Nursing Major

Why Study Nursing?

Eastern is happy to announce we're starting a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing in Fall 2024!

Registered Nurses are among the Top 20 Best Jobs according to U.S. News and World Report, with Nurse Practitioners ranking #2. By completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), students are eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination- RN (NCLEX-RN) and become a Registered Nurse (RN). As a result of an increased incidence of chronic diseases and a growing aging population, there is currently a severe nursing workforce shortage in Connecticut and beyond. An undergraduate degree in nursing prepares students to practice as RNs in many different healthcare settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician's offices, nursing homes and home health care services, to help address the workforce needs.

Why Study Nursing at Eastern?

Eastern's cohort-based Nursing program is dedicated to educating the future leaders of the nursing profession. Combining the core values of the liberal arts with innovative clinical experiences, students will obtain the necessary skills to provide exceptional healthcare to our community. Our newly renovated space in Goddard Hall provides facilities for classroom and experiential learning in a collaborative space with students and faculty. In partnership with Hartford Healthcare (HHC), Eastern students benefit from experienced clinical faculty, a state-of-the-art clinical simulation lab at Windham Hospital and clinical rotations at diverse Hartford Healthcare sites. Eastern's nursing program stands apart due to its distinctive feature as a direct-admit nursing program.

Professor and students using dissection table

Program Summary

The goal of the Nursing major is designed for students to obtain a traditional BSN, become eligible to sit for and successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) following the completion of a rigorous program that combines the nursing education excellence with a high-quality liberal arts education within a 4-year timeframe. The purpose of the Department of Health Sciences and Nursing is to provide a program with high academic excellence built upon a strong foundation in the arts, sciences, and humanities. This foundation of liberal arts and science studies helps students to develop human values and a sense of social responsibility to the members of the community they encounter. Nursing faculty prepares students for beginning their professional nursing practice in a healthcare environment characterized by constant change with faculty support of research and innovation. Students will be able to apply and practice their nursing skills at many locations throughout Eastern and Central Connecticut. These facilities may include but are not limited to hospitals, health clinics, public health agencies, departments of corrections, specialty care centers, and nursing homes.

Requirements for the Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Completion of all liberal arts education requirements, and requirements in nursing and foundational sciences specified in the program outlined below, to total a minimum of 120 semester hours. All courses identified in the following eight-semester sequence are requirements in this major. Completion of the program within four academic years requires that student completes departmental pre-requisites in the semesters shown. The remaining credits to meet the liberal arts education requirements and additional free electives for a minimum of 120 credits, may be scheduled at the student’s discretion with approval of the departmental program advisor.

Admission Criteria

Required Criteria:

Complete high school education or equivalent.
Submit a complete nursing admission application including the additional nursing essay.
Accepted by Eastern Connecticut State University.
Minimum overall high school G.P.A. of 3.00 out of 4.00 scale or equivalent.
Grade of C or above in all relevant coursework in high school level or equivalent, including sciences, maths, and medical science courses.
Acceptance by Eastern’s Nursing Program Admission Panel.

Recommended Criteria:

Recommended four years of high school level science courses.

Upon acceptance into the pre-licensure program:

Fulfill Health requirements including yearly physical and immunization records as later explained
Complete a required background check that is free of felony convictions.
Complete drug testing by the established due date created by the Clinical Coordinator.

Program Completion/Graduation Criteria

Completion of all Liberal Arts Core requirements.
Completion of University foreign language requirement.
Completion of all Nursing program courses.
Minimum cumulative G.P.A of 2.7.
Completion of all Nursing program courses and clinical hours.

For more information contact

nursing@easternct.edu
(860) 465-5045 or (860) 465-5008

Alumni Testimonials

Health Sciences

Helena Delfino ’18

Helena traveled to Ghana for a global field course that gave insight into the health care system of a developing country. “We visited a local hospital and got the chance to watch a cesarean section as well as a natural birth. This experience solidified my dream of becoming a labor and delivery nurse.”

Biology

Babatunde Olatinwo

Tunde earned his nursing degree at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst and works in the post-op recovery room at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. “The biology faculty at Eastern are great - so knowledgeable and engaged. I took my Anatomy and Physiology course at Eastern. The lab courses prepared me well for nursing school. It’s gratifying to provide hands-on care for patients during their most vulnerable moments.”

Health Sciences

Emily Fulton

Emily is a registered nurse in the Progressive Care Unit at Backus Hospital in Norwich. She graduated in 2021 from the University of Connecticut’s accelerated BSN program. “The classes I took at Eastern challenged me and gave me the tools needed to succeed in a fast-paced program. I love being a patient's advocate and being there to take care of them when they need it the most.”

Health Sciences

Bryan Frankovitch

Bryan graduated from Eastern and earned his nursing degree at UCONN. He works in Hartford Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. “I love working in a challenging environment that requires a lot of critical thinking. I have treated thousands of patients over the years, and it is amazing to hear from some of them through cards or letters or word of mouth and realize the impact I had on them.”