The Major

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing offers an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. This program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master’s degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program/post-graduate APRN certificate program at Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation). Completion of requirements qualifies the graduate to take the National Council Licensing Examination in Nursing for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®), a prerequisite to working as a registered nurse.

The undergraduate program provides the knowledge and skills fundamental for professional nursing practice. Students emerge from this community-based program prepared for graduate study and able to: Advocate for culturally relevant care for vulnerable and underserved populations to reduce health care disparities and promote social justice; collaborate to shape environments and systems that promote health and well-being, ensure safe, quality care for all, and maximize the unique contribution of nursing; enact the nursing role in a manner that consistently reflects caring, professional values, ethical principles, accountability, integrity, a commitment to lifelong learning, self-care, and an awareness of how personal values influence one’s actions; exhibit a spirit of inquiry and creativity to identify gaps in nursing knowledge, critique new science, and use evidence as a basis of practice; provide safe, quality, patient- and family-centered holistic care across the lifespan to promote health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities; engage others to envision, influence, and implement practice and policy changes in healthcare to achieve a preferred future locally, nationally, and globally; collaborate with individuals, families, communities and interdisciplinary teams using professional communication to design, manage, and evaluate care, facilitate transitions of care and maximize outcomes; integrate emerging technologies and information management tools to enhance communication and healthcare access, support safe processes of care, and evaluate impact on health outcomes.

The nursing major builds upon General Education requirements and courses in the humanities and sciences, which provide the foundation for a humanistic and scientific approach to nursing practice. Lectures, case studies, group projects, seminars, clinical practice, simulated laboratory, independent study, multimedia instruction, Web-enhanced courses, and self-paced modules are all used to present the subject matter of nursing. Clinical practice is arranged under faculty direction with the cooperation of community agencies and health care facilities including senior citizen centers, schools, occupational settings, ambulatory care centers, community hospitals, and tertiary care medical centers. The faculty assist students in laying the foundation for a critical-thinking and problem-solving approach to nursing practice and research.

Students are expected to assume increasing responsibility for their own education by investing in the learning options that best serve their individual abilities, needs, and interests. Under faculty guidance, students provide nursing care to clients of all ages in many settings and develop skills in critical thinking, leadership, and research utilization.

Students are required to consult with their academic advisor about the content and sequence of their work each semester and throughout their program and to adhere to the College's educational policies, as presented in the Undergraduate Student Handbook. Nursing students must follow the required course of studies in consultation with their advisor(s).

For students completing clinical instruction in the state of Massachusetts, Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks are required and will be completed by the university on all students once they are admitted to the program. Out-of-state students must show evidence that regulations of their state licensure have been met. Progression and clinical placements in the Nursing program may be contingent upon a satisfactory CORI investigation or completion of state requirements.

In addition to graduation, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing requires that graduates sitting for the NCLEX-RN® licensure exam meet standards of "good moral character". For further information, visit their website at www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/rn for "Rules and Regulations: Determination of Good Moral Character."

Requirements

Admission Requirements

See the ‘Getting Started’ tab to learn more about joining this major.

Undergraduate Curriculum

Clinical nursing courses begin in the spring semester of the sophomore year. Students are required to provide their own transportation to program clinical and community sites, which are used seven days a week, with the potential for evening, weekend, and night hours.

The major builds upon General Education requirements and courses in the humanities and sciences, which provide the foundation for a humanistic and scientific approach to nursing practice. Lectures, case studies, group projects, seminars, clinical practice, simulated laboratory, independent study, multimedia instruction, Web-enhanced courses, and self-paced modules are all used to present the subject matter of nursing. Clinical practice is arranged under faculty direction with the cooperation of a number of community agencies and health care facilities including senior citizen centers, schools, occupational settings, ambulatory care centers, community hospitals, and tertiary care medical centers.

Students are required to take NCLEX preparation (ATI) assessment exams throughout their nursing curriculum.

Nursing undergoes dynamic changes because of rapid advances in scientific technology, new trends in delivery of health care, and greater public awareness of health needs. Departmental requirements are subject to change.

Plan of Study First Two Years: (graduating classes of May 2027, 2028 and 2029)

(subject to change)

prerequisite to KINESIOLOGY 270
PSYCHOLOGY 100 Introductory Psychology
ENGLISH WRITING 112 College Writing
NURSING 150 Seminar for First-Year Nursing Students
KINESIOLOGY 270 Anatomy and Physiology I
KINESIOLOGY 272 Anatomy and Physiology II
NURSING 100 Perspectives in Nursing
NURSING 210 Human Development Throughout the Life Cycle
NUTRITION 130 Nutrition for a Healthy Lifestyle or NUTRITION 230 Basic Nutrition
MICROBIOLOGY 255 Introduction to Medical Microbiology
NURSING 333 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology Part I
NURSING 212 Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness (4 cr)
NURSING 315 Health and Physical Assessment
NURSING 202 Issues of Aging in a Global Society
NURSING 216 Principles of Nursing Care I (2 cr)
NURSING 298C Principles of Nursing Care I: Practicum (2 cr)
STATISTICS 111 (or equivalent)
Additional General Education courses and math requirements by test or course
Elective coursework

Final Two Years: Required Nursing Courses

NURSING 316 Principles of Nursing Care II (2 cr)
NURSING 317 Writing in Nursing: Ethics
NURSING 321 Preventive Care and Integrative Therapies (2 cr)
NURSING 325 Maternal-Newborn Nursing (2 cr)
NURSING 326 Nursing Care of Children (2 cr)
NURSING 327 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (2 cr)
NURSING 334 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology Part II
NURSING 398E Principles of Nursing Care II: Practicum (2 cr)
NURSING 398F Nursing Care of Children: Practicum (2 cr)
NURSING 398G Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Practicum (2 cr)
NURSING 398I Maternal-Newborn Nursing: Practicum (2 cr)
NURSING 420 Introduction to Nursing Research
NURSING 432 Nursing Care of Adults: Acute
NURSING 433 Nursing Care of Adults: Chronic
NURSING 438 Professional Role in Nursing
NURSING 439 Community Health Nursing
NURSING 498C Nursing Care of Adults: Practicum (3 cr)
NURSING 498T Community Health Nursing: Practicum (3 cr)
NURSING 498 Internship (4 cr)
NURSING 441 Decision-Making Strategies for Professional Nursing (1 cr)
2 Nursing Electives

Plan of Study First Two Years: (Freshmen beginning Fall 2026)

(subject to change)

ENGLWRIT 112 College Writing
NURSING 113 Nursing from Society to Cells
NURSING 150 Faculty Seminar for First-Year Nursing Students
CHEMISTRY 111 – (PS) – Majors Chemistry (prerequisite to KINESIOLOGY 270)
NURSING 114 Ecology of Health
KINESIOLOGY 270 Anatomy and Physiology I
KINESIOLOGY 272 Anatomy and Physiology II
NUTRITION 130 (BS) Human Nutrition
MICROBIOLOGY 255 Introduction to Medical Microbiology
NURSING 301 Pathophysiology
NURSING 315 Health and Physical Assessment
NURSING 204 Structural, Social & Political Determinants of Health
NURSING 214 Preventive & Supportive Nursing Care
NURSING 298D Preventive & Supportive Nursing Care - Practicum

Final Two Years: Required Nursing Courses

NURSING 332 Pharmacology in Nursing
NURSING 318 Writing in Health Research (Junior Writing Course)
NURSING 322 Nursing Care of the Developing Family
NURSING 398K Nursing Care of the Developing Family – Practicum
NURSING 328 Aging & Social Determinants of Health
NURSING 491Public Health Nursing
NURSING 323 Nursing Care of the Maturing Family
NURSING 398L Nursing Care of the Maturing Family – Practicum
NURSING 401 Regenerative & Restorative Nursing Care
NURSING 498F Regenerative & Restorative Nursing Care – Practicum
NURSING 335 Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing
NURSING 424 Health Care Systems
NURSING 442 Transition to Professional Nursing
NURSING 498G Immersive Experience: Clinical Internship
NURSING 428 Clinical Judgment in Nursing Practice
Nursing Selective – choices

Honors and Other Courses

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing offers an honors track in which students can elect to work on research in an area of interest with faculty, and take elective courses. Independent study and special topics courses are also available for students who want to pursue individual areas of interest in nursing.

Curriculum for the Accelerated Track

Track on hold