Nursing (B.S.)

(Bachelor of Science Degree)

At Utica College, the nursing program is designed to provide students with a liberal education as well as a professional foundation that integrates nursing theory with skills required for nursing practice. The program leads to a Bachelor of Science in nursing. During the first two years of the traditional undergraduate nursing curriculum, students will complete all general education core and prerequisite liberal arts and sciences courses. The nursing courses will be taken in 4 semesters at the junior and senior level.

Professional nurses are liberally educated practitioners who function as primary providers of health care services to individuals, families, groups, and communities. Nurses work collaboratively with physicians, social workers, therapists, and other health professionals. Graduates of the program have opportunities in a variety of settings including acute care, community agencies, home care, and schools. All students enrolled in clinical courses must hold current certification in CPR, Basic Life Support, have health and liability insurance, and meet the health requirements of the respective agencies. Transportation is the responsibility of the student. Details about these requirements are available from the program office.

The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and is approved by the New York State Education Department. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN).

There are three ways to earn a nursing degree at Utica College: the on-ground undergraduate program, the online RN to BS program, and the hybrid Accelerated Second Degree Nursing (ABSN) program. The on-ground program is a four-year course of undergraduate study. The RN to BS program is an online program open to student with an associate’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution and a current RN license. The ABSN program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree (not in nursing) from a regionally-accredited university who have completed all major-related requirements prior to admission. The hybrid delivery combines online courses with labs and clinical study at a clinical site.

Accelerated Second Degree

This track is designed to admit non-nurse baccalaureate graduates and provide education for generalist nursing roles. Students in this track must have a bachelor’s degree (non-nursing) from a regionally accredited university, and have completed all major related requirements prior to admission. Students will take the nursing courses outlined below in a hybrid delivery model. It is accelerated because the four semesters run concurrently with only small breaks between semesters.

Learning Objectives

The objectives/competencies of the nursing program are:

• to demonstrate critical thinking through:
  • Utilization of creative problem-solving and decision-making based on theories and models in the delivery of health care to individuals cross the life span, groups, and communities; and 
  • Incorporation of research concepts in planning and implementing nursing care.
• to communicate in a professional manner through:
  • Utilization of concepts in human interaction in establishing effective professional relationships;
  • Appropriate use of formal and informal writing; and
  • Application of appropriate communication technologies.
• to develop professional role concepts and behaviors to meet the evolving health care needs of society through:
  • Demonstration of responsibility and accountability;
  • Recognition and implementation of care within ethical and legal parameters of professional practice;
  • Provision of culturally sensitive and culturally competent care to clients in an increasingly diverse society;
  • Commitment to evidence-based, clinically competent care in diverse settings;
  • Commitment to patient/family advocacy;
  • Collaboration with individual clients, families, and communities to promote, protect, and improve health;
  • Collaboration with interdisciplinary health care providers within strategic community partnerships;
  • Integration of management principals;
  • Incorporation of concern for social and global issues; and
  • Identification of issues and trends affecting health care delivery.
• to value learning as a lifelong process through:
  • Commitment to continuing education in professional development.

Special Requirement

The faculty at Utica College strive to provide a successful educational experience for every student. Each student is required to meet the following criteria in order to remain in the Nursing Program:

The student must:

• Complete all General education core and Major related courses prior to progression into upper-division nursing courses.
• Achieve and maintain a minimum 2.8 cumulative G.P.A. in order to progress into upper-division nursing courses.
• Achieve and maintain a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.8 in all major related courses.
• Have earned 65 credits prior to entering the nursing courses.
• Demonstrate the professional and ethical behaviors required for successful performance of professional nursing practice as noted by faculty and clinical instructors.
• Adhere to established course sequence in nursing major.
• Adhere to Utica College academic rules and regulations. (See undergraduate catalog)

Retention Criteria

1. Students are expected to be aware of prerequisite course requirements. Prerequisites will not be waived.
2. A minimum grade of C+ (77%) will be required for all nursing courses. A student who achieves a grade of less than a C+ in a nursing course has one opportunity to repeat the course. A maximum of one nursing course may be repeated. Progression in the nursing program is based on seat availability in the course. Failure to achieve the minimum grade of C+ in the repeated course will result in academic dismissal from the nursing program. A student who withdraws from any nursing course jeopardizes their progression in the program.
3. Major-Related Courses
   1. A minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.8 is required in Major-related courses.
   2. A minimum grade of C is required for all major-related courses
   3. A student who achieves a grade of less than a C in a major-related course has one (1) opportunity to repeat the course. A maximum of two major-related courses may be repeated. Failure to achieve the minimum grade of C in the repeated course will result in academic dismissal from the nursing program.
4. Students who are placed on academic probation by the College will be suspended or requested to withdraw from the nursing major.
5. Students are expected to maintain standards of professional behavior within academic and clinical settings. The student who fails to meet these standards may be subject to dismissal from the College and/or the program. Expected behaviors include but are not limited to:
   1. Attend all classes, labs, and clinical experiences and arrive on time. In the case of illness or an emergency, the appropriate faculty member must be telephoned prior to class/lab/clinical.
   2. Prepare for class/lab/clinical according to course requirements identified in each course syllabus.
   3. Complete all assignments according to the time frame posted in the syllabus.
   4. Demonstrate respect and courtesy toward faculty, staff, and fellow students.
   5. Demonstrate honesty and integrity in all academic and clinical settings.
   6. Contribute to the educational growth of self and fellow students.

Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Clinical Experiences

Clinical experiences are designed to provide support and integration of the academic coursework. A nursing faculty member will provide direct, on-site supervision for clinical experiences except for selected clinical courses.

1. All students must provide their own transportation to clinical settings. Parking at clinical facilities is at the student’s expense.
2. All students must meet orientation and health requirements for each clinical prior to clinical start date.
3. NO cell phones allowed in the clinical setting.
4. Excused student absences from clinical will be evaluated by the course instructor relative to meeting course objectives. Recommended remediation will be determined conjointly by faculty and the student. Initiation of remediation is the student’s responsibility.
5. Clinical experiences are graded on a pass/fail (P/F) basis. Outcome criteria for clinical evaluation are clearly stated in the course syllabus and clinical evaluation tool.
6. A student who is found to endanger the health/welfare of a client will be considered to have engaged in misconduct. The following constitute cause for immediate dismissal from the clinical setting and failure of the clinical course, as well as dismissal from the nursing program:
   1. Coming to clinical under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
   2. Emotional or physical jeopardy–Any action by the student toward a patient, family/significant other of patient, or staff member(s) such as, but not limited to the following: threat to emotional and/or physical well-being; willfully harassing; physically, verbally or emotionally abusing; use of intimidation.
7. Students who commit acts judged by the clinical instructor to be unsafe may be dismissed from the clinical setting and/or course. Examples of unsafe acts include, but are not limited to:
   1. Error in medication administration.
   2. Administration of a medication without having knowledge of the drug.
   3. Inaccurate recording or failure to record, medication administration.
   4. Error in administration of intravenous fluids.
   5. Failure to report changes in patient’s condition.
   6. Failure to seek supervision when necessary.
   7. Failure to report and document nursing care.
   8. Compromising patient care by inadequate preparation for clinical experience. 
   9. Breach of confidentiality.
   10. Neglecting personal safety.
   11. Creating or causing personal safety hazards.
   12. Sleeping in the clinical area.

Upon the incidence of an unsafe act by a student, the clinical instructor will:

1. Inform the student immediately of the unsafe act.
2. Provide the student with written documentation concerning the unsafe act.
3. Review the incident and counsel the student, recommending remediation as needed.
4. Place copy of incident report in student’s academic file.
5. Follow the policy for reporting an incident as required by the clinical agency or institution

Total hours required for degree: 127