Nurses are among the most sought after professionals in the nation: The Department of Nursing offers a four-year program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Graduates in this area are among the most sought after professionals in the nation, as the country’s nursing shortage continues to get worse.

The foundation: The first year of the BSN program is dedicated to courses in the humanities, sciences, social sciences and introduction to professional nursing. This format provides an opportunity for students to adjust to the various aspects of university life before beginning their clinical courses.

Clinical – learning on the job: The clinical experience begins in the fall of the sophomore year and continues through the remainder of the program. By graduation students will have completed 1104 clinical hours in a variety of settings. The concepts of leadership, research, health assessment, and caring are integrated throughout the curriculum. Clinical settings include hospitals, extended care facilities, community/home health agencies, doctor’s offices, and clinics. A well-equipped simulation laboratory provides an on-campus supervised area for skill and health assessment practice. Both morning and evening hours are utilized for the clinical experience. Nursing faculty present theory in the classroom, select clinical learning experiences, and guide and supervise students in the clinical area. Students will take a pre-NCLEX exam in their senior year to determine readiness for NCLEX state board exams on graduation. The fee for this exam is $35.00. Students are required to purchase student uniforms. Specific requirements and costs are sent to students prior to their sophomore year. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical agencies.

Admission Standards

In addition to the university General Admission Requirements, nursing applicants must have high school algebra and one year of a lab science course within the last ten years. In addition, high school biology and chemistry are recommended.

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Progression and Graduation

A minimum grade of “C+” is required in all nursing courses to progress within the program. A minimum grade of “C” is required in BI101, BI215, BI216, BI220, BI360, and CH112 to progress within the program. In order to progress, students must meet the criteria for academic progress as stated in the Academic Regulations. Nursing majors must have current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) upon entering the sophomore year and through all subsequent nursing courses.

Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN)

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is awarded the Bachelor of Science Nursing degree and upon meeting the state board of nursing criteria for the state in which the graduate plans to practice becomes eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Professional Nursing (NCLEX-RN). Passing the NCLEX-RN examination entitles the graduate to practice nursing as an RN. State boards of nursing have the sole authority to grant graduates the privilege of taking the NCLEX-RN examination; therefore, students are directed to refer to the state in which they plan to practice for specific legal requirements. Some reasons why an applicant may be requested to submit additional documentation and could be denied the privilege of sitting for the NCLEX-RN examination include conviction of a crime or felony and habitual intemperate use of or addiction to habit forming substances. The BSN Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing.

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Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Program Curriculum

First Year
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
BI215 A&P I 4 BI216 A&P II 4
PY211 Intro to Psychology 3 CH111 Chem I (proposed new) 4
Eng101 Composition and Literature I 3 Eng102 Composition and Literature 3
  History Elective 3 NR105 Promoting Healthy Individuals (proposed new) 3
NR104   Focus on Nursing (replaces NR 103) 3 MAXXX Clinical Mathematical Methods (replaces Math for Meds) 3
  16   17

Second Year
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
CH112 Chem II (proposed new) 4 BI 220 Microbiology 4
MA232 Statistics 3 NRXXX Nursing Care of the Client with Psychiatric/Mental Health Problems Replaces NR 313) 3
NR305 Health Assessment 2 NRXXX Nursing Care of the Client with Psychiatric/Mental Health Problems Practicum 2
  Health Assessment Practicum 1 NR403  Evidence Based Practice 3
XXX Nursing Informatics I (proposed new) 1 NRXXX Simulations for Clinical Practice (proposed new) 2
PY220 Developmental Psychology 3   Free Elective 3
SOCXXX Sociology for Health Care (proposed new) 3    
  17   17

Third Year
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
BIXXX Pathopharmacology for Nursing Care (proposed new) 4 NRXXX Leadership and Management in Nursing (replaces NR 404) 3
NRXXX Nursing Care of Adults with Acute Health Problems (proposed new) 3 NRXXX Nursing Care of Women and Childbearing Families (replaces NR 315) 3
NRXXX Nursing Care of Adults with Acute Health Problems Practicum (proposed new) 3 NRXXX NRXXX Nursing Care of Women and Childbearing Families Practicum (replaces NR 315) 1
PHXXX Philosophy, Logic and Ethics for Nursing (proposed new) 3 NRXXX Nursing Care of Children (replaces NR 315) 3
SOCXXX Caring for an Aging America (proposed new) 3 NRXXX Nursing Care of Children Practicum 2
      NRXXX Promoting Healthy Families (proposed new) 1
      NRXXX Literature Elective 3
  16   16

Fourth Year
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
NRXXX Nursing Care of Adults with Chronic Health Problems (proposed new) 4 NRXXX Contemporary Nursing Practice: Issues and Practices (Replaces Thematic Seminar) 2
NRXXX Nursing Care of Adults with Chronic Health Practicum (proposed new) 4 NRXXX Nursing Care of Adults with Critical Health Problems (proposed new) 4
  Free Elective 3 NRXXX Clinical Practicum 4
NRXXX Health Care Policy and Economics (proposed new) 3 NRXXX Promoting Healthy Communities (replaces The Nurses Role in Health Protection/Promotion) 3
NRXXX Issues in End of Life Care (proposed new) 2 NRXXX Promoting Healthy Communities Practicum 2
  16   15

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