Nursing involves the care and counsel of the ill and injured, the maintenance of health, and the prevention of illness. Delhi's Nursing programs prepare graduates to become licensed practical nurses or registered nurses.

In New York State, the licensed practical nurse (LPN) must practice under the supervision of a doctor or a registered nurse (RN). Registered nurses may practice in a greater variety of settings and with more autonomy. Such care is dependent on knowledge of the liberal arts and biological, physical, and social sciences. Therefore, the Nursing programs require instruction in these disciplines.

The Instructional Program

The Associate Degree in Nursing is a two-year program. Within the A.A.S. degree program, students have the option of working toward a one-year certificate in Practical Nursing.  Students interested in this option must discuss it with their academic advisor. Delhi's Nursing program is accredited by the NLNAC, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326; phone: 404-975-5000. To be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination for registered nursing, students must complete the Associate Degree in Nursing. Students completing the one-year certificate program are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination for licensed practical nursing.

Delhi's Nursing programs provide individual attention to meet the needs of a diverse group of students, including recent high school graduates and adults seeking career changes and advancement. To help students acquire and develop skills, the program provides a skills laboratory, computer laboratory, and video programs.

The Nursing programs consist of a combination of theoretical and clinical courses. Classroom, laboratory, and actual clinical settings are used for educational purposes. The goal is to educate students to deliver optimum total patient care in uncomplicated situations. Students learn to take responsibility for their clients and to make mature decisions with regard to the physical and psychosocial needs of each client. The combination of classroom instruction and clinical experience gives students many opportunities to apply their theoretical knowledge to clinical practice. Clinical rotations are provided at several hospitals, nursing homes, physicians' offices, and mental health facilities.

The Medical-Surgical Nursing courses are sequential in a fall/spring continuum and must be taken in correct order with a clinical component.

Full- and part-time study is available within the Nursing curriculum. If part-time study is pursued, a student must complete program requirements within a specified number of semesters.

Transportation to clinical sites is the responsibility of the individual student. Because of the clinical component, special uniforms, health requirements, and immunizations are required of nursing students. Students will receive information about this after they are accepted into the program.

To qualify for graduation, students must earn a grade of C+ or Pass in each Nursing course, a grade of C or better in all other required courses, and a Pass in all clinical courses. Program graduates are eligible to take the appropriate exam for licensure. Nursing is a licensure program and has special requirements for entry and licensure. This information should be utilized when making career choices. Conviction for a felony or misdemeanor may affect an individual's right to be licensed. Applicants with concerns should contact the Albany Licensing Bureau at 1-800-342-3729.

Partnership for Nursing Opportunities

SUNY Delhi, Hartwick College, and Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown have joined forces to provide attractive and affordable paths to both associate and baccalaureate degrees in Nursing, as well as employment with a major regional healthcare provider. The program is sequential and begins with entrance in the A.A.S program in Nursing at Delhi. After completing the first year of study, attaining a certificate in Practical Nursing, and passing the LPN exam, a student is eligible for employment at Bassett Healthcare. The student can then work full time and continue on through a specially designed educational program leading first to an associate degree in Nursing from Delhi and then to a bachelor degree in Nursing from Hartwick College. Special financial aid is available to program participants. For additional information, contact Delhi's Enrollment Services Office at 1-800-96-DELHI.

Curriculum

SUNY Curriculum Code: 0622

SUNY General Education Requirements: Students who intend to receive A.A., A.S., or baccalaureate degrees must satisfy SUNY and campus General Education (GE) requirements to graduate. Students should be aware that GE requirements may vary by academic program. Consult with your academic advisor. For general information, see the "General Education" section of this catalog.

A.A.S. and A.O.S. degree students may not be required to fulfill General Education (GE) requirements; however, any student who may wish to transfer should complete as many GE courses as possible. Consult with your academic advisor.

First Year Concentration Core Courses:

First Year Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements:

Second Year Concentration Core Courses:

Second Year Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements:

Note:

^* English is by placement according to competency.

Degree Requirements: 69 credit hours, a grade of 75% or better in each Nursing course, a grade of 70% or better in all other required courses, and a Pass in all clinical courses.

Technical Standards:  In addition to academic requirements, all applicants must also be able to meet the minimum Technical Standards for the program, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• be a high school graduate with a minimum overall average of 80
• have a minimum grade of 80 on Algebra and laboratory-based Biology Regents exams
• have Professional Rescuer Certification in CPR (American Red Cross or American Heart Association Course C)
• have a current immunization record (including Hepatitis B vaccine)

Additionally,

• High school chemistry is strongly recommended.
• Students requesting to transfer from another school of nursing must provide a letter of recommendation from the department chair or director.
• While not a requirement, it is an advantage to complete the English, Anatomy and Physiology, and/or psychology requirement prior to enrolling in the program.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the Nursing A.A.S. program, graduates should be able to:

1. Adhere to evidence-base standards of professional practice; be accountable for her/his own actions and behaviors; and practice nursing within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks.
2. Apply effective communication directed toward promoting positive outcomes and establishing a trusting relationship with diverse populations. 
3. Collect, integrate, and critique information from a variety of sources to establish a foundation for provision of nursing care with diverse populations.
4. Utilize effective decision-making that results in devising and prioritizing solutions, individualizing care to diverse populations, and assuring the delivery of competent, safe care.
5. Integrate caring behaviors and actions which facilitate individuals, families, and diverse populations in achieving their health-care goals.
6. Design and evaluate health education to promote and facilitate informed decision-making, achieve positive outcomes, and support self-care activities with diverse populations.
7. Communicate effectively as advocate, liaison, coordinator, and colleague within the health care team to meet the needs of the individual, family, and diverse populations, as well as organizational outcomes.
8. Construct and coordinate care--including human, physical, financial, and technological resources--in collaboration with the health care team to support client and organizational outcomes.