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, 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 Degree in Nursing (ADN) program participate in practicums in a variety of settings under the supervision of nursing instructors.
The ADN program articulates with the PN program and requires two further terms of full-time study. The 12 clinical PN credits don’t transfer to the ADN program. VTSU guarantees direct progression from PN to ADN for qualified students. Students who enroll in VTSU’s ADN 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 ADN seats are filled at a site, we place students at their next preferences as seats are available. A student whose first preference is an ADN 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 take the NCLEX-RN. It’s the Vermont State Board of Nursing’s responsibility to determine eligibility to sit for the licensure examination and to issue a license. ADN 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 ADN to the BSN level, 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 ADN program.
- Obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse after completing the ADN 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
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Evaluate the plan of care to assist clients with complex healthcare needs to maintain, achieve, or regain their optimal level of self-care
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Select appropriate scientific, behavioral, and cultural principles for the care of clients with complex needs in diverse settings
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Evaluate interpersonal skills in professional practice
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Incorporate behaviors consistent with legal and ethical standards of professional practice
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Assume the role of manager of care within the interdisciplinary team
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Competently deliver nursing care which maximizes the self-care potential of individuals with complex health needs in diverse settings
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Evaluate a comprehensive teaching plan to meet the physical and emotional needs of individuals and groups with common and complex healthcare needs
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Demonstrate accountability for growth as individuals, as members of society, and as professional nurses
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