Nursing
As a student in Mercyhurst’s newest nursing program, you'll be able to earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), while enjoying the traditional four-year college experience. Our Department of Nursing has prepared qualified, compassionate, and dedicated nurses for decades. This program integrates the latest evidence-based practices to equip graduates to be uniquely suited to fulfilling ever-changing roles in local, national, and global health care communities. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination-RN (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed registered nurses.
Students enjoy a hands-on classroom environment in our brand-new facilities, where coursework is taught by experienced faculty. Two clinical skills labs provide a safe transition from classroom learning to a real-world setting. Students practice critical nursing skills using computer-controlled mannequins, medical equipment, task trainers, and low-fidelity mannequins in the clinical skills lab. Our simulation suite contains high-fidelity mannequins, debriefing rooms, video-recording equipment, and medical equipment that closely mimic the clinical environment.
Program Overview
Grounded in the core values of Mercyhurst University, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program prepares future nurses to practice with compassion and empathy. This program unifies the Mercy Tradition of service with the latest evidence-based practices to prepare our graduates to be uniquely suited to fulfilling the ever-changing roles in the local, national, and global health care communities. As nurses, our intellectually creative graduates will leave the program ready to live out the Mercy Mission as they practice the art and science of nursing with compassion, empathy, patience, and integrity.
Many students choose to go on for graduate nursing education to pursue careers as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse educators. Those pursuing advanced degrees in nursing need the strong foundation in nursing experience gained through the BSN program. We believe students should be engaged in nursing education during their entire academic program, which is why BSN students begin taking nursing classes their first semester and start clinical rotations during their freshman year.
The program is approved by the PA State Board of Nursing and consists of a minimum of 121 credits.
Clinical Placements
Our BSN students will complete their clinical hours at Erie’s finest hospitals and medical organizations, including UPMC Hamot, AHN Saint Vincent, and LECOM Health. As students progress through the curriculum, they will be exposed to a variety of nursing specializations including maternal child health, psychiatric/mental health, critical care, emergency, public health, and family nursing.
Safety
Implement and promote safe practice through use of system and individual resources to minimize risk to the client, family, and healthcare team.
Apply client care technologies and information systems to support a safe practice environment.
Patient Centered Care
Advocate for compassionate care and engage the client as an empowered healthcare partner.
Implement holistic client centered care that reflects an understanding of human growth and development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical management, and nursing management, across the health-illness continuum, across the lifespan, and in all healthcare settings.
Informatics
Use information and technology to communicate, access resources, support decision making and prevent error.
Evidence Based Practice
Integrate best current evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values to promote optimal patient outcomes.
Synthesize evidence, clinical judgment, interprofessional perspectives, and patient preferences in planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes of care.
Teamwork & Collaboration
Collaborate with the healthcare team to foster open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision making to achieve quality care.
Quality Improvement
Use meaningful data to achieve quality nursing care and promote quality and safety in a healthcare environment.
Integrate the value of pursuing practice excellence, lifelong learning, and professional engagement to foster professional growth and development.
Requirements for admission include a high school diploma or GED certificate, with a GPA of 3.2 or better. Applicants interested in the accelerated three-year option must have a GPA of 3.5 or better. Applicants must have completed coursework equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units. These must include four units of English, three units of social studies, two units of mathematics (one of which is algebra), and two units of science (including a laboratory or the equivalent).
NURS 120: Introduction to Nursing (3 credits)
NURS 155: Pharmacology (4 credits)
NURS 160: Nursing Assessment (3 credits)
NURS 161: Nursing Assessment Lab (3 credits)
NURS 190: LPN-RN Bridge (3 credits)
NURS 191: LPN-RN Bridge Lab (1 credit)
NURS 200: Medical Surgical Nursing Part A (3 credits)
NURS 201: Medical Surgical Nursing Part A Lab (2 credits)
NURS 204: Maternal Newborn Nursing (2 credits)
NURS 205: Maternal Newborn Nursing Lab (2 credits)
NURS 206: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (2 credits)
NURS 207: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Lab (2 credits)
NURS 208: Experience of Chronic Illness (3 credits)
NURS 250: Medical Surgical Nursing Part B (3 credits)
NURS 251: Medical Surgical Nursing Part B Lab (2 credits)
NURS 255: Health Promotion and Risk Prevention (3 credits)
NURS 301: Research and EBP (4 credits)
NURS 302: Intro to Informatics (3 credits)
NURS 402: Global Perspectives in Health/ Global Health (PUBH211) (3 credits)
NURS 405: Community Health Nursing (4 credits)
NURS 407: Nursing Leadership (4 credits)
NURS 460: Senior Seminar (2 credits)
NURS 470: Critical Care and Advanced Med Surg Nursing (4 credits)
NURS 475: BSN Senior Externship I (3 credits)
NURS 476: BSN Senior Externship II (3 credits)
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination-RN (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a professional registered nurse. Graduates will be prepared to work in various health care settings such as acute care hospitals, long term care centers, ambulatory clinics, and home health care. A BSN also prepares students to work in community or public health settings as well as various leadership roles.
The Mercyhurst University, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Program (pre-licensure, accelerated, and LPN-BS tracks) is pursuing pre-accreditation candidacy status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; 202-909-2487. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments in writing directly to NLN CNEA (cneaaccreditation@nln.org) no later than April 24, 2024.
Nursing Facilities
Our recently renovated nursing space on Mercyhurst’s campus in Erie, Pennsylvania, houses one of the best nursing facilities in the region. Two clinical skills labs provide the abilities necessary for you to have a safe transition from classroom learning to a real-world setting. You'll practice critical nursing skills using computer-controlled mannequins, medical equipment, task trainers, and low-fidelity mannequins in the clinical skills lab. Our simulation suite contains high-fidelity mannequins, debriefing rooms, video-recording equipment, and medical equipment that closely mimics the clinical environment.
Watch the videos below to receive an overview and virtual tour of our nursing facilities.
Overview
Virtual Tour
Michael Meyer, MBA, MSN, RN, PHRN
Chair, Department of Nursing
Meet the Faculty
Nursing (BSN)
Jan Haas
Dean, School of the Health Professions, Director, Physical Therapist Assistant programs, Assistant Professor
