Welcome to the Department of Nursing at Southern Connecticut State University! Whether you are a current or prospective student or a prospective faculty member, I am proud to tell you about the Department and encourage you to further explore our website.

The Department of Nursing at Southern Connecticut State University aspires to become a model for excellence in teaching both the art and science of nursing. Our mission is to prepare both undergraduate and graduate nursing students to deliver humanistic, safe, and evidence-based care within a variety of healthcare environments and provide leadership to improve the quality of the healthcare delivery system.

The Department of Nursing has recently celebrated  its 40^th Anniversary. As we reflect back over the past 40 years we are so proud of the many accomplishments of our faculty (including retired and emeritus faculty), staff, students, and alumni. The Department began with its first class of students in 1969 and graduated this class of  just 13 in 1973. Since the inception of the program, the Department has maintained continuous accreditation. The baccalaureate and master's programs at Southern Connecticut State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20035, (202)887-6791

  We offer a traditional four-year bachelor's degree program, an accelerated career entry (ACE) program for those with a BS or BA in another discipline, and an online RN to BS program.

Our graduate MSN programs were first offered in 1985. Presently, graduate students are able to select one of three tracks: Nursing Education, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Clinical Nurse Leader. Additionally, students who already have an MSN can enter certificate programs in any of these three areas.

The baccalaureate and master's programs at Southern Connecticut State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation).

Now is a great time to think about Careers in Nursing or to advance your career by pursuing a BS degree or MSN. As you probably know, the nation is facing a growing shortage of both nurses and nursing faculty and the demand for these professionals is expected to grow. Additionally, nursing is one of the careers identified as recession proof. I encourage you to learn more about some of our alumni as I am certain that you will be inspired by their professional accomplishments.

We are proud of the growth and accomplishments within the Department. In fact, the Department continues to develop new programs, engaging teaching and learning strategies, and innovative ideas. From our original graduating class of just 13 students, the nursing major at SCSU has been identified as the top selected major on the campus, with approximately 850 students declaring nursing as a major.

I invite you to contact the Department for further information. You might be interested in speaking with one of our faculty or visiting one of our classes. Please let me know how I might assist you. I thank you for visiting our website and I am available to you for any questions that you may have.

Respectfully,

Lisa M. Rebeschi, RN, MSN, CNE

Associate Professor & Department Chairperson

updated 9/10