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About the department
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University of Delaware School of Nursing, a member of the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence
MISSION
Our mission is to advance healthcare and wellness through education, scholarship, practice, and service by promoting excellence, creativity, inclusivity, and engagement.
VISION
Provide outstanding leadership in nursing education, scholarly inquiry, and healthcare innovation to improve regional, national, and global health and healthcare delivery.
VALUES
Excellence: Guided by our commitment to excellence, we exhibit integrity and caring and strive for outcomes and innovative solutions that make a positive impact on the health of individuals, families, and communities.
Inclusivity: Guided by our commitment to social justice and equity, we strive to engage in research, learner-centered education, and nursing practice that supports diversity.
Engagement: Guided by our commitment to engagement and collaboration, our work is interdisciplinary and supports local communities, and regional, national, and global partners.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Delaware are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The Baccalaureate degree program in nursing at the University of Delaware is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
At the University of Delaware School of Nursing, the School Director expands or contracts course capacity to accommodate all nursing majors to ensure timely completion of the program.
University of Delaware students begin with an introductory nursing course in fall semester of the freshman year and begin basic nursing skill development in the spring semester of the freshman year.
As part of the curriculum, students are required to take one elective course, although they may take more. We currently offer about 12 different elective courses ranging from traditional areas such as pediatric and maternity nursing to topics such as critical care, neuroscience, women's health, and pediatric intensive care. Some students enjoy taking a nursing elective during one of the winter sessions offering study abroad.
Registered Nurse continues to be one of the top jobs for UD graduates, with a median salary of $71,136*. The current job market is excellent for nurses as evidenced by a variety of promotional offers for new hires, including expanded benefits and sign-on bonuses.
*This number was obtained from UD's Career Outcomes
The School of Nursing offers our Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates advanced admission to our Master of Science in Nursing with minimal requirements; a minimum GPA of 3.00 upon the completion of the BSN program and a valid RN license (obtained after passing the NCLEX, taken shortly after graduation). No other documentation is required, and the application fee is waived.
The UD School of Nursing are partnered with clinical sites and other learning institutions to offer unique opportunities for our students to plan beyond graduation. These partnerships offer monetary compensation and clinical experience with the promise of employment after graduation.
During the first two years of the program, nursing students take courses with other majors at the university.
During clinical experiences students rotate through many different types of health care agencies. The University of Delaware holds contractual agreements with all major hospitals in New Castle County and the surrounding areas as well as a wide variety of community-based settings. Students may have clinical experiences locally in Newark and Wilmington or more regionally in southern Delaware, Elkton, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in southern New Jersey.
Students graduate as generalists in nursing having had clinical experiences in pediatric, maternity, psychiatric-mental health, medical-surgical, and community nursing. In the senior year students are given the opportunity to select a precepted clinical experience in a variety of specialty areas depending on their interests and clinical site availability.
Upon entering the nursing program all students are encouraged to participate in the Student Nurses Organization, part of the National Student Nurses’ Organization. Minority students are also invited to participate in the Multicultural Student Nurses Organization. Members of the two student nurses organizations have been involved in a variety of community activities including blood pressure screenings, cholesterol screenings, flu shot administration, participating in an annual heart walk, and adopting a family at Christmas. Professional leadership opportunities are available to students participating in these organizations.
The Master’s degree program, certificate programs, DNP and PhD programs at the University of Delaware are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education(http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
At UD School of Nursing, we understand that life is hectic. Our graduate programs offer part-time and full-time options with online, hybrid and in person learning opportunities.
The UD School of Nursing clinical coordination team works with you to secure your clinical placement regardless of where you are located in the US.
Our graduate programs offer a wide variety of nurse practitioner clinical tracks including Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Education (MSN and Certificate only).
The UD School of Nursing boasts a 100% board pass rate for all of our graduate programs!
Message from the Chair
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The University of Delaware School of Nursing offers one of the top-rated traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Our CCNE accredited undergraduate program boasts a 96% NCLEX pass rate and a 96% employment rate after graduation. Our long-standing relationships with clinical and community partners in and around Delaware provide our students with the hands-on experience required to be a successful nurse. Students at the School of Nursing also have the opportunity to broaden their perspectives through a dynamic study abroad program. Whether participating in short-term experiences or spending a semester in Limerick, Ireland, students gain invaluable insight into global healthcare delivery. While immersing themselves in a new culture, they can also fulfill clinical requirements, enhancing their education through an international lens. In addition, our curriculum integrates a nationally accredited, state-of-the-art simulation lab and first-of-its-kind healthcare theatre program for a truly immersive educational experience. We also developed a Scholar Pipeline program, partnering with several healthcare facilities in Delaware, that affords our students the opportunity to connect with that facility, receive a generous stipend while completing their education and then graduate with guaranteed employment. Additionally, all School of Nursing BSN graduates are given the opportunity for direct admittance into our Master of Science in Nursing program.
Graduate programs in the School of Nursing offer online instruction tailored to meet the needs of working nurses and maintain a 100% board pass rate. In addition, our dedicated graduate clinical coordinator facilitates clinical placement anywhere in the country, making our program ideal for nurses nationwide. We offer up to six clinical tracks per degree and each of our programs is supported by experienced and accomplished master’s, doctorate and PhD prepared nurses. Our faculty are also recognized experts in their areas of interdisciplinary research and contribute to the advancement of healthcare in our country and worldwide.
Our mission at the School of Nursing is to advance healthcare and wellness through education, scholarship, practice, and service by promoting excellence, creativity, inclusivity, and engagement. We are committed to providing the highest quality education and experience for all our students. Preparing our students to strengthen the healthcare workforce and meet the healthcare needs in Delaware and nationwide is always our top priority.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Speakman, EdD, RN, FNAP, ANEF, FAAN
Senior Associate Dean, Chief Nurse Administrator, Professor
School of Nursing
302-831-0655