Dr. Teresa Conte, Chair
570-941-7673
teresa.conte@scranton.edu
Dr. Jo Ann Nicoteri, Interim Director Graduate Nursing Program
570-941-4060
joann.nicoteri@scranton.edu
Department Faculty: Professors – Dona Rinaldi Carpenter, RN, Marian Farrell, 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, Lisa Lesneski, RN, Wendy Manetti, RN, CRNP, Jo Ann Nicoteri, RN, CRNP; Assistant Professors – Laura Skoronoski Chavez, RN, Julie Murphy, RN, Cristen Walker, RN, CRNP; Faculty Specialists - Ann Culp, RN, CRNA, Susan Elczyna, RN, CRNA, Natalie Gilboy, RN, CRNP, Mary Kovaleski, RN, CNS, Linda Lewis, RN, Tracy Murray, RN, CRNA, Jason Phillips, RN, Laurie Valunas, RN, CRNP; Lecturer– Michele Boland, RN.
The Department offers course work leading to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with specialization in either Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Executive Nurse Leadership (ENL). 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), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) accredited program, and who wish to become Family Nurse Practitioners.
The Department offers course work leading to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with specialization in either the Post -Master’s DNP with a focus on Leadership or entry level BSN-DNP in Nurse Anesthesia.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
The master’s nursing program is comprised of four core courses that cover current issues in advanced practice nursing, research, health promotion, and systems leadership. These core courses provide the foundation for graduate nursing study and are taken by all MSN students. Additionally, students in the FNP specialization take advanced physiology and pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced clinical assessment. Each student is required to take the advanced practice specialty courses in their specialization. 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 a CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA 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 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. Applicants for the certificate program must possess a master’s degree in advanced practice nursing from a CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA 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).
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 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. 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. 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 baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Scranton are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.