School of Nursing

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Faculty

Professor: Ellen S. Eaton, Chairperson

Professors: Susan E. Anderson, Charlene A. Campbell,Mary E. Farrell, Marie E. Jensen, Mary Ann P. McGovern, Maureen J. McRae, Barbara A. Poremba, Leah A. Sak, Kathleen L. Skrabut, Beverly A. White

Associate Professors: Carol D. Cirone, Nancy W. Ebersole, Donna M. Hills, Maureen McMullen

Assistant Professors: Kathleen Adee, Stephanie Ball, Paula Burnett, Anne M. DeFelippo, Janice M. King, Tammi J. Magazzu, Victoria Morrison, Mary Ellen Morrissey, Sheila M. Perrault, Cheryl G. Vincent

Instructors: Joanne Carlson, Marion Frost, Kristine Ruggiero

Faculty Emeriti

Professors: Maureen Arakelian, Joanne H. Evans, Joy B.J. Garland, George J. Harrington, Katherine M. Kelly, Joanne M. Turco

Associate Professors: Clara W. Boyle, Dale K. DeFort, Barbara D. Heggestad, Marie J. Kelleher, Martha A. Lombard, Caroline S. Stone, Ruth T. Sweeney, Mary June Walmsley

Assistant Professors: Jeanne C. Duffy, Jeanne E. McCarthy

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Science in Nursing 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN to BSN Option 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, LPN to BSN (Part-time Program)

The Nursing Major (B.S.N. Degree)

The Nursing program prepares graduates for beginning positions in nursing for the purpose of providing quality nursing care in a variety of settings for people of all ages and lifestyles. Graduates will be able to progress to leadership positions in nursing and will possess a foundation for advanced education. The program is accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, telephone 202.887.8476. Additionally, the School of Nursing holds full approval status from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Graduates who meet the school requirements are eligible to sit for the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Eligibility to take the Professional License Examination also includes compliance with the “Good Moral Character” licensure requirement established at Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 112, Section 74. (Board of Registration Policy 00-01). This includes evaluation by the Board of Registration in Nursing of all misdemeanor and felony convictions, and discipline by a licensure/certification body. Individuals convicted of certain crimes are permanently excluded from nurse licensure in Massachusetts. Applicants are advised to call the Board of Registration in Nursing at 617.727.9961 for further clarification.

The School of Nursing at Salem State University provides students with an opportunity to acquire:

1. Knowledge of theoretical foundations upon which to base nursing decisions in practice.
2. Competency as a self-directing professional nurse who utilizes the nursing process to provide quality nursing care.
3. The ability to collaborate with peers, members of other health disciplines and the general public for the improvement of health care.
4. The foundation necessary to pursue further education (formal, informal) based upon perception of individual learning needs.
5. A personal commitment to professional nursing today and the ability to redesign the nursing role, as appropriate, to meet health needs in the future.

The baccalaureate program in Nursing provides a liberal arts education and prepares graduates for entry into professional nursing, providing a sound foundation for beginning practice and advanced study. The curriculum is built upon a substantial foundation of art and science courses. The baccalaureate degree requires 122 credits, with 55 credits required in the Nursing major.

The philosophy upon which the nursing curriculum is based sets forth the belief in the wholeness and uniqueness of individuals with diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and values. It views humankind as evolving through the life process and interacting with the environment, which impacts on his or her health. It asserts that nursing, through the use of the nursing process, assists the individual to attain, maintain, and regain an optimum level of health.

The Nursing Program

Fifty-five (55) credits in Nursing required. The required courses in the major are:

The science prerequisites for

Nursing majors who receive an unacceptable grade (below C-) in a prerequisite science course (BIO 105 , BIO 200 , BIO 201 , BIO 304 , CHE 124 , CHE 125 ), will be permitted to repeat the course one time. If a student fails to achieve an acceptable grade in the repeated course, the student must withdraw from the Nursing major. A student may not repeat more than two prerequisite science courses. This policy applies to Nursing majors and transfer students requesting entry into the Nursing major.

Students must receive a minimum grade of C+ in all Nursing courses and will be permitted to repeat only one Nursing course. A student may repeat a failed Nursing course only once. A second failure of the same course mandates withdrawal from the Nursing major. A student who repeats one Nursing course and in a subsequent Nursing course receives a grade below C+, must withdraw from the Nursing major. Please see additional details in the School of Nursing Student Handbook of Academic Policies.

Additional Requirements. Majors in Nursing must be prepared to provide their own transportation to clinical agencies. In addition, Nursing majors will be expected to carry their own liability insurance, which can be purchased through the University for about $15.00 per year; health insurance; and buy certain items of equipment (approximate cost $100). Uniforms must be purchased prior to the second semester, sophomore year.

Throughout the program, standardized tests are administered in clinical courses. Grades from these tests count as a course test grade. During the final semester, as part of NUR 420A  a State Board NCLEX-RN simulation test is given at the start of the semester. NCLEX-RN review classes are offered weekly. At the end of the semester students must achieve a specific score on a subsequent NCLEX-RN simulation test in order to achieve a grade for NUR 420A  and complete the program. Retesting is allowed. Please see additional details in the School of Nursing Student Handbook of Academic Policies.

A Nursing Resource Center fee is charged for standardized tests. The fee is included in the tuition bill.