College of Nursing

Professional nurses provide health care services across the life span and in varied environments. Nursing is concerned with promoting, maintaining and restoring health, and committed to the goal of providing an optimal level of functioning for all individuals, families and groups. Nursing thereby contributes to the health of the nation.

Professional nurses determine the health status of individuals, families and populations, and make clinical decisions regarding appropriate actions to be taken. Nurses collaborate with other members of a health team, such as physicians, social workers, physical therapists, pharmacists and occupational therapists. Nursing plays an essential role in advocating high-quality affordable health care for all members of society and in shaping health policy.

Professional nursing requires a broad background of knowledge in arts, sciences and nursing, including clinical and cognitive skills of analysis, critical thinking, therapeutic intervention and communication.

UMass Dartmouth’s College of Nursing educates students to become professionals.

Mission, Vision, and Values

The College of Nursing offers the only baccalaureate degree program in nursing South of Boston. Students are admitted to one of three baccalaureate tracks. Students with no prior nursing education are admitted to the pre-licensure track. The second track option, is an online track that provides an opportunity for registered nurses who are graduates of associate degree and/or diploma schools to complete the requirements for the bachelor’s degree in nursing (RN-BS) or continue on to the master’s degree (RN-MS). The third track is a second degree accelerated program for individuals with a BA or BS degree who seek a bachelor’s degree in nursing. This track is a hybrid design that offers online classes complimented by face to face clinical and laboratory experience.

The Vision of the College of Nursing is to shape the health care environment through transformative nursing education, leadership, and scholarship.

The Mission of the College of Nursing is to advance nursing knowledge and maximize the health of the Commonwealth and beyond through exemplary nursing education, scholarship, and community engagement.

Eight Core Values are recognized in the College of Nursing:

1. Excellence in Teaching/Scholarship

2. Diversity in People/Ideas

3. Professionalism

4. Integrity

5. Innovation

6. Community

7. Collaboration

8. Respect

Accreditation

The Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

The College of Nursing has received Full Approval Status by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for continuous compliance with Massachusetts Regulation [244 CMR 6.04].

Freshman Admission

Students are admitted to the pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing track through the university’s Office of Admissions. In addition to fulfilling the requirements of all university students, freshmen must have had a secondary school program that included at least four units of mathematics and two laboratory courses of natural sciences. The four units of mathematics must include two units of algebra.

Placement Exam—Math

Freshman students admitted to the College of Nursing must take the Univesity administered math placement examination before they commence studies. The results of the examination may require students to receive tutoring or additional instruction. In order to matriculate in the nursing major students must place into Math 148 (College Algebra) in the fall of Freshman year. An online Math Summer Bridge program is offered (at student’s expense) for students who do not place into Math 148. Students must complete the bridge program in order to be eligible to retake the math placement examination.

Admission by Transfer

All students admitted to UMass Dartmouth by transfer from other colleges must meet the same entrance requirements as those for entering freshmen. The College of Nursing has specific requirements as noted on the college web page.

Consistent with university policy, credits earned in another college may be accepted as transfer credits after official transcripts have been evaluated.

Academic Advisement

All nursing students are assigned a College of Nursing faculty advisor. Students are expected to contact their advisor early each semester for program planning.