Department of Nursing
The Department of Nursing faculty and staff are committed to provide educational opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and prepare high quality graduate nurses who are ready to practice in today’s challenging health care environment.
The competitive program is grounded in academic excellence and prepares students to become professional nurses. Following the successful completion of the baccalaureate program, graduates will receive a Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Nursing, and will be eligible to take the registered nurse licensure examination (NCLEX-RN) administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
The Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Nursing curriculum consists of four (4) academic years. The student will take two years of pre-professional courses and apply for the professional phase of the nursing major during their sophomore year. Professional phase nursing courses include both nursing theory and related laboratory and clinical study. A variety of health care agencies including hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and community health settings provide opportunities for clinical study in the tri-state area. Clinical laboratory practice is also provided in a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory.
The Nursing Program has full approval status from the Delaware Board of Nursing.
The Baccalaureate Nursing Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Master’s of Science in Nursing
Delaware State University’s MSN program has three options: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Nursing Education, and Global Leadership.
The PMHNP program focuses on holistic, evidence-based care for clients with mental illness and substance abuse issues across the lifespan. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC™).
The Nurse Educator students learn how to develop a curriculum and explore instructional technology as they prepare to educate the next generation of nurses.
The Global leadership program is designed for nursing professionals seeking to elevate their leadership skills and expertise at their local institution or on the global stage.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs align with the mission and core values of Delaware State University as well as the Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences. The Bachelors and Masters level nursing programs provide exceptional educational opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds. The baccalaureate program prepares entry-level nurses to practice competently and safely in a variety of healthcare settings including preparation for future specialization and graduate study. The master’s program specializes in preparing graduates to be nursing leaders in their field. From a global perspective, the master’s program also fosters principles and practices that provide a framework for diverse relationships in nursing practice, research, and education. Baccalaureate and master’s prepared nursing graduates are prepared professionally to provide compassionate and culturally competent evidence-based healthcare to meet the current and future needs of individuals, families, and communities within the state of Delaware, the nation, and the international environment.
PHILOSOPHY
The Department of Nursing’s philosophy at Delaware State University is congruent with the Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences as well as the University’s mission statement. The faculty will provide nursing education while promoting distinguished academic excellence, innovation, and world-class service to the graduates. Faculty are also committed to best practice within a learning environment that fosters mutual commitment, respect, integrity, and accountability among students, faculty, administration, and staff.
The nursing philosophy encompasses the University’s core values as they relate to professional nursing education and professional practice. This includes: Excellence in nursing education and practice in the form of scholarship; outreach to others with an appreciation for diversity; an engaging community which fosters skills in the art and science of nursing; and the ability to demonstrate ethical reasoning and integrity which promotes patient advocacy and professionalism in an ever changing health care environment.
The nursing faculty believes the nursing program prepares the graduate at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to provide safe, compassionate, and competent nursing care across the lifespan to individuals, families, and communities in a variety of practice settings. The graduate will integrate evidence-based principles, sound nursing judgments, the sciences, and clinical reasoning skills necessary for safe and effective practice. Graduate nurses are empowered to become effective nurse leaders with a professional identity to transform health care, maintain a spirit of inquiry, and are committed to lifelong learning.