Nursing

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Dr. Patricia Harrington, Chair, Nursing
570-941-7673
http://www.scranton.edu

Department Faculty: Professors – Dona Carpenter, RN, Marian Farrell, RN, CRNP, CNS, Mary Jane S. Hanson, RN, CRNP, CNS, Sharon Hudacek, RN, CNS, Margarete Lieb Zalon, RN, CNS; Associate Professors – Mary Jane Di Mattio, RN, Patricia Harrington, RN, Lisa Ann Lesneski, RN, Assistant Professors – Barbara Buxton, RN, Catherine P. Lovecchio, RN, Kimberly Subasic, RN, Patricia Wright, RN, CNS; Instructor - Teresa Conte, RN, CRNP; Faculty Specialist - Ann Feeney, RN, CNM, CRNP

The Department offers course work leading to a Master of Science in Nursing degree with specialization in either the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program, Adult Health Nursing (AH) program, or Nurse Anesthesia (NA) program. The Department also offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree program 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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) accredited program, and who wish to become Family Nurse Practitioners or Nurse Anesthetists.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Master’s program, the graduate is prepared to: 1. Evaluate issues relative to advanced practice nursing consistent with personal and societal values and beliefs; 2. Engage in advanced practice nursing in accordance with specific specialty standards of practice; 3. Evaluate theoretical principles from nursing and other disciplines for their contribution to advanced practice nursing; 4. Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary for entry into an advanced practice nursing role; 5. Initiate collaborative relationships with other health care professionals to mobilize resources and facilitate quality patient care; 6. Provide quality health care to diverse populations consistent with advanced practice nursing preparation and ethical/legal principles; 7. Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas both in written and oral forms in an articulate and scholarly manner; 8. Critically examine issues relevant to advanced practice nursing and participate in research; 9. Implement plans for continuous professional development and service to others; 10. Apply leadership skills to advanced practice nursing.

Program of Study

The graduate nursing program is comprised of seven core courses that cover advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced clinical assessment, issues in advanced practice nursing, research methodology, theory and research application, and nursing ethics. 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 program of study. The specialty courses are listed under each program heading.

Admission Requirements

An applicant for the degree program must possess a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a NLNAC or CCNE accredited program; have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 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 a minimum of one year direct clinical nursing practice and 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.

Applicants for the certificate program must possess a master’s degree in advanced practice nursing from a NLNAC 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 ).

Students may begin course work in either the fall or spring semester. Applicants must be accepted to the CGCE before starting classes.

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 clinical nursing practice. A grade of Unsatisfactory will result in the failure of the practicum and may result in a recommendation for dismissal from the program.

Scheduling

The AH and FNP programs can be completed in two years of full-time study or three to five years of part-time study, depending upon when the student enters the program. The post-advanced practice certificate master’s degree program can be completed in two years of part-time study. Students are accepted for fall and spring semesters. Core graduate courses are offered every year. The specialty courses are on a two-year rotation and are offered every other year.

Graduate courses for the AH and FNP programs are usually offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Each course meets one night per week in the fall and spring semesters. Full-time students attend classes two nights per week; part-time students usually attend classes one night per week. Clinical practicum hours are arranged on the basis of preceptor availability.

Capstone Experience

All graduate nursing students are expected to complete successfully a comprehensive examination as their capstone experience and part of their graduation requirements.

Accreditation

The graduate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE is a resource for information regarding tuition, fees and length of accredited nursing programs. Requests for information should be directed to:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
One Dupont Circle, NW
Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036-1120
(202) 887-6791