Hartwick College nursing class following pinning ceremony

Welcome to Hartwick Nursing

From first-year clinicals to simulated learning labs to alumni mentors, we’ll work together to make sure you’re ready to soar.  

  • Study nursing at Hartwick College, and you’ll be part of an innovative and historic program that’s been training nurses since World War II.
  • You’ll develop crucial and marketable skills in future-focused labs, start building your competency in clinicals your first year, and be ready to enter this critical and in-demand field.
  • SAT/ACT test scores are optional, but highly recommended for those applying to the nursing program.
  • The nursing program at Hartwick College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Hartwick has over 80 years of experience preparing nurses at the baccalaureate level. Our NCLEX pass rate for May 2023 graduates was 100%. This is well above both the NYS and National averages.

Jodi Krzyston

Nursing Interim Chair

EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES

In Hartwick’s Clark Nursing Simulation Lab, you’ll be called on to rush to the aid of “Mr. Shapiro,” a mannequin programmed to simulate a variety of cardiac symptoms. He and other lifelike patients are part of your Hartwick head-start on the 834 clinical hours of practice you’ll need to complete your practical education. You’ll have opportunities for professional development, including the annual O’Connor Chair Lecture, featuring talks from top leaders in Nursing and related fields.

Hartwick’s distinctive January Term courses will give you other extraordinary opportunities to develop your insights and skills, whether you’re traveling abroad for our Transcultural Nursing course or diving into our Rural Nursing course closer to campus.

Your final semester will be time for your Independent Practicum, giving you the chance to focus on the care you’re passionate about giving, whether it’s in pediatrics, ICU, psychiatric nursing, or geriatrics. You’ll do hands on care with a nurse preceptor, getting further hands-on training and insights, and maybe even get a job offer! With a NCLEX certification and impressive digital resumes, Hartwick nurses really stand out.

MANY CAREER PATHS

Hartwick College nursing graduates following pinning ceremony 2023

A Hartwick nursing degree will prepare you well for whatever specialization you choose – pediatrics, maternity, ICU, family practice, surgical, geriatrics, psychiatric nursing, and so many more.

You’ll be in the classroom with dedicated faculty, many of whom are also practicing nurses. And you’ll develop both competence and confidence in our simulated nursing labs from the start taking vitals, practicing telemedicine, and gaining invaluable hands-on experience that will ensure you’re ready to care for patients.

Hartwick student preparing feeding tube

Need some career advice? Work alongside your Career Coach to find the right clinicals for you, or reach out to alumni over True Blue Connect – they’ll be glad to offer their practical insights and expertise to your journey.

Clinical Experiences

Hartwick College nursing student in Jamaica during January Term at University of the West Indies School of Nursing

Senior Independent Practicum

All Hartwick College nursing students complete a Senior Independent Practicum in their final semester. Students choose from a wide range of clinical sites and areas of specialization, and complete 200 clinical hours under the guidance of a nurse preceptor. It is a great opportunity to learn in a hands-on setting, and can provide an important connection after graduation.

Hartwick College nursing student in Jamaica during January Term

Rural Health Nursing Theory and Practice

During January Term, part of the junior nursing class completes a four-week Rural Health Nursing course. This course is designed to expose the student to the concepts inherent in a rural context, such as isolation, work, and distance to health agencies. Clinical experiences occur in local agencies such as schools, pre-school settings, homes for the aged as well as rural home health care visits. The course offers the opportunity to examine family theory and assessment, health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction, illness and disease management within the unique rural environment.

Hartwick College nursing students in Jamaica

Transcultural Nursing

The School of Nursing offers Transcultural Nursing with national and international options. Junior nursing students in both forms of Transcultural Nursing learn firsthand about the impact of culture, politics, economics, and globalization on healthcare and healing. Through their work, students are able to recognize the health-related beliefs of the culture, and how those beliefs affect the health of the people. In addition to coursework, there also is time for learning about the local culture. Enrollment in this course is limited and selection is competitive.

The Transcultural Nursing course is dependent on site availability, host college/country requirements, travel advisories, and health restrictions.

Where Will a Hartwick Nursing Degree Take You?

Hartwick College nursing class following pinning ceremony

Heart Health

Like Garrett Mertz ’23, now an RN and BSN on the coronary care unit at Albany Medical Center. An alumnus of the 3-year bachelor’s degree program in nursing, he focused his clinical experience in obstetrics, medical-surgical, intensive care, and pediatrics.

Hartwick College nursing students during clinical rotation in hospital

TELEMETRY

Like Madison Germuska ’20, now an Assistant Nurse Manager in the med/surg/telemetry unit at UC San Diego Health. After Hartwick, she attended Johns Hopkins’ MSN/MBA program, and was recently awarded a scholarship to attend the 12th Annual Johns Hopkins Critical Care Rehabilitation Conference.

Hartwick College nursing class following pinning ceremony

Nursing Leadership

Like Rebekah Robitaille ’17, an RN and senior staff nurse at NYU Langone Health Center. At Hartwick, her clinical hours were spent in both rural and urban hospitals, preparing her well to work with diverse populations and a variety of disciplines, including end of life care, addiction recovery, and treatment of COVID-19.

Hartwick Nursing Excellence Scholarship

The Hartwick Nursing Excellence Scholarship provides $10,000 to support aspiring nurses on their journey to a rewarding career in healthcare. The scholarship not only alleviates financial pressures but also highlights Hartwick’s commitment to nurturing future healthcare leaders. With a focus on hands-on learning and clinical experience, the Hartwick Nursing Scholarship paves the way for students to thrive in their nursing education and make a meaningful impact in their field.

Recent Nursing Stories

Video: Faculty Spotlight- Clinical Associate Professor of the School of Nursing Chelsea Fassett

Fassett highlights the wide range of nursing opportunities available to students, the School of Nursing's "small town feel," and even talks about pumpkins and other topics.

Video: Faculty Spotlight- Assistant Professor and Assistant Chair of the School of Nursing Miya McCann

McCann discusses faculty training to support students' mental health, an exciting classroom project, the personal touch of the School of Nursing, and much more.

International Women’s Leadership Expert to Deliver Hartwick’s O’Connor Lecture

Linda Tarr-Whelan H'24 presents “More Nurses at Policy Tables: the Promise of Better Conditions for Nurses, Patients and the Nursing Profession.”

Two Nursing Alumnae Recognized for Exceptional Contributions to Healthcare

Christine Utegg '04 and Amanda Clark '17 will be honored for their exceptional contributions to the nursing profession.

Bassett CARES Helps Student Fill Maternity Nursing Dream

Four Hartwick nursing graduates to join the Bassett CARES program, an opportunity to work in a full-time role at Bassett Healthcare Network.

New Nursing Scholarship Established by Alumni Couple

To be awarded for the first time to a nursing major starting in the 2024-25 academic year.

"The technology in our nursing simulation labs is so realistic that I felt really prepared when I started my first-year clinicals. It’s critical to have hands-on experience in nursing."

Thomas Carlon ’25

Hartwick Nursing Moments

Hartwick College student presenting during poster session of Student Showcase 2023
Hartwick College nursing students with sunflower
Hartwick College nursing students in Sim Lab running cardiac simulation on mannnequin
Hartwick College Nursing students in Sim Lab with faculty
Hartwick College Nursing student in Sim Lab with mannnequin
Hartwick College Nurse Graduate with family

AN EDUCATION BUILT FOR YOU

From the start of your time at Hartwick, you will participate in simulations – acting both as the nurse and the patient – to test your skills and help you gain confidence in working with diverse populations. You’ll gain experience in a variety of healthcare settings, and arrive at your Nurses Pinning ceremony with the experience and enthusiasm you need to launch your successful career.

NURSING FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
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Nursing Admission Requirements
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Nursing Simulation Lab Tour

Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program

Ready to move faster? Get the full Hartwick nursing experience in three-quarters the time at three-quarters the cost.

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Connect with Nursing

Kim Smith

Associate Professor and Chair of Nursing
607-431-4776

Melody Best ’84

Assistant Professor of Nursing
607-431-4590

Geneen Bolton

Academic Affairs Liaison to Nursing

Lisa Depperman

Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing
607-431-4239

Greta Holt

Nursing Learning and Technology Lab Specialist & Clinical Nursing Instructor
607-431-4792

John Janitz

Simulation Lab Technician
607-431-4781

Lorena Marra

Assistant Professor of Nursing
607-431-4797

Donna Moore

Clinical Placement Coordinator
607-431-4589

Betsy Rodgers

Clinical Instructor in Nursing
607-431-4625

Lisa Wehner

Associate Professor of Nursing
607-431-4735

Miya McCann

Assistant Professor of Nursing
607-431-4785

Michelle Kober

Assistant Professor of Nursing