nursing program outcomes
Program Outcomes Defined
The faculty of the Wehrheim School of Nursing have created program outcomes that help to guide our programs and serve as a measure of our success.
Program Outcomes
Completion Rates -- our goal is that 75% of our students at each program level will complete their academic program within a specified time frame (BSN 6 years, MSN 4.5 years, post-MSN 3 years, DNP 3 years).
Certification Rates -- this outcome is only for our FNP students, and our goal is that at least 80% of students will pass the national certification exam on their first attempt.
Employment Rates -- our goal is that at least 75% of our graduates will be employed in a role related to their academic preparation within 12 months of graduation.
Professional Growth -- we have an overall program goal that our graduates are prepared to function at their highest level of practice with a focus on advancing the profession in order to improve health outcomes for individuals, families, and populations.
Program Satisfaction
In addition to our program outcomes, we also measure program satisfaction of our alumni, current students, current faculty, and employers.
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Three-year Averages for Program Outcomes and Satisfaction
Completion Rates
The table below represents the current three-year average (2023-2025) of the percentage of students who completed within the program specific timeframe:
BSN 90% MSN 94% post-MSN FNP Cert 100% DNP 89% Certification Rates
The tables below demonstrates the current three-year average (2024-2026) of the combined percentage of FNP students taking a national certification exam (ANCC and/or AANP) who passed on their first attempt:
MSN FNP
ANCC and AANP 78.5% Post-MSN FNP Certificate
ANCC 71% AANP * * If too few students take the examination, certification boards do not report data.
Employment Rates
Beginning in Fall 2022, we have started collecting employment rates specific to role preparation. As such, the data in the table below represents the current three-year average (2024-2026) of the percentage of alumni reporting their employment specific to their area of nursing program preparation. Of note, all survey respondents reported employment with the following percentages reflecting graduates who were employed in the specific area of nursing program preparation:
BSN 100% MSN *81% Post-MSN FNP Cert *90% DNP **56% * All MSN and Post-MSN graduates who completed the survey reported employment in nursing; however, not all graduates changed roles specific to their area of preparation upon graduation.
**All DNP graduates who completed the survey reported employment in nursing; however, only 56% of DNP graduates reported a change in responsibilities/role after obtaining a DNP degree.
Program Satisfaction
The tables below represent the current three-year average (2024-2026) of the satisfaction scores related to the Wehrheim School of Nursing programs as reported by alumni, employers, current students, and current faculty.
Alumni Satisfaction
Alumni satisfaction scores are collected with a standardized tool where graduates rate their program satisfaction on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to a 4 (strongly agree). The table below displays the current three-year average of alumni satisfaction scores across programs.
BSN: 3.66 (n = 22)
MSN: 3.29 (n = 23)
post-MSN FNP Cert: 3.35 (n = 8)
DNP: 3.92 (n = 8)
Employer Satisfaction
Data from employer surveys is limited due to difficulty getting the surveys to the right people to answer the questions. Satisfaction scores are collected with a standardized tool where employers rate their satisfaction with program effectiveness on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The current three-year average satisfaction score from reporting employers is 3.58 (n = 7).
Current Student Satisfaction
Beginning in Spring 2022, we started collecting data regarding current student satisfaction. Current student satisfaction scores are collected with a standardized tool where students, at every level, rate their overall program satisfaction on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The table below displays the current three-year average of current student satisfaction scores across programs.
BSN: 3.46 (n = 139)
HACC/CEP: *3.41 (n = 34)
MSN: 3.38 (n = 158)
Post-MSN FNP Cert: 2.83 (n = 4)
DNP: 3.46 (n = 24)
*HACC/CEP represents our Concurrent Education Program which includes HACC nursing students who are completing HACC nursing courses while also completing courses in the MU RN to BSN program. This program started in Fall 2024 and data reported is the average satisfaction score from 2024 and 2025.
Faculty Satisfaction
Beginning in Spring 2022, we started collecting data regarding current faculty satisfaction. Current faculty satisfaction scores are collected with a standardized tool where all faculty rate their overall satisfaction with program effectiveness on a scale of 1 (stongly disagree) to 4 (stongly agree). The current three-year average satisfaction score from reporting FT/PT faculty is 3.75 (n = 23) and 3.69 from reporting adjunct faculty (n = 18).