Associate in Science with a Major in Nursing
Mission of the Nursing Program
The Department of Nursing mission is directly derived from the mission of St. Vincent's College and the mission of the Academic Services Division. The nursing mission statement focuses on the education of nurses who provide care for the sick and the sick poor. It provides a sound and stable educational environment where a diverse student population has the freedom to learn and grow intellectually, develops critical thinking skills, while adhering to a Judeo-Christian philosophy and established standards of professional nursing practice. Faculty members are qualified, caring teachers and nurse-educators. Faculty are dedicated to excellence in nursing education, patient care, life long learning and the mission of the college. The Nursing Department in keeping with the mission of the college seeks to provide technical and professional programs in nursing which foster and encourage professional mobility built on previous learning.
The Associate Degree Program in Nursing is approved by the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
The nursing curriculum is built upon a foundation drawn from the biological and social sciences as well as the humanities. Nursing courses include classroom, college laboratory, and clinical laboratory experiences. Graduates must successfully complete a minimum of 72 credits for the nursing major. One credit hour is defined as one scheduled fifty minute class conducted each week for fifteen weeks, or its equivalent. Three laboratory/clinical hours are counted as the equivalent of one class hour.
The following distribution of courses is reflective of a full-time curriculum plan, which includes 2 years and a summer session. (The normal course load for a full-time student is 12 to 17 credits per 16-week semester.)
Students are responsible for meeting the co- and pre-requisite courses as defined in the course description section of the catalog.
Students may enroll for less than 12 credits a semester, and complete the required curriculum on a part-time basis. Taking nursing courses on a part-time basis usually requires three (3) years for completion. Faculty advisors will assist students in planning their course schedules in order to complete the program within five (5) years. Courses taught during evening hours will also include weekend days.
Upon successful completion of the program, the student receives an Associate in Science Degree with a major in nursing and is eligible to take the examination for registered nurse licensure (NCLEX-RN). All students are required to take the NCLEX-RN review course, arranged by the nursing program, prior to sitting for the exam.
Section 19A -14 of the Connecticut General Statutes authorizes the Department of Public Health and Addiction Services to deny licensure to applicants who may be addicted to drugs or alcohol or who have been disciplined in other states or who have been convicted of a felony. Candidates for licensure in Connecticut will be asked questions pertaining to these matters during the licensure application process.
Graduates of the program, after receiving professional licensure, are qualified to assume entry-level positions in acute, special care, ambulatory, and long-term health care settings.
The Nursing Program is a participant in the Connecticut Articulation Model for Nurse Educational Mobility. Students planning to continue their nursing education after graduation should consult the program chairperson for further information.
