Nursing Department

Ellen Ceppetelli, Director

Department Char; Assistant Professor Cathy Kubec

The mission of the Nursing Department is to provide evidence-based innovative undergraduate nursing education to diverse learners through a dual degree program; prepare nurses as lifelong learners who provide safe, quality patient-centered care; continuously work to improve care; collaborate as a member of the interdisciplinary team; and lead within the professions.

The Nursing Department offers two programs leading to either an Associate in Science (AS) in Nursing degree, or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing degree. The following options are available for enrollment:

Dual Degree Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing (BS.NUR)
This four-year program is designed for students who wish to pursue traditional baccalaureate education. Students who choose this pathway will take baccalaureate nursing courses and liberal arts electives in their third year. In order to proceed to the fourth and final year of the program, students will be required to graduate at the end of the third year with an Associate in Science in Nursing, successfully complete the National Council Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN), and achieve an unencumbered RN licensure in the State of Vermont.

Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science (BS) Completion (BS.NUR)
RNs who already hold either a Diploma or an Associate degree in Nursing may enroll in the RN to BS Completion Program. This program requires that students have an active unencumbered RN license in the State of Vermont. Full-time enrollment will result in a Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing degree in two years. Part-time enrollment is also an option. Students will be required to complete the RN to BS program in five years.

Associate in Science in Nursing
This two-year program is approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The ACEN is the entity that has the sole authority and accountability for carrying out the responsibilities of the accreditation process. Their address is: 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326.

Admission Criteria: In addition to the college's general admission requirements, admission to the above listed programs is selective and based on the following criteria:

1. Combined Critical Reading and Math SAT scores of 1000 or above.
2. Graduation from high school in the upper quarter of class.
3. Evaluation of prior post-secondary course work.
4. Interview with a faculty member from the Nursing Department student affairs committee.
5. All candidates applying for admission to the RN to BS Completion Program should submit a resume and one letter of recommendation written by his or her supervisor.

Students matriculating into any nursing program are required to undergo a criminal background check and drug screen after acceptance into the program and prior to enrollment. Final acceptance to the program is conditioned upon a satisfactory check. Additional checks and/or screenings may also be required by a specific clinical affiliation site. The cost of any background check will be paid by the student.

Challenge Examination for Advanced Placement

Challenge examinations for admission to the AS in nursing are available to Licensed Practical Nurses who possess an unencumbered license in the State of Vermont. Successful completion of the challenge examination process for Foundations of Nursing I (NUR 1211) prior to the start of the semester of enrollment will exempt students from the course. Select candidates may challenge Foundations of Nursing II (NUR 1212). Successful challenge of both NUR 1211 and NUR 1212 could enable the student to enter the nursing program in NUR 2111, NUR 2112, or NUR 2113 provided other prerequisites are met. Details regarding the complete challenge process are available from the Nursing Department upon request. The fee for the written exam is $65 and the skills exam is $125.

Internal Transfer

Students enrolled in other academic programs within the college are eligible for consideration for internal transfer into nursing. Details regarding the application process are available from the Nursing Department upon request. The selection process takes place at the end of the fall semester. The most qualified applicants will be accepted on a space available basis. The following criteria must be met in order to be considered for admission into a nursing program:

A minimum GPA of 2.8
A minimum 9-credit load in the prior semester, or semester of the application
Submission of a complete application prior to the designated deadline
Approval by the Nursing Department student affairs committee.

Fees

Some nursing courses require payment of a laboratory fee. For a summary of these fees please consult individual course descriptions. All nursing students are required to buy an identification badge. AS degree nursing students are also expected to have a working watch with a second hand and are required to purchase uniforms, a lab coat, nursing shoes, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and bandage scissors.

Clinical and lab requirements for all programs of nursing

Several nursing courses require a clinical and lab component taught by nursing faculty either on campus in the Virtual Hospital or in hospitals and other health agencies.

RN-BS clinical experiences include partnerships between faculty and practice-based preceptors to facilitate learning with nursing faculty as the evaluator of student learning. All RN-BS students are required to hold active unencumbered RN licensure in the state of Vermont and in any other state where their clinical experiences occur.

Unsatisfactory Performance

The Nursing Department reserves the right to request that the academic dean require withdrawal from the nursing program of any student whose health, academic record, performance and/or behavior in nursing is judged unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory performance in the clinical environment negates academic grade performance.

For more information please go to our website at www.castleton.edu/nursing2/index.htm

Programs

Major