School of Nursing
School of Nursing Faculty
Director of Nursing/Associate Professor: Catherine Cuchetti
Assistant Professors: Lisa R. Chicko
Instructors: Mary Adam, Caitlin Anderson, Kayla Gallagher, Mandy June
School of Nursing Philosophy
We, the faculty, believe that professional, caring, and reflective nursing practice occurs with the synergy of clinical excellence and relationship-based care. The School of Nursing provides a supportive and respectful learning environment that embraces reflective practice and discovery through deep learning and inquiry. We promote collaborative, experiential learning, leveraging the adult learners' intrinsic motivation to learn with critical engagement in the educational process.
Bachelor of Science for Registered Nurses (B.S.N.) Program
Director of Nursing/Associate Professor: Catherine Cuchetti
Assistant Professors: Lisa R. Chicko
Instructors: Mary Adam, Caitlin Anderson, Kayla Gallagher, Mandy June
R.N. to B.S.N. Mission
The B.S.N. program is committed to preparing registered nurses as ethical leaders in the 21st century delivering innovative, evidence-based patient-centered care. Graduates are competent and caring nurses who make sound clinical judgments, communicate effectively, and assume leadership and advocacy roles. We prepare graduates to promote the health and well- being of diverse individuals, families, communities, populations, and systems.
School of Nursing Philosophy
We, the faculty, believe that professional, caring, and reflective nursing practice
occurs with the synergy of clinical excellence and relationship-based care. The School
of Nursing provides a supportive and respectful learning environment that embraces
reflective practice and discovery through deep learning and inquiry. We promote collaborative,
experiential learning, leveraging the adult learners' intrinsic motivation to learn
with critical engagement in the educational process.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the R.N. to B.S.N. program will:
- Apply patient centered principles of holistic nursing care to individuals and populations across cultures and the lifespan.
- Integrate knowledge from the sciences, humanities, and nursing to guide decisions on best practices in healthcare.
- Function effectively within inter-professional healthcare teams fostering shared decision making to deliver high quality, safe, patient care with positive patient outcomes.
- Utilize quality improvement processes in the delivery and implementation of patient safety and quality initiatives.
- Apply leadership skills within various healthcare systems to promote a culture of safety.
- Integrate knowledge of nursing informatics and emerging technologies for contemporary nursing practice.
- Practice as accountable leaders of conscience demonstrating ethical and professional principles in the care of self individuals, families, and populations in a variety of settings.
- Communicate effectively within a caring framework among healthcare professionals and clients to improve patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
- Analyze healthcare policy, financial, and regulatory processes, which directly influence healthcare systems globally.
- Plan individualized care on best current evidence, patient values, and clinical expertise.
R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) Program Requirements
The RN to BSN program is designed for students who hold a current RN license and have earned either an associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing. Curriculum requirements may be fulfilled through transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions, prior learning assessment, course enrollment, and/or challenge exams. Additionally, students currently enrolled in an associate degree nursing (ADN) pathway program may be eligible to begin RN to BSN coursework before completing the ADN program or obtaining licensure, provided specific criteria are met. Students may enroll on a part-time or full-time basis.
The R.N. student must earn a minimum of 120 credits to graduate, including completion of the General and Liberal Education (GLE) Core requirements. Nursing students who have completed an associate’s degree at another institution and transfer to Franklin Pierce University will not need to meet the requirements of the General and Liberal Education. Curriculum requirements may be met through transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions, course enrollment, credit for prior learning, and/or challenge exams.
Completion is defined as all courses completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Nursing students will receive 30 credits for an active nursing license. When applicable, additional nursing course work may be transferred as additional credits. The following courses are required of nursing majors:
Major Requirements (30 Credit Hours)
NR200 Holistic Health 3 Credits
NR300 Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing Practice 3 Credits
NR320 Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing: Understanding Nursing Research 3 Credits
NR330 Clinical Decision Making 3 Credits
NR400 Health Policy and the Role of the Professional Nurse 3 Credits
NR420 Health Promotion Across the Lifespan 3 Credits
NR445 Community Health Nursing: Individual and Family Client 3 Credits
NR446 Community Health Nursing: Groups and Populations 3 Credits
NR001 Pre-course for Capstone 0 Credits
NR490 Leadership in Professional Nursing Practice, Seminar & Project 6 Credits
Cultural Awareness—Choose One of the Following: 3 Credits
PA209 Ethical Reasoning 3 Credits
PA250 World Religions
HU211 Death and Dying
SO205 Race and Ethnicity in Society
SO220 Families in Society
SO223 Power, Privilege and Justice
Foundation Requirements (21 Credit Hours)
BI260 Human Anatomy & Physiology I* 3 Credits
BI261 Human Anatomy & Physiology II* 3 Credits
BI325 Microbiology 3 Credits
Chemistry or other science 3 Credits
MT260 Statistics 3 Credits
PS101 Introduction to Psychology 3 Credits
PS234 Human Growth and Development 3 Credits
Note: BI260, BI261, and BI325 are waived with an Associate Degree in Nursing or proof of RN license.
