Nursing Major

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – Department of Nursing

 

The University offers a Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing for registered nurses who already have completed either an Associate Degree or a Diploma Program in Nursing. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Framingham State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The curriculum provides a broad educational base in the humanities and in the natural and social sciences. The program encourages self-directed learning, critical thinking, independent action, and professional awareness. The goal is preparation of a nurse who is able to function as a generalist in a variety of health-care settings. The course of study provides a base for graduate work in education, research, clinical specialization, or administration.

The curriculum is organized around the concept of prevention as a means of attaining wellness includes:

  1. Primary prevention - to prevent the initiation of illness through the reduction of risk factors and the promotion of wellness.
  2. Secondary prevention - to arrest the development of illness through early detection of illness and the promotion of wellness.
  3. Tertiary prevention - to minimize the consequences of illness and disability through the promotion of wellness.

Program Outcomes:

  1. Formulate decisions about nursing practice using a foundation of evolving knowledge from Nursing, biological, and behavioral sciences and the humanities.
  2. Integrate ethics, integrity, and respect into patient-centered, evidence-based nursing practice.
  3. Apply effective written and oral communication, teamwork, and collaborative strategies to influence health-related outcomes.
  4. Analyze the role of health promotion and disease/injury prevention to improve the health and safety of populations.
  5. Demonstrate leadership skills in the oversight of, and accountability for, safe care delivery in a variety of settings.
  6. Employ innovations in information management and technology for the delivery of quality patient care.

Applicants must meet the following requirements for undergraduate admissions:

  1. Submit official transcripts from basic nursing programs and all colleges and/or universities attended.
  2. Submit evidence of current unrestricted Registered Nurse licensure in Massachusetts (may apply during basic nursing program, but must be licensed prior to taking nursing courses).

Nursing Education Transfer Compact (NETP)

For Registered Nurses who graduated from public Associate Degree in Nursing Programs in Massachusetts, the NETP includes:

  • Acceptance in transfer all courses earned as part of a Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) approved public Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, without time restriction*, as a body of knowledge and practical experience that is a prerequisite to National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) licensure.

 *Exceptions to this policy may be applied by FSU for specific courses, i.e. sciences

Transfer credit evaluations are completed by the Office of the University Registrar. Registered Nurses may receive credit for nursing and non-nursing college-level courses successfully completed at other regionally-accredited higher education institutions.

The General Education Requirement

As per the Nursing Education Transfer Policy (NETP), nursing students who attended a Massachusetts state community college and have completed the MassTransfer Block (General Education), as indicated as such on the community college transcript, may be required to complete no more than two additional courses at FSU to satisfy FSU’s Domain General Education model. A nursing student who has previously completed a bachelor’s degree from a regional-accredited institution in the United States will have FSU’s Domain General Education model as completed.

Students who do not meet the General Education requirements through the Mass Transfer Block (General Education) must meet the University’s Domain General Education Requirements. See the Framingham State University Undergraduate Catalog for details.

 

Transfer Credit for prior Nursing Knowledge:

Diploma Programs
Registered Nurses who graduated from a Diploma program approved by a state Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) will earn seven (7) transfer course-credits. These credits will appear on the student’s degree audit as elective credit and be applied towards overall degree requirements.

Foreign Nursing Programs
Transcripts of Registered Nurses who graduated from foreign nursing programs will be evaluated on an individual basis. These credits will appear on the student’s degree audit as elective credit and be applied towards overall degree requirements.

Course Prerequisites
Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.

 

NURSING MAJOR (UNUR)

Upper Division Nursing Requirements:

The upper division Nursing major may be completed in as few as three (3) semesters:

  • NURS 310 Professional Nursing Perspectives
  • NURS 325 Nursing Informatics
  • NURS 330 Primary Prevention in the Community
  • NURS 420 Nursing Theory
  • NURS 430 Secondary Prevention
  • NURS 440 Introduction to Nursing Research
  • NURS 460 Nursing Leadership
  • NURS 470 Tertiary Prevention

NOTE: As mandated by the Massachusetts General Laws 444 of the Acts of 1996, a criminal offender record information (CORI) check will be performed on students who will have clinical experience in community and home settings.

 

Performance Standards

1.    A GPA of 2.00 in nursing courses is required for continuance in the program.

2.    A grade of at least C- (1.70) is required in nursing courses.

3.    When a grade of D+ (1.30) or lower is received in a nursing course the course may be repeated only once.

4.    Failure to meet these standards will result in dismissal from the program.

Any student on academic probation cannot be admitted to:

  • NURS 440 Introduction to Nursing Research
  • NURS 460 Nursing Leadership
  • NURS 470 Tertiary Prevention

 

Effective as of the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog