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Nursing - Traditional Program

Bachelor of Science
  • 122 Credits
  • School of Health and Natural Sciences
  • Dobbs Ferry
Get on the fast track to becoming a nurse

Nursing - Traditional Program Overview

The Traditional 4-Year Nursing Program is designed to provide education in preparation for licensure and professional nursing practice. The program offers traditional face-to-face classes. Clinical learning experiences will be conducted via a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory as well as traditional, hands-on, instructor-supervised training in Westchester County and New York City health care facilities.

This education experience will provide the preparation needed for the challenging and diverse health care needs of our community and throughout the United States. Upon successful completion, students will earn a baccalaureate degree, be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and be qualified for admission to graduate nursing programs.

Nursing Fast Facts

The Mercy Advantage

  • Highly interactive mannequins are housed in the Clinical Skills and Simulation Lab, which students utilize in order to gain experience, refine fundamental skills, establish priorities and safely apply learned concepts     
  • Experienced dedicated and caring faculty with clinical certifications and expertise in designated specialties
IPE Simulation

Interprofessional Education in Simulation Labs

Students from various health professions work with a simulated patient (a student actor from the college) in one of the simulation labs.  These interprofessional experiences help students learn about other professions’ roles and responsibilities, values and ethics, and teamwork.  These simulated experiences prepare them for their real-world clinical experiences.

Nursing students engaged in an IPE experience

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The Nursing Program at Mercy College

Just listen and watch as students in our nursing program describe their education: personal, cutting edge, and preparing them for success!

Simulation Lab at Mercy College

Susan Moscou discusses the Simulation Lab at Mercy College and how it prepares Nurses to succeed.

THANK YOU to all our essential workers!!!

Heartfelt thanks from all of us at Mercy College for the work of our awesome students, faculty, staff, and alumni on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19: School of Health and Natural Science

Our School of Health and Natural Sciences is donating critical medical supplies in the effort to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. Mavericks make a difference. Now and always.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, students will be assigned a nursing program faculty advisor.

Yes, the Traditional Nursing Program is a pre-licensure program. The program prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam after completion of the program.

Yes, Mercy College offers a wide variety of financial aid programs, both economically need based and academic. In addition, information regarding other financial aid opportunities can be found at the following links: Tylenol Scholarships (http://www.tylenol.com/news/scholarship); AACN-RN AACN Members Scholarship (http://www.aacn.org/wd/memberships/ content/scholarship-information-instructions.pcms?menu=membership#Eligibility); National Black Nurses Association (http://www.nbna.org/content.asp?contentid=82); National Hispanic Nurses Association (https://www.nahnnet.org/Scholarships); Minority Nurse (http://www.minoritynurse.com/scholarship/minority-nurse-magazine-scholarship-program).

Students are not required to meet with anyone from admissions.

Four years full time study.

Contact the Admissions Office at admissions@mercy.edu or 1-877-MERCY-GO or the Nursing Program office at 718-678-8138.

Program Details & Curriculum

General Education Requirements: 60 Credits

Lower Division Nursing*: 47 Credits

Major Concentration
Upper Division Nursing: 15 Credits

Total: 122 Credits

See all course in the catalog

The B.S. in nursing program is designed to prepare students to:

  • Be accountable for professional nursing care
  • Collaborate in leadership roles within the changing health care delivery system
  • Participate in the process of inquiry
  • Prepare for graduate study

Traditional Nursing Program

Admission Criteria for Acceptance into the Nursing Program:

  • High School GPA of 85*
  • Grade of 80 in all math and science classes taken in 9th-11th grades
  • Math- three years including algebra
  • Science- three years including biology and chemistry
  • Average grade of 78 in all English classes taken in 9th-11th grades (minimum 2 English classes required)
  • Written personal statement (200-500 word statement about why you want to become a nurse).  

*Students with a GPA of 85 will be reviewed for acceptance into the nursing program when the application is complete. Students with a GPA between 80 and 84, may be reviewed for acceptance into the nursing program if there is space available and other admission criteria is met.

Traditional Nursing Program- Transfer Applicants

Admission Criteria for Acceptance into the Nursing Program for Transfer Applicants:

  • GPA: 2.8
  • Requisite courses (see below) must be completed with a grade of B- or better.
  • Essay (200-300 words about why you want to be a nurse)
  • Students will be accepted, rejected or placed on a wait list. 
    • A letter will be sent to the student with the decision.

Transfer Policy

The Traditional Nursing Program accommodates first-time freshman students and is set up as a 4-year cohort that is fully enrolled each fall with incoming freshmen. There are very few transfer students admitted. 

  • Transfer students are considered only if a vacancy exists in the existing cohort and the applicant meets all of the criteria.
  • Transfer students begin coursework in sophomore year in the nursing program.
  • Any student previously dismissed from another Nursing Program will not be considered for admission. 
  • Transfer students will take 3-full years of classes before graduation from the Traditional Program regardless of the number of transfer credits.
  • Transfer applications will only be reviewed after
    • Completed application
    • Official transcripts received
    • Essay received 
    • A formal review of application showing all the criteria has been met

Courses Required Prior to Completing the Transfer Application

Courses listed below must be completed with a grade of B- or better prior to May 30th for fall admission and August 30th for spring admission.

  • BIOL 130 Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture 
  • BIOL 130A Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory 
  • BIOL 131 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture  
  • BIO 131A Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory 
  • CHEM 140 General Chemistry I Lecture  
  • CHEM 140A General Chemistry Laboratory 
  • ENGL 111 Written English and Literary Studies I
  • ENGL 112 Written English and Literary Studies II 
  • MATH 116 College Algebra 
  • PSYN 101 Introduction to Psychology
  • SOCL 101 Introduction to Sociology  

Admission Criteria for Acceptance into the Nursing Program for Transfer Applicants:

  • GPA 2.8 or above
  • Has B - or higher in ALL pre-req courses
  • Personal statement that contains proper grammar and sentence structure and addresses the topic

Transfer Policy

The Traditional Nursing Program accommodates first-time freshman students and is set up as a 4-year cohort that is fully enrolled each fall with incoming freshman. There are very few transfer students admitted. 

  • Transfer students are considered only if a vacancy exists in the existing cohort and the applicant meets all of the criteria.
  • Transfer students begin coursework in sophomore year in the nursing program.
  • Transfer students will take 3-full years of classes before graduation from the Traditional Program regardless of the number of transfer credits.

Transfer applications will only be reviewed after

  • Completed application
  • Official transcripts received
  • Essay received 
  • A formal review of application showing all the criteria has been met

Courses Required Prior to Completing the Transfer Application

Courses listed below must be completed with a grade of B - or better prior to May 30th for fall admission and August 30th for spring admission.

  • BIOL 130 Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture 
  • BIOL 130A Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory 
  • BIOL 131 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture  
  • BIO 131A Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory 
  • CHEM 160 General Chemistry I Lecture  
  • CHEM 160A General Chemistry Laboratory 
  • ENGL 111 Written English and Literary Studies I
  • ENGL 112 Written English and Literary Studies II 
  • MATH 116 College Algebra 
  • PSYN 101 Introduction to Psychology
  • SOCL 101 Introduction to Sociology  

The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Mercy College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Mercy College is accredited by the New York Board of Regents, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Board of Regents, Room 110 EB, Albany, New York 12234

Program Outcome I - Technology

  • Student will demonstrate proficiency with patient care technologies and information management systems to gather and manage data to communicate effectively with patients, families, health care professionals, and policy decision makers. [I, II, IV, V, VIII, IX]
  • Student will demonstrate skills in using patient care technologies, information systems, and communication skills, based on a foundation of the arts, sciences and humanities, that support patient outcomes and nursing practice.  [IV, VII, IX]

Program Outcome II - Research

  • Student will demonstrate a basic understanding of how evidence is developed including the research process, clinical judgment, interprofessional perspectives, and patient preferences as applied to practice. [III, IV, VI, VII]

Program Outcome III - Leadership

  • Student will apply leadership concepts, skills, and decision making to the provision of nursing care and nursing practice in collaboration with organizations and communities. [II, VII, VIII, IX]
  • Student will demonstrate leadership and communication skills to participate in quality improvement initiatives with health care teams. [II, VI, VII] 

Program Outcome IV - Quality

  • Student will appraise principles of quality improvement, health care policy, and cost effectiveness to assist in the achievement of safe and quality outcomes of care for diverse populations. [II, V, VII, VIII]

This policy handbook will provide answers to many of the questions that you have. It is updated annually, so be sure to access the most recent one when you are searching for answers. The policies and procedures found here are designed to help you become a competent beginning nurse, prepared to pass the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) and to care for patients and families with compassion and cultural sensitivity.

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