of everything in between will be discussed.

Older Picture of Edwards HallEdwards Hall- Where the School is Located

Admission Requirements

Students applying to Mennonite College of Nursing are accepted into the (nursing) major as either a freshman or as a transfer student attending another institution. The requirements, guidelines, and prerequisites are dependent on which type of student they are considered (freshman or transfer). For incoming freshmen, applications to Illinois State are accepted beginning September 1st of the year that precedes anticipated enrollment at the university (i.e. September 1st of senior year in high school). The preferred filing period deadline is November 15th. The application for transfer students will be open toward the end of the preceding spring semester (i.e. April 1, 2016 through June 15, 2016 for Spring 2017 or Summer 2017 nursing admission). In addition to academic excellence, all students must must meet health and safety compliance requirements. In order to due so, this will include drug testing, a criminal background check, a physical examination, and several immunizations. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in dismissal from the major. For a full list of requirements and deadlines, see the Nursing Admission Requirement webpage.

Academics

The MCN at ISU provides a number of Undergraduate and Graduate studies in order to best suite the needs of the individual student. They have the option to choose from a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. The available programs are listed and briefly described below.

Undergraduate Programs:

A traditional Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN): This degree will be taught over the course of four full-time study semesters. Each of the four semester will provide the practice of skills and the application of knowledge using a variety of classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences.
Accelerated BSN: This is another option offered in the undergraduate program for students who have previously completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Accelerated BSN provides a unique opportunity for those who demonstrated academic success and perseverance (while obtaining their first bachelor's) and who are committed to the profession of nursing and wish to earn a second bachelor’s degree.
RN/BSN- Online: Also part of the undergraduate program, this option exists to current Registered Nurses. This would be either full-time or part-time studies and would be an online sequence from RN to receive a Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree.

Master of Science in Nursing Programs:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): This sequence prepares those who have obtained a BSN to function in an advanced practice role for direct health care services. This study would integrate preventive and self-care measures, as well as the diagnosis and management of commonly occurring acute and chronic health conditions.
Nursing Systems Administration- Online: Graduates of this sequence are prepared to function at executive levels. They would be required to work as innovative, collaborative leaders within changing health care environments.

Post Masters Certificate:

Family Nurse Practitioner: Once a student already hold a master’s degree in nursing, this certificate option would be available to individuals who wish to become licensed and practice as family nurse practitioners.

PhD:

PhD in Nursing: The Doctor of Philosophy - courses in the PhD program are taught on-campus. Some distance education incorporated at the discretion of the faculty will also be included.

DNP:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)- Online: Prepares nurses with a blend of skills to serve as clinical and/or administrative leaders in healthcare systems. DNP prepared nurses may also serve as educators in a variety of settings. As a practice-focused doctoral program, the DNP program focuses on practice that is innovative and evidence-based, reflecting the application of credible research findings.

Scholarships

Mennonite College of Nursing offers several private scholarships for individuals accepted into the nursing program as well as faculty. Filling out one application will cover all of the the available scholarships. For a full list of available scholarships and details, the Mennonite College of Nursing Scholarship web page covers the basis for what is the MCN has to offer. Any additional questions and/or concerns regarding the scholarships should be directed to Lissa Bevins at 309-438-3143.

History

With a purpose to establish a hospital and training school for nurses in Bloomington Illinois,The Mennonite College of Nursing began in 1919 when several Mennonite Church leaders came together to form the Mennonite Sanitarium Association. In 1920, the Kelso Sanitarium and training school was acquired by the Mennonite Sanitarium Association. The training school was known as Mennonite Sanitarium Training School before 1939 when the name changed to Mennonite Hospital School of Nursing. During this time, nursing students were taught through classes and lecture, but trained primarily with hands-on experience. The first graduates of the training school graduated in 1922. In 1925, the students began to take classes in theory and practice. In the same year, the alumni association was created. Prior to 1946, nursing students were housed in various houses owned or rented by the Association of the training school. It was not until 1965, when the Board of Trustees of Mennonite Hospital Association created a separate policy, making board for the school. By the late 1940s, nursing students took classes from Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State Normal University. On December 1, 1982, William E. Dunn, the chairman of the Mennonite Hospital School of Nursing Board of Directors, announced the establishment of Mennonite College of Nursing. In 1998, Mennonite College of Nursing and Illinois State University began investigating and planning for a merger. Various facets were considered in planning the transition of Mennonite College of Nursing to Illinois State University including moving the nursing library collection to Milner Library at ISU and financial impacts. On July 1, 1999, Mennonite College of Nursing became the sixth academic college at Illinois State University.

Interesting Facts

With a national pass rate of 82 percent and a state pass rate of 84 percent (on the national nursing licensure examination (NCLEX-RN) for 2014), MCN Graduates complete with a pass rate of 94 percent.
Students have had the opportunity to examine nursing care internationally with MCN's Transcultural Nursing Experience. Locations have included England, Russia, Kenya, Kentucky and Texas as well as Chicago area.
In July 2012, MCN received a three year, $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources – Health Resources and Services Administration.

Despite the workload and the high pressured environment, many students really enjoy the program that the Mennonite College of Nursing has to offer. In the lectures, all of the instructors have real life, first hand experience in what they are teaching, which is reflective in the individuals performance.