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THE MAJOR
The Nursing
major is a department within the College of Health and Behavioral Studies.
Admission and Progression Standards for this major:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSNSG.shtml
Description
of Major:
Nursing is a highly marketable “helping” profession that offers choices among many general and specialty areas of practice. The goal of the Nursing Department is to provide quality, professional undergraduate and graduate education that prepares nurse leaders to influence a changing profession, society, health care system, and global health needs. The program through the Department of Nursing leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and prepares graduates to take the National Certification and Licensure Exam (NCLEX). Courses in the Nursing major span 4 semesters (2 academic years) and normally begin in the fifth or sixth semester at JMU. During each semester of the program students experience both classroom courses and clinical practice experiences in a variety of health care settings. Within the program students experience or observe most of the career choices listed below. Admission to the program is competitive and requires a BSN Admission Application. Information about the program and admission procedures can be found at www.nursing.jmu.edu.
Tell
me more about this field of study.
Nurses help people to seek and maintain health, to adjust to and live with chronic illnesses, and to recover from acute illnesses. The career of nursing offers many professional choices, challenges, and rewards. Baccalaureate nurses can choose from a variety of practice roles and settings within the health care system to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Some nurses prefer fast paced high technology settings like intensive care units or trauma centers; others choose community health or home health settings. New roles and opportunities are emerging in the rapidly changing health care system. Nurses are in short supply, so market demand and career opportunities for nurses are increasing.
Tell
me more about specializations in this field.
Registered nurses can choose to practice in a variety of specialty areas in nursing. In some areas, RNs can seek specialty certification through examination after they complete continuing education and practice within that specialty area. A second route to specialization is graduate study in an advanced practice area. Masters programs prepare nurses to become advanced practice nurses in a variety of areas, including nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse leaders, and nurse midwives.
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
Nursing students frequently seek elective courses or a minor in areas of study that complement nursing. These include Chronic Illness, Medical Spanish, Family Studies, Gerontology, Health Communication, Health Sciences – Public Health Education concentration, Religion, Sociology, Substance Abuse Intervention, or Women's Studies. Students who seek to complete the General Education and Nursing programs within 8 semesters will not be able to add a minor to their course of study.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Students who are successful in nursing are motivated,
think critically, develop strong communication and negotiation
skills, value health and wellness, and desire to be
health advocates for clients. Successful nurses are
leaders and change agents.
CAREERS
Many graduates choose typical career paths associated
with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated
careers that utilize skills and experiences developed
during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some
fields will require graduate study or further training.
The listing below offers examples of possible career
paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
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