Fitchburg State College Department of Nursing

As the first public college in Massachusetts to offer a nursing program, Fitchburg State has a long distinguished history in nursing education. We are approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and accredited by the Commission in Collegiate Nursing Education. Our Department of Nursing offers two undergraduate degree programs: a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and an RN to BSN program for students with a diploma or an associate degree in nursing and a valid Massachusetts RN license. We were the second college in the country to establish a master's degree program in Forensic Nursing.

Department of Nursing at a Glance:

· 250 nursing students

· 18 faculty members

· On campus clinical labs: one that simulate a hospital setting with computerized training models and one that simulates a clinic.

· Students are admitted into nursing pre-major freshman year with sophomore placement secured if freshman prerequisites are successfully met.

· Sophomore year: Students begin clinical their medical-surgical sophomore year.

· Junior year: Maternity, pediatric, mental health and medical surgical nursing.

· Senior includes community, chronic illness, medical -surgical and 21 hour/week practicum.

· Nearly 100 percent of licensed graduates are employed immediately.

Four-Year Undergraduate Program

Students interested in pursuing their bachelor of science in nursing are evaluated for admission to the nursing pre-major program. Applicants must meet state college admission standards as well as demonstrate the potential to succeed in the nursing program. Specifically, the Admissions Committee looks for applicants that have completed courses in biology and chemistry with grades of B- or better and whose combined SAT scores are 950 or better. Accepted students enroll in prerequisite courses during their freshman year, specifically Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Chemistry, Psychology, Sociology, and Writing I and II. Students must also meet the mathematics requirement prior to the completion of freshman year. At the conclusion of the freshman year, all nursing pre-majors who have successfully completed the prerequisite coursework with grades of 2.5 or better (B-/C+) are formally admitted to the department as nursing majors. Because the Board of Registration of Nursing requires that students meet standards of 'good moral character' to take the nursing licensing examination, all nursing majors are required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check. For further information, see www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/rn/misc/gmcd9903.htm. As sophomores, nursing majors begin their nursing courses and gain hands-on experience in an on campus lab and then in an 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, chronic care nursing, nursing research, and leadership and management. Throughout the last semester, students work side-by-side with a professional nurse in a full semester practicum experience and prepare for the licensing exam.

The students in the Department of Nursing have access to some of the most extensive facilities in New England. In addition to off-campus health-care facilities where students gain hands-on experience, the department offers a clinical lab that simulates a modern hospital setting and a fully equipped health assessment lab. Fitchburg State College is a front runner in terms of technology and library resources.

Faculty members of the Nursing Department 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 18 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.

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:

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.

A sample of organizations that have hired students from the Department of Nursing:

For more information about the Nursing Department at Fitchburg State College, please contact the Admissions Office for open house and visit options.

Department of Nursing

Fast Facts about FSC nursing