Merrimack College Nursing Major
Merrimack’s nursing program, anchored by a state-of-the-art Nursing Center, offers an innovative nursing major combining evidence-based nursing practices and theoretical and clinical coursework.
What You’ll Learn
Merrimack’s nursing program will prepare you to:
- Think critically in fast-paced health care environments and provide safe, patient-centered care.
- Adapt to emerging and rapidly changing health care settings using cutting-edge technology.
- Promote and provide compassionate inter-professional health care to diverse individuals, families and communities at the local, national and/or global levels.
- Communicate effectively with patients, families and the inter-professional team.
- Demonstrate emerging leadership qualities in multiple settings.
Hands-on Learning
In collaboration with dedicated faculty members who are passionate about helping others, you’ll leverage state-of-the-art technology to explore all elements of the nursing profession while developing your nursing, communication, interdisciplinary and leadership skills. Your coursework will be complemented by partnerships with local health care organizations, where you’ll gain the hands-on experience you need to deliver safe, personalized and effective care.
Innovative Learning Environment
You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and enhance your skills using innovative technology in Merrimack’s modern labs and new Nursing Center. Highlights of the new space include high fidelity simulation manikins, six simulation labs, and equipment used in clinical settings, such as IV pumps, hospital beds, oxygen flow meters and a medication administration system. You’ll also work with our individual student electronic health records through ATI (Assessment Technology Incorporated).
Hundreds of Clinical/Lab and Simulation Hours
As part of your nursing major requirements, you will clock more than 750 clinical/lab and simulation hours using cutting-edge technology, including:
- Simulation integration in all nursing courses
- Simulation labs
- Latest simulation manikins
- Current Lab Equipment
- iPads in the classroom
- Individual student electronic health record
- Medication Administration Systems
Nursing Program Affiliations
Hospitals & Medical Centers
- Anna Jaques Hospital, Newburyport, MA
- Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Boston, MA
- Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Needham, MA
- Beverly Hospital, Beverly, MA
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
- Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Elliot Hospital, Manchester, NH
- Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NH
- Lahey Clinic Hospital, Burlington, MA
- Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence, MA
- Lowell General Hospital, Lowell, MA
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
- Melrose Wakefield Hospital, Melrose, MA
- North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA
- Parkland Medical Center Hospital, Derry, NH
- Pentucket Medical Center, Andover and Haverhill, MA
- Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Portsmouth, NH
- Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Worcester, MA
- Stewart Holy Family Hospital, Methuen, MA
- Tewksbury Hospital, Tewksbury, MA
- Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA (pending)
- Winchester Hospital, Winchester, MA
- UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
Rehab & Nursing Centers
- Academy Manor, Andover, MA
- Bear Hill Rehab & Nursing Center, Stoneham, MA
- Bear Mountain/Prescott House, North Andover, MA
- Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals of NE, Multiple Locations throughout MA
- Genesis Rehabilitation – Sutton Hill, North Andover, MA
- Hannah Duston Healthcare Center, Haverhill, MA
- Ledgewood Rehab & Skilled Nursing Center, Beverly, MA
- Marathon Health Solutions, Braintree, MA
- Mary Immaculate Health/Care Services, Lawrence, MA
- Masconomet Healthcare Center, Topsfield, MA
- The Meadows Health Center at Edgewood, North Andover, MA
- Northeast Rehab Hospital, Salem, NH
- Penacook Place, Haverhill, MA
- Port Healthcare Center, Newburyport, MA
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA
- Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital, Bradford, MA
Career Options - Nursing Major Jobs
Merrimack’s nursing program is highly focused on hands-on learning opportunities that give you the experience you need to become a safe, compassionate caregiver and leader in today’s growing market for the nursing profession. Nursing major salaries are very competitive and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the nursing job outlook is much faster than average.
Nursing graduates can pursue careers in a variety of settings, including hospitals, acute care centers, ambulatory and outpatient clinics, community and public health services, as well as skilled nursing facilities. You may also be eligible to work in specialized fields of nursing, such as neonatal or intensive care, telemetry, labor and delivery, pediatrics, or emergency medicine.
Thinking about graduate studies? This program will prepare you for graduate studies at the master’s and doctoral level to pursue careers such as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse educator, or clinical nurse specialist.
Nursing Major Requirements
As a nursing major, you’ll take a combination of mandatory and elective courses. Nursing major classes include:
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II
- Intro to Professional Nursing
- Nursing Fundamentals & Health Assessment
- Care Considerations for the Older Adult with Chronic Conditions.*
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Pathopharmacology I and II
- Pediatric Nursing
- Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice
- Obstetrical & Newborn Nursing
- Community/Public Health Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing Care
- Critical Care Nursing
- Role Transition
- Capstone Preceptorship
- Capstone Synthesis
* In this course you will obtain a certificate in dementia training
Merrimack’s nursing program focuses on preparing you to be a highly experienced, well-rounded and compassionate caregiver. Our curriculum has been built to allow you to pursue other passions by obtaining a minor in another complementary field. You have the opportunity to pursue a minor in fields such as Spanish, bioethics, public health, psychology, or other fields of interest.
Nursing Handbook & Addendum
Please review both the current nursing handbook and the addendum with important changes below.
97.4% NCLEX Pass Rate
In May 2023, the first cohort of 38 nursing students graduated from Merrimack. Our first time NCLEX pass rate is 97.4%, with an overall pass rate of 100% for the Class of 2023.
Nursing Application Checklist
- Common Application or Merrimack Application (no fee to apply)
- Official secondary school transcripts
- Secondary School Report (SSR)
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor
Courses You’ll Take
Nursing Major Curriculum
Nursing Major Requirements
General Education Requirements
In addition to the major requirements below, you will also need to complete Merrimack’s general education requirements.
To see more details about the major, please visit catalog.Merrimack.edu.
Sample Curriculum Guide
Nursing Mission
Built on our Augustinian Catholic tradition, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program carries out the College’s mission by educating and preparing competent nursing graduates to provide evidence-based, safe, quality nursing care in a diverse and dynamic global health care environment. Graduates will be empowered to serve as collaborative leaders who advance health care for individuals and populations and who are dedicated to lifelong learning and driven by a spirit of inquiry.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Merrimack College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.
Merrimack College has been granted Initial Approval status through the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for the operation of its Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nurse Program.
