Pre-Licensure

Baccalaureate Nursing Program

 

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.

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

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 following university policy.
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 be 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 College of Nursing.  A student who earns 9 or more credits of failure (as evidenced by a course grade of C- and below) will be dismissed from the College of Nursing.  A student who earns 6 or more credits of failure (as evidenced by a course grade of C- and below) in a given academic year will be dismissed from the College of Nursing. 
7. Students have a right to appeal course grades. Refer to the grade appeal policy in the academic regulations section of the catalog.  This process is handled at the University level.
8. Courses in the program plan are listed in the sequence in which they should be completed. All Level I courses must be completed before progressing to Level 2 courses; Level 2 courses must 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 in the pre-licensure and ABS baccalaureate track must purchase CON approved uniforms and nametag to be worn in all clinical rotations.
11. Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical agencies.
12. Per our clincal agencies, students are responsible for having appropriate health records including up to date immunizations during the summer prededing each academic year in which they enroll in clinical courses.  Students bear the costs of any titiers needed to verify immunizations or other medical conditions.  All records must be processed per College of Nursing instructions.  Students are responsible for all costs associated with the requirements and responsible for meeting all deadlines.
13. Per our clinical agencies, students must undergo background checks before entering clinical courses.  The College of Nursing will provide instructions for the process.  Students are responsible for all costs associated with requirements and for meeting all deadlines.
14. Per our clinical agencies, students must comply with requirements for drug screening (currently a 10-panel urine test) before the start of the first clinical experience and as specified by individual clinical agencies.  The College of Nursing will provide instructions for the process.  Students are responsible for all costs associated with requirements and for meeting all deadlines.
15. Per our clinical agencies, students are required to be certified in Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (CPR and AED) by the American Heart Association prior to the beginning of each academic academic year in which they enroll in a clinical course.
16. Additional requirements may be identified by our clinical agencies.  Students are responsible for all expenses associated with requirements and for meeting all deadlines.
17. Any exceptions to the above academic policies will be considered by the Dean only on recommendation of the student’s academic advisor.
18. 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: Pre-licensure 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. Students 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. Students are able to enroll in international community health nursing experiences at their own cost.

In the senior year,  students learn to collaborate with members of the healthcare team, advocate for the needs of patients, and intervene to shape the healthcare environment.  Students refine skills to manage the complex health needs of individuals, groups, and populations. The emphasis is on the analysis and synthesis of knowledge to maximize health.  The use of a mentorship experience facilitates this process.

In the last half of the final semester, students have a mentorship experience. Students assume the role of a professional nurse, under the supervision and guidance of a staff nurse mentor.

Program Plan

The pre-licensure nursing track is a full time program that is eight semesters long and leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. Students who elect a semester-long study abroad during the regular academic year, will need to discuss a five-year option with their Academic Advisor and the Dean. 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/.