Welcome to the Nursing Department
About the Department
 The Department of Nursing offers
three tracks to a Bachelor of Science
in nursing: one for traditional
undergraduate students (1st BS degree), a second for
non-nursing college graduates (2nd BS degree), and a
third for registered nurses (RN).
Baccalaureate preparation for the practice of professional nursing requires a
substantial liberal education base for the study of the theory and practice of
nursing. At Salisbury University, there are 3 tracks to a BS degree:
1. Traditional BS in Nursing for 1st BS degree seekers who wish to
become registered nurses (RN). In this four year program, the first two years
focus on general education and supporting courses that provide the foundation
for a liberal education as well as the nursing major. These courses are offered
by departments within the University or students may transfer approved,
comparable courses from other educational institutions.
The nursing component of the curriculum is four semesters in length. Courses in
the theoretical basis of nursing practice with a wide variety of related
clinical laboratory experiences are designed in collaboration with health care
delivery institutions and other health related agencies in the area.
2. 2nd Degree BS in Nursing for those with a bachelor's degree in another
field who wish to make a career change. The curriculum, acknowledging the
education, career and life experiences of the individual requires fewer
pre-requisites for the nursing courses than the basic baccalaureate nursing
program of study. Students may complete the second bachelor's degree in three
smesters of full-time study.
3. RN to BS for Registered Nurses (RNs) for those who already hold a
resident state or compact state license as a RN. The students typically have a
previous Associates Degree or Diploma Degree in Nursing, and may or may not hold
a Bachelor's Degree in a non-nursing field. Depending on the individual's
academic coursework, the RN to BS may be completed in two years of part-time
study.
SU nursing graduates have the
highest 3 year average NCLEX-RN pass rate in
Maryland for baccalaureate programs
at 94.56% (2009 - present).
Our recent accreditation by the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE) for the maximum
period is further validation of the
quality of our curriculum, faculty
and resources.
The Department of Nursing also offers three graduate level tracks to a Master of
Science in nursing: one for Family Nurse Practitioner, a second for Clinical
Nurse Educator, and a third for Health Care Leadership. A Registered Nurse
without a BS in nursing degree can also elect the RN-to-MS option and move
directly through undergraduate courses into one of 2 tracks without
stopping to complete the BS degree.
Students in SU nursing programs pride themselves on involvement, participating
in a host of community service projects, on and off campus. Our Student Nurses
Association has been nationally recognized for community service and has a
9-year record of success with passage of its resolutions at the annual NSNA
Convention.
Our faculty engage in research and clinical practice publishing their work in
such esteemed journals as Journal
of Nursing Education and Nurse Educator,
and practicing at area hospitals and
clinics. They also lend their expertise
to national and regional health
organizations and advisory boards.
“SU nursing has given me the tools and stepping stones I need
to build a successful career in nursing, and I can always look back and remember
where I began and be thankful.”
—
Kelsey Flagg, Class of 2009 |
At SU, there are countless
opportunities for personal and
professional growth including study in
Tanzania, Ecuador and China. The
popular summer Nurse Extern work-study
program pairs students with
expert registered nurses in area
hospitals for a paid 10-week
immersion in patient care while
earning three credits though an online
class at the University.
What’s Special About SU Nursing?
 Close faculty supervision in
clinical courses.
For all direct care experiences,
clinical groups are typically no larger
than eight students. This allows for
personal attention and coaching
while learning how to think like a
nurse. Students also develop close
friendships with classmates that
last through their years at SU
and beyond.
Expert faculty who practice
what they teach.
All classroom teachers also supervise
clinical practice so what is taught in
the classroom is readily applied and
reinforced in a clinical setting
bridging the gap between the
“textbook” and the “real world.”
“The Nurse Extern Program allowed me to
bridge the gap between student and professional.
Working full time in a healthcare environment
allowed me to apply what I learned in the
classroom to real-life experiences.”
—
Aaron Sebach, RN; Class of 2008 |
Excellent clinical facilities.
SU has clinical affiliations at a variety
of hospitals, clinics, health
departments and mental health care
facilities. Among the hospitals is an
award-winning regional trauma
center that recently received
recognition as one of the “Most
Wired Hospitals” in the U.S.
An advisor in your field.
All pre-nursing and nursing students
are assigned a nursing faculty member
for academic advisement. From the
very beginning of your academic
career at SU, an expert in the field is
available to guide you.
Career Options
Career options are endless as
professional nursing is projected to
have one of the largest number of
new jobs according to the Occupational
Outlook Handbook. There are
opportunities for employment in
hospitals, long-term care and
rehabilitation centers, health
departments, hospice and home care,
and occupational health. Some of our
nursing graduates are practicing in
unusual areas such as law,
research, international health, pharmaceutical
sales, and even on cruise ships!
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