2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Kirkhof College of Nursing (KCON)
About the College
KCON Administration
Dean: Linda Lewandowski
Associate Dean, Academic Affairs: Amy Manderscheid
Associate Dean for Nursing Research, Scholarship, and Lifelong Learning: Katherine Moran
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Teaching Excellence: Susan Piazza
Associate Dean for Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation: Sherri Fannon
Program Director, Traditional B.S.N.: Barbara Hooper
Program Director, Second-Degree B.S.N.: Genevieve Elrod
Program Director, RN to B.S.N.: Alida Semrinec
Program Director, M.S.N. and M.S.N. to D.N..P: Jackie Iseler
Program Director, D.N.P.: Nicole Harpold
Website
Mission
At Grand Valley State University (GVSU), we empower learners in their pursuits, professions, and purpose. The university enriches society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, advancement of equity, and public service.
Kirkhof Legacy
The Kirkhof College of Nursing (KCON) was named in recognition of Russel Kirkhof, a self-taught electrician. His avid interest in finding solutions to manufacturing problems through the application of electricity developed into an international business enterprise. His life paralleled the American dream of becoming a self-made millionaire through the virtues of hard work, talent, and personal determination. Kirkhof was a humble man who conducted his life without fanfare and he was happiest when he was working with his hands. Today, his life story serves as an inspiration to others in making meaningful contributions to their communities. KCON embodies the values espoused by Kirkhof through professional education that teaches the importance of making significant contributions as nurses to surrounding communities and society-at-large.
Program Information
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.): Traditional
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.): Second Degree (for students with a baccalaureate or higher degree in another discipline)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.): RN to B.S.N. (for individuals who are currently working on or have completed an associate degree in nursing)
Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.): Primary Care Adult/Older Adult Nurse Practitioner; Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Child/Adolescent Nurse Practitioner; Acute Care Child/Adolescent Nurse Practitioner; Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; Post-M.S.N. D.N.P.
Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner post-graduate certificate
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner post-graduate certificate
Interprofessional Palliative and Hospice Care certificate (post-B.S.N.)
Interprofessional Health Informatics certificate (post-B.S.N.)
Accreditation
KCON is recognized for outstanding teaching, scholarship, and service. The B.S.N., M.S.N., and D.N.P. programs at KCON are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org). The B.S.N. program is also approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing (P.O. Box 30004, Lansing, MI 48909; Telephone: (517) 241-0199). KCON offices are housed on the GVSU Health Campus in the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health at 333 Michigan St. N.E. in Grand Rapids, MI 49503; Telephone: (616) 331-3558.
Graduates of the KCON traditional or second degree B.S.N. programs are qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination RN (NCLEX-RN) to obtain licensure to practice as a registered nurse. Students completing the advanced generalist M.S.N. degree will be eligible for national certification as a clinical nurse leader. Students completing the D.N.P. degree in one of the nurse practitioner tracks will be prepared for national specialty certification in either primary or acute care pediatrics, primary care adult-gerontology, family, or psychiatric/mental health. Students completing the post-M.S.N. D.N.P. track will be eligible for and encouraged to sit for national certification as a nurse leader, nursing informaticist, or palliative and hospice care nurse, depending on the area of specialization.
Admissions
Information regarding undergraduate and graduate admissions is outlined under the respective academic program section of the catalog. For questions or clarification, call the KCON Office of Student Services at (616) 331-7160.
Graduate Assistantships
KCON employs graduate students in full- and part-time assistantships to support student engagement in faculty scholarship, teaching, and academic activities. Assistantships provide tuition and stipend support for graduate education. For more information, contact KCON at (616) 331-7160.
Honors Organizations
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters worldwide across institutions of higher education and healthcare organizations. Members serve as agents and catalysts for change throughout the world. Sigma members include clinicians, educators, administrators, and researchers who are leaders in the scientific journey toward advancing world health by recognizing and promoting nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Sigma's local Chapter, Kappa Epsilon at-Large (kappaepsilon.sigmanursing.org/home), was organized in 1996. Potential candidates for membership may be students in undergraduate or graduate nursing programs, nursing professionals, or community leaders. The society challenges members to become better nurses and offers support through continuing education, networking opportunities, access to nursing research, mentoring opportunities, and many other avenues.
Student Organizations: Baccalaureate
KCON is proud to hold the Total School Membership status within the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA). Since 2017, the GVSU Student Nurses Association (SNA) has been recognized as an NSNA Stellar School Chapter, which is the highest award an SNA chapter can receive. All undergraduate students are encouraged to actively participate in the GVSU chapter of the SNA. The benefits of joining the GVSU SNA include opportunities for leadership, networking, and volunteering in the community.
Students taking prerequisite courses are encouraged to join the GVSU Pre-Nursing Association (PNA) by visiting online at gvsu.edu/kcon/nursing-student-organizations-446.htm. This organization is student-run and open to all pre-nursing students. The benefits of membership include leadership, networking, social connections, and opportunities to learn more about the nursing profession. Additional information about PNA is available through the Student Life Office (gvsu.edu/studentlife).
Student Organizations: Graduate
The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is a university wide student organization dedicated to GVSU graduate students. Its goals include intellectual, professional, and social development while fostering interprofessional communication, collaboration, and community. Because this organization represents all graduate students, M.S.N. and D.N.P. students are encouraged to participate. Additional information about GSO is available at gvsu.edu/gsa.
All graduate nursing students are encouraged to join the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA). The GNSA provides high value programs, services, and resources to graduate nursing students enrolled in master's and doctoral programs at AACN member schools, of which GVSU is a member. The GNSA is committed to supporting graduate students preparing for careers as faculty members, researchers, advanced practice registered nurses, clinical nurse leaders, policy experts, and health care administrators, among other roles (AACN, 2022, para.3). Additional information about GNSA is available at www.aacnnursing.org/gnsa.
The Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioner (MiCNP) Greater Grand Rapids Student Chapter provides funding opportunities, clinical learning, and networking opportunities for nurse practitioner students. Additionally, this group advocates for nurse practitioner scope of practice in the state of Michigan. Additional information can be found at micnp.org/page/chapter-greatergrandrapids.
Student Organizations: Baccalaureate and Graduate
The Multicultural Student Nurses Organization (MSNO) is comprised of graduate and undergraduate KCON Students and is dedicated to improving the experiences of students of color within the college by fostering preparedness in both the educational and professional realms of practice. Building cross-cultural relationships through volunteering, networking, and collaboration events will create a more inclusive community through engagement.
The MSNO supports the recruitment and retention of racially and ethnically diverse nursing students and seeks to engage, empower, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Kirkhof College of Nursing. Additional information about MSNO can be found online at gvsu.edu/kcon/nursing-student-organizations-446.htm.
Scholarships
Numerous scholarship opportunities are available to undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Information regarding specific scholarships is available through the Kirkhof College of Nursing website at KCON's Sholarship for Nursing Students webpage and the GVSU Office of Financial Aid website at gvsu.edu/financialaid.
Office of Student Services
The mission of the KCON Office of Student Services (OSS) is to recognize individuality and establish collaborative partnerships with students and those interested in nursing programs. To do this, OSS advisors engage in intentional and holistic advising through proactive outreach toward individuals seeking a nursing degree at GVSU. The OSS strives to promote diversity and foster student connections within KCON, GVSU, the broader community, and the nursing profession. The OSS provides a wide range of services to support undergraduate and graduate nursing students, including degree-planning in consideration of general education and major or minor requirements, as well as development and review of degree-progression plans to promote academic success. Students are assigned to a professional advisor once they declare nursing as their intended major. For individual and group appointments, students may call the KCON OSS at (616) 331-7160.
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