On campus clinical lab that simulates a hospital setting with computerized training models
AV lab with state-of-the-art multimedia technology
Students are admitted into pre-nursing freshman year with sophomore placement secured if freshman prerequisites are successfully met
Sophomore year: Students begin their medical-surgical clinica
Junior year: Maternity, pediatric, mental health and medical -surgical nursing
Senior year includes community, chronic illness, medical�surgical and 21 hour/week practicum
Nearly 100 percent of qualified graduates are employed immediately
Accreditation
The nursing program has full approval status from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing located at 239 Causeway St. Boston, MA 02114
The nursing program is accredited by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) located at One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530 Washington, D.C. 20036
Fitchburg State College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC)
As the first public college in Massachusetts to offer a Nursing program, Fitchburg State has a long distinguished history in Nursing education. We are proud of our reputation for excellence and of our ongoing accreditation by the Commission in Collegiate Nursing Education. Our Department of Nursing offers two undergraduate
degree programs: a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) and an R.N. to B.S.N. program for students with an associate degree in Nursing and a valid Massachusetts R.N. license. In addition, the department offers one of only two Master of Nursing programs in the country with a focus in Forensic Nursing.
Four-Year Undergraduate Program
Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing are evaluated for admission to the pre-Nursing program. Applicants must meet state college admission standards as well as demonstrate the potential to succeed in the Nursing program. Accepted students enroll in prerequisite courses during their freshman year, specifically
anatomy & physiology, chemistry, psychology, sociology, and writing. At the conclusion of the freshman year, all pre-Nursing students who have successfully completed
the prerequisite coursework with grades of 2.5 or better (C+/B-) are formally admitted to the department as Nursing majors. As sophomores, Nursing majors begin their Nursing courses and gain hands-on experience in an on campus lab and then in a sub acute care health care setting. During the junior year, students learn the basics of maternity, pediatric and mental health nursing along with acute care medical surgical nursing. Over the course of the senior year, Nursing majors study community health and chronic care nursing. Throughout the last semester, students work side-by-side with a professional nurse in a full semester practicum experience and prepare for the licensing exams.
Facilities
The students in the Department of Nursing have access to some of the most extensive facilities in New England. In addition to off-campus healthcare facilities where students gain hands-on experience, the department offers an AV lab with state-of-the-art multimedia software, a clinical lab that simulates a modern hospital setting, and the college library’s deep resources. In the clinical skills lab students have access to:
10 new hospital beds situated in a hospital setting with physical assessment equipment and other equipment found in hospital settings
Infant, pediatric and adult mannequins, including the newly acquired computer/scenario driven SimMan
Faculty
Nursing faculty get to know every student on a personal level, acting as both teachers and advisors
throughout the student’s career. In the Department of Nursing, each of the 17 faculty members has at least five years of clinical experience, and an average tenure in the department of seven years. Students receive personal attention from experienced
practitioners; an invaluable edge when beginning a career. Half of the faculty are doctorally prepared in Nursing; all full time faculty have a master’s degree in Nursing.
Internships
Fitchburg State Nursing students have access to some of the best health care agencies in Massachusetts. Opportunities for internships in Boston/Worcester area hospitals are nearly unlimited.
Organizations that have had senior practicum students from the Department of Nursing:
Beth Israel Deaconess
Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital
Emerson Hospital
Lahey Clinic Hospital
Henry Heywood Hospital
UMASS Memorial Medical Center
Mt. Auburn Hospital
Nashoba Community Hospital
UMASS Health Alliance
Numerous community agencies including clinics, schools, Visiting Nurses
Results
Nothing reflects more strongly on the Department of Nursing than the success of its graduates. Nearly 100 percent
of licensed graduates are employed immediately. Our alumni are qualified for entry-level positions in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities or community
health agencies.
Organizations that have hired students from the Department of Nursing:
Baystate Medical Center
Beth Israel/Deaconess
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital
Emerson Hospital
Lahey Clinic
Massachusetts General Hospital
UMASS/Memorial Health Care
U.S. military commissioning as officers in Army, Navy, National Guard or Air Force
Contact
For more information about the Nursing Department at Fitchburg State College, please contact the Admissions Office for open house and visit options.
