Kansas is in the midst of a nursing shortage. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment predicts a statewide shortfall of almost 6000 nurses by 2020. But efforts to recruit new nurses have been hindered by a lack of nurse faculty. Nurses must have an MSN degree, at least, to teach nursing students in Kansas, and there simply aren't enough MSN and PhD-qualified nurses to teach all the qualified nursing school applicants. A 2006 program passed by the Kansas legislature is designed to address this problem. The $30 million, 10-year program supports the hiring of additional nurse educators, increases faculty wages, and provide Nurse Educator Service Scholarship Grants to nurses who want to become nurse educators.
Kansas could also use more master's-prepared advanced practice nurses. Demand for primary healthcare services is strong, and expected to grow as the state's population ages. Nurse practitioners are particularly in demand.
Professional organizations for MSN-prepared nurses in Kansas include Kansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Kansas Organization of Nurse Leaders and the Kansas State Nurses Association.
MSN programs for Kansas nurses include:
- University of Kansas Medical Center. UKMC offers a wealth of MSN programs, including degree preparation for nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse specialists. Unique MSN degrees at UKMC include Clinical Research Management and a joint MSN-Organizational Leadership/MS-Health Services Administration degree.
- Wichita State University. Wichita State is an excellent option for nurses who desire a career as an advanced practice nurses. The school offers MSN degrees for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and nurse midwives. Nurse managers and administrators may be interested in the dual MSN/MBA program.
