Division of Nursing

There are two degree offerings in the Division of Nursing at Southern Vermont College.

nursing degree programs

Southern Vermont College offers two academic Nursing programs: the Associate Degree in Nursing and the RN completion program for the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree. As these programs prepare an individual for professional careers, the academic requirements are rigorous and require dedication to the classroom and clinical laboratory assignments and expectations. It is recommended that students limit their non-academic and personal commitments to other responsibilities during the course of study. The Division of Nursing has specific and select academic policies. Please consult the Division of Nursing Student Handbook 2012-2013 for details on grading, progression and retake policies, as these are different than the general College requirements.

The Mission

The mission of the Division of Nursing is to prepare individuals for careers as registered professional nurses. The Division of Nursing offers two academic nursing programs: the Associate Degree in Nursing and the RN completion program for the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree. The graduates of the Associate Degree in Nursing program are prepared for entry-level positions in a variety of specialties and healthcare settings. The Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing assists the graduates of associate's degree and diploma programs of Nursing to continue to develop expertise in the field of nursing while supporting the professional responsibility of lifelong learning and career development.

Common Questions:

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svc offers SIMULATION LEARNING

Simulation learning is an intricate part of the Nursing curriculum at Southern Vermont College. Simulation learning allows students to practice collaborative learning, which will enhance their cognitive, social and leadership skills. Patient case situations provide the opportunity for students to problem solve in a safe learning environment prior to direct patient care. Within the laboratory setting, students will practice a wide range of nursing skills (from birth to adulthood and beyond) on anatomically correct patient simulations in the safety of a simulated practice setting. They will participate in computer-programmed simulation of complex medical, surgical, maternity, pediatric and psychiatric emergencies. Students will also engage in computer-programmed conversations to practice interviewing and communication skills. The simulation laboratory setting allows for repetition of difficult skills and the opportunity to practice unusual cases that a learner may face in real-life, clinical situations. Equipped with advanced audio and visual technology, coverage of simulation scenarios allows for group debriefing with discussion, analysis and evaluation.

curricular philosophy

The philosophy and curricular focus of the SVC Nursing program emphasizes the ethic of care, critical thinking, and a spirit of inquiry in education, practice, service and research. The faculty in the Nursing program value scholarship and academic integrity and seek to foster professional involvement and lifelong learning in students and graduates. The essence of nursing is grounded in the meaning of caring. Caring exists in authentic relationships through which all persons are respected and nurtured. The faculty in the Nursing program are committed to the maturation and growth of each student. One of the program goals is to help students to become self-directed learners, able to assess their own learning needs and work with the faculty to meet those needs. Teaching and learning is a collaborative process which fosters inquiry, dialogue, self-knowledge and evolution of thought in a caring environment. The expectation is that graduates are capable of fulfilling their inherent potential, both personally and professionally, through the educative process and will become lifelong learners.

accreditation

Southern Vermont College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Our nursing programs are approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing which allows our programs' graduates to sit for the national nursing licensing exam. The Vermont State Board of Nursing also recently provided provisional approval of the launch of our new four-year degree program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The Southern Vermont College Associate Degree in Nursing Program and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing have voluntarily sought accreditation from the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission and subscribe to the standards and criteria set forth by their Board of Commissioners. On April 1, 2013, the Division of Nursing was notified that NLNAC Board of Commissioners had voted to deny continuing accreditation to those nursing programs. We know the quality and value of SVC's nursing programs and for that reason, we have appealed the decisions. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC) may be contacted at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326; by telephone at 404-975-5000; or via the Internet at www.nlnac.org.

licensure requirements

In order to be employed as a Registered Nurse (RN), the graduate of the SVC Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program must be licensed by the state in which he or she will practice. The associate's degree in Nursing enables students to apply for licensure by examination through any State Board of Nursing. Successful completion of the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) and compliance with all requirements for licensure as established by the State Board of Nursing is required for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Upon application for licensure, the applicant must attest to each of the questions below. Answering yes to any of these questions may affect a person’s ability to obtain a Nursing license and pursue a professional nursing career.

•   Has any state, territory or other jurisdiction denied your application for a license, certificate or registration in any profession or occupation?

•   Has any state or federal licensing authority restricted, suspended, revoked or taken any other disciplinary action against your license, certificate or registration that you hold or held in any profession or occupation?

•   Have you been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation?

•   Do you have a physical or mental condition or disorder which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety?

•   Has your use of alcohol, drugs or medications in any way impaired or limited your ability to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety?

•   Are you currently participating in a supervised program or professional assistance program which monitors you in order to assure you are not engaging in the illegal use of controlled dangerous substances?

Careers in nursing

The graduates of the Southern Vermont College Associate Degree in Nursing program are prepared to begin entry-level positions in a variety of specialties and health care settings. The graduate nurse can choose to pursue specialties such as pediatrics, critical care, obstetrics, medical, surgical and psychiatric nursing within the acute care setting. In the non-acute, care-setting opportunities include primary care, long-term care, community health and hospice care. Graduates of SVC are eligible to continue their professional academic development with the pursuit of bachelor's, master's and doctoral preparation. Advance degrees provide for greater career mobility. Advance practice nursing includes Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Nurse Midwives, Case Managers, Nurse Educators, Nurse Administrators and Nurse Researchers.

Nursing Program Requirements for Entrance

Admission to the Nursing major requires: SAT scores of 500 verbal and 500 math, completion of high school biology and chemistry courses or the college equivalent with a minimum grade of “C+”, a minimum of two years of core math recommended, and high school GPA must be a minimum of 2.8.

Students who do not meet the Nursing admission criteria may be admitted as Allied Health majors to the College. These students are enrolled in courses designed to prepare the student by strengthening their science, reading, and math foundation. This may include an additional year of science foundational courses or summer science course option.

Completion of a pre-Nursing admission examination is required during the time the student is in prerequisite and foundational courses, prior to progression to the first Nursing clinical course, Nu150 Fundamentals of Nursing.