Why UD Nursing?

Accreditation

The University of Delaware nursing program has full accreditation from the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Attending an accredited program assures a person of transferability of state license and eligibility for admission to graduate programs.

Direct Admission to Nursing

In many other programs students apply to a pre-nursing program, generally the first two years of a four-year program. As they near completion of that phase, they then apply to enter nursing. At the University of Delaware , students who are admitted to nursing as freshman are guaranteed a place in the nursing program, provided they meet all program requirements.

Guaranteed Course Capacity

In some other nursing programs nursing course capacity is limited, causing students to be delayed by a semester or even a year while waiting to enter a particular sequential nursing course. At the University of Delaware, the School Director expands or contracts course capacity to accommodate all nursing majors to ensure timely completion of the program.

Take Classes with all Majors

During the first two years of the program, nursing students take courses with other majors at the university.

Nursing Courses Begin in the Freshman Year

In other BSN programs nursing courses typically do not begin until the junior year. At the University of Delaware students begin with an introductory nursing course in fall semester of the freshman year and begin basic nursing skill development in the spring semester of the freshman year.

Variety of Clinical Experiences

During clinical experiences students rotate through many different types of health care agencies. The University of Delaware holds contractual agreements with all major hospitals in New Castle County and the surrounding areas as well as a wide variety of community-based settings. Students may have clinical experiences locally in Newark and Wilmington or more regionally in southern Delaware, Elkton, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in southern New Jersey.

Students graduate as generalists in nursing having had clinical experiences in pediatric, maternity, psychiatric-mental health, medical-surgical, and community nursing. In the senior year students are given the opportunity to select a precepted clinical experience in a variety of specialty areas depending on their interests and clinical site availability.

Nursing Electives

As part of the curriculum, students must take two nursing elective courses, although they may take more. We currently offer about 12 different elective courses ranging from traditional areas such as pediatric and maternity nursing to topics such as emergency room nursing, critical care, oncology, health care for the homeless, and transcultural nursing. Some students enjoy taking a nursing elective during one of the winter sessions offering study abroad.

Active Student Nurses Organizations

Upon entering the nursing program all students are encouraged to participate in the Student Nurses Organization, part of the National Student Nurses' Organization. Minority students are also invited to participate in the Black Nurses Association. Members of the two student nurses organizations have been involved in a variety of community activities including blood pressure screenings, cholesterol screenings, flu shot administration, participating in an annual heart walk, and adopting a family at Christmas. Professional leadership opportunities are available to students participating in these organizations.

Competitive Salaries upon Graduation

For the past several years, graduates of the College of Health Sciences have had the highest or second highest starting salary of any graduate of the university, following the College of Engineering . Starting salaries average $45,000 to $50,000 a year. The current job market is excellent for nurses as evidenced by a variety of promotional offers for new hires including expanded benefits and sign-on bonuses.

Graduate Program

Students graduating with the BSN from the University of Delaware are adequately prepared for and encouraged to consider graduate nursing studies. The University of Delaware offers a variety of graduate nursing specialties for nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and health services administration.