School of Nursing

View Programs and Courses

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, Victoria Morrison, Cheryl G. Vincent

Assistant Professors: Kathleen Adee, Paula Burnett, Joanne Carlson, Anne M. DeFelippo, Marion Frost, Janice M. King, Tammi J. Magazzu, Mary Ellen Morrissey, Sheila M. Perrault, 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 baccalaureate program in nursing prepares students for entry into professional nursing practice while also providing a liberal arts education. The nursing courses provide the knowledge and skills necessary for work in a variety of healthcare settings and for the provision of care to people of all ages and lifestyles. Graduates of this program are also well-prepared for advanced study in graduate level courses. The BSN degree and the LPN to BSN degree requires 122 credits, with 55 credits earned specifically in the study of nursing. The RN to BSN requires 120 credits, with 55 credits in nursing. When the RN to BSN student is accepted into the program, they are awarded 25 credits based on the receipt of the RN license as prior learning/advanced placement credit.

The faculty is committed to integrating classroom knowledge with diverse clinical experiences. Students provide nursing care and develop leadership skills in acute, chronic and long-term care settings as well as in the local community health agencies. Generic students and LPNs begin their preparation in the Nursing Skills Lab, and students build upon these skills in an on-site Simulation Laboratory. Clinical practice for the RN-BSN students is provided in a public health setting and at a clinical site which provides opportunities to develop leadership skills.

The Mission of the Salem State University School of Nursing is to provide superior undergraduate and graduate education built upon faculty expertise and the strengths and needs of students in a

changing global society.

At the completion of the undergraduate program, students will be able to:

Recognize, value and respect the diversity and individuality of human beings throughout the lifespan.
Develop an individual philosophy of nursing reflecting the uniqueness of the dynamic human-environment process.
Incorporate theory and evidence-based practice in the delivery of nursing care.
Apply principles of ethical, legal, regulatory and humanistic decision making in professional nursing practice.
Engage in the creative use of knowledge as a competent and caring professional to foster the maximum health potential of human beings.
Actively participate within a collaborative interdisciplinary team responsible to global healthcare systems and policy to achieve desired patient outcomes.
Recognize the need for continual pursuit of knowledge through life-long learning, and the integration of technological innovations to provide quality, patient-centered care and outcome measurement.
Integrate research findings into evidence-based practice.

Pre-licensure graduates who complete the program are eligible to sit for the national licensure examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Eligibility to take this exam requires compliance with the “Good Moral Character” clause of the 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 meets the requirements for accreditation andthose of theMassachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. This program is accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, telephone 202.887.8476.

The Nursing Program

The School of Nursing curriculum has been recently revised. Implementation of the new courses is in process with completion of implementation scheduled for Spring 2014.

The first, second and third years of the new curriculum are in full implementation. Year four is in the development phase and will be implemented Fall 2013 and Spring 2014.

Students currently matriculated in the nursing program will have a blended program as the new courses are implemented. All students will be notified, in a timely fashion, of curricular changes that will impact their course of study. During the Fall 2012, Spring 2013 and Fall 2013 Registration Advisement period the faculty advisor will review with each student their sequence of courses, any curricular changes that will impact the course of study and answer any questions for the student.

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

NUR 104 , NUR 105 , NUR 210B , NUR 212B , NUR 320 , NUR 321 , NUR 370 , NUR 409 , NUR 420A , NUR 421 , NUR 422 , NUR 423 , NUR 424 , NUR 425 . Prior to Fall 2013 and Spring 2014, Senior level students may substitute the courses NUR 411 , NUR 412A , NUR 412A , NUR 413A , NUR 414A and NUR 415A for the courses NUR 421 , NUR 422 , NUR 423 , NUR 424 and NUR 425 .

The science prerequisites for NUR 210B are BIO 105 , BIO 200 , CHE 124 , and CHE 125 . The science prerequisite for NUR 212B is BIO 201 . BIO 304 may be taken as a co-requisite either with NUR 210B or with NUR 212B . Nursing students must achieve a C- grade in each of the prerequisite science courses.

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 have completed PSY 101 before entry into NUR 210B . PSY 322 must be completed prior to NUR 320 . PSY 218 must be completed prior to NUR 321 .

Students must receive a minimum grade of C+ in all Nursing courses and will be permitted to repeat only one Nursing course. A second nursing course failure mandates withdrawal from the Nursing major. Please see additional details in the School of Nursing Student Handbook of Academic Policies.

Additional Requirements. Nursing majors are expected to carry their own health insurance, as well as liability insurance. Liability insurance is purchased through the University for about $15.00 per year. During clinical courses, there are certain equipment items which students must own at an approximate cost of $100, such as a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. Majors in Nursing must be prepared to provide their own transportation to clinical agencies. Uniforms to be worn in the clinical area are purchased through the Salem State University Bookstore prior to the second semester, sophomore year.

Throughout the program, standardized tests are administered and may count as a course test grade. At the start of the final semester a State Board NCLEX-RN simulation test is given. At the end of the final semester, students must achieve a passing score on a subsequent NCLEX-RN simulation test in order to complete the program. 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.