West Plains, Mo.- Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) officials announced the approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing for program modifications to the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at MSU-WP.
The modifications include a pilot hybrid delivery model for the regular track ASN program, to be implemented in the Fall 2026 through May 2028.
The hybrid ASN pilot is designed to expand access for non-traditional and working adult students, while maintaining the high-quality clinical education. All clinical, lab and simulation experiences will remain in-person, conducted on the MSU-WP campus and local clinical partner sites, however the didactic coursework will be delivered in a hybrid and online format.
“Our current program follows a blended model that already includes some online components,” said Lisa Wade, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health. “The hybrid model will build on that foundation by expanding online learning opportunities, creating greater flexibility, especially for working adult students.”
The pilot program builds upon the nursing program’s five-year history of successful hybrid and online instruction in the LPN-to-RN program. The program will be evaluated using course pass rates, NCLEX results, student retention, faculty and clinical partners’ feedback and student satisfaction surveys. A final determination regarding permanent adoption will be made in Summer 2028.
“Because this is a new pilot for our traditional two-year program, we will transition to hybrid and online learning gradually,” Wade added. “During the first semester, students will have roughly the same amount of in-person class time while gaining additional online learning opportunities as they acclimate to the rigor of nursing school. Increased online learning options will be introduced in the second, third, and fourth semesters.”
The Missouri State Board of Nursing also approved 10 additional seats in the LPN-to-RN program. The expanded capacity will support a local hybrid LPN-to-RN cohort, beginning in Summer 2026.
The cohort is designed to better serve students within the university’s 7-county service area. Students will complete online coursework paired with local, in-person clinical rotations and transition into the regular track ASN program’s third semester.
These approved initiatives will strengthen the university’s ability to address regional nursing workforce needs, expand educational access and support student success.
For more information about the nursing program, call 417-255-7970.
Missouri State University-West Plains empowers students to achieve personal success and to enrich their local and global communities by providing accessible, affordable and quality educational opportunities. Missouri State-West Plains offers associate degrees and credit and non-credit courses and serves as a delivery site for bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered by Missouri State University in Springfield.
