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Nursing Program Overview
OVERVIEW
The Associate Degree Science in Nursing (ADN) at MassBay is designed to prepare students for a career in nursing as Registered Nurses, and can accommodate two groups of students: those individuals with no previous nursing education and who are interested in becoming a registered nurse; and those Licensed Practical Nurses seeking educational mobility to the associate-degree level.
MassBay's nationally accredited program starts in the Fall semester of each year. Day and Evening options are available as well as an LPN to RN Transition option.
The Day program is designed to meet the educational needs of students pursuing a career in nursing who wish to attend college full-time during the day. Beginning in the Fall semester, the curriculum (76/77 credits) is designed to be completed in two years (four semesters), although some students may choose to complete some non-nursing courses prior to beginning the nursing sequence (see
Admission Criteria for details).
The Evening program is designed to meet the educational needs of students pursuing a career in nursing who wish to attend college during the evening. Beginning in the Fall semester, The curriculum (76/77 credits) is designed to be completed in three years (eight semesters plus two summers), although some students may choose to complete some non-nursing courses prior to beginning the nursing sequence (see
Admission Criteria for details).
Both Day and Evening options conduct a rigorous curriculum of classroom lectures, nursing laboratory, and clinicals. Clinicals are conducted on site at a variety of hospitals and health care facilities during the daytime and evenings.
At the completion of the Nursing Program, students will be able to integrate nursing skills with health teaching to provide total client care, utilizing ethical values and legal principles. Graduates of the program receive an Associate in Science degree and are eligible to enter the licensure process, which includes successful completion of the National Council Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
IMPORTANT NOTICE – Nursing Program Admission & Entrance Exam RequirementsMassBay regularly reviews its policies in order to maintain high quality programs for our students. Our Associates Degree Nursing programs are well-regarded by medical professionals and local communities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We are committed to selecting nursing candidates that have the greatest potential to succeed academically. To uphold this commitment, important changes in the Admissions-Selection policy have taken place for the Associates Degree Nursing programs. For complete details of admission criteria, curriculum sequence, course descriptions and HESI A2 entrance exam requirements and test date window (7/1/12 – 5/15/13) for Fall 2013 admission, please
click here.
Mission
The Department of Nursing mission is “to prepare graduates from diverse backgrounds to practice safe and quality nursing care within an evolving healthcare system.” The faculty defines nursing as a therapeutic relationship between patients, families and communities where the focus is on interventions that promote health, wellness and healing as well as the affirmation of life and the recognition of death as a normal process.
Goals
1. Prepare students for employment in a specific health career field.
2. Maintain external accreditation.
3. Establish academic benchmarks that assess student learning.
4. Promote engagement in community service activities.
5. Utilize a systematic evaluation process to maintain the highest current standard of practice.
Learning Outcomes
1. Nursing Science and Knowledge- Integrate nursing concepts with theoretical and scientific knowledge to promote evidence-based, holistic patient care.
2. Integrated Reasoning- Apply principles of critical thinking, creativity, and innovation to formulate clinical and other nursing judgments.
3. Professionalism and Leadership – Assume responsibility and accountability for pursuing professional growth, acting as a leader and agent for change while upholding high standards of ethical practice.
4. Patient-Centered Care- Provide patient-centered care and health education based on respect for patient/family values and preferences, while engaging the patient as a partner in the process
5. Quality and Safety- Monitor individual performance and system effectiveness to improve the safety and quality of care.
6. Communication and Teamwork- Actively collaborate as a member of the healthcare team; promoting mutual respect, open communication, and shared decision making.
7. Systems-based Practice- Utilize a variety of systems to manage nursing care, including technological and information systems.
Program Effectiveness
1. The NCLEX-RN pass rate for first time test takers will meet the national standard.
2. 90% of the students will be satisfied with the AD nursing program (End of Program Evaluation and Alumni survey).
3. 90% of graduates will be employed as RNs within 3-6 months from graduation (Alumni Survey).
4. Employers will be satisfied with graduates from the AD program (Employers Survey, Advisory Board).
5. 20% of the graduates will obtain advanced degrees within 4-6 years of graduation (Alumni Survey).
MassBay's 2011 NCLEX-RN pass rate (first time attempt) for program graduates was 93%.