Nursing

Chairperson: Tobie H. Olsan
Professors: Janelli, R.N.C., Ed.D., Friedman, R.N., Ph.D.; Associate Professors: Bidwell-Cerone, R.N., Ph.D., Hanson, R.N.C., Ph.D., and Olsan, R.N., CNAN, Ph.D.

Programs of Department

For those seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, Nazareth College offers two programs

a four-year licensure-qualifying program that leads to the Bachelor of Science degree and prepares graduates for the National Council Licensure Examination-RN(NCLEX-RN)
an upper division Bachelor of Science degree for RN’s with associate degrees or diplomas in nursing.

The goals of the baccalaureate nursing program for both the pre-licensure students and the registered nurse students are to prepare professional nurse generalists who provide culturally congruent nursing care to individuals, families, groups, and communities in and across all environments by application of a transcultural nursing framework, who possess a broad knowledge of the humanities, biological and social sciences and who possess an in-depth knowledge of nursing with a readiness for graduate study.

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the baccalaureate nursing program is solidly rooted in the liberal arts tradition of Nazareth College. The transcultural nursing framework provides opportunities to work with patients across the life span from diverse cultures.

The senior experience for both the pre-licensure students and the registered nursing majors consists of seminars, projects and a departmental comprehensive examination in which majors examine the impact of their baccalaureate education on themselves as liberally educated persons, as members of the nursing profession, and as members of a global society. The goals of the senior experience are twofold: 1) to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and interactive skills as liberally-educated professional nurses; and 2) to analyze the interconnections among health, nursing, the liberal arts and the humanities, especially from the core areas of the Natural Sciences, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Literature, History, Fine Arts, Mathematics and Social Sciences.

Students enrolling in the four-year licensure-qualifying program will have clinical experiences in a variety of acute, ambulatory, long-term care and community-based settings. In some upper level courses four year licensure students and RN students follow the same program.

Prerequisites for Pre-Licensure Students
All potential nursing students must meet the general college admission requirements. Students should also demonstrate proficiency in mathematics and science. Students in their first two years of study must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 with a minimum grade of C in all required nursing major courses. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to progress in the nursing major. The College reserves the right to withdraw a student whose level of achievement, clinical practice, health or conduct constitutes a risk to self or others.

Expenses for general college fees-Student Activities fee ($100) per semester-full-time students only) Health Services fee ($35 per semester) and other estimated expenses for textbooks and personal expenses. The Nursing Department estimates the specific costs for uniforms, shoes, stethoscope etc. for four-year licensure students to be between $130 and $175

Required Nursing Courses for RN Students

The program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing has been developed to provide registered nurses who have earned a diploma or associate degree with an opportunity to pursue a baccalaureate nursing degree in a program closely articulated with their previous educational and clinical experiences. Courses are designed specifically to build on previously acquired knowledge and skills.

The curriculum is designed so that students may complete the program on either a full-time or part-time basis. The sequence of courses and length of time necessary for the RN to complete the requirements for the degree vary with the individual and depend on the number of transfer credits, credit by examination and advanced standing credits, as well as on the number of credits for which the student registers each semester. An effort is made to individualize selected learning opportunities within nursing courses based on the background and interests of each individual student.

Graduation from a state-approved diploma or associate degree program in nursing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a scale of 4; achievement of at least a “C” grade in all lower-level nursing courses; achievement of acceptable college or university credit in required courses in Physical Sciences, Social Sciences and Liberal Studies. Applicants must possess a current license and registration to practice professional nursing in the U.S.* must demonstrate knowledge and competency to practice first-level nursing, must provide satisfactory references and must meet the health requirements of the Nursing Department.