The Nursing major seeks to prepare graduates to
think logically and creatively, act professionally
and ethically, analyze ideas and situations, and
solve problems encountered in their service delivery
as practitioners, supervisors, and managers. Like
many healthcare-related majors, the curriculum is
designed to prepare students to perform a specific
function within the health care delivery system.
It seeks to provide strong, specific training targeted
to a very specific job title. Students selecting
this major typically have had some exposure to the
employment field, either as a volunteer or as a patient.
Nursing education is offered in a variety of lengths
and formats. Students interested in nursing should
examine the differences between 2 year Association
Degree (ADN), 3 year Diploma and 4-year Bachelor
Degree (BSN) programs. Also available are "completion
programs" designed for individuals who are already
RNs, but lack the Bachelor's degree. Graduates are
prepared to deliver healthcare to persons of all
ages, families and community groups with sensitivity
to cultural and environmental factors.
At Alvernia, the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN)
prepares generalist practitioners for a variety of
health care environments. The
RN-BSN Completion Program is designed
for registered nurses who are graduates of a diploma
or associate degree nursing program but lack the
bachelor's degree required for administrative positions
or admission to graduate nursing programs in research,
consulting, teaching or a clinical specialization.
Skills
- Aptitude for science and health
- Ability to make sound and quick judgments based
on observation
- Accuracy
- Understanding of human behavior
- Ability to work well under stress
- Ability to work well with others
- Physical stamina and strength
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to communicate with various ethnic, socio-economic
and age groups
- Good verbal skills
Values
- Health
- Integrity
- Willingness to work beyond 9-5 schedule
- Poise
- Sensitivity to others
- Empathy
- Desire to help people
- Flexibility
- Ability to make the connection between technology
and humanity
Leisure
Activities
- Attending health or nursing lectures/workshops
- Volunteering in a hospital/hospice/nursing home
- Reading medical or health-related journals
- Working in a health-care facility
Strategies
- Obtain internship
- Volunteer in medical/health-care settings
- Develop organizational skills
- Take electives in psychology, advanced physiology,
communication and technology
- Develop management and leadership skills
- Consider graduate school or advance practice
- Gain experience in handling emergencies
- Consider studying another language
For Nursing Majors:
Community
Service Organizations
Career
Titles
Professional Organizations
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