Nursing Department

We're providing our students with the best possible education to prepare you for the demands of professional nursing at all practice levels.
Nursing vitals lab students working on each other

Our mission is to prepare professional nurses capable of meeting societal healthcare needs in a variety of settings.

Our faculty nurtures respect for diversity, social responsibility, and a commitment to excellence.

Collaborative and interactive teaching methods foster the use of critical thinking to build a strong foundation for the practice of holistic nursing.

Learn about our Health Professions Meta Advising and Mentorship Program

Ranked #1 by EduMed as Top Online Nursing Programs in Massachusetts for our RN to BS in Nursing Online

Best Online Degree Programs 2023 EduMed

Majors and Concentrations

Nursing, BS

Learn the arts of science and nursing that prepares tomorrow's nurses to meet societal healthcare needs in a variety of settings.

LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Transition from traditional or military trained Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to the role of a baccalaureate-prepared Registered Nurse.

RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Online)

Expand your skills as a Registered Nurse through the integration of scientific inquiry and creative thinking in your daily practice.

Launch Nursing Department

Minors


Graduate Degree


Graduate Certificate


Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree in nursing and the master’s degree in nursing at Fitchburg State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The Department of Nursing has full approval status from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Board of Registration in Nursing
239 Causeway Street, Suite 500, 5th floor
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: 617.973.0900
Fax: 617.973.0984

In addition, the Department of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and the Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing (MACN).

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accredits Fitchburg State University.


Handbooks


Plan of Study and University Catalog


Department Mission

  • Mission Statement: The mission of the Fitchburg State University Department of Nursing is to prepare professional nurses capable of meeting societal healthcare needs in a variety of settings. In their teaching, the faculty nurtures respect for diversity, social responsibility, and a commitment to excellence. Collaborative and interactive teaching methods foster the use of critical thinking to build a strong foundation for the practice of holistic nursing. Legal, ethical, and professional standards guide the faculty in teaching the art and science of nursing.
  • Vision: As a center of excellence in baccalaureate nursing education, the Fitchburg State University Department of Nursing prepares students to assume healthcare leadership roles in the global society of the 21st century. The Department uses continuous program evaluation and innovation to maintain an educational culture that fosters social responsibility, service commitment, client advocacy, and lifelong learning. Graduates are nurse generalists who use critical thinking and current evidence to solve problems using integrative care to meet the evolving healthcare needs of populations and environments.
  • Terminal Outcomes: Upon completion of the nursing program, the graduate will:
    • Synthesize knowledge from the liberal arts, sciences, and nursing as a foundation for safe, client-centered care.
    • Incorporate basic organizational and systems leadership to provide quality care and patient safety.
    • Integrate evidence-based practice including current research and critical thinking in the management of client care.
    • Analyze information using information technology to improve patient outcomes.
    • Examine the impact of health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments on nursing practice.
    • Integrate principles of communication in professional practice.
    • Synthesize knowledge of health promotion and disease/injury prevention in designing population focused care.
    • Integrate professional standards of moral, ethical and legal conduct into nursing practice.

Meet Our Faculty

Nursing Faculty

Hands-On Opportunities

Study Abroad

On a recent spring break trip to Costa Rica.
ghana nursing study abroad

Study the world by traveling it

On a previous trip to Ghana.

Beyond the Classroom and a Look Inside the Courses

National Student Nurses Association

The National Student Nurses Organization brings together and mentors students preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses, as well as those enrolled in baccalaureate completion programs.
Read more about: National Student Nurses Association

Technical Standards for Admission

We've identified a set of technical standards that we deem essential to a student's success in meeting the outcomes of the nursing program.
Read more about: Technical Standards for Admission

Nursing Labs

See what our students are doing in the simulation lab from transferring patients, general patient care, assessing the patients musculoskeletal system, post operative care to code blue scenarios. 
Read more about: Nursing Labs

Additional Information

The students in the Department of Nursing gain experience in healthcare settings throughout Massachusetts. In addition to off-campus health care facilities where students gain hands-on experience, the department offers:

  • A well equipped health assessment lab
  • A state-of the-art clinical skills/simulation lab
  • Home care setting lab
  • SimMan, SimBaby, SimNewB, and SimMan 3G, technologically advanced manikins which challenge and test students’ clinical and decision-making skills during realistic patient care scenarios

Questions? Get in touch!

Please reach out with any questions you might have, either though the contact information below or by contacting the department chair, Deborah Benes, PhD, RN, PNP-R 978.665.3325.