Nursing

Professional nursing is dedicated to the promotion and maintenance of health, recovery from illness, and care and support of people who are terminally ill. Nurses also seek to assist individuals and families when illness impairs their ability to cope with daily life.

The undergraduate program in nursing provides the student with a general background, beginning competencies, and experiences that facilitate placement in a variety of health agencies. The first two years of the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program include foundation courses in the natural, social and behavioral sciences, liberal arts and introductory nursing courses. Clinical nursing experiences and specialized courses are offered during the third and fourth years. Nurses who graduate from the program work in many different settings, such as public health agencies and clinics, schools, nursing homes, industry, private homes and hospitals. Students interested in obtaining further information about the baccalaureate degree in nursing should contact the Department of Nursing, 345 McDowell Hall, 831-2381.

The Baccalaureate for the Registered Nursing major is an innovative program designed to build on basic nursing knowledge, enhancing nursing practice in an increasingly complex society. The BRN major is offered in a distance learning format to maximize educational opportunities for registered nurses. Applicants for this major must be graduates of an associate degree nursing program or a diploma nursing program and hold a current nursing license. For further information about the BRN major call 831-4549.

The Accelerated Second Degree Program is a course of study for individuals who have a previously earned degree in another field and would like to pursue a career in nursing. Students in this program must complete all of the non-nursing requirements by transfer credit from their first degree, completion of coursework at the University of Delaware or by transfer of pre-approved equivalent courses from other accredited institutions. The program begins in the fall with one course which is offered in a video delivery format. In January, students begin their full time studies with a five week winter session, fall semester, and concluding with the following January winter session. All non-nursing coursework must be completed prior to the first winter session.

Students taking courses in an accelerated mode are sometimes out of sequence with on-campus course offerings. In these instances, lecture will be provided via videotape augmented by small group discussion sessions. Each student will receive a complete set of video tapes for specified courses permitting greater flexibility in scheduling study time. Six courses incorporate video delivery plus discussion sections.

During clinical rotations, students are exposed to many different experiences in a variety of health care settings. These include the major hospitals in New Castle County as well as regional community hospitals, a variety of extended care facilities, independent living facilities, and various community-based providers who offer a range of services across the life span. Students graduate as nurse generalists with experience in pediatric, maternity, psychiatric, medical-surgical, and community health nursing. For further information call 831-4549.

Students choosing to pursue graduate study may specialize in cardiopulmonary nursing, gerontologic nursing prenatal/women's health nursing, nursing of children and oncology/immune deficiency nursing, nursing administration and all nurse practitional specialists. Call 831-2381, the College of Health and Nursing Sciences, for more information.

Sample Job Titles

Check the Dictionary of Occupational Titles under section 075 for additional related careers.

Enhancing Employability

Some Employers of Nursing Majors

Other Sources of Information

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses
www.aaohn.org

American Nurses Association
www.ana.org/index.htm

America's HealthCareSource
www.healthcaresource.com

CampusRN.com
www.campusRN.com

DoctorDirectory.com
www.doctordirectory.com/doctordirectory/hospitals/state.aspx

Delaware Board of Nursing             
861 Silver Lake Blvd.; Cannon Building, Suite 203                        
Dover, DE  19904                        
phone: (302)739-4522, ext. 215, 216, 217
fax: (302)739-2711

HireMedical.com
www.hireMedical.com

HireNursing.com
www.hireNursing.com

Honor Society of Nursing
www.nursingsociety.org

MedCAREERS
www.medcareers.com

National Student Nurses Association
www.nsna.org

Nursing Job Source
www.nursingjobsource.com

NursingNet
www.nursingnet.org

The Riley Guide
www.rileyguide.com

VirtualNurse
www.virtualnurse.com

Resources for Finding Employment

University of Delaware Career Resource Center Materials Available

• The JobBank Guide to Health Care Companies (CSD 246)
• Plunkett's Health Care Industry Almanac (CSD 247)
• Job Opportunities - Health and Science (CSD 248)
• Careers in Nursing (CSD 250)
• Detwiler's Directory of Health and Medical Resources (CSD 251)
• Directory of Hospital Personnel (CSD 252)
• The Hospital Phone Book (CSD 253)
• Hospital Telephone Directory (CSD 254)
• Top 100 Health-Care Careers (CSE 288)
• Health Care Job Explosion! (CSE 289)
• Planning a Life in Medicine (CSE 295)
• Your Career in Nursing (CSE 298)
• Careers in Nursing (CSE 299)
• Majoring in Nursing (CSE 301)
• Careers in Focus - Nursing (CSE 302)
• Careers for Caring People & Other Sensitive Types (CSE 323)
• Careers for Good Samaritans & Other Humanitarian Types (CSE 327)
• Opportunities in Gerontology and Aging Services Careers (CSE 334.5)
• Guide to Careers in the Health Professions (CSE 335)
• Career Opportunities in Health Care (CSE 336)
• www.udel.edu/CSC/netresources.html CSC's Internet Resources

Further information including: Skills to Develop, Strategies for Contacting Employers, Grad School Information and where to get assistance is available in the CAREER RESOURCE CENTER at 401 Academy Street.

Last updated: November 8, 2007 (CH)