Dr. Mary Jane DiMattio, Chair
570-941-7628
maryjane.dimattio@scranton.edu
Department Faculty: Professors – Dona Rinaldi Carpenter, EdD, RN, Mary Jane DiMattio, PhD, RN, Marian Farrell, PhD, PMH-NP, BC, PMH-CNS, CRNP, CS, Patricia Wright, PhD, CRNP, CNS, ACNS-BC, CHPN, CPH; Associate Professors – Barbara Buxton, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, RN, CNS, Teresa Conte, PhD, CRNP, Ann Feeney, PhD, CRNP, CNM, Lisa Lesneski, PhD, RN, Wendy Manetti, PhD, CRNP; Assistant Professors – Laura Chavez, PhD, RN, Kelly Filchner, PhD, RN, Julie Murphy, PhD, RN, Cristen Walker, PhD, CRNP; Faculty Specialists - Michele Boland, MSN, RN, Ann Culp, BA, RN, DNP, Susan Elczyna, PhD, CRNA, Natalie Gilboy, RN, MSN,CRNP, PMHS, Anna Grippi, MSN, RN, Linda Lewis, MSN, RN, CCNS, RN-BC, Tracy Murray, JD, CRNP, MSN, CRNA, Laurie Valunas, MSN, RN, CPNP, Instructor- Julieann Kane, DNP, FNP-BC, CRNP.
| Anesthesia Assistant Program Administrator- Susan Elczyna, susan.elczyna@scranton.edu |
Director of Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs- Ann Feeney, ann.feeney@scranton.edu |
| Anesthesia Clinical Director- Tracy Murray, tracy.murray@scranton.edu |
Director of Family Nurse Practitioner Program- Wendy Manetti, wendi.manetti@scranton.edu |
| Assistant to Undergraduate Program Director- Laurie Valunas, laurie.valunas@scranton.edu |
Director of Nursing Clinical Operations- Michelle Van Pelt, michelle.vanpelt@scranton.edu |
| Nurse Anesthesia Program Administrator- Ann Culp, ann.culp@scranton.edu |
Director of Nursing Simulation- Autumn Forgione, autumn.forgione@scranton.edu |
| Nursing and Lab Educator- Shannon Kaspriskie, sharon.kaspriskie@scranton.edu |
Director of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Program- Barbara Buxton, barbara.buxton@scranton.edu |
| Nursing Clinical Placement Coordinator- Melinda Finnerty, melinda.finnerty@scranton.edu |
Director of Undergraduate Program- Cristen Walker, cristen.walker@scranton.edu |
The Department offers course work leading to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) beginning in fall 2025. In addition, post-master’s certificate options are 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 or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.
The Department offers course work leading to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with specialization in either Post-Master’s DNP with a focus on Leadership, or entry level BSN-DNP in Nurse Anesthesia. Beginning in fall 2025, the Department will offer a DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health.
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. In addition, students are required to submit proof of Hepatitis B immunization or sign a declination form. Influenza vaccine is required each year for the current flu season.
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.