Program Description
Vermont State University (VTSU) offers a career ladder progression approach for students to enter and advance in a nursing career. The career ladder approach is provided in a 1+1+2 model which allows for the completion of the Practical Nursing (PN) certificate, followed by the completion of the Associate of Science (AS) degree leading to eligibility to sit for the RN licensure exam, and culminating with the Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree. Qualified students may be accepted into VTSU PN-AS-BSN Nursing program at any point (pre-PN, AS, or BS) and may progress through the bachelor’s degree or may choose to stop after receiving the PN or AS credentials. If so, students may re-enter the program at a later time. Graduates’ NCLEX pass rate for licensure are higher than the national average. Students in our nursing programs also have high completion rates.
The RN-BSN degree completion program is an online program intended for current RNs who are ready to pursue the next level of their nursing education while working. It is designed to prepare nurses to possess greater knowledge of health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction, and global health. The program includes studies in healthcare information systems, palliative care, transitions of care, advanced assessment skills, nursing research, global and population health, holistic healing, leadership and management, and community nursing.
The BSN program includes 122 credits with 225 hours of precepted experiences. BSN credits include 15 general education and 36 nursing.
For students who pursue the ladder, only 34 credits from the PN program and all 37 credits from the AS program count towards the BS cumulative credits. Finally, only PN non-clinical hour courses count toward GPA.
Program Outcomes
1. Nursing Process
Collaborate with patients, the inter-disciplinary team, and multiple care providers when planning care to establish patient and family-centered goals to optimize wellness outcomes and evaluate plan effectiveness for the individual, organization, and community.
2. Scientific Principles
Engage applied sciences including scientific, behavioral, psychological, and cultural principles for the care of complex patients that incorporates global appreciation, diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice to design evidence-based practice to improve patient care and health.
3. Communication
Evaluate collaborative relationships with the health care team and the community to facilitate communication to enhance care, promote quality care, and strategize utilization of technology, embracing diversity and inclusion while evolving therapeutic communication techniques of presencing and dialogical exchange.
4. Ethical/Legal
Integrate legal and ethical standards that encompass consideration of potential ethical dilemmas, social determinates of health and promote self-integrity as well as consideration of benefit to health - from individual to global.
5. Nursing Role
Coordinate and co-lead the inter-disciplinary team using clinical judgement and situational awareness; advocating for patients by compassionately caring for people and families using the art and science of nursing in theoretically/evidence-based practice.
6. Provider of Care
Help people flourish and find meaning in their lived experiences, demonstrate sound nursing judgement, utilize critical thinking, develop scholarship, and promote optimal wellness.
7. Teaching/Learning
Design a holistic teaching plan or pamphlet using the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice demonstrating understanding of the person, health, environment, and nursing.
8. Accountability/Self-Growth
Strive for excellence through ongoing engagement in self-directed, lifelong learning with participation as an active member of society in their community, working with or becoming leaders; and developing their professional identity and ability to work with diverse teams to create innovative or evidence-based solutions to problems.
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