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Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Division of Nursing

A strong liberal arts and sciences foundation is integrated with nursing academic preparation to ensure scholastic breadth and quality. Students complete the liberal arts and science foundational courses prior to entering nursing courses in the junior year. A student may enter the nursing program:

  1. as a qualified high school graduate in the freshman year to pre-nursing and a declared intent to major in nursing - Traditional Track;
  2. as a transfer student in the sophomore year to pre-nursing and a declared intent to major in nursing - Traditional Track;
  3. in the junior year after acceptance into the nursing program - Traditional Track; or into the Accelerated Track after having completed all nursing prerequisite and general education coursework;
  4. as a second-degree student in the Accelerated Track option.

Foundational non-nursing courses may be taken at the University of Saint Mary or at another accredited institution of higher learning and transferred. Transfer students from other nursing programs who are eligible for advanced standing are evaluated individually.

Majors in nursing will complete all the requirements for general education for the university. In addition, nursing majors will complete 57 credit hours of professional nursing coursework and 30 credit hours of supporting courses. A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for graduation. Student education includes both classroom and clinical experiences. The remaining credit hours required for graduation will be met through completion of any prerequisite courses and/or general electives.

Program Mission

Committed to the mission and values of the University, the mission of the nursing program is to educate students to become, and grow as, professional nurses who value excellence, provide leadership, and show caring attitudes in all endeavors, foster community, and embrace lifelong learning. Graduates are prepared to provide outcome-focused, client-centered, evidence-based, holistic nursing care to individuals, groups, and communities of diverse backgrounds.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Saint Mary is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Information related to this accreditation may be obtained by contacting CCNE at 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001 Phone: (202) 887-6791.

Student Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the nursing program will:

  1. Use clinical reasoning, clinical judgment, and evidence when providing and directing safe, holistic, patient-centered care.
  2. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills and interprofessional collaboration.
  3. Integrate professional role responsibilities in the areas of provider, designer, manager, coordinator of care, and member of a profession.
  4. Utilize data and information science to measure and improve client outcomes within a variety of systems.
  5. Demonstrate professional value integration of the five Cs of caring: competence, compassion, commitment, conscience, and confidence (Roach, M. (1992). The human act of caring: A blueprint for the health professions. Canadian Hospital Association.)