The Division of Nursing supports the mission of the College, which is to provide opportunities for a diverse population of students to become nurses. The Associate of Science in Nursing program fosters individual growth, personal development, and critical thinking; it prepares graduates for entry-level positions.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits the Associate of Science in Nursing program. The faculty members support the ACEN educational outcomes concerning roles and competencies of Associate of Science in Nursing degree programs.
ACEN may be contacted at the following address:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
The Associate of Science in Nursing degree maintains full approval status by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.
Mission of the Division of Nursing
Consistent with Labouré’s mission and vision, the nursing program provides quality nursing education at the associate and baccalaureate level to develop competent, caring nursing professionals. Graduates are prepared to meet the diverse and changing health care needs of a challenging health care environment. This education occurs in an environment that is centered in the Catholic academic tradition and incorporates liberal arts and science into nursing practice. Graduates are prepared to assume roles within the various levels of the health care system and are encouraged to continue the process of life-long learning.
Philosophy of the Division of Nursing
The faculty values the roles of both the associate degree and the bachelor degree nurse within the nursing profession. Faculty believes that the associate degree graduate is prepared to function as a competent entry level practitioner in a variety of health care settings. The faculty educates baccalaureate generalist nurses to assume increasing professional responsibilities in health care. Inherent within our Mission for life-long learning, all graduates are encouraged to advance their professional education to meet the demands of an ever-changing diverse healthcare environment.
The faculty believes that:
- Learning is a lifelong process. The relationship between teacher and learner is one that remains dynamic and fosters the development of self-regulated learning and critical thinking.
- Nursing education is an interactive process between student and faculty. This process promotes the integration and application of knowledge that leads to professional nursing practice.
- Students should be empowered to implement and maintain standards of nursing practice and patient care consistent with evidence-based practice.
- Students need to acquire an awareness of social justice to advocate for patients, themselves, and their communities.
- Cultural, ethnic, racial and religious diversity is evident and supported throughout the nursing program. The faculty acknowledges diversity and is committed to meeting the unique learning needs of every student.
- A climate of mutual respect, honesty and professionalism should exist between faculty and students. The faculty feels that these are important qualities inherent to professional nursing practice.
The nursing program has developed goals and program outcomes for both the associate and baccalaureate graduates and both programs subscribe to the same mission and philosophy.
Curriculum
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program provides a concept-based curriculum to prepare students for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). In addition to preparatory Nursing courses, Arts and Sciences courses in the sciences and humanities are an integral part of the curriculum. Clinical experiences are planned in a variety of healthcare settings to achieve the educational outcomes of the curriculum.
Nursing education at the College utilizes a variety of evidence-based teaching modalities. Classroom lectures, discussions, group projects, research papers, eLearning resources, Nursing simulation and skills laboratory sessions, and select clinical experiences help prepare graduates to meet the challenges of today’s healthcare environment.
Qualifying Requirements for Licensure to Practice Nursing and Good Moral Character
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing requires all applicants to answer specific questions related to criminal conviction or disciplinary actions when applying for nurse licensure or APRN authorization to ensure that the conduct of each applicant to whom it grants a license, authorization, or both, does not pose an unacceptable risk to the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
Applicants for initial licensure by examination, by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (Board) must comply with the “good moral character” (GMC) requirement specified at Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 112, sections 74, 74A and 76. The Board requires all applicants to answer specific questions related to criminal convictions or disciplinary actions when applying for nurse licensure to ensure that the conduct of each applicant to whom it grants a license, authorization, or both, does not pose an unacceptable risk to the public health, safety and welfare.
- The application for licensure is completed under penalty of perjury.
- Any applicant answering “YES” to any of the specific GMC question will need to complete the GMC process.
- Applicants should allow a minimum of eight (8) weeks to complete GMC evaluation after all required documents have been received. Failure to submit a complete application, fees, and/or required documents will delay review of the applicant’s materials. Applicants will receive written notification of the Board’s decision once a determination has been made.
- The Required Documentation: Only for those applicants answering "Yes" to any of the GMC questions can be found at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/good-moral-character-requirements-for-nursing-licensure
For more information regarding the GMC and/or the CORI requirements, please refer to the following websites:
GMC Policy 00-01 https://www.mass.gov/service-details/good-moral-character-requirements-for-nursing-licensure
GMC Information/Questions & Answers: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/good-moral-character-requirements-for-nursing-licensure
Graduates of Board-approved nursing programs must pass the NCLEX –RN to become a registered nurse. There is a licensure application and application fee required by the MA Board of Nursing. The process for application for licensure and registration for the exam will be distributed during the final professional nursing course. These examinations are offered throughout the year and administered through the National Council of States Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in conjunction with Pearson VUE. MA Board of Nursing examination results are mailed directly to the candidate. A graduate of a board-approved nursing program may not practice as a register nurse (RN) until their license appears of the MA Board of Nursing website at: https://checkalicense.hhs.state.ma.us/MyLicenseVerification/
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/10/wq/good-moral-info.pdf
Labouré College offers three semesters in an academic year. Professional Nursing courses are offered in the Fall and Spring. During the Summer semester, students enrolled in the accelerated and LPN-to-RN programs have priority registration for clinical-based courses.