About the School

WVU School of Nursing offers innovative educational programs for learners at all levels from baccalaureate through masters to doctoral education in nursing.

Our expert faculty are engaged in clinically relevant research to better meet the health care needs of the citizens of our rural state and in service initiatives such as promoting health in the public schools and providing leadership in meeting the nursing workforce needs of West Virginia.

• Vision Statement of the WVU School of Nursing

  West Virginia University School of Nursing envisions optimal health, enhanced quality of life, and excellent health care for the people of West Virginia and the global community.

• Mission of the WVU School of Nursing

  The mission of the WVU School of Nursing is to lead in improving health in West Virginia and the broader society through excellence in student-centered educational programs, research and scholarship, the compassionate practice of nursing, and service to the public and the profession.

• Goals of the WVU School of Nursing

  1. Promote a rigorous academic environment responsive to the diverse needs of the communities we serve.
     Goal 1: Elevate program quality by striving for academic excellence and using resources responsibly.
     Goal 2: Create an environment to promote student success and retention.
     Goal 3: Integrate instructional technology throughout the curriculum to enhance student learning.
     Goal 4: Promote teaching effectiveness through formalized faculty development, mentoring, and peer evaluation.
     Goal 5: Enhance diversity in curriculum, faculty, and students.
  2. Develop and lead innovative research and scholarship that informs practice.
     Goal 1: Establish infrastructure to increase internal and external funding for research and scholarship.
     Goal 2: Develop faculty leaders in research and scholarship through a formal mentoring program.
     Goal 3: Establish collaborative relationships to expand research and scholarly efforts.
     Goal 4: Increase the dissemination of research and scholarly efforts.
  3. Deliver excellent patient-centered care that reflects the full extent of professional nursing education and scope of practice.
     Goal 1: Develop a culturally competent faculty practice workforce.
     Goal 2: Serve as experts in the promotion of full nursing scope of practice.
     Goal 3: Increase funding for faculty development to support evidence based practice.
     Goal 4: Adopt national benchmarks to measure the impact of faculty practice on patient and student outcomes.
     Goal 5: Participate in interprofessional practice and policy efforts at the HSC.
  4. Improve health through service and leadership.
     Goal 1: Create an environment that promotes faculty, staff, and student leadership at WVU.
     Goal 2: Enhance involvement of faculty and students in leading the nursing profession.
     Goal 3: Increase faculty, staff, and student participation in state and community organizations that impact health.
     Goal 4: Support faculty, staff, and student service at a national level.
  5. Create a dynamic, affirmative organizational culture that supports all aspects of the School of Nursing mission.
     Goal 1: Cultivate an environment dedicated to a sense of community and common purpose.
     Goal 2: Further the organization's capacity to anticipate trends and respond responsibly and decisively.
     Goal 3: Demonstrate leadership that recognizes the School of Nursing organization and greater community as equals who claim ownership of the mission.
     Goal 4: Promote responsible stewardship devoted to the work of the school.
     Goal 5: Honor values that reflect high standards, respect, trust, integrity, and diversity.

• Accreditation

  The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is the sole accrediting agency that accredits only baccalaureate and higher degree programs. Their new accrediting process was initiated in 1998 and West Virginia University School of Nursing was in the initial accreditation cycle. The School received a full, 10 year, accreditation for the baccalaureate and masters' programs in April, 1999. In April 2009, The School received another full 10 year re-accreditation for the baccalaureate and masters' programs, with all standards met and no areas of concern. This accreditation also applies to the WVU School of Nursing programs offered at the Charleston Division, and at West Virginia Institute of Technology. It also includes the freshman course and sophomore year nursing courses at Glenville State College and the freshman course at Potomac State College. West Virginia University School of Nursing was also in the initial accreditation cycle for the new Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, receiving a full, 5 year accreditation with all standards met and no areas of concern.

  Prior to seeking CCNE accreditation, the nursing programs at WVU had been continuously accredited by the National League for Nursing, with the baccalaureate program receiving initial accreditation in 1964, the year of the first graduating class, and the master's program in 1981. The last year for National League for Nursing accreditation was 1998, and the CCNE accreditation was retroactive to Fall of 1997.

  • SoN Strategic Plan Final 10-3-2011

  • Self-Study Document

  • Appendices