The Simmons College Graduate Program in Primary Health Care Nursing has provided specialized nurse practitioner education since 1978. The curriculum offers the theoretical foundation and clinical practicum essential for delivering primary health care to individuals and populations within a variety of settings. Since 1989, the Graduate Program in Nursing has been supported by the organizational structure of the School for Health Studies, an interdisciplinary school that has brought together graduate programs in health care administration, physical therapy, nutrition, and nursing. The school's goal is to prepare individuals for clinical and administrative leadership positions in a rapidly changing health care delivery system.

In 1999, the undergraduate Department of Nursing and the Graduate Program in Primary Health Care Nursing merged as one. The Nursing Programs at Simmons are now consolidated as one faculty and student body with a Chairperson of Nursing and Associate Dean for School of Health Studies as its leader. The Nursing Programs at Simmons educate nurses in several pathways:

1. The traditional 4 year BS program
2. A 5 year BS-MS program
3. An 18-month Dix Scholars Program
4. A 2-year Dix Scholars Program
5. A 3-year Dix Scholars Program
6. An RN to BS Program
7. An RN to MS Program
8. A Direct Entry Program in Advanced Practice Nursing
9. Graduate Program Primary Health Care Nursing: traditional MS, RN-MS, NP certificate for MS prepared nurses, MS Completion for Practicing NPs

Simmons College Nursing Programs have a rich tradition:

• The first New England NP Program
• Highly respected in the community
• Interdisciplinary health education
• Expert practitioner faculty
• Experience — Theory — Practice
• Community Focus
• Flexible Learning options
• Supportive Faculty
• Small Classes

The Nursing Programs have:

• A newly revised and approved curriculum
• An increased community focus
• Increased clinical experience, and
• Increased flexibility for career mobility

The Nursing Programs are proud to have earned a five-year accreditation in November 2003 by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Learning Resource Lab
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) is located in S-337. It is designed to simulate a hospital setting. It contains patient bedside cubicles and a large variety of equipment and supplies which allow students to practice a variety of tasks and physical assessment skills. Also available are references, a VCR, and an Interactive Video Disk player with a wide variety of programs.

The students use the LRC to practice faculty taught skills. It is staffed by a baccalaureate prepared Registered Nurse. Students are supported to develop mastery of the skills and to decrease anxiety. The LRC is used by students on a voluntary basis to review specific material. In addition, faculty can refer students who need individual attention.

International Experiences
This past year our students had the opportunity to go on two Simmons sponsored international experiences. In addition, several other students had international experiences they arranged on their own. The international nursing experiences during the 2001-2002 academic year included trips to The Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Thailand and during 2003-2004 to Nicaragua.

Nursing Chairperson and Associate Dean of School of Health Studies, Judy Beal
judy.beal@simmons.edu

Assistant to Chairperson and Associate Dean of School for Health Studies, Ninetta Torra
Telephone: (617) 521-2531

Staff Assistant, Shana Jarvis
Telephone: (617) 521-2532
Facsimile: (617) 521-3045
Mailing Address: 300 The Fenway, Boston Ma, U.S.A. 02215-5898
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Copyright © 2002 Simmons College School for Health Studies
All rights reserved
Revised: 2/12/2001