Overview
The Division of Nursing supports the mission of the College, which is to provide opportunities for a diverse population of students to become nurses. The Associate of Science in Nursing program fosters individual growth, personal development, and critical thinking; it prepares graduates for entry-level positions.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits the Associate of Science in Nursing program. The faculty members support the ACEN educational outcomes concerning roles and competencies of Associate of Science in Nursing degree programs.
ACEN may be contacted at the following address:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
The Associate of Science in Nursing degree maintains full approval status by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.
Mission of the Division of Nursing
Consistent with Labouré’s mission and vision, the nursing program provides quality nursing education at the associate and baccalaureate level to develop competent, caring nursing professionals. Graduates are prepared to meet the diverse and changing health care needs of a challenging health care environment. This education occurs in an environment that is centered in the Catholic academic tradition and incorporates liberal arts and science into nursing practice. Graduates are prepared to assume roles within the various levels of the health care system and are encouraged to continue the process of life-long learning.
Philosophy of the Division of Nursing
The faculty values the roles of both the associate degree and the bachelor degree nurse within the nursing profession. Faculty believes that the associate degree graduate is prepared to function as a competent entry level practitioner in a variety of health care settings. The faculty educates baccalaureate generalist nurses to assume increasing professional responsibilities in health care. Inherent within our Mission for life-long learning, all graduates are encouraged to advance their professional education to meet the demands of an ever-changing diverse healthcare environment.
The faculty believes that:
- Learning is a lifelong process. The relationship between teacher and learner is one that remains dynamic and fosters the development of self-regulated learning and critical thinking.
- Nursing education is an interactive process between student and faculty. This process promotes the integration and application of knowledge that leads to professional nursing practice.
- Students should be empowered to implement and maintain standards of nursing practice and patient care consistent with evidence-based practice.
- Students need to acquire an awareness of social justice to advocate for patients, themselves, and their communities.
- Cultural, ethnic, racial and religious diversity is evident and supported throughout the nursing program. The faculty acknowledges diversity and is committed to meeting the unique learning needs of every student.
- A climate of mutual respect, honesty and professionalism should exist between faculty and students. The faculty feels that these are important qualities inherent to professional nursing practice.
The nursing program has developed goals and program outcomes for both the associate and baccalaureate graduates and both programs subscribe to the same mission and philosophy.
Curriculum
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program provides a broad academic background to prepare students for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). In addition to preparatory Nursing courses, General Education courses in the sciences and humanities are an integral part of the curriculum. Clinical experiences are planned in a variety of healthcare settings to achieve the educational outcomes of the curriculum.
Nursing education at the College utilizes a variety of evidence-based teaching modalities. Classroom lectures, discussions, group projects, research papers, eLearning resources, Nursing simulation and skills laboratory sessions, and select clinical experiences help prepare graduates to meet the challenges of today’s healthcare environment.
Qualifying Requirements for Licensure to Practice Nursing and Good Moral Character
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing requires all applicants to answer specific questions related to criminal conviction or disciplinary actions when applying for nurse licensure or APRN authorization to ensure that the conduct of each applicant to whom it grants a license, authorization, or both, does not pose an unacceptable risk to the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
Applicants for initial licensure by examination, by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (Board) must comply with the “good moral character” (GMC) requirement specified at Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 112, sections 74, 74A and 76. The Board requires all applicants to answer specific questions related to criminal convictions or disciplinary actions when applying for nurse licensure to ensure that the conduct of each applicant to whom it grants a license, authorization, or both, does not pose an unacceptable risk to the public health, safety and welfare.
- The application for licensure is completed under penalty of perjury.
- Any applicant answering “YES” to any of the specific GMC question will need to complete the GMC process.
- Applicants should allow a minimum of eight (8) weeks to complete GMC evaluation after all required documents have been received. Failure to submit a complete application, fees, and/or required documents will delay review of the applicant’s materials. Applicants will receive written notification of the Board’s decision once a determination has been made.
- The Required Documentation:Only for those applicants answering "Yes" to any of the GMC questions can be found at http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/quality/boards/nursing_good_moral_required.pdf
For more information regarding the GMC and/or the CORI requirements, please refer to the following websites:
GMC Policy 00-01 http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/quality/boards/nursing_good_moral_policy.pdf
GMC Information/Questions & Answers: http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/quality/boards/good_moral_info.pdf
Graduates of Board-approved nursing programs must pass the NCLEX –RN to become a registered nurse. There is a licensure application and application fee required by the MA Board of Nursing. The process for application for licensure and registration for the exam will be distributed during the final professional nursing course. These examinations are offered throughout the year and administered through the National Council of States Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in conjunction with Pearson VUE. MA Board of Nursing examination results are mailed directly to the candidate. A graduate of a board-approved nursing program may not practice as a register nurse (RN) until their license appears of the MA Board of Nursing website at: https://checkalicense.hhs.state.ma.us/MyLicenseVerification/
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/10/wq/good-moral-info.pdf
Program Outcomes
End of Program Student Learning Outcomes
The curriculum outcomes reflect the professional role of the graduate of the Associate of Science in Nursing. Graduates of the Nursing program will be able to accomplish the following:
- Use clinical judgement, with consideration of patients’ culture, preferences, values and needs, to provide patient-centered care across the lifespan. (Patient-Centered Care)
- Demonstrate accountability and responsibility for the delivery of standards-based nursing care that is consistent with ethical, legal, and regulatory practice (Professionalism).
- Collaborate with patient and interdisciplinary teams, employing effective communication skills, to achieve quality patient outcomes. (Teamwork and Collaboration and Communication)
- Incorporate information and technology that supports current best practices for the provision of evidence-based patient-centered care (Informatics and Technology and Evidence-based Practice).
- Participates in quality and safety measures to improve patient outcomes. (Safety and Quality Improvement).
- Demonstrate leadership and management skills while incorporating systems-based practice in health care settings. Leadership, Systems-Based Practice)
Articulation Agreements
Graduates are encouraged to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree after completing their Associate of Science degree. Labouré offers an online BSN degree program for RNs. Current students and alumni can move from the Associate of Nursing degree program through a streamlined internal application process once they have graduated from the ASN program.
Course Sequences and Prerequisites
The 2000-level courses build on knowledge gained from the 1000-level courses. To ensure that students are adequately prepared for their programs of study, certain prerequisites may be required for some 2000-level courses. These prerequisites may be satisfied by transfer credit or a previous associate or bachelor degree. Division Chairpersons may waive prerequisites for courses within their control. Professors have discretion to waive prerequisites for their own courses.
Course Sequence:
| NUR 1015 | Fundamental Health Concepts | 9 |
| NUR 1025 | Health and Illness Concepts of the Adult and Child | 9.5 |
| NUR 2005 | Health and Illness Concepts of the Adult and Childbearing Family | 9.5 |
| NUR 2025 | Advanced Health and Illness Concepts | 9 |
Prerequisites:
ANA 1010 prior to NUR 1015, ANA 1120 prior to NUR 1025, MIC 2201 prior to NUR 2005, all general education courses prior to or concurrent with NUR 2025.
Program of Study
While the College makes every effort to avoid schedule changes, the College may cancel courses or alter course schedules without prior notification.
Professional Courses (37 credits)
| NUR 1015 | Fundamental Health Concepts | 9 |
| NUR 1025 | Health and Illness Concepts of the Adult and Child | 9.5 |
| NUR 2005 | Health and Illness Concepts of the Adult and Childbearing Family | 9.5 |
| NUR 2025 | Advanced Health and Illness Concepts | 9 |
General Education Courses (34 credits)
Total Credits: 71
Students are awarded the degree after meeting the requirements listed below:
- Completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours at the College
- Successful completion of the degree program as prescribed by the College
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher
- A minimum grade of C+ in degree professional courses, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, and Microbiology
- A minimum grade of D- in all other associate degree courses
- Completion of all program requirements within six years of enrollment at the College