FAQs
Below are some of the most common questions we receive about the Undergraduate and Graduate programs in the School of Nursing. If there are specific questions you have that cannot be found here, please contact us at ud-nursing@udel.edu or 302-831-1253.
Undergraduate
my major to Nursing, where do I start?
Nursing change of major requires a UD overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 minimally as well as completion of these three prerequisites: NURS 101 Human Anatomy (with permission by SON) or BISC 276, BISC 207 Introductory Biology, and CHEM 103 or CHEM 105 General Chemistry. Admission is dependent on space available. See more details in the following link.
program from an outside university?
Please see the following details on the UD Admissions website
pertaining to transfer policy. Specifically review the up to date
"guidelines" linked within the below webpage pertaining to the nursing
major.
http://www.udel.edu/admissions/for/transfers.html
program. Should I do an interview with the admissions office?
The University of Delaware cares about our applicants. We take
great pride in our holistic approach when reviewing your application for
admission. Interviews are not required but we do consider them along
with all other components of the admissions application.
http://www.udel.edu/admissions/rsvp/udcomestou.html
The innovative Nurse Residency curriculum provides students with the skills and information they need to confidently and knowledgeably provide safe nursing care in their senior year of study. Students are in the clinical area three days per week throughout the senior year ensuring that students are exposed to a large variety of patient issues and can become comfortable in the clinical setting. During the first three years at UD nursing students will work in the Resource Simulation Center, participate in field experiences, complete the work requirement, and work with Teaching Assistants to enter the senior year ready for clinical immersion.
Yes, the School of Nursing is fully accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This ensures transferability to different states for licensure and for graduate school admission.
The UD School of Nursing directly admits to the nursing program and nursing courses are taken in the freshmen year. In the first year, an introductory nursing course is offered in the fall semester and a basic nursing skills course is offered in the spring semester. Students are guaranteed a place in the nursing program and, provided students are in good standing, students progress throughout the program without reapplication. Students are also guaranteed placement in classes and in clinical rotations as they progress.
93% 1st time and 98% overall
Clinical rotations are provided in adult health nursing (I & II), psychosocial nursing, maternity nursing, pediatric nursing, community health, and the preceptorship experience (see below). Clinical facilities include Christiana Hospital, Nemours/AI DuPont Hospital for Children, the Veterans Administration Hospital, Wilmington Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital, Union Hospital, local long term care facilities, schools, clinics and other health and community agencies.
Students work side-by-side with a staff nurse in a given specialty for their last 84-
hour rotation. Preceptored clinical experiences provide a transition from student-faculty relationships to mentor-new graduate relationships. Experiences have included: operating room, intensive care units, emergency departments, community settings, labor and delivery, and medical surgical units with adults and children.
There are 8 students working with 1 faculty member
Classes range from small group (18 students per instructor) to 150 for larger lecture settings. The average class has about 70 students.
In the freshmen and sophomore years students are mixed with other students in the sciences and foundational courses. In the later years, nursing students meet other students in the free electives and breadth requirement courses. Students are also involved in fraternities/sororities, campus activities, in sports, and in their dormitory and apartment arrangements.
Each nursing student takes 2 nursing electives in their junior or senior years.
These courses cover a wide range of nursing specialties. Past nursing electives have include critical care nursing, genetics, oncology nursing, complementary/alternative medicine, labor and delivery, gerontology, culture, and adolescent health. After required courses are completed, sufficient free elective credits must be taken to meet the minimum credits required for the degree. For most students this is 6 credits or 2 courses. The nursing electives and free electives are often the courses students take if they would like to participate in study abroad experiences.
Students carpool, use mass transportation, or drive themselves to all clinical, field,
and preceptor experiences. Some field and other experiences are within walking distance from campus. We encourage students to work together to save money and the environment. In addition, agencies prefer carpooling to decrease the stress on parking facilities.
If you are a student at the University of Delaware, you will use a computer. Every
semester, over 99% of our students use computers: Word processing and e-mail are used by nearly everyone on campus. The curriculum in many fields allows students to use spreadsheet analysis, computer programming, or statistical analysis. Students use the World Wide Web for academic research, to look for summer jobs, to explore interests and hobbies, and to complete administrative tasks on campus. Most course materials are posted on SAKAI, our curriculum platform, or another web based program. Many students bring their laptops to class. There are computer labs across campus but most students prefer their own computer. See the Information Technologies website for more details.
Yes.
The Nursing program is structured at UD with a senior year clinical immersion. This is defined by a 3 day a week clinical rotation fall and spring semesters of the senior year. If you are unable to meet the clinical requirements in the senior year, your program of study may need to be extended an additional semester or year to complete. That being said, we are in support of and have had athletes of all levels in our program in the past. University of Delaware is committed to supporting its athletes.
The student and faculty benefit from our Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Program. Also, the Beta Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the nursing honors society, has a tutoring program.
As part of its commitment to the students of the University of Delaware, the Office of Academic Enrichment has created a series of online study skills workshops to support you as you pursue your degree.
You are grouped in clusters all over campus. Someone in your cluster may be from your major but may not be your roommate.
See the nursing website for all scholarships. Most scholarships are reserved for
junior and senior nursing students.
As the Admissions Committee evaluates an application for admission, it weighs the rigor of the student's high school program, academic record (especially the trends in grades), SAT Reasoning and/or ACT with Writing scores, class rank (if available), student essays, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. In your essay/statement you should emphasize your skills in organization, interpersonal relationships, and critical thinking. See the admissions website.
Yes, they typically cover the free elective category. Other credits may apply for
required courses, please visit our admissions page for rules.
- Stat AP is equivalent to Stat 200
- Physcology AP with 4 or 5 is equivalent to Psych 100
- Chem Ap with 3 or above is equivalent to Chemistry 105
- All other AP courses cover Free Electives and/or Breadth Requirements
A college education requires some breadth of knowledge across diverse fields and perspectives. With this in mind, all students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits from the list of University breadth courses. This includes 3 credits from each of the following categories: Creative Arts and Humanities, History and Cultural Change, Social and Behavioral Sciences & Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in each course to meet this requirement.
Prior to clinical, every student will take 2 credits of NURS390. For each credit, students will work 80 hours within a health care setting. At least 80 hours must be provided in direct patient care. This course will help students become comfortable in the clinical arena and provides college credit for healthcare experience. Students may work for pay or volunteer for these experiences. Students may access jobs local to the UD or in their home states.
During each nursing course students will participate in field experiences to become comfortable with client contact, to meet course objectives, and to prepare them for the senior clinical immersion. Field experiences include: blood pressure screenings, days with school nurses, working in the operating room/post-anesthesia care unit, experiences in homeless shelters, providing health promotion activities, shadowing in an emergency department, observing births, participating in home hospice visits, and many others.
Accelerated
Once all required prerequisites are complete, the Nursing curriculum is a full time/campus program for 17 months.
All prospective students should apply upon initial interest. This application process serves as an opportunity for advisement on the prerequisite needs, eligibility, and other related questions from the Accelerated Committee.
* Application should be complete by April 1st annually
No appointments available. The Accelerated Committee reviews all prospective applicants (application and related materials) on a periodic basis throughout the year. You will receive communication back from the committee regarding your application via email/letter.
* All correspondences related to the Accelerated Nursing Program are to go through: accelnursing@udel.edu
Please see the curriculum posted on the website (prerequisites), next use the link below to access the established online transfer credit matrix. If you do not see the course you took listed on the site, it will need further evaluation by a UD Department for transferability (after you apply)
Yes. If you are in a 4 year program and contemplating starting your BSN directly after graduating, we want to review your transcripts a year ahead of time. If you have graduated a non nursing bachelor’s degree and are looking at our program, it is time to apply now. The sooner you apply the more advisement you will be able to receive from the Accelerated Committee.
Not recommended more than 12 hours a week of work (only allowed in the evenings and weekends). It is recommended NOT to work due to the intensity and rigor of the program.
No. Campus courses will run Monday through Friday. Clinicals may be scheduled 7 days a week, days and evenings depending on availability.
No. This is a full time program, part time is not available.
See the undergraduate Full Time/ Campus rates. Additionally, see the costs for summer and winter sessions to calculate total projected costs.
See this website for all the details pertaining to housing
Best in your Junior year of college at UD &/or as soon as possible. If you think you are interested, the first step is to apply.
RN to BSN
The Univeristy of Delaware is a quality higher education university, which offers dedicated staff for online students, as well as flexible scheduling of classes.
UD Online students access their courses on the Web through an easy-to-use course management system. The University of Delaware uses Sakai as the primary course management tool to deliver UD Online courses. Courses may include all or some of the following instructional delivery methods: videostreamed class lectures, video clips, audio components, guided readings, chatrooms, interactive web activities, and threaded discussions.
In addition, instructors are available to assist students, according to their course policy, in person, via e-mail, or by phone. A small number of courses require scheduled virtual class meetings using a microphone and headset, videoconferencing, or are completely self-directed. These course exceptions are indicated in the course description. Students may view online course demonstrations.
If you are not familiar with any of the terms below and/or do not have the knowledge or skills listed below, we recommend you update your computer skills prior to registering for this program. Skills: Web browsing, navigating a website, e-mail (including sending/receiving attachments), Microsoft Word, RealPlayer and Adobe (PDF).
For more tips on taking a UD Online Course visit: http://www.pcs.udel.edu/udonline/info/tips.html
All undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
In general, any RN who plans to complete all non-nursing and nursing course work with UD Online, should apply at the start of the program. Benefits to early application include: personal advisement; financial aid availability; priority course seating; and prerequisite flexibility. RNs or student RNs may take non-nursing courses at their respective community college, but must formally apply and be admitted prior to starting any nursing course at the University of Delaware.
The University accepts baccalaureate credits from institutions that are fully accredited by the appropriate accrediting association. Credits completed with a grade of “C” or higher, must be applicable to a degree program offered by the University. Please see the link below for the online UD Transfer Matrix. Non-matriculated students can use this online tool to verify transfer ability of community college courses. If your course or school is not listed, please contact the School of Nursing at (302) 831-1253 for transfer credit advisement. Note: Transfer students are required to complete their last 30 credits through the University of Delaware.
Yes. The University of Delaware allows 30 credits for all currently licensed RNs (in lieu of transferring individual nursing courses from previous schooling). UD does not allow college credits for nursing certifications.
No.
Registration opens up approximately 2 months prior to the start of each semester/session. Registration information is available through the UD Online office. Students can attend year round on a full-time or part-time basis.
A current fee schedule for courses (worksite and non-site individual rates) is available on the UD Online web site. Fees are subject to change.
Contact the Registrar's Office phone (302) 831-3121 for a description of the residency requirement.
Yes. Please visit the Scholarships and Financial Aid Office.
Qualified part-time matriculated students may be eligible for financial aid including student loans. For more information, call 1-866-820-0238 (toll free), or email access-advise@udel.edu, and you will be connected with the financial aid counselor at the ACCESS Center.
RN-BSN & RN-MSN program went completely online summer semester of 2010.
All UD online nursing courses are taught by UD campus nursing faculty. All nursing faculty are educated with a minimum of a master's degree and most hold a doctoral degree.
After registering for a course, you will receive access to an online course syllabus listing the name, phone, fax numbers and e-mail address of the professor. We encourage frequent interaction using the most accessible and convenient means of communication.
You will receive a textbook order form with your course registration materials. Textbooks may be ordered online, fax, phone or mail for direct mailing to your home. In order to see what textbooks are required before receiving the course registration materials click here. For more instructions visit the UD Online website.
View the Morris Library home page and open the “Welcome Guide” found on the bottom of the page of the website. An orientation is also included in the NURS 320 Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing.
Graduate – MSN
No. The GRE is no longer a requirement of the graduate application process.
Programs at the University of Delaware have received certification from the specific certifying bodies listed below. Certification by each organization allows the graduate student to sit for that qualifying exam.
Family Nurse/Adult-Gero/Family Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program: Graduates from the programs at the University of Delaware are eligible to sit for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult-Gero Health: Eligible to sit for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pediatrics (Nursing of Children): ANCC exam to be retired in 2016, Students are eligible to sit for national certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).
Graduate students participating in clinical rotations within the state of Delaware are required to have a Delaware nursing license. Students must have a valid nursing license in the state where clinical hours are completed unless it is a compact state.
Clinical rotations can be done in any state. Clinical rotations are subject to final approval by the faculty member teaching the course. Contractual arrangements must be made between each clinical agency and the University of Delaware
Up to nine graduate credits may be transferred from another graduate program, pending approval of the course by the Graduate Education Committee.
Financial aid is dependent on need, as well as full or part-time status. Priority for financial aid is given to the full time student. Check also with your employer for any tutition reimbursement that may be available for you.
The Graduate Programs at the University of Delaware usually run in the Fall and Spring Semesters, but independent studies, scholarly projects, some electives, and some statistics may be offered over the summer.
An Advanced Health Assessment course can be transferred in or taken at the University of Delaware. To count it toward the graduate degree, it needs to be within a five year period.
Students must complete all course requirements within five years of matriculation.
Credit cannot be given for work experience.
To accomodate the busy schedules of many students, the graduate nursing program at the University of Delaware schedules on campus classes to start after three o'clock in the afternoon, Monday through Thursday.
Yes, web classes are offered, with many on a rotating schedule. Check in the Registration Booklet for course availability.
Yes, graduate orientation can be completed online.
Depending on the specialty you select, a program of study, if full time, can run from 18 to 24 months.
The following web sites can provide additional information on certification.
Graduate – PhD
UD’s PhD in Nursing Science Program is an on-site course of study. Students may enroll in courses full time or part time (as of fall 2013); however, UD requires one year of full time study during the period of earning a PhD. The required full time period must be contiguous fall-spring or spring-fall semesters.
During full time enrollment (minimum 9 credits) doctoral students are fully engaged as graduate assistants 20 hours/week (RA or TA), working side-by-side with faculty, and developing their own program of research from the onset of course work. As a full time student it is very difficult to complete course work while also working outside the university in a full time position.
Graduate students in the School of Nursing may request a waiver to work outside the University; however, UD requires graduate students on contract to sign an agreement of priority to program of study. Upon admission, part time students’ program of study will be customized to meet individual need and UD requirements.
Doctoral students in the PhD in Nursing Science Program will be graduate assistants, receive a stipend, tuition waiver, and work 20 hours per week. In order to work outside the University, these doctoral students may seek approval from the UD Office of Graduate and Professional Education and provide a rationale for their request including evidence that their graduate studies will progress as indicated in their plan of study. Priority is given to employment associated with development as a researcher.
Full time doctoral students in the PhD in Nursing Science Program will be graduate assistants, receive a stipend, tuition waiver, and work 20 hours per week. In order to work outside the University, these students may seek approval from the UD Office of Graduate and Professional Education and provide a rationale for their request including evidence that their graduate studies will progress as indicated in their plan of study. Priority is given to employment associated with development as a researcher.
Students enrolled full time in the PhD in Nursing Science Program will receive graduate assistantships that will pay a stipend in exchange for working 20 hours per week as a research assistant or a teaching assistant. See the Graduate and Professional Education website for guidelines and Graduate Funding Policy with stipend rates for the current academic year. Part time students may receive a School of Nursing Scholarship as published on the School’s website.
Research foci of doctoral students must fit within one of the three broad research foci of the School of Nursing (Health Promotion & Risk Reduction Across the Lifespan; Management of Chronic Conditions; Health Systems Management, Policy & Education) and compliment the program of research of one of the School of Nursing faculty who will serve as the doctoral student advisor/mentor.
See the following websites for a description of research studies in the School of Nursing, descriptions of selected funded research studies and profiles of individual School of Nursing faculty.
Students enrolled full time can complete course work within two years, after which students must pass a comprehensive exam, and defend a proposal comprised of the first three chapters of their dissertation research. Depending on the timeframe of these requirements, the nature and complexity of the dissertation research (e.g., design of study, use of human subjects, collaborative sites, data collection and analysis, and successful defense of the dissertation), the PhD program can be completed within a three to four year timeframe. Time to completion for part time students will depend upon the customized plan of study determined at time of admission but must meet the UD requirement of seven (7) years.
UD’s PhD in Nursing Science Program is an on-site course of study. At the present time one PhD level nursing science course is offered online. Statistics, cognate and methodology elective courses are offered by departments outside the College of Health Sciences and may be offered online. In the future, additional courses in nursing science may be offered in an online format. However, to maximize on-site time allotted to course work for each cohort of doctoral students, every attempt is made to arrange course scheduling in blocks of time to best accommodate students and faculty.
An interview is a requirement of the PhD in Nursing Science application process. However, time, place and format of the interview will be negotiated between members of the PhD in Nursing Science Program Sub-committee (who will conduct the interview) and the applicant. Interview options include use of Skype or other telecommunications or electronic means or on-site in the applicant’s home state/city if the program coordinator or committee member is in the geographical area for a professional meeting.
UD requires completion of the program in seven (7) years. Students requiring an extension of their time of study must submit a written request to their academic advisor and the PhD in Nursing Science Program Sub-committee c/o chair/coordinator of program. The request will be forwarded to the UD Office of Graduate and Professional Education. The Office will determine the students’ eligibility for a time extension and will notify the student in writing of its decision to grant an extension.
A requirement of the application process is a copy of a current registered nurse license uploaded as “other documents.”
A requirement for UD’s PhD in Nursing Science Program is a master’s degree in nursing or a health related discipline. At the present time there is no mechanism for admitting BSN graduates into the PhD in Nursing Science Program. This mechanism may be added to the Program in the future.
A recommended GRE score of 1050 (300 – new scoring in 2010) on math and verbal sections combined, must be completed within the last five years. Scores should be forwarded to UD – indicating the school code (5811) and department code (0619).
GRE is required; GRE is not waived for a high GPA.
The rationale for this decision is based on the variation of variables associated with determining GPA at each institution, which are not necessarily from a standardized testing & which make comparing applicants like comparing apples and oranges. Whereas, the GRE results provide a standardized testing score, so we are consistent in comparing one applicant to another using GRE scores. However, certainly GPA along with other requirements of the application is very important. We place a great deal of emphasis on applicants' responses to the personal statement contained within the graduate application.
Of the more than 3 million nurses in the United States less than 1% is PhD-prepared and most of the PhD prepared nurses are working in academic institutions. There is a severe shortage of PhD nurses, including a 6.9% shortage of doctoral prepared faculty, which will double in the next decade as baby boomers retire. As a result, The Future of Nursing report (2011) by the Institute of Medicine recommends a doubling of the number of nurses with doctorates by 2020. Consequently, PhD nurses are in short supply to fill the needed roles of PhD nurses in:
- Academia (e.g., clinical and research faculty),
- Acute care (e.g., research facilitators, project directors, administrators, data managers),
- Community/public health (e.g., administrator, population-based projects),
- Pharmaceutical industry (e.g., research and development, managing drug trials),
- Biomedical industry (e.g., testing new mechanisms, interventions and inventions),
- Non-profits (e.g., advisory and trustee boards), and
- Government sectors (e.g., advisor/consultant at state or federal agencies, elected roles).
