President's Office

Dean's Message
Welcome to Research College of Nursing!!  The College has its roots in the history of Research Medical Center which began in 1886 as the German Hospital.  In 1905, the German Hospital Training School for Nurses admitted its first class.  In 1979 a unique partnership was formed with Rockhurst University, a Jesuit institution. The program has enjoyed a reputation for excellence in nursing education in the greater Kansas City community as well as in the region since the inception of that first program. To date, over 3500 students have graduated since 1906. The College has an enrollment of over 400 undergraduate and graduate students representing various areas of the United States as well as several other countries.

The undergraduate program which offers the BSN jointly with Rockhurst University has two options:  the four-year traditional program which admits students directly into the nursing major as a freshman and the accelerated one-year track which is designed for highly motivated individuals who hold degrees in other fields.  You will be exposed to a wide variety of rich clinical resources of the HCA Midwest Division as well as other excellent clinical facilities.  Our BSN graduates enjoy a consistently high success rate on NCLEX, the licensure examination.  Graduates have little difficulty securing positions in a wide range of settings. We also offer a graduate program with three tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Executive Nurse Practice, and Nurse Educator.  These graduates function in advanced practice roles in clinic and ambulatory care settings, leadership positions in healthcare systems, and in educator roles. We believe that the foundation for lifelong learning begins for you during the undergraduate experience.

Our faculty are clinical experts in their fields as well as creative and innovative teachers.  They are committed to partnering with you to ensure your success in our curriculum.  As a freshman, you will be assigned a nursing advisor who will facilitate not only your progression through coursework but your development into a professional who will make a positive difference in the lives of others!!  Our exceptional alumnae/i are a reflection of this educational experience…they are leaders in a constantly changing healthcare environment; practitioners who are competent and compassionate; individuals who are concerned about the human experience of those in all walks of life.

Our mission states that "students are challenged to think creatively and sensitively to formulate a global view of nursing and a commitment to excellence in healthcare practice."  I invite you to explore our website and our community of learners.  I am delighted that you are considering joining us on your educational journey.  Please contact me should you have any questions at nancy.debasio@researchcollege.edu. I look forward to hearing from you!!

With warm regards,

Nancy O. DeBasio, PhD, RN
Dean and Professor