Nursing

Modern Facilities

Featuring advanced equipment, including simulation technologies, our on-campus lab gives students the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective nursing care.

Clinical Experience

As a vital part of the nursing program, students are assigned to clinical rotations in some of the world's finest healthcare institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital at Worcester Medical Center.

Prestigious Affiliations

The School of Nursing is widely recognized for top-notch clinical opportunities, and our programs are developed in collaboration with Boston’s Harvard-affiliated hospitals and other institutions in the renowned Longwood Medical Area.

Honor Society

Outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who exemplify excellence in nursing knowledge, clinical practice, and leadership are invited to join the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society.

Symbiotic Learning

Using a clinical immersion model, nursing practice informs nursing education, and nursing education influences the practice of nursing and the delivery of healthcare.

A field of growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses is expected to grow at a much faster rate than many other occupations, with a potential 12% increase in jobs needed by 2028. The demand for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses, is projected to grow 26% by 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is partly driven by increasing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, as well as increasing demand for healthcare services from the large, aging baby-boom population as they live longer and more active lives than previous generations.

Well-prepared

With innovative training and immersive clinical opportunities, our graduates are extremely well prepared to enter and advance in the field of nursing. Clinical education experiences are varied so that students are prepared for professional practice in an ever-changing healthcare environment.

Well-paid

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $71,730 in May 2018, with the highest 10% earning more than $106,530. Advanced practice registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $113,930 in May 2018, with the highest 10% earning more than $182,750.

Job satisfaction

Nursing occupations score high rankings in the 2019 careers lists by the U.S. News for their ability to offer an elusive mix of factors, including salary, the number of expected openings, advancement opportunities and career fulfillment. Registered nurses rank #15 in the Best Health Care Jobs, and #19 in the 100 Best Jobs. Nurse anesthetists rank #3 in the Best Health Care Jobs, #5 in the 100 Best Jobs, and #11 in the Best Paying Jobs. Nurse practitioners rank #5 in the Best Health Care Jobs, and #7 in the 100 Best Jobs.

A pre-licensure candidate for the BSN degree must have abilities and skills in four areas: communication, observation, motor function and endurance, and behavioral maturity. Rea­sonable accommodations may be made for some disabilities. However, pre-licensure BSN students must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner, with or without accommodations.

Communication

• Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team through oral, written, and interpersonal means.
• Must be able to obtain information, describe patient situations, and perceive both oral and non-verbal communication (including ability to understand normal speech with­out seeing the speaker's face).
• Must be able to speak, comprehend, read, and write in English at a level that meets the need for accurate, clear and effective communication; examples include but are not limited to: giving clear oral reports, reading watches or clocks with second hands, read­ing graphs, reading and understanding documents printed in English, writing legibly in English, and discriminating subtle differences in medical terminology.

Observation

• Must be able to observe a patient accurately; examples include but are not limited to:
• listening to heart and breath sounds; visualizing the appearance of a surgical wound; detecting bleeding, unresponsiveness, or other changes in patient status; detecting the presence of foul odor; and palpating an abdomen.
• Must be able to detect and respond to emergency situations, including audible alarms (e.g., monitors, call bells, fire alarms).

Motor Function and Endurance

• Must have sufficient strength and mobility to work effectively and safely with patients and carry out nursing care activities; examples include but are not limited to: lifting and positioning patients (lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying up to 25 pounds), transferring patients in and out of bed, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (AHA Healthcare Provider), preparation and administration of medications (oral, injection, intravenous, includ­ing hanging IV bags at shoulder height), reading and emptying body fluid collection devices below bed level, application of pressure to stop bleeding, clearing/opening an obstructed airway, and provision of daily hygiene care.
• Must be able to complete assigned periods of clinical practice, including up to twelve-hour shifts (including days, evenings, nights, weekends).
• Must be able to respond at a speed and in a manner sufficient to carry out patient as­signments within the allotted time.

Behavioral

• Must possess mental and emotional health required for total utilization of intellectual abilities.
• Must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads.
• Must be able to respond and function effectively during stressful situations.
• Must be capable of adapting to rapidly-changing environments, and respond with flex­ibility in uncertain situations.
• Must be able to interact appropriately with others (e.g. patients, families, members of healthcare team) in various healthcare contexts.

The mission of the School of Nursing is to provide students with a high quality and innovative education and to foster scientific inquiry and professional services.

The School of Nursing undertakes planning and evaluation in order to accomplish and improve the achievement of its mission. Long-term planning objectives are articulated in the School of Nursing Strategic Plan

At the end of the program students will:

• Engage in professional nursing practice grounded in caring behaviors that are patient-centered and culturally-sensitive for individuals, families, and communities.
• Integrate the core competencies of critical thinking, communication, assessment, and technical skills in nursing practice.
• Integrate principals of quality improvement and safety, and use technology to deliver patient-centered care within health care organizations and systems.
• Deliver nursing care that is based upon interpersonal relationships, theory-guided, and evidence-based within the context of interprofessional collaboration to improve patient outcomes.
• Demonstrate professional nursing behavior that involves accountability for one’s self and nursing practice, and includes continuous professional engagement and lifelong learning.
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the application of contemporary leadership models in healthcare.
• Prepare for professional practice and licensure.

For more information on Nursing programs please refer to the School of Nursing Student Handbooks.

Undergraduate Student Handbook SON: Worcester, Manchester, and Online

Undergraduate Student Handbook SON: Boston

Graduate Student Handbook SON

The baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN), master’s degree in nursing (MSN-FNP), and post-graduate APRN certificate (CAGS-FNP) on the Boston, Worcester and Manchester campuses of MCPHS University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791

Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MBORN)

Postbaccalaureate Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Worcester): The Postbaccalaureate Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Worcester has received Full Approval from MBORN, 239 Causeway Street, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114, tel.: 800.414.0168 or 617.973.0900, fax: 617.973.0984, website: www.mass.gov/dph/boards/rn.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Boston): The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Boston has received Full Approval from MBORN, 239 Causeway Street, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114, tel.: 800.414.0168 or 617.973.0900, fax: 617.973.0984, website: www.mass.gov/dph/boards/rn.

New Hampshire Board of Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offered on the Manchester campus has received Full Approval from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, located at 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 16, Concord, NH 03301-2431; tel.: 603.271.2323, fax: 603.271.6605, website: http://www.nh.gov/nursing.