ECA-Collegiate Nursing Academy William Jewell College
The part-time Collegiate Nursing Academy is an option for 20 qualified students in their senior year of high school who are interested in medicine and have a desire to become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). Students must meet the program requirements as outlined below. Students who pursue this opportunity will attend William Jewell College during half of the school day first semester and in second semester, students will participate in Clinicals at Liberty Hospital or North Kansas City Hospital and also attend WJC for one general education class. Students enrolled in this program are still considered full-time students of the North Kansas City schools and can still be eligible for all MSHSAA athletics and activities based on enrollment.
The Collegiate Nursing Academy is designed to provide students a learning experience in healthcare that exposes participants to the Nursing profession, the educational expectations and academic rigor expected of those who plan to enter the nursing field, clinical experience, and the necessary preparation to earn the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certification.
All participants will receive instruction from college-level faculty at William Jewell College for their required 75 hours of coursework, 100 hours of real-world clinical experience with teaching nurses at Liberty Hospital and 7.5 free nursing credits. All students who successfully complete the required coursework will be eligible to sit for the state of Missouri CNA certification exam. Students who successfully achieve certification are guaranteed anemployment interview with North Kansas City Hospital.
Please see the application links below.
If you have questions, please contact your high school counselor or Ms. Gilliland at shannon.gilliland@nkcschools.org
- ECA - Collegiate Nursing Academy Application link
- ECA - Collegiate Nursing Academy Recommendation link
Student Benefits and Outcomes.
- Receive 75 hours of classroom instruction at William Jewell College, Fall 2025.
- College Anatomy with Lab Fall 2025 (5 credit hours) at William Jewell College, Fall 2025.
- Earn 100 hours of clinical experience, at North Kansas City Hospital, Spring 2026.
- College Psychology course planned at William Jewell College for Spring 2026 (4 credit hours)
- All clinical & classroom supplies will be provided (scrubs, shoes, stethoscope, textbooks, parking pass, vaccinations required).
- Required TB screening, Background Checks and Drug Screens as required by NKC Hospital. Cost is covered.
- Students will be eligible and encouraged to take the Missouri State Certified Nursing Assistant exam in the Spring, before high school graduation, at no cost.
- This experience is very likely to help them get a job in a healthcare environment upon graduation.
Minimum Student Qualifications for Consideration
- Cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher
- Official student disciplinary record from the school
- Recommendations from two teachers
- Record of 90% attendance
- College Readiness – Students need a qualifying ACT (18+ composite, 18+ English, 18+ Reading) or College Placement Test (Accuplacer) score that places them into college-level classes at William Jewell College
- Completed application and a signed agreement to abide by the expectations and responsibilities of the NKC Schools Early College Academy
- Discussion with Director Early College Programs and/or CNA interview committee
Application Process
The NKC Schools ECA - Collegiate Nursing application opens Friday, November 15, 2024. Please contact Shannon.Gilliland@nkcschools.org with any additional questions.
Application Due: February 7, 2025
Learn More
December 9, 2024 students and parents are invited to an information and orientation event at William Jewell College from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Please use the link below to receive information on how to attend this event.