Curriculum

Overview

The Mercy Hospital School of Nursing (MHSN) is an 84-week program which is organized into two academic calendar years. Each year of the program consists of two sixteen week semesters and one ten week semester. Graduation from the program leads to a diploma in nursing and eligibility to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The nursing program reflects the Judeo-Christian values of UPMC Mercy and provides a value based nursing curriculum. Faculty believes that in order for learning to unfold in a meaningful way, participatory learning and strong dialogical relationship between faculty and students is essential. Critical thinking, multi-cultural communication, the teaching-learning process, evidence based nursing practice, the community and spirituality are critical concepts threaded throughout the curriculum.

The first year of the curriculum focuses on foundations of nursing practice. Students learn basic concepts of nursing practice which progress from simple to complex and apply these concepts in providing quality nursing care for patients across the life span. Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Introduction to Psychology, College Writing, Nutrition and Life Span Development are provided by Carlow University to complement the nursing courses and provide the student with a holistic perspective. Pharmacology is also presented to provide an understanding of principles of drug therapy.

The second year of the curriculum focuses on developing the student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in caring for patients and families in Mental Health Nursing, Acute Medical Surgical Nursing, and Critical Care Nursing. The Complex Nursing course provides the student the opportunity to focus on a specific specialty area such as obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, or community nursing. Microbiology, Introduction to Sociology, and Biomedical Ethics are provided by Carlow University and promote knowledge enrichment for meeting the multicultural health needs of the patients. The terminal nursing course provides an opportunity for the student to develop the management and leadership skills needed for entry level practice as a professional nurse in an ever changing health care arena.

Students exiting the program as a graduate nurse are encouraged to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Many of the Pennsylvania colleges and universities award advanced standing for hospital-based graduates.

Curriculum Objectives

• Internalizes a respect for all life based upon Judeo-Christian values as a basis for culturally sensitive holistic patient care.
• Assumes the role of a caring, competent entry-level professional nurse in autonomous and collaborative practice within a variety of health care settings
• Incorporates critical thinking, evidenced based nursing, and the natural and social sciences in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care across the life span.
• Practices professional accountability through responsible and self-directed behaviors consistent with ethical and legal standards of nursing
• Incorporates principles of teaching and learning process in providing health education with patients, families, and communities.
• Demonstrates a commitment to society through professional and community activities.

Characteristics of the Graduate

The uniqueness of the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing graduate reflects the program basis in the Judeo-Christian values as a philosophical basis for nursing practice. Our graduates internalize the value of respect for human life, possess a deep commitment to caring, display integrity, and demonstrate courage in facing the challenges of an ever changing health care system. The Mercy Hospital School of Nursing graduate has developed advanced critical thinking skills through a significant amount of clinical experiences in a level one Trauma Center. Through active involvement in professional organizations and a deep commitment to continuing education and community service, the Mercy Hospital graduate advocates for patient care and the profession of nursing.

Program Goals

• Provide an educational process which enables the student to achieve the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to assume an entry level position in nursing in a variety of health care settings.
• Create an environment which assists the student to internalize the Judeo-Christian values.
  Establish a student focused learning environment to meet the needs of a diverse student population.
• Foster a commitment to personal and professional development through life-long learning, involvement in professional organizations and community service.

Curriculum Plan

Summer Vacation July and August