The University of Delaware School of Nursing offers a traditional undergraduate program designed for beginning students of nursing, including high school graduates and change-of-major students. This is a four-year on-campus program and students are directly admitted to the Nursing program, beginning their Nursing curriculum as freshman.
The Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed to develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills essential for the practice of professional nursing and to provide the basis for graduate education. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The first year of the program includes foundation courses in the natural, social and behavioral sciences, and liberal arts, as well as introductory nursing coursework. Nursing content and course work increases in each subsequent year with clinical practica experiences beginning in sophomore year. Clinical practica sites used by the School of Nursing include healthcare agencies mainly in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
During clinical practica rotations, students are provided experiences in a variety of healthcare settings. These include the major hospitals in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties as well as regional community hospitals, a variety of extended care facilities, independent living facilities, and various community-based providers who offer a range of services across the lifespan. Students also learn in a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory. Students graduate as nurse generalists with experiences in pediatric, women's health, psychiatric mental health, medical-surgical, community, and public health nursing.
Nursing students are encouraged to participate in the Student Nurses Organization, Multicultural Student Nurses Organization, Black Student Nurses Association, and/or Men in Nursing. Students who have earned recognition for superior academic achievement may be invited for membership in the Beta Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing. Qualified students may participate in the University's Honors, Undergraduate Research, and the Degree with Distinction programs. Research opportunities are available to all undergraduates.
