Utica College is a small private college nestled in central New York state. Though it has its roots as an extension campus of Syracuse University in the 1930s, Utica College received independent accreditation from the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in 1995.
Utica’s nursing program, independently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, qualifies graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX). In addition to a well-rounded liberal arts education, nursing students at Utica receive detailed instruction in fundamental sciences and applied skills training. Clinical experience in patient care is also a vital component to these programs. There are three options available at Utica for nursing students. Read More
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a 4-year program designed for students who have had no formal training in nursing. Students focus on health assessment, clinical pharmacology, nursing management and community health, among other topics. The curriculum is rigorous and demanding, covering specialized areas like critical care, pediatrics, psychiatry, and maternal and newborn nursing. Students in this program must complete clinical practica as part of their training.
Licensed registered nurses (RNs) who wish to augment an associate degree in nursing may opt for the Utica’s online RN-to-BSN program. Coursework is exclusively online, and there are no requirements for clinicals or residencies. Designed for working nurses, this program can be completed within 3 years and further qualifies nursing professionals for management positions in the field.
A third option is the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program. Designed for future nurses who hold accredited bachelor’s degrees in other areas, this program qualifies graduates to sit for the NCLEX in 16 months. This program is intense and competitive, administered through a combination of online study and clinical practica.
All nursing students at Utica have the opportunity to learn in the hands-on setting of the Albert and Gloria Shaheen Nursing Laboratory. This learning lab features an examination bay with exam tables and diagnostic equipment, a 10-bed section that mimics a hospital floor and its patient care systems, a nursing station complete with reference tools, patient charts, computers and requisite patient paperwork, smart classrooms, and high-tech conference areas for lectures. This learning lab closely resembles actual patient care settings in a hospital or doctor’s office and serves as a valuable teaching model for aspiring nurses.