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 as well as 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
EN101 English Comp & Lit 3 EN102 English Comp & Lit. 3
BI101 Principles of Biology 4 CH112 Living Chemistry 4
PY211 Intro to Psychology 3 PY220 Developmental Psych 3
SO201  Intro to Sociology 3  MAxxx Math Elective 3
NR103  Intro to Professional Nursing 3   Humanities Elective 3
  16   16

Second Year
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
NR207 Fundamentals of Nursing I* 6 NR208 Medical/Surgical Nursing I 7
BI215 Anatomy & Physiology 4 NR403 Nursing Research 3
NR211 Pharmacology 3 BI216 Anatomy & Physiology 4
MA232  Statistics 3 NR305  Health Assessment 3
  16   17

Third Year
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
NR312 Medial/Surgical Nursing II* 9 NR313 Mental Health Nursing * 4
BI360 Pathophysiology 3 NR315 Maternal-Child Health Nursing* 7
PY321 Organizational Psychology 3 BI220 Microbiology 4
  15   15

Fourth Year
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
NR405 Nurses Role in Health Promotion & Protection 8 NR412 Nurses Role in Collaborative Health Care Practices* 8
NR404 Nursing Leadership 3 NR300 Thematic Nursing Seminar 3
 ENxxx Upper Level Literature Elective 3 HIxxx  History Elective 3
  14   14

* Course with clinical component

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