Why Elms For Your Nursing Degree?

  • Class of 2023: 97.7% NCLEX pass rate. Our BSN program is #1 among colleges in western Massachusetts.
  • Educating nurses for over 40 years. Over 1,700 nurses graduated since 1982.
  • Emphasis on National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) preparation.
  • State-of-the-art nursing skills and simulation labs.
  • Test-optional application process.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The Elms College baccalaureate nursing curriculum integrates a strong liberal arts and sciences core with a nursing curriculum that emphasizes nationally recognized standards and competencies for nurses and health professionals.

Elms bachelor of science in nursing students are well educated through rigorous coursework, state-of-the-art simulation labs and through diverse clinical practice in a variety of healthcare settings to gain the knowledge and skills to successfully engage in professional nursing practice.

Elms nursing graduates become knowledgeable, innovative professional nurse leaders prepared to influence and drive healthcare change, make important contributions to patient safety and quality healthcare delivery.

Quick Info

  • Elms boasts award-winning BSN athletes across all Division III sports. More than half (60%) of our athletes on the women’s lacrosse, softball, and basketball teams are also nursing majors.
  • Clinical learning begins sophomore year
  • Student-led Undergraduate Nursing Council provides continuous feedback and student experience input
  • Specialized support and a dedicated nursing computer testing lab
Rebecca Cao ’17 took a unique approach to her nursing education, choosing to stay an extra year at Elms to complete a second major in computer information technology (CIT). Here, she explains how her understanding of technology led her to a clinical analyst job at Berkshire Health Systems.

Curriculum

Click to view course requirements for the Nursing (BSN).

124 credits (including Elms College core requirements).

Core Nursing Requirements

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
NUR 1100Introduction to Contemporary Nursing Practice3
NUR 2103Medical Dose Calculations1
NUR 2107Health Assessment of the Adult4
NUR 2109Pathophysiology3
NUR 2201Fundamentals of Nursing5
NUR 2205Pharmacology3
NUR 3106Nursing Care of the Adult I5
NUR 3106LNursing Skills Lab I1
NUR 3406Mental Health Nursing4
NUR 3306Nursing Care of the Adult II5
NUR 3306LNursing Skills Lab II1
NUR 3405Nursing Research3
NUR 3604Children and Families5
NUR 3608Childbearing5
NUR 4206NCLEX2
NUR 4605Nursing Care of the Older Adult5
NUR 4700Population-based Health Nursing4
NUR 4707Nursing Leadership and Management of Care5
NUR 4902Senior Seminar2
Students must achieve a 77% (C+) objective test grade to pass the course unless otherwise stated in the course syllabus for all NUR (Nursing) courses. A G.P.A of 2.5 is required to progress to the next level. Failures in two courses or a second failure of the same course results in no longer being eligible for the nursing major.3
BIO 2105Anatomy and Physiology I3
BIO 2105LAnatomy and Physiology I Lab1
BIO 2106Anatomy and Physiology II3
BIO 2106LAnatomy and Physiology II Lab1
BIO 2201Microbiology3
BIO 2201LMicrobiology Lab1
CHE 1905Biochemistry3
CHE 1905LBiochemistry Lab1
MAT 1009Statistics3
PED 1408Nutrition and Yoga2
PHI 2408Health Care Ethics3
PSY 1001General Psychology3
SPA 1001Spanish I3
SPA 1002Spanish II3
SPA 1002LSpanish II Lab3
SWK 2004Human Behavior in the Social Environment1
SSD 3004Introduction to Cultural Competence3
Students must achieve a 77% (C+) to pass the non-nursing courses that are part of the nursing curriculum. Failures in two courses or a second failure of the same course results in no longer being eligible for the nursing major.3

Click to view course requirements for the Clinical Requirements:.

Elms College policy requires the all pre-licensure students to submit medical documentation in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and Massachusetts Immunization Law 105 CMR 220.600:

Elms College policy and Massachusetts Department of Public Health dictates that students are required to submit the following documentation to satisfy immunization requirements for college (postsecondary institutions):

  1. Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): 1 dose within 10 years. A TD (Tetanus, Diphtheria may be accepted if it has been greater than or equal to 10 years since the last Tdap AND record of prior Tdap is submitted as well.
  2. Hepatitis B: Complete series of Hepatitis vaccination (2 or 3 doses based on dates of administration) or laboratory evidence of positive immunity.
  3. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Series of 2 doses at least 28 days apart or laboratory evidence of positive immunity to ALL 3 diseases (must have specific immunity for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella). Birth in the U.S. before 1957 is acceptable only for non-health science students.
  4. Varicella: Series of 2 doses at least 28 days apart and/or laboratory evidence of positive immunity. Physician verified history of chickenpox is acceptable only for non-health science students. Birth in the U.S. before 1980 is acceptable only for non-health science students.
  5. Meningococcal (MenACWY, formerly MCV4): 1 dose within 5 years or a signed MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form provided by Elms College.
  6. Full COVID-19 vaccination

Exemptions
Students may apply for a medical or religious vaccination exemption through the Elms College Health Center. The Health Center and/or Health Advisory Board reviews all applications, and students receive notification in writing if their application is approved. All exemption approvals remain in the student’s medical file for one year from the date written, and must be renewed annually. An Elms College approved medication exemption does not automatically grant exemption for any off campus facilities.

Students enrolled in the Elms Nursing Program are required to complete a series of clinical rotations in various health care facilities that require student immunization. The college has no control over whether or not the facility will accept the college approved medical or religious exemption. Students who are not fully immunized per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and Massachusetts Immunization Law 105 CMR 220.600 are not guaranteed clinical placements.

Other Requirements:

  • National and state criminal background check (CORI/SORI)
  • Drug screening (11 Panel)
  • Annual TB screening
  • Finger-printing if required by the clinical placement (e.g. schools)
  • CPR (American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers)
Course offerings are updated on a rolling basis and can be discussed with your program director or faculty advisor.

Click to view course requirements for the Clinical Placements.

Baystate Medical Center
Baystate Noble Hospital
Baystate Wing Hospital
Berkshire Medical Center
Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Mercy Medical Center (THONE)
Veteran’s Affairs (Leeds)
Local Public Schools
Local Senior Centers
Local Public Health Departments
Behavioral Health Network
Center for Human Development
Friends of the Homeless
Encompass Health
Fallon Place
Genesis Health
Hampden County House of Corrections
Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen
It Takes a Village
Mental Health Association
Square One
Western MA Eldercare

Course offerings are updated on a rolling basis and can be discussed with your program director or faculty advisor.