Catherine Lovecchio, Chair
570-941-7673
catherine.lovecchio@scranton.edu
Dr. Mary Jane S. Hanson, Director Graduate Nursing Program
570-941-4060
maryjane.hanson@scranton.edu
Department Faculty: Professors – Dona Rinaldi Carpenter, RN, Mary Jane DiMattio, RN, Marian Farrell, RN, CRNP, CNS, Mary Jane S. Hanson, RN, CRNP, CNS, Sharon Hudacek, RN, CNS, Patricia Wright, RN, CRNP, CNS; Margarete Lieb Zalon, RN, CNS; Associate Professors – Barbara Buxton, RN, CNS; Teresa Conte, RN, CRNP, Ann Feeney, RN, CNM, CRNP, Patricia Harrington, RN, Lisa Ann Lesneski, RN, Catherine P. Lovecchio, RN, Kimberly Subasic, RN; Assistant Professors – Wendy Manetti, RN, CRNP, Jo Ann Nicoteri, RN, CRNP; Faculty Specialists - Ann Culp, RN, CRNA, Susan Elczyna, RN, CRNA, Mary Kovaleski, RN, CNS, Linda Lewis, RN, Annette T. Tross, RN, CRNP, Laurie Valunas, RN, CRNP, Cristen Walker, RN, CRNP.
The Department offers course work leading to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with specialization in either Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or Nurse Anesthesia (NA). The Department also offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree for nurses who hold advanced practice certification as either certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), or certified nurse midwives (CNMs). In addition, a post-master’s certificate option is also available for registered nurses (RNs) who already have a master’s degree in nursing from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited program, and who wish to become Family Nurse Practitioners or Nurse Anesthetists.
MSN Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master’s program, the graduate is prepared to: 1. Integrate knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to provide evidence-based care to diverse populations at an advanced practice level. 2. Apply leadership skills that emphasize ethical principles and critical-decision making to promote quality and safety in master’s level nursing practice. 3. Articulate the process of quality improvement and apply quality and safety principles within an organization. 4. Incorporate research outcomes within the clinical setting to resolve practice problems and disseminate results. 5. Utilize informatics and patient-care technologies to deliver nursing care at an advanced practice level. 6. Employ advocacy strategies to promote health and improve health care. 7. Establish interprofessional relationships to mobilize resources and coordinate quality health care. 8. Engage in master’s level nursing practice in accordance with applicable specialty nursing standards, integrating concepts of patient-centered and culturally appropriate clinical prevention and population health activities. 9. Demonstrate master’s level knowledge and competencies in nursing and relevant sciences to influence healthcare outcomes for individuals and populations. 10. Articulate a commitment for continuous professional development and service to others based on Jesuit values.
Program of Study
The graduate nursing program is comprised of seven core courses that cover advanced physiology and pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced clinical assessment, current issues in advanced practice nursing, research, health promotion, and systems leadership. These core courses provide the foundation for graduate nursing study and subsequent practice. In addition, each student is required to take all of the advanced practice specialty courses in the selected of study. The specialty courses are listed under each specialization heading.
Admission Requirements
An applicant for the degree program must possess a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program; have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 or other evidence of ability to complete successfully a graduate program such as grades in other post-baccalaureate courses, scores from national graduate school entrance examinations, or a record of progressively higher work experiences; and be licensed as a registered nurse in the state of Pennsylvania. The applicant should have satisfactorily completed undergraduate or equivalent approved courses in basic physical assessment and statistics. The applicant must submit three professional references and a 300-word essay identifying career goals, demonstrating communication and writing skills. A personal interview with the program director or a faculty member to clarify goals and objectives is required. See the nurse anesthesia section of this catalog for additional admission requirements for the NA specialization.
Applicants for the certificate program must possess a master’s degree in advanced practice nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program. Additionally, they must comply with the same admission requirements as for the degree program (except for the essay) as listed above.
A registered nurse with a baccalaureate degree who wishes to take graduate level courses without necessarily pursuing a graduate degree may make application for Non-Degree status (refer to Admission and Registration).
For the FNP and CNS specializations, students may begin course work in either the fall or spring semester. Applicants must be admitted before starting classes. Completed applications must be received at least one month prior to the start of the semester of expected enrollment.
The NA specialization admits students for the fall semester only. Completed applications must be received by October 1 of the year prior to expected enrollment.
Thesis Option
Candidates for a Master of Science in Nursing degree may opt to do a thesis. Students who wish to pursue the thesis option should consult with the program director. Those who opt to do a thesis are governed by The University of Scranton graduate thesis policy.
Academic Regulations
Graduate nursing students are expected to conform to the regulations stated in both The University of Scranton Graduate Studies Catalog and the Department of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.
Students must receive a grade of Satisfactory in the clinical practicum courses. The grade is based upon both faculty and preceptor evaluations of the student’s ability to meet course objectives and demonstrate safe advanced nursing clinical practice. A grade of Unsatisfactory will result in the failure of the practicum and dismissal from the program.
Capstone Experience
All graduate nursing students are expected to complete successfully a comprehensive examination as their capstone experience and part of their graduation requirements.
Health Requirements
The health requirements for the Department of Nursing are to assure that the student:
1. maintains that level of health necessary to complete the course of studies and ultimately to perform the duties of a professional advanced practice nurse;
2. is free of any illness or disease that may endanger the health and welfare of themselves and others.
The pre-clinical physical examination shall include a complete physical examination administered by a certified nurse practitioner or physician with verified evidence of the following: current negative tuberculin skin test (PPD) within previous 12 months; immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis within the previous ten years; immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella OR documented laboratory immunity. Influenza vaccine is required each year for the current flu season. The deadline date to receive the influenza vaccine is October 15. In addition, students are required to submit proof of Hepatitis B immunization or sign a declination form.
The PPD skin test must be administered every 12 months while the student is in the clinical nursing courses. Documented evidence of the test must be provided. If the PPD test is positive or the student has a history of a positive PPD, a chest X-ray or Quantiferon Gold TB laboratory test is required. The PPD can be obtained at Student Health Services, which has a facility in the Roche Wellness Center at 1130 Mulberry Street. In the event that specific agencies have further requirements, it is expected that students will meet the agency’s requirements.
Students are responsible for all costs associated with meeting the health requirements.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and Post-graduate APRN Certificate program are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.