Nursing (BSN)
The Simmons University nursing faculty believes that professional nursing is practiced according to the nursing metaparadigm, which includes beliefs about person, health, nursing, and environment. Each person is unique. Human beings are holistic in nature, yet they have interacting biophysical, cognitive, social, spiritual, and developmental dimensions. Persons have their own perceptions, values, beliefs, and goals and have the ability to be self-directive, to adapt to change, to achieve their potential, and to ascribe personal meaning in their lives. Psychosocial concepts, research, leadership, management, health assessment skills, nutrition, pharmacology, growth, and development are integrated into all content. The educational process exists to help students become self-directed, creative, socially responsive, and lifelong learners.
Program Requirements
The student who has been accepted into the major of nursing must fulfill the all-University requirements. A student accepted into the nursing major must achieve an acceptable level of academic performance, including a minimum grade of C+ in all science course prerequisites, prior to beginning the nursing course sequence, as well as maintain an acceptable level of clinical and academic performance to progress to the next nursing course. Progression is also affected by professional behavior. Those students achieving outstanding academic records may be initiated into the Academy and/or the Simmons chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, Theta -at-Large, the International Nursing Honor Society. Criteria regarding academic performance, professional behavior, and health requirements are available upon entrance into the nursing major. Nursing students are required to show documentation of appropriate immunization and health clearance for clinical coursework. Please see the Nursing Student Handbook for specific requirements. All students will undergo a criminal record check each year (CORI) required for nursing practice in state and private agencies and by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Traditional BSN Course Sequence
This sequence will be followed by students admitted to Simmons in Fall 2025. Students admitted prior to Fall 2025 should refer to the 2024-2025 Academic Catalog or consult with Advising. Students in the Honors Program should consult with Advising.
Fall Year 1
| WRI 101 | Writing Boston | 4 |
| SIM 100 | Explore | 2 |
| BIOL 123N | Principles of Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM 110 | General, Organic and Biological Chemistry | 4 |
| One elective or PLAN Requirement | |
Students may take an elective or choose to fulfill one of the following options:
- DEIJ KSA
- LDR KSA (Leadership Course)
- ALA KCA
Spring Year 1
| BIOL 231 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychological Science | 4 |
| NURS 101 | Professional Nursing Concepts | 4 |
| AND | |
| NURS 103 | Civil Discourse: Difficult Conversations in Healthcare | 4 |
| OR | |
| KSA :: LDR | |
*NURS 103 fulfills the Leadership KSA (Key Skills Area). Nursing students may select another course to fulfill this requirement. However, NURS 103 is recommended.
Fall Year 2
Spring Year 2
Fall Year 3
| SIM 200 | Extend | 2 |
| NURS 335 | Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 335L | Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing Clinical | 1 |
| NURS 346 | Medical Surgical Nursing II | 3 |
| NURS 346L | Medical Surgical Nursing II Clinical | 1 |
| One elective or PLAN Requirement | |
Spring Year 3
Fall Year 4
| STAT 118 | Introductory Statistics | 4 |
| NURS 347 | Complex Nursing Care Management across the Continuum | 3 |
| NURS 347L | Complex Nursing Care Management across the Continuum Clinical | 1 |
| NURS 387 | Community & Global Health Perspectives | 3 |
| NURS 387L | Community & Global Health Perspectives Clinical | 1 |
| NURS 417 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
NURS 387 fulfills the GH (Global Historical) KCA (Key Content Area).
Spring Year 4
Students must successfully complete all preceding required nursing courses before enrolling in the capstone sequence.
Transfer BSN (24-Month) Course Sequence
This sequence will be followed by students admitted to Simmons in Fall 2025. Students admitted prior should refer to the 2023-2024 Academic Catalog or consult with Advising.
Fall Year 1
| NURS 295 | Fundamental Skills and Health Assessment | 4 |
| NURS 101 | Professional Nursing Concepts | 4 |
| NURS 202 | Health Care Policy & Nursing Jurisprudence | 4 |
Spring Year 1
Summer Year 1
| NURS 335 | Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 335L | Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing Clinical | 1 |
| NURS 346 | Medical Surgical Nursing II | 3 |
| NURS 346L | Medical Surgical Nursing II Clinical | 1 |
Fall Year 2
Spring Year 2
| NURS 347 | Complex Nursing Care Management across the Continuum | 3 |
| NURS 347L | Complex Nursing Care Management across the Continuum Clinical | 1 |
| NURS 387 | Community & Global Health Perspectives | 3 |
| NURS 387L | Community & Global Health Perspectives Clinical | 1 |
| NURS 417 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
| STAT 118 | Introductory Statistics | 4 |
Summer Year 2
Science Prerequisites
Students accepted into nursing must complete the following science courses prior to enrolling in any of the Fundamentals of Nursing or Health Assessment courses (NURS 292/NURS 293, NURS 295).
Additional Requirement Information
- BIOL 232 may be taken concurrently with nursing fundamentals (NURS 292/NURS 293, NURS 295).
- PSYC 237N must be successfully completed prior to taking NURS 335, NURS 333, and NURS 334.
- Students must successfully complete a 4-hour General Chemistry course with lab before beginning the sequence of NURS courses. CHEM 110 preferred.
- Transfer nursing students must complete all science prerequisites prior to beginning the nursing program.