Overview

Calvin's accredited nursing program combines vital foundational knowledge in science and healthcare practices with practical clinical experience in area hospitals, clinics and other community settings. Small class sizes meaning that you'll get plenty of personal attention for Calvin's experienced Christian nursing faculty.

Admissions to Calvin's nursing program is competitive: it accepts 60 students each year to the program. Most students apply to the program in their sophomore year after completing nine prerequisite courses. See Calvin's nursing website for more information for early admissions to the nursing program.

Careers in Nursing

• Clinic nurse
• Community nurse
• Home health nurse
• Intensive care nurse
• Pediatric nurse
• Psychiatric nurse
• School nurse

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Join Nurses Christian Fellowship; Participate in Calvin Nursing Association; Take a nursing interim abroad to places like India, Belize and Ethiopia; Volunteer at local hospitals, blood banks and senior centers.

Course Requirements 2012-13

Nursing program

The two-year pre-nursing curriculum requires nine courses in the natural and social sciences that provide the foundation for professional nursing. These courses include BIOL-141, BIOL-205, BIOL-206, BIOL-207, CHEM-115, HE-254, PSYC-151, PSYC-201, and SOC-151. In addition, twelve to fourteen liberal arts courses are required. Foreign language is a component of the liberal arts core. Students are required to have either two years of high school foreign language with grades of C or better or one year of college level foreign language. If a student needs to take a foreign language at Calvin, it should be taken during the first or second year.

The upper division nursing major is a two-year sequence normally taken in the junior and senior years. It consists of thirteen courses distributed over four semesters with 12 semester hours of course work required each semester. While students taking only nursing major courses are considered full-time during those four semesters, elective courses may also be taken during these semesters. Those interested in nursing should indicate this at the time they begin their studies at Calvin. They will then be assigned to an academic advisor from the Nursing Department.

Required Courses — First Year (semester hours)*

• BIOL-141 Cell Biology and Genetics for the Health Sciences (4)
• BIOL-207 Medical Microbiology (4)
• CHEM-115 Chemistry for the Health Sciences (4)
• PSYC-151 Introductory Psychology: Perspectives on the Self (3)
• SOC-151 Sociological Principles and Perspectives(3)
• ENGL-101 Written Rhetoric (3)
• IDIS-110 Foundations of information technology (1)
• IDIS-150 Developing a Christian mind (interim, 3)
• MATH-143 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4)
• Arts core (3)
• Physical education core (1)

Required Courses — Second year (semester hours)*

• BIOL-205 Human Anatomy (4)
• BIOL-206 Human Physiology (4)
• PSYC-201 Developmental Psychology: Lifespan (3)
• HE-254 Nutrition (3)
• Philosophical foundations core (3)
• Literature core(3)
• Biblical/theological foundations core (3)
• History of the west and the world core (4)
• Rhetoric in culture core (3)
• Physical education core (1)
• Interim elective (3)

*Note: Students are required to have either two years of high school foreign language with grades of C or better or one year of college level foreign language. If a student needs to take a foreign language at Calvin, it should be taken during the first or second year.

Nursing Courses — Third Year (semester hours)

• NURS-307 Theory: Community Based and Mental Health Nursing (4)
• NURS-308 Strategies: Community Based and Mental Health Nursing (4)
• NURS-309 Practicum: Community Based and Mental Health Nursing (4)
• NURS-327 Theory: Pregnant Women, Infants, Children, and Adolescents (4)
• NURS-328 Strategies: Pregnant Women, Infants, Children, and Adolescents (4)
• NURS-329 Practicum: Pregnant Women, Infants, Children, and Adolescents (4)
• Electives (0-8)
• Interim elective (3)

Nursing Courses — Fourth Year (semester hours)

• NURS-357 Theory: Young, Middle, and Older Adults (4)
• NURS-358 Strategies: Young, Middle, and Older Adults (4)
• NURS-359 Practicum: Young, Middle, and Older Adults (4)
• NURS-377 Theory: Community Focused Nursing and Leadership/Management (4)
• NURS-378 Strategies: Synthesis of Nursing Care across the Lifespan (1)
• NURS-379 Practicum: Community Focused Nursing and Leadership/Management (4)
• NURS-380 Critical Reflections (3)
• Electives (0-8)

Note: The formal requirements for a Calvin bachelor's degree include the following: Successful completion of 124 semester hours, completion of three interim courses of three credit hours or more, completion of the designated program of study and the designated core, and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 both overall and in the program of concentration.

Scholarships

Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.

AJV Medical Scholarship

• award amount: $2,000
• junior or senior
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need required; strong Christian character, desire to model Christ in their work as a nurse and medical professional; interest in mentoring relationship with the donor
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Ruth Rosendall Alward Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $1,650
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Kenneth E. and Jean Baker Nursing and Music Scholarship

• award amount: $1,400
• junior or senior
• GPA of 2.5+
• financial need not required; be enrolled in a for-credit music ensemble or activity
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Kenneth E. and Jean Baker Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $1,350
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need not required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Arnold, Elva and Doris Bakker Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• sophomore, junior, or senior
• GPA of 2.5+
• financial need considered; pursuing a degree in nursing, pre-physician assistant, pre-med or another health related field; interested in medical missions
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Arnold, Elva and Doris Bakker Scholarship

• award amount: $500
• sophomore, junior, or senior
• GPA of 2.5+
• financial need considered; pursuing a degree in nursing, pre-physician assistant, pre-med or another health related field; interested in medical missions
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Leah Berends Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $4,050
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need considered; demonstrate a compassionate spirit and servant heart
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Blodgett Memorial Hospital Class of 1962 Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $2,100
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.5+
• financial need not required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

John K. and Betty Boerema Family Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $1,800
• junior
• GPA of 2.5+
• financial need required; preference to those working part-time at Holland Home
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Bretton and Kimberly Bolt Family Scholarship

• award amount: $2,200
• junior or senior nursing or speech pathology major or pursuing a pre-physical therapy, or pre-occupational therapy program or other fields focused on care of the elderly
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need required; preference to those who volunteer or work at a skilled nursing facility
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Henrietta Bontekoe Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: varies
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Borgman Family Nursing Scholarship in Memory of Kate Borgman

• award amount: $2,350
• junior or senior
• GPA of 2.5+
• financial need required; preference to those who don't have the strongest academic record but who are industrious, motivated and worthy students
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Phyllis Van Vugt Bratt Family Scholarship

• award amount: $1,800
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.3+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Dick and Lorraine Katte Scholarship

• award amount: $1,000
• GPA 2.8+
• evidence of financial need; graduate of Denver Christian HS (Denver, CO)
• automatic consideration

Dr. Paul and Mrs. Doris Dirkse Health Care Scholarship

• award amount: $1,900
• junior or senior
• good academic record
• financial need considered; Christian character; motivation; potential for service
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Thedford P. and Ruth I. Dirkse Scholarship

• award amount: $2,600
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.3+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Arnold and Mary Dood Medical Services Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• sophomore, junior, or senior
• GPA 3.30+
• financial need considered; serving spirit
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Bryan Dykstra Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

John and Geraldine Fongers Scholarship

• award amount: $1,700
• junior or senior
• GPA of 2.3+
• financial need required; in the nursing program; first preference to a male
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Kathryn Groenevelt Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $2,750
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required; pursuing work in community based nursing programs
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Wilma Bylsma Hertel Memorial Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $2,900
• junior or senior
• GPA of 2.5+
• financial need required; preference to those who don't have the strongest academic record but who are industrious, motivated and worthy students
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Dr. Roger A. and Bradley J. Hoekstra Memorial Scholarship

• award amount: $1,600
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need considered; Christian character; motivation; potential for service
• apply through the Calvin Portal

H. John and Sandra Hooyer Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $1,700
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

David and Shirley Hubers Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• junior or senior pursuing a program in nursing or education
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Ann, Myrtle, Eunice, Faith and Marie Huizenga Scholarship for Women

• award amount: $1,900
• junior or senior
• GPA 3.2+
• financial need required; interested in missions
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Keuning Scholarship

• amount of award: N/A
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need considered; receiving services from office of services to students with disabilities
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Milton and Carol Kuyers Family Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $2,450
• junior or senior
• GPA of 2.5+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Meeuwsen Medical Scholarship

• award amount: $3,200
• sophomore, junior, or senior
• GPA 3.3+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Blake, Elise and Macy Morren Memorial Scholarship

• award amount: $2,300
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required; preference to those pursuing a career in pediatrics
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Gertrude Ellens Mulder Memorial Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $4,000
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Willard and Twylla VanderMolen Nieboer Family Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• junior or senior
• GPA of 2.5+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Carol Pasterkamp Memorial Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need considered; preference to those facing special physical circumstances
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Paul and Thelma Schutt Family Medical Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• junior or senior
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need required; Christian character and caring personality
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Jim and Ruth Essenburg Sikkema Family Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $1,900
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Nelson Sterken Memorial Scholarship

• award amount: $1,000
• female, junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

John R. and Annie Struyk Family Scholarship

• award amount: $2,000
• junior or senior
• financial need required;demonstrate Christian character and involvement in extracurricular activities in the community and college
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Bernard and Harriet Te Velde Family Scholarship

• award amount: $3,000
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required; planning to work with persons with disabilities; preference to those from California
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Kenneth and Phyllis Timmer Family Scholarship

• award amount: $2,000
• junior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need considered; Michigan resident
• automatic consideration

Sammie Vander Laan Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $1,900
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Arnold and Janice VanderBok Family Scholarship

• award amount: $2,700
• first-year
• financial need required; speak Spanish fluently; preference to Hispanic students
• prospective students submit a letter to the Financial Aid Office (finaid@calvin.edu) describing your qualifications by February 1; returning students apply through the Calvin Portal

Joseph and Ralph Gelmer Vander Laan Memorial Scholarship

• award amount: $2,200
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• good academic record
• financial need required; interest in medical missions
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Dr. Corwin G. and Ina June VanderVeer Family Medical Scholarship

• award amount: $2,300
• junior or senior
• GPA 3.3+
• financial need not required; christian character and caring personality
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Victor VerMeulen Medical Scholarship

• award amount: $2,000
• junior or senior
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need considered
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Charles R. and Marie Werner Scholarship

• award amount: $1,800
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Whitney Young Outreach Gerontological Nursing Scholarship

• award amount: $3,500
• junior or senior
• GPA of 2.7+
• financial need required; interested in gerontological nursing; must complete a paid internship at Clark Memorial home for one semester while receiving the scholarship
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Steven M. Zifferblatt Memorial Scholarship

• award amount: $4,700
• senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need not required; pursuing a career in a health care profession
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Ruth Zylstra Memorial Scholarship

• award amount: $600
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

View all scholarship opportunities

Faculty

Joke Ayoola Assistant Professor of Nursing Department of Nursing SB 258 aba3@calvin.edu (616) 526-6059 Debra Bossenbroek Assistant Professor Department of Nursing SB 281 dah4@calvin.edu (616) 526-7196 Elizabeth Byma Assistant Professor Department of Nursing SB 235 eb36@calvin.edu (616) 526-8718 Suzan Couzens Assistant Professor Department of Nursing SB 320 stc4@calvin.edu (616) 526-8688 Mary Molewyk Doornbos Professor, RN Department of Nursing SB 234 door@calvin.edu (616) 526-6268 Cheryl Feenstra Professor Department of Nursing SB 231 cfeenstr@calvin.edu (616) 526-6255 Mary Flikkema Associate Professor Department of Nursing SB 244 flim@calvin.edu (616) 526-6314

Jaclynn Lubbers Assistant Professor Department of Nursing NH 254 jll23@calvin.edu (616) 526-7873 Jesse Moes Assistant Professor Department of Nursing SB 245 jrm3@calvin.edu (616) 526-6176 Renae Potts Assistant Professor, RN Department of Nursing SB 260 rpotts@calvin.edu (616) 526-6447 Carol Rossman Associate Professor Department of Nursing SB 251 clr24@calvin.edu (616) 526-8599 Krista Sneller Clinical Supervisor Department of Nursing NH 254 kls23@calvin.edu (616) 526-7547 Gail Zandee Assistant Professor Department of Nursing SB 280 gzandee@calvin.edu (616) 526-6814