AS in Nursing
Earn the associate degree in nursing and prepare to launch your career as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Nursing is one of the most rewarding and in-demand professions. There is a shortage of nurses nationwide, with the number of nurses needed outpacing the number of qualified RNs. RNs provide patient care in hospitals, doctors’ offices, healthcare facilities and home healthcare settings and schools. The associate degree in nursing positions graduates to earn RN licensure as well as to further their nursing education, for example, through an accelerated RN-to-BSN program.
About the Program
Length: 2-3 years
Courses: 72 credits
The associate degree in nursing (ADN) at Sacred Heart University prepares you for the evolving demands of a nursing career. You will establish a strong foundation through a curriculum that combines nursing theory and hands-on clinical experience with the humanities, science, mathematics and social sciences. Major courses in nursing cover a spectrum of healthcare concepts, including:
- Maternal newborn
- Pediatric
- Family care
- Physiological systems
- Psycho-social care
- Nutrition
- Pharmacology
- Leadership and management
- Legal-ethical principles
Faculty members are experienced, caring teachers dedicated to excellence in nursing education, patient care and our mission to develop the whole person.
This program is for part-time, commuter students only.
Clinical Experience
Hands-on experience is essential to nursing education. Nursing classes for the associate degree are held in dedicated skills and simulation labs in the heart of Sacred Heart's Park Avenue campus. These labs feature interactive mannikins that simulate real-world medical conditions, as well as extensive tools for training.
Clinical rotations place students alongside nurses at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Stamford Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital and other healthcare facilities throughout southwestern Connecticut. Associate degree nursing students complete 700 hours of clinical experience to prepare them for a nursing career upon graduation.
Outcomes
The associate degree in nursing graduate will:
- Utilize knowledge, skills, and attitudes to demonstrate safe and competent care utilizing evidence-based practice and current standards of nursing care.
- Integrate respectful and professional principles of communication while interacting with members of the multidisciplinary team, clients, and family members.
- Incorporate course concepts while providing holistic care across the lifespan to clients with varied cultural and spiritual backgrounds and demonstrating respect for client rights to participate in care decisions.
- Demonstrate professional responsibility by maintaining competence and practicing within the legal and ethical frameworks of the nursing profession.
- Utilize clinical judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills using the nursing process to guide nursing practice.
- Use information technology to provide and manage error-free client care, communicate with clients and health team members, educate, and make critical decisions that optimize client outcomes.
- Apply sound leadership and management skills when prioritizing, delegating, and supervising nursing care.
Review detailed Nursing Program Outcomes.
Curriculum
Nursing Core Curriculum | 33 Credits
In addition to the courses below, a humanities elective course is also required.
Lecture on the investigation of cell structure and function, tissues, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion. Nursing students only.
Prerequisite: Co:Take BI-127
Laboratory involves investigation of cell structure and function, tissues, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Co: Take BI-126
Lecture involves the investigation of the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion. Nursing students only.
Prerequisite: Pre: BI-126 BI-127
Laboratory involves the investigation of the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Pre: BI 126 and BI-127
A course focused on the study of microorganisms with emphasis on morphology, cultivation, genetics of bacteria, viruses and fungi, and infectious diseases caused by these microbes. Three hours of lecture per week. Nursing students only.
Prerequisite: Co: Take BI-162
Laboratory work stresses aseptic technique and the microscopic, nutritional, and biochemical characteristics of bacteria. One three-hour laboratory period per week.
Prerequisite: Co: Take BI-161
These two seminars are Sacred Heart University's academic signature common core. They are a direct reflection of the University's Mission. These seminars provide students with an understanding of the roots and development of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition as an interdisciplinary, ongoing 2,000 year conversation between the great writers, thinkers, and artists of the Tradition and the cultures in which they lived, asking fundamental questions about God, humanity, nature, and society. Using seminar pedagogy, these seminars ask students to join in this conversation and relate the texts and ideas of the seminars to students own lives and to the world in which they live.
Prerequisite: Take FYS or FYWS 125
In this course, students learn about and use the writing process to reflect on and develop their communication skills, with particular attention to the academic and professional forms they will use in and outside of the university.
Designed exclusively for Nursing students. Topics include college-level algebra, graphing, basic trigonometric functions, and appropriate applications for the health sciences. It is a problem-solving approach to mathematics.
Are there good reasons for acting morally? Are consequences relevant to the morality of actions, or only our intentions? What is the nature of moral virtue? What is a good life? This course provides systematic analysis of such questions, drawing from important works in the history of moral philosophy and engaging with pressing contemporary ethical issues.
Introduction to psychology as the science of behavior, focusing on the physiological, cognitive, learning, sociocultural, and psychodynamic bases of behavior.
This course examines the human growth and development across the lifespan. Emphasis is on major theories and perspectives as they relate to the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of development from conception to death. Nursing & Health Science students only.
Prerequisite: PS-110
Credits may be transferred toward the core curriculum if credit and grade minimums are met. Review our associate degree transfer credit policy.
Nursing Major Curriculum | 39 Credits
Introduction to Nursing Practice is the first course of four focused on adult nursing. This course explores the roles of the nurse in relation to providing patient-centered care to patients with common medical/surgical health problems. Emphasis is placed on the use of the nursing process in relation to course content. Course content emphasizes health promotion, disease/injury prevention, disease management, and health maintenance. Themes of pharmacotherapeutics, gerontological considerations, safety, evidence-based practice, therapeutic communication, as well as patient education and advocacy are explored. This course incorporates critical thinking, clinical reasoning, clinical judgment, assessment, and technical skills, into classroom and clinical learning experiences. A structured experience in the simulation lab is included to integrate the nursing process with new nursing interventions. Course content will focus on common health problems related to fluid and electrolytes, pulmonary, neurologic, cardiovascular, urinary, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders, problems of metabolism, sensation/ perception, and circulation. Clinical experiences will be conducted in subacute care settings. 7 credit hours (60 hours theory, 135 hours clinical)
Prerequisite: Take BI-126 BI-127 BI-128 BI-129 BI-161 BI-162ý& FYWS-125 MA-105 PS-110
This course introduces students to basic concepts of pharmacology used to promote, support, and restore the health status of individuals. Course content will focus on the pharmacodynamics and the pharmacotherapeutics of a broad range of drugs and their biologic, psychosocial, and cultural role in health and illness. Critical thinking with the application of the nursing process will be stressed in the assessment of patient responses, discussion of nursing implications of various drug groups, therapeutic interventions, and related evaluations. Throughout the course, issues of legal, ethical, and professional accountability will be addressed as they pertain to the safe administration of medications. Laboratory practice will focus on the development of medication administration and supporting documentation. 3 credit hours (2.5 hours theory, 0.5 hours Lab)
Prerequisite: Take BI-126 BI-127 BI-128 BI-129 BI-161 BI-162;ý& FYWS-125 MA-105 PS-110;
This course is designed to offer the student the opportunity to utilize the nursing process caring for families during the childbearing and the child-rearing years through adolescence. Course content will focus on common, acute, chronic, and complex healthcare concerns for the population. Throughout the course, issues of legal, ethical, and professional accountability will be addressed as they pertain to the care of the maternal newborn and pediatric population. Concepts of nutrition, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, safety, and population nursing trends are integrated throughout the course. Clinical experiences will be conducted in acute/subacute care settings. 4 credit hours (45 hours theory, 42 hours clinical)
Prerequisite: Take NUR-101 NUR-120
Adult Nursing II is the second of four courses focusing on care of adult patients. This course explores the roles of the nurse in relation to providing patient-centered care to patients with common medical/surgical health problems. Course content emphasizes health promotion, disease/injury prevention, disease management, and health maintenance. Continuing themes of pharmacotherapeutics, gerontological considerations, safety, evidence-based practice, therapeutic communication, as well as patient education and advocacy are explored. This course incorporates critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment into classroom and clinical learning experiences. A structured experience in the simulation lab is included to integrate the nursing process with new nursing interventions. Course content will focus on common health problems related to fluid and electrolytes, pulmonary, neurologic, cardiovascular, urinary, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders, problems of metabolism, sensation/ perception, circulation, and perioperative care. Students are offered experience in pre-, peri-, and post-operative nursing care. Clinical experiences will be conducted in acute/subacute care settings. 6 credit hours (45 hours theory, 126 hours clinical)
Prerequisite: Take NUR-101 NUR-120
This course introduces students to the basic concepts and frameworks of psychiatric and mental health nursing. Introduction to assessment and treatment of patients with mental health challenges is emphasized. Traditional psychotherapeutic and alternative healing methods are discussed. Growth and development across the lifespan including gerontology, safety, evidence-based practice, therapeutic communications, pharmacotherapeutics, client advocacy, teaching, and patient-centered care are explored. Concepts related to social/ethical/legal considerations in relation to this vulnerable population are applied. Emphasis is placed on professionalism, communication, and personal self-awareness and self-growth as well as interprofessional collaboration and communication. Students implement the nursing process and develop beginning-level clinical skills in individual and group recovery focused care at a variety of mental health agencies and with a diverse group of psychiatric clients. 4 credit hours (30 hours theory, 84 hours clinical)
Prerequisite: Take Nur-123 and Nur-124 or Nur-122
Adult Nursing III is the third of four courses focusing on adult nursing. This course explores the roles of the nurse in relation to providing patient-centered care to patients with complex medical/surgical health problems. Course content emphasizes health promotion, disease/injury prevention, disease management, and health maintenance. Continuing themes of pharmacotherapeutics, gerontological considerations, safety, evidence-based practice, therapeutic communication, multiculturalism, as well as patient education and advocacy are explored. This course incorporates critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment along with evidence-based practice and the utilization of informatics while promoting synthesis of knowledge and interprofessional collaboration. Course content will focus on common, acute, chronic, and complex health problems related to pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, hematological, oncological, infectious disease, hepatobiliary, and neurological. A structured experience in the simulation lab is included to practice advanced nursing interventions required to care for high-risk emergencies in a safe, controlled environment. Clinical experiences will be conducted in acute care settings. 6 credit hours (45 hours theory, 126 hours clinical)
Prerequisite: Take NUR-123 and NUR-124 or NUR-122
Adult Nursing IV is the fourth course to focus on care of the adult patient. This course explores the roles of the nurse in relation to providing patient-centered care to patients with complex medical/surgical health problems. Course content emphasizes health promotion, disease/injury prevention, disease management, and health maintenance. Continuing themes of pharmacotherapeutics, gerontological considerations, safety, evidence-based practice, therapeutic communication, multiculturalism, as well as patient education and advocacy are explored. This course incorporates critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment along with evidence-based practice and the utilization of informatics while promoting synthesis of knowledge and interprofessional collaboration. Course content will focus on common, acute, chronic, and complex health problems related to pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, hematological, oncological, infectious disease, hepatobiliary, and neurological. A structured experience in the simulation lab is included to practice advanced nursing interventions required to care for high-risk emergencies in a safe, controlled environment. Clinical experiences will be conducted in acute care settings. 6 credit hours (45 hours theory, 126 hours clinical)
Prerequisite: Nur-230 Nur-231
This course facilitates student synthesis of total program content and experiences. Students are offered opportunities to fully incorporate the values of the profession, principles of leadership, patient centered care, and legal-ethical concepts in their nursing care as they assume the role of an associates nurse generalist. Critical discussions of professional issues prepare graduates for a successful transition into their first nursing role. Students will be expected to apply and synthesize previous course content while demonstrating accountability to self, peers, and the program as they prepare to take the NCLEX exam. Students analyze and evaluate individual learning needs and develop a learning contract to meet deficiencies. Content mastery testing is utilized to prepare students for the NCLEX exam. 3 credit hours (30 hours theory, 42 hours clinical)
Prerequisite: Take NUR-230 NUR-231
Automatic Admission to the RN to BSN Program
Graduates of the Associate of Science in Nursing program who meet admission criteria will be automatically accepted into Sacred Heart University’s RN to BSN program, ensuring a seamless transition to further their nursing education. Eligible students can begin their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) coursework in Summer 1 immediately following their May graduation, allowing them to continue building their skills and advancing their careers without interruption. This streamlined pathway supports students in achieving their professional goals while benefiting from SHU’s high-quality nursing education.
Accreditation
The AS in Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN). 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. (404-975-5000)
The ADN at Sacred Heart University offers a quality nursing education to students looking to jump right into the field. This next generation of skilled RNs will help to meet the urgent demand for nurses in Connecticut and nationwide. Associate degree nurses have long been the backbone of the nursing workforce at the bedside. We are excited to offer this educational option in our College!
Where Can You Go with an Associate Degree in Nursing?
Start your career as an RN while earning a bachelor's degree with SHU.
Questions? Contact Us
If you have questions throughout the application process, contact: