Program Description
Nursing is a discipline and a profession, a science and an art grounded in caring that provides holistic care with respect and dignity while promoting the health of society. At Vermont State University (VTSU), collaboration among faculty and students encourages a spirit of inquiry, personal growth, and service. Nursing students have the opportunity to progress through a four-year, hands-on curriculum based on a career ladder model. Those students who choose to continue in the second-year Associate of Science (AS) program participate in practicums in a variety of settings under the supervision of nursing instructors.
The Associate of Science program articulates with the Practical Nursing (PN) program and requires two further terms of full-time study. The 12 clinical PN credits do not transfer to the AS program. VTSU guarantees direct progression from the PN program to the AS program for qualified students. Students who enroll in VTSU’s associate program and earned their PN certificate at another institution will need to have transfer credits evaluated to meet the Digital and Computing Literacy general education graduation requirement. In the case that transfer credits do not qualify, the student will be required to take an additional course that does meet the criteria.
Because of the competitive demand for seats and the limitations of clinical placements in some areas of the state, students may have to continue at a site other than their first choice and must request their first, second, and third site preferences on their request for nursing direct progression form. Priority goes to students who wish to remain at their PN site, in order of GPA. Once AS seats are filled at a site, we place students at their next preferences as seats are available. A student whose first preference is an AS site other than their PN site is considered for that site only after qualified PN students at that site have been offered a seat. Graduates may apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN. It is the Vermont State Board of Nursing’s responsibility to determine eligibility to sit for the licensure examination and to issue a license. AS students must receive a grade of C+ (77) or better in all NUR courses and a C (75) or better in BIO and PSY courses in order to progress in the program. If a student in the last term of the program doesn’t achieve these grades, they are not allowed to graduate. Grades lower than the required 75 or 77 are reflected on the transcript with the corresponding letter grade, so credits may be awarded for any grade above an F (60), but the student will not progress or graduate from the program. To progress directly from the AS program to the Bachelor of Science (BS) program, a student must:
- Declare their intent to progress on a Change of Program form no later than March 31 of the year in which they wish to progress.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA throughout the AS program.
- Obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse after completing the AS degree.
The associate degree program includes 420 hours of theory and 315 hours of clinical/lab. Only non-clinical hours/courses count toward GPA. The minimum number of credits required for the degree is 70.
Program Outcomes
1. Nursing Process: Evaluate a plan of care utilizing clinical judgement guided by the nursing process to promote or regain optimal health across the lifespan.
2. Scientific Principles: Incorporate evidenced-based practice into the individualized plan of care across a large range of settings and populations to promote or achieve wellness, self-care and ongoing growth.
3. Communication: Engage in effective communication and collaboration techniques with the interdisciplinary team, using both technology and personal professional skills, to support the ongoing care of patients in a wide range of health care settings.
4. Ethical/Legal: Demonstrate the understanding and utilization of legal and ethical principles in the application of professional nursing practice.
5. Nursing Role: Utilize evidenced based practice to adapt care to best support human health by advocating for a comprehensive approach that supports and respects the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice as well as cultural values and beliefs.
6. Provider of Care: Competently and safely deliver nursing care, demonstrating a deep understanding of pathophysiology, interventions, treatments, and goal setting to enhance the health potential of patients across the healthcare system.
7. Teaching/Learning: Evaluate the teaching needs and develop comprehensive teaching plans for individuals that address knowledge deficits to best support self-care and independence.
8. Accountability/Self-Growth: Demonstrate accountability for growth as individuals, members of society, and professional nurses through the continuous pursuit of knowledge.
