Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing

Accreditation

• Full approval status from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing located at 239 Causeway St. Boston, MA  02114

• The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Worcester State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (ccneaccreditation.org)

• Member of the Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing (MACN).

General Information

Admissions

The nursing program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree.

The program offers three tracks in the undergraduate major in nursing: Track One is for the student who is seeking initial baccalaureate education in the nursing profession. Track Two is for the student who has obtained licensure as a registered nurse who has graduated from an Associate Degree or Diploma accredited program and is pursuing a baccalaureate degree. Track Three is for the student who has obtained licensure as a licensed practical nurse and graduated from an accredited LPN program and is pursuing a baccalaureate degree.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing is in keeping with the Worcester State University mission with the emphasis on developing the professional nurse who values lifelong intellectual growth and global awareness. The Department of Nursing fosters the professional growth of faculty and students through excellence in teaching and learning, rooted in scholarship and community service related to the discipline of nursing.

Undergraduate Program Outcomes

The Department of Nursing prepares individuals for the roles and responsibilities of professional nursing through an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree.

The program outcomes of the undergraduate program are as follows:

1. Provide comprehensive, holistic care that is grounded in the biological sciences, the arts, and humanities.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of organizational structures, missions, visions, philosophies, and values.

3. Utilize current theoretical, scientific, and research knowledge toward evidence-based professional practice.

4. Demonstrate competence in utilizing information technology resources to advance professional practice

5. Comply with the Standards of Professional Nursing Practice.

6. Implement effective inter-professional communication when working with the health care team.

7. Implement evidence-based practice to guide the nursing process toward culturally sensitive, individual, and population-focused care.

8. Apply the professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct to practice.

9. Demonstrate clinical competency, accountability, and ethical decision-making as an entry-level, novice professional nurse.

The nursing department has department-specific policies which are found in the Department of Nursing Undergraduate and Graduate Student Policy Handbooks. These policies include, but are not limited to, the following: progression and retention, classroom and clinical behavior, academic honesty, professional behavior, and CORI/drug screening/health requirements. The department reserves the right to modify policies and the curriculum during students' enrollment. Sufficient notice of any change will be provided to students.

Progression in the program requires a successful grade of C or above in and completion of all pre and corequisite courses. A grade of 80 or above is required in all nursing (NU) courses and all clinical placements require a grade of "passing" (P).

Good Moral Character Required for Licensure

In compliance with policy of the Massachusetts State Board of Nursing, all applicants/students are informed that completion of the BS degree does not guarantee admittance to the registered nurse licensure examination. According to Board Licensure Policy 00-01, any individual convicted of a felony or misdemeanor conviction and/or who has been disciplined by a licensure/certification body must be evaluated by the Board to determine a licensure applicant's compliance with the "good moral character" licensure requirement established at Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 112, section 74 and 74A. Any individual who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor conviction, and/or who has been disciplined by a licensure/certification body, or whose ability to practice professional nursing is adversely affected by a physical or mental disability/illness that may endanger the health and/or safety of a person should seek special advising prior to enrolling in any professional nursing program in Massachusetts. Individuals convicted of certain criminal convictions are permanently excluded from nurse licensure in Massachusetts.

All students in the nursing program will be required to have periodic Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks requested by the department and/or clinical agencies. This background check is a computerized search to determine if an individual has any convictions, outstanding warrants, or pending complaints. The information from these records is confidential and is destroyed when students graduate. Progression and mandatory clinical placements in the nursing program are contingent on a "no report" CORI check result. Clinical agencies may independently perform CORI checks on students and are not required to accept a student with a CORI report indicating that an offense exists. The department is not responsible for alternate clinical placements for students who cannot be placed in an agency related to a CORI offense report. Students have an obligation to inform the department chair if any legal issues arise while in the program that are reportable on a CORI. For more information please see www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/hcq/dhpl/nursing/licensing/good-moral-character-requirements-for-licensure.html

Health Care Agency Requirements: Health, Drug Screening, and Other

Nursing students will be placed in a variety of health care settings. Each agency has requirements, which students must fulfill before they are allowed placement. This list may include, but is not limited to, the following; physical exam, immunizations, agency-specific orientation, CORI, SORI, and drug screening. Progression and mandatory clinical placements in the nursing program are contingent on meeting all agency and departmental requirements. If a student is denied placement by an agency for any reason, including a positive drug or CORI report, the nursing department is not responsible for providing alternate clinical placements.

Clinical Course Requirements for ALL Nursing Tracks:

All newly admitted students will be required to participate in an online documentation tracking system and provide the documentation listed below. Students are required to maintain compliance (updated documentation) for the entirety of the program. Information for accessing the online documentation tracking system will be provided by the clinical resource coordinator. Requirements that must be electronically submitted include:

1. Current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of MA.

2. CPR: American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Provider is the only accepted certification

3. Health Information Disclosure Form

4. Proof of Health Insurance

5. Physical Exam

6. Hepatitis B Immunization Series & positive titer

7. MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella). Documentation of 2 doses or positive titers for each

8. Varicella. Documentation of 2 doses or positive titer. History of disease is not accepted

9. Tuberculosis 

   A. All students with no past history of positive tuberculosis (TB) screening test must provide documentation of annual TB screening. Any student with a TB screening that is greater than 12 months old must provide baseline TB screening through IRGA (Interferon Gamma Release Assay) or a 2 -step TST (tuberculin Skin Test)                                                                                  

B. Students who have been vaccinated with BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) and are accustomed to obtaining chest x-rays are required to have a baseline TB screening. BCG is no longer considered to be a protective measure against TB or a contradiction to TB screening. Should the result be positive, a chest x-ray and a doctor's note is required to rule out active disease

10. Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis) vaccine, if it has been 5 years or more since the last dose of Td   

11. Flu Vaccine for the current flu season or signed declaration (medical exclusion only)

12. Completed COVID-19 Vaccine & Booster

1. Initial:
   • Two doses of Pfizer or Moderna
   • One dose of Janssen
2. Booster
   • 5 months from last dose if Moderna or Pfizer
   • 2 Months from last dose if Janssen

Please note that Clinical facilities may stipulate additional requirements for which documentation must be provided. Also, many of these requirements need to be updated annually or biannually. It is the students' responsibility to submit updated records.

1. Criminal Offender Record Investigation (CORI) is required for all students

2. Sexual Offender Record Investigation (SORI) and/or drug screening may be required by health care agencies

3. Professional liability insurance is renewed annually provided by Worcester State University

Student Organizations

National Student Nurses' Association

This student-led organization is actively involved in outreach leadership development. Membership is mandatory for matriculated students in Track I and Track III programs.

Sigma Theta Tau International: Iota Phi Chapter-at-Large

The International Honor Society for Nurses provides leadership and scholarship in practice, education, and research to enhance the health of all people. Students are selected for membership into the local chapter of the Iota Phi Chapter-at-Large based on academic and personal criteria.

Requirements for Graduation

For the Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Nursing students must complete:

• A minimum of 120 credits
• Each nursing course with a minimum grade of 80 and a "pass" in each clinical component
• All Nursing Department and Worcester State University requirements
• "Intent to Graduate" form

Transfer credits are determined by the transfer admission department and the nursing program administrator upon receipt of the student's official transcripts.

Students enter as Freshmen (In the Fall of year 1)

• Must complete all courses listed in Year One in order to move to Sophomore level.

Nursing courses must be taken in sequence, but LASC courses can be taken at any time after freshmen year (unless otherwise specified).

• All nursing courses must have a minimum grade of 80 (B-)
• All prerequisites must have a minimum grade of C (see below)

The following courses must have a minimum grade requirement of C:

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab
• Survey of Chemistry with lab
• Medical Microbiology with lab
• English Composition I and II
• General Psychology
• Statistics I & QR Elective
• Health and Nutrition
• Intro to Sociology

 Students are required to meet with their department advisor during the fall and spring preregistration periods to review their upcoming semester academic choices. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation. To receive a baccalaureate degree from Worcester State University (WSU), students must complete 30 of last 40 credits at WSU. WSU will transfer a maximum of 72 credits from an accredited associates degree college.

All first-time, full-time students will declare a major with a minor or a double major by the completion of their first 45 credits. Any minor can be chosen but there are many that fit well with the nursing major.  Each student shall meet with an advisor to help guide them through the process of choosing a minor.

Faculty

Fatima Alzyoud, Assistant Professor (2022), B.S.N. Jordan University of Science and Technology; M.S.N. Jordan University of Science and Technology; Ph.D. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Lisa Cappabianca, Instructor (2021), A.D.N. Becker College; B.S.N. Western Governors University; M.S.N. Worcester State University; D.N.P.(c) University of Massachusetts Worcester

William Chadbourne, Instructor (2015), A.S.N. Mount Wachusett Community College; B.S.N. Worcester State College; M.S.N. Worcester State University; Ph.D.(abd) University of Massachusetts Lowell

Stephanie Chalupka, Professor (2008), A.S.N. Quinsigamond Community College; B.S.N. Worcester State College; M.S.N. Boston College; Ed.D. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amanda Cornine, Assistant Professor (2016), A.S.N. Central Maine Medical Center School of Nursing; B.F.A. University of Maine at Farmington; B.S.N. University of Massachusetts Boston; M.S.N. Framingham State University; Ph.D. University of Massachusetts Worcester

Theresa M. Khoury, Assistant Professor (2017), A.S. Bunker Hill Community College; A.S.N. Laboure College; B.S.N. Curry College; M.S.N. Framingham State College; D.N.P. Regis College

Angela Latter, Instructor (2017), B.S.N. Worcester State University; M.S.N. Worcester State University; Ph.D.(abd) University of Massachusetts Worcester

Carol McLaughlin, Visiting Instructor (2021), A.D.N. Quinsigamond Community College; B.S.N. Worcester State University; M.S.N. Worcester State University; Ph.D.(c) University of Massachusetts Worcester

Julia McNeil, Instructor (2018), B.S.N. Austin Peay State University; M.S.N. University of Phoenix; Ph.D.(abd) University of Connecticut

Michelle Paik Page, Program Administrator, Chairwoman, Assistant Professor (2014), B.S.N. Hawaii Pacific University; M.S.N. Framingham State University; D.N.P. Regis College

Ann-Marie Reynolds-Lynch, Associate Professor (2022), A.D.N. Becker College; B.S.N. Worcester State University; M.S.N. Worcester State University; D.N.P. University of Massachusetts Worcester

Sunny Ruggeri, Instructor (2022), B.S. Physics SungKyunKwan University; M.S. Energy Science SungKyunKwan University; A.D.N. Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing; M.S.N. Sacred Heart University; Ph.D. University of Missouri Kansas City 

Janna Trombley, Instructor (2016), B.S.N. University of Vermont; M.S.N. Worcester State University; Ph.D.(abd) University of Massachusetts Worcester

Courses

Program Learning Outcomes

• Provide comprehensive, holistic care that is grounded in the biological sciences, arts, and humanities.
• Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of organizational structures, missions, visions, philosophies, and values.
• Utilize current theoretical, scientific, and research knowledge toward evidence based professional practice.
• Demonstrate competence in utilizing information technology resources to advance professional practice.
• Comply with the Standards of Professional Nursing Practice.
• Implement effective inter-professional communication when working with the health care team.
• Implement evidence based practice to guide the nursing process toward culturally sensitive, individual, and population focused care.
• Apply the professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct to practice.
• Demonstrate clinical competency, accountability, and ethical decision making as a baccalaureate nurse.