Our mission is to prepare professional nurses capable of meeting societal healthcare needs in a variety of settings.
Our faculty nurtures respect for diversity, social responsibility, and a commitment to excellence.
Collaborative and interactive teaching methods foster the use of critical thinking to build a strong foundation for the practice of holistic nursing.
Learn about our Health Professions Meta Advising and Mentorship Program
Ranked #1 by EduMed as Top Online Nursing Programs in Massachusetts for our RN to BS in Nursing Online.
Majors and Concentrations
Nursing, BS
LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Online)
Minors
Graduate Degree
Graduate Certificate
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing and the master’s degree in nursing at Fitchburg State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The Department of Nursing has full approval status from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Board of Registration in Nursing
239 Causeway Street, Suite 500, 5th floor
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: 617.973.0900
Fax: 617.973.0984
In addition, the Department of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and the Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing (MACN).
The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accredits Fitchburg State University.
Handbooks
- Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook (PDF)
- RN to BS in Nursing Student Handbook (PDF)
- Graduate Nursing Student Handbook (PDF)
Plan of Study and University Catalog
Department Mission
- Mission Statement: The mission of the Fitchburg State University Department of Nursing is to prepare professional nurses capable of meeting societal healthcare needs in a variety of settings. In their teaching, the faculty nurtures respect for diversity, social responsibility, and a commitment to excellence. Collaborative and interactive teaching methods foster the use of critical thinking to build a strong foundation for the practice of holistic nursing. Legal, ethical, and professional standards guide the faculty in teaching the art and science of nursing.
- Vision: As a center of excellence in baccalaureate nursing education, the Fitchburg State University Department of Nursing prepares students to assume healthcare leadership roles in the global society of the 21st century. The Department uses continuous program evaluation and innovation to maintain an educational culture that fosters social responsibility, service commitment, client advocacy, and lifelong learning. Graduates are nurse generalists who use critical thinking and current evidence to solve problems using integrative care to meet the evolving healthcare needs of populations and environments.
- Terminal Outcomes: Upon completion of the nursing program, the graduate will:
- Integrate knowledge from the liberal arts, natural and social sciences, and nursing as a foundation for safe, client-centered care to diverse populations.
- Deliver evidence-based person-centered care that is holistic, equitable, respectful, compassionate, and coordinated to diverse populations.
- Engage in initiatives to promote health and prevent/manage disease to advance equitable population health outcomes.
- Integrate research and evidence-based practice in the nursing care of clients across a variety of populations to improve practice and associated health outcomes.
- Participate in improvements to advance and support safe practice environments.
- Participate in the nursing role as a member of multidisciplinary teams through collaboration and effective communication.
- Coordinate resources across complex systems of health care to proactively provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations.
- Use information and communication technologies, and informatics processes to plan and deliver care.
- Demonstrate professionalism and behaviors reflective of nursing’s characteristics and values.
- Participate in activities and self-reflection that foster personal and professional growth.
Meet Our Faculty and Staff
Hands-On Opportunities
Study the world by traveling it
On a previous trip to Ghana.
Beyond the Classroom and a Look Inside the Courses
National Student Nurses Association
Technical Standards for Admission
Nursing Labs
Additional Information
The students in the Department of Nursing gain experience in healthcare settings throughout Massachusetts. In addition to off-campus health care facilities where students gain hands-on experience, the department offers:
- A well equipped health assessment lab
- A state-of the-art clinical skills/simulation lab
- Home care setting lab
- SimMan, SimBaby, SimNewB, and SimMan 3G, technologically advanced manikins which challenge and test students’ clinical and decision-making skills during realistic patient care scenarios
