The Simmons University nursing faculty believes that professional nursing is practiced according to the nursing metaparadigm, which includes beliefs about person, health, nursing, and environment. Each person is unique. Human beings are holistic in nature, yet they have interacting biophysical, cognitive, social, spiritual, and developmental dimensions. Persons have their own perceptions, values, beliefs, and goals and have the ability to be self-directive, to adapt to change, to achieve their potential, and to ascribe personal meaning in their lives. Psychosocial concepts, research, leadership, management, health assessment skills, nutrition, pharmacology, growth, and development are integrated into all content. The educational process exists to help students become self-directed, creative, socially responsive, and lifelong learners.
Program Requirements:
The student who has been accepted into the major of nursing must fulfill the all-University requirements. A student accepted into the nursing major must achieve an acceptable level of academic performance, including a minimum grade of C+ in all science course prerequisites, prior to beginning the nursing course sequence, as well as maintain an acceptable level of clinical and academic performance to progress to the next nursing course. Progression is also affected by professional behavior. Those students achieving outstanding academic records may be initiated into the Academy and/or the Simmons chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, Theta -at-Large, the International Nursing Honor Society. Criteria regarding academic performance, professional behavior, and health requirements are available upon entrance into the nursing major. Nursing students are required to show documentation of appropriate immunization and health clearance for clinical coursework. Please see the Nursing Student Handbook for specific requirements. All students will undergo a criminal record check each year (CORI) required for nursing practice in state and private agencies and by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Traditional 8-Term BSN Course Sequence
The sequence below includes only nursing courses required by the Nursing Department. Science prerequisites and University-level required courses are not included. For information about the 10-Semester Extended Nursing course sequence, please refer to the 2021-2022 Academic Catalog.
Fall Year 2
| NURS 228 | Nursing Theory & Evidence Based Practice | 4 |
| NURS 295 | Fundamental Skills and Health Assessment | 4 |
*NURS 295 includes 56 Laboratory Hours (NURS 295L).
Spring Year 2
*NURS 332 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 332L).
Fall Year 3
| NURS 335 | Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing | 4 |
| NURS 346 | Medical Surgical Nursing 2 | 4 |
*NURS 335 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 335L).
*NURS 346 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 346L).
Spring Year 3
*Select 2 of the following 3 courses
*NURS 333 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 333L).
*NURS 334 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 334L).
*NURS 336 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 336L).
Fall Year 4
*Students must take
NURS 347 and 1 of the following 3 courses:
NURS 333,
NURS 334, or
NURS 336.
*NURS 347 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 347L).
*NURS 336 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 336L).
*NURS 333 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 333L).
*NURS 334 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 334L).
Spring Year 4
*NURS 419 includes 168 Clinical Hours (NURS 419L).
Accelerated BSN (16-Month) Course Sequence
The sequence below includes only nursing courses required by the Nursing Department. Science prerequisites and University-level required courses are not included.
Fall Year 1
*NURS 295 includes 56 Laboratory Hours (NURS 295L).
*NURS 332 includes 84 Clinical Hours (NURS 332L).
Spring Year 1
Summer Year 1
Fall Year 2
| NURS 417 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NURS 419 | Clinical Capstone Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 455 | Clinical Decision Making & Complex Care | 4 |
*NURS 419 includes 168 Clinical Hours (NURS 419L).
Science Prerequisites
Students accepted into Nursing must complete the sequence below.
Science Prerequisite Sequence
Sequence 2
*Ideal for students keeping their options open for other science majors (i.e. Pre-Med)
Other Requirements:
- Students must pass the Math Competency Exam prior to taking NURS 295.
- Students must successfully complete PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychological Science prior to entry into the Nursing program. PSYC 237N must be successfully completed prior to taking NURS 333, NURS 334, NURS 335.
- Students must successfully complete a 4-hour General Chemistry course with lab before beginning the sequence of NURS courses. CHEM 110 or CHEM 111 preferred.