Nursing Major

Baccalaureate Nursing Program

The undergraduate curricula of both baccalaureate track options emphasize competencies to promote health, guide persons through the health care experience and shape the health environment. These outcome competencies are:

1. Knowledge

2. Leadership/Advocacy

3. Quality

4. Safety

5. Therapeutic Intervention

6. Professional Development

7. Communication

8. Collaboration

9. Caring/Therapeutic Alliance

10. Outcome Evaluation

The baccalaureate graduate of the UMass Dartmouth College of Nursing curriculum will meet the following program outcomes:

1. Synthesizes knowledge from humanities, the physical and behavioral sciences as the basis for providing holistic nursing care.

2. Demonstrates an understanding of organizational structures and philosophy in promoting quality and safety in health care delivery.

3. Integrates current theoretical scientific and research knowledge into professional practice.

4. Assimilates data information systems and patient care technology in the planning and delivery of patient care.

5. Demonstrates an understanding of the impact of health care policy, finance, and regulatory bodies on nursing practice.

6. Uses effective inter-professional communication in collaborating with the multidisciplinary health care team.

7. Provides culturally sensitive nursing care to promote health and prevent disease in individuals and populations.

8. Applies standards of ethical, legal, and moral conduct in professional role development.

9. Demonstrates professional responsibility, accountability, clinical competence, and ethical decision making as the basis for delivering health care as an entry level, novice professional nurse.

Academic Policies for the Baccalaureate Program

1. The minimum passing grade for all courses taken in the nursing program is a C (73% or better). This includes all nursing, science, University Studies courses, and elective/s.
2. Students may repeat a course only once, only as space is available, and only with the consent of the department chairperson and the student’s advisor. A second failure (grade below C) in the same course will result in dismissal from the College of Nursing.
3. At the end of each program year, the student must have an overall minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. At the end of the sophomore year and for subsequent program years, the student must also have a minimum cumulative average of 2.0 in the nursing major. Failure to meet these criteria will result in academic probation.
4. After the completion of three semesters, students with a GPA of less than 2.0 in nursing major courses will be placed on academic probation. All students placed on probation must meet with their academic advisors; an individualized program plan will be developed and filed in the Dean’s office. If at the completion of two subsequent semesters students do not have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 in the nursing major, they will be subject to academic disqualification from the nursing major.
5. The following number of credits must have been successfully completed at the end of each program year:

	End of	Credits Completed
	Freshman Year	30
	Sophomore Year	62
	Junior Year	92
	Senior Year	122

6. A student who earns less than “C” (73%) in 9 credits of required courses, regardless of repeating, will be dismissed from the nursing major.
7. Students have a right to appeal grades. Refer to the grade appeal policy in the academic regulations section of the catalog.
8. Courses in the program plan are listed in the sequence in which they should be completed. All Level I courses need to be completed before progressing to Level 2 courses; Level 2 courses need to be completed before Level 3 courses; Level 4 courses (spring semester senior year) cannot be taken until Level 3 courses are completed. Exceptions to this progression policy are limited and must be recommended by the academic advisor and approved by the Department Chair and the Dean.
9. Selection of students eligible for progression may be limited by the availability of faculty and/or clinical placements. In the event that the number of eligible students exceeds available resources, students will be selected on the basis of academic standing.
10. Students are responsible for maintaining current certification through The American Heart Association for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for each academic year they take clinical courses.
11. Students in the traditional baccalaureate track must purchase CON approved uniforms and name tag to be worn in all clinical rotations.
12. Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical agencies.
13. Students are responsible for having appropriate health records including up to date immunizations during the summer preceding each academic year in which they enroll in clinical courses. The written reports must be on file in the College of Nursing  prior to the student’s receiving a clinical assignment. Students bear the cost of any titers needed to verify immunization or other medical conditions. Additional health or background checks may be added to comply with policies in our clinical practice sites.
14. All students must undergo a Criminal Offense Record Investigation (CORI) before entering clinical courses. This check is administered through the College of Nursing to the Massachusetts CORI Board.
15. All students must comply with a 10-panel urine test for drug screening before the start of the first clinical experience. Students bear the cost of this screening and of any titers needed to verify immunization or other medical conditions.
16. Any exceptions to the above academic policies will be considered by the dean only on recommendation of the student’s academic advisor.
17. The faculty reserve the right to change a student’s selection of clinical site in order to consolidate sections or maintain State Board and/or the health care agency’s regulations around student to instructor ratios.

Course of Study: Traditional Baccalaureate Nursing Track

Studies in the sciences and liberal arts provide for the concepts encountered in the study of nursing. Students are introduced to core nursing concepts, values, and beliefs in the first year.

In the second year, students are taught to interact effectively with individuals and begin building the foundations for advanced study. They acquire the skills in observation and communication necessary to assess an individual’s needs, set measurable and realistic goals of nursing care, and utilize evidence-based interventions to maximize health.

The third year emphasizes the transfer and application of knowledge in varied clinical situations. Students develop skills in caring for acutely ill adults, childbearing and childrearing families in the hospital and community, and populations at risk in communities. The family as a unit of care, as well as populations at risk in communities, become the foci for the nursing process.

In the senior year, the students learn to collaborate with all levels of hospital and long-term facility personnel, and with individuals in social and welfare agencies that shape the health care environment. Students develop skills in managing complex health needs of increasing complexity. The emphasis is on the analysis and synthesis of knowledge to maximize health.

In the last half of the final semester, students have a mentorship experience. During this experience the student assumes the role of a professional nurse, under the supervision and guidance of a staff nurse mentor.

Program Plan

The traditional nursing track is a full time program that is eight semesters long and leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. Students may elect to complete the program plan in five years to accommodate their needs. Students who elect to study abroad during the regular academic year will need to use the five-year option. Study abroad in the summer session can fit into the four-year plan.

In addition to the requirements in the major, students will be required to complete the University Studies Requirements. For more information: http://www.umassd.edu/generaleducation/universitystudies/universitystudiescurriculum/.