2020-2021 Catalog

Contents
Catalog Links
Share

Nursing M.S.N.

Carolynn Masters, Dean, School of Nursing 

 

Lynn Blanchette

Associate Dean, School of Nursing

 

Graduate Department Chair: Debra Servello

M.S.N. Graduate Program Director: Patricia A. Molloy

M.S.N. Program Faculty: Professor Costello, Servello; Associate Professors Dame, Mock, Molloy; Assistant Professors Calvert, DiLibero, Hodne

Admission Requirements for All M.S.N. Students

  1. A completed application form accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
  2. A baccalaureate degree in an upper-division nursing major from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program.
  3. Applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited institution in the United States.
  4. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records.
  5. Completion of a course in statistics (MATH 240 or its equivalent), with a minimum grade of C.
  6. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate course work.
  7. An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination or the Millers Analogies Test.
  8. An official report of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language from international applicants who are from countries where English is not the first language.
  9. Current unrestricted licensure for the practice of nursing in Rhode Island.
  10. A professional résumé.
  11. Three professional references (one from the clinical area).
  12. A brief letter of intent, which includes a statement of goals.
  13. Proof of residency.
  14. An interview may be required.
  15. Under certain circumstances when an application does not meet a requirement for admission, the program may provisionally offer acceptance to an otherwise qualified candidate. Examples include but are not limited to academic concerns related to GPA below 3.0, letter of intent, CV, letters of recommendation or work experience. Under this provision, the applicant will be permitted take courses on a non-matriculated basis and must achieve a minimum B grade in three required nursing courses. Upon meeting this requirement, the program will matriculate the applicant into the MSN program. Students who are allowed take classes on a provisional, non-matriculated basis are not eligible for financial aid, graduate assistantships or scholarships.

Additional Admission Requirements for R.N. to M.S.N. Students

Students must fulfill all of the above requirements and successfully complete the R.N. to B.S.N. program, including MATH 240. When at senior standing in the B.S.N. program, students may complete NURS 501, NURS 502, NURS 503, or NURS 512 (up to 9 credits) as electives. Those completed M.S.N. courses will be waived upon entry into the M.S.N. program of study.

Additional Admission Requirement for the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Option

One year of relevant acute care experience.

Additional Admission Requirements for Nurse Anesthesia

Due to clinical rotations at hospitals in Massachusetts, a license is required for Massachusetts. Personal interview is required. Completion of two courses in chemistry (Chem 105, 106) within the last ten years with minimum grades of C. A preferred undergraduate science GPA of 3.0. Of the three required references, one must be from a clinical supervisor. Current ACLS certification. Minimum of one year critical care experience. A complete definition of accepted critical care experience is found on the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia website: www.sjhsna.com.

Additional Admission Requirements for Nurse Anesthesia:

  1. Due to clinical rotations at hospitals in Massachusetts, a license is required for Massachusetts.
  2. Personal interview is required.
  3. Completion of two courses (total of 8 credits) in chemistry (Chem 105, 106) within the last 10 years with minimum grades of C.
  4. A preferred undergraduate science GPA of 3.0
  5. Of the three required references, one must be from a clinical supervisor.
  6. Current ACLS certification.
  7. Minimum of 1 year of critical care experience. Complete definition of accepted critical care experience is found on the sjhsna website: Outside Linkwww.sjhsna.com
  8. Skills and abilities applicants and students must demonstrate are also on the sjhsna website: Outside Linkwww.sjhsna.com

Retention Requirement for M.S.N. Students

All students are expected to maintain a cumulative average of B (3.00) or better in their graduate program. Students who do not maintain a cumulative B (3.00) average will have their status reviewed by the master’s program director. Students who achieve less than a B, including a grade of ‘U’, in any course will be placed on probationary status. Students who do not achieve a B or better in Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology or Advanced Pharmacology must repeat the course and may not progress in clinical courses. Students in the Nurse Anesthesia option who earn a grade of less than B- in the required science courses, including CHEM 519 and BIOL 535 and BIOL 536, will be placed on probationary status.Students on probationary status must achieve a B or better in each required course over the next 9 credits. Two grades below B are sufficient cause for consideration of dismissal; the decision regarding students’ status will be made by the master’s program director in consult with the dean. Students may be required to repeat a course at the discretion of the master’s program director.

Handbook

The School of Nursing Handbook for Graduate Students in Nursing provides detailed and essential information about the graduate nursing program. It is available online at www.ric.edu/nursing.

Course Requirements - Full-Time Students

Select option A, B, or C below

A. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care

First Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 501Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice

3

 Fall, Summer.
NURS 502/HCA 502Health Care Systems

3

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 505Advanced Pharmacology

3

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 506Advanced Health Assessment

3

 Fall.

Second Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 504Advanced Pathophysiology

3

Fall, Spring.
NURS 509Professional Project Seminar

1

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 510Adult/Older Adult Health/Illness I

3

 Spring.
 
NURS 530Synergy Model for C.N.S. Practice

3

 Spring.
-Or-
NURS 540Differential Diagnosis for Nurse Practitioners

3

 Spring.

Summer Session I

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 503Professional Role Development

3

 Spring, Summer.

Third Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 512Genetics and Genomics in Health Care

3

 Fall, Summer.
 
NURS 610Adult Health/Illness II for CNS

6

 Fall.
-Or-
NURS 615Adult Health/Illness II for NPs

6

Fall.
 
NURS 692Directed Readings I

1

Fall, Spring, Summer.

Fourth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 620Adult Health/Illness III for CNS

6

 Spring.
-Or-
NURS 625Adult Health/Illness III for NPs

6

Spring.
 
NURS 693Directed Readings II

1

Fall, Spring, Summer.
ONE COURSE from
CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 513Teaching Nursing

3

 Summer Session I.
NURS 515Simulation in Interprofessional Healthcare Education

3

Spring.
NURS 518Nursing Care/Case Management

3

 Fall.
NURS 519Quality/Safety in Advanced Practice Nursing

3

Fall.
NURS 521Global Health and Advanced Practice Nursing

3

Spring, Summer.
NURS 522Concepts and Practice of Palliative Care

3

Annually.
NURS 523Surgical First Assist Theory

3

Fall.
-Or-
Other elective approved by advisor
Total Credit Hours:45

B. Nurse Anesthesia

First Semester - Summer Session II

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 501Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice

3

 Fall, Summer.

Second Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
BIOL 535Advanced Physiology I

4

Fall.
CHEM 519Biochemistry for Health Professionals

3

Fall.
NURS 502/HCA 502Health Care Systems

3

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 505Advanced Pharmacology

3

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 506Advanced Health Assessment

3

 Fall.

Third Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
BIOL 536Advanced Physiology II

4

 Spring.
NURS 503Professional Role Development

3

 Spring, Summer.
NURS 504Advanced Pathophysiology

3

Fall, Spring.
NURS 514Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia

2

Spring.
NURS 517Foundational Principles of Nurse Anesthesia

3

 Spring.

Fourth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 512Genetics and Genomics in Health Care

3

 Fall, Summer.
NURS 516Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice I

3

Summer.
NURS 570Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum I

1

Summer.

Fifth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 509Professional Project Seminar

1

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 512Genetics and Genomics in Health Care

3

 Fall, Summer.
NURS 616Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice II

3

Fall.
NURS 630Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum II

1

Fall.

Sixth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 626Advanced Principles in Nurse Anesthesia III

3

Spring.
NURS 640Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum III

1

Spring.
NURS 692Directed Readings I

1

Fall, Spring, Summer.

Seventh Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 670Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum IV

1

Summer.
NURS 693Directed Readings II

1

Fall, Spring, Summer.

Eighth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 636Transition into Nurse Anesthesia Practice

2

Fall.
NURS 691Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum V

1

Fall.
Total Credit Hours:56

C. Population/Public Health Nursing

First Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 501Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice

3

 Fall, Summer.
NURS 502/HCA 502Health Care Systems

3

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 508Public Health Science

3

 Fall.

Second Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
HPE 507Epidemiology and Biostatistics

3

 Spring.
NURS 509Professional Project Seminar

1

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 511Population/Public Health Nursing

6

 Spring.

Summer Session I

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 503Professional Role Development

3

 Spring, Summer.

Third Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 512Genetics and Genomics in Health Care

3

 Fall, Summer.
NURS 611Population/Public Health Nursing II

6

 Fall.
NURS 692Directed Readings I

1

Fall, Spring, Summer.

Fourth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 621Population/Public Health Nursing III

6

 Spring.
NURS 693Directed Readings II

1

Fall, Spring, Summer.
ONE COURSE from
CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 513Teaching Nursing

3

 Summer Session I.
NURS 515Simulation in Interprofessional Healthcare Education

3

Spring.
NURS 518Nursing Care/Case Management

3

 Fall.
NURS 519Quality/Safety in Advanced Practice Nursing

3

Fall.
NURS 521Global Health and Advanced Practice Nursing

3

Spring, Summer.
NURS 522Concepts and Practice of Palliative Care

3

Annually.
NURS 523Surgical First Assist Theory

3

Fall.
-Or-
Other elective approved by advisor
Total Credit Hours:42

Course Requirements - Part-Time Students

Select option A or B below

A. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care

First Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 501Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice

3

 Fall, Summer.
NURS 502/HCA 502Health Care Systems

3

 Fall, Spring.

Second Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 503Professional Role Development

3

 Spring, Summer.
NURS 504Advanced Pathophysiology

3

Fall, Spring.
NURS 512Genetics and Genomics in Health Care

3

 Fall, Summer.

Third Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 505Advanced Pharmacology

3

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 506Advanced Health Assessment

3

 Fall.

Fourth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 509Professional Project Seminar

1

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 510Adult/Older Adult Health/Illness I

3

 Spring.
 
NURS 530Synergy Model for C.N.S. Practice

3

 Spring.
-Or-
NURS 540Differential Diagnosis for Nurse Practitioners

3

 Spring.
 
ONE COURSE from
CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 513Teaching Nursing

3

 Summer Session I.
NURS 515Simulation in Interprofessional Healthcare Education

3

Spring.
NURS 518Nursing Care/Case Management

3

 Fall.
NURS 519Quality/Safety in Advanced Practice Nursing

3

Fall.
NURS 521Global Health and Advanced Practice Nursing

3

Spring, Summer.
NURS 522Concepts and Practice of Palliative Care

3

Annually.
NURS 523Surgical First Assist Theory

3

Fall.
-Or-
Other elective approved by advisor

Fifth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 610Adult Health/Illness II for CNS

6

 Fall.
-Or-
NURS 615Adult Health/Illness II for NPs

6

Fall.
 
NURS 692Directed Readings I

1

Fall, Spring, Summer.

Sixth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 620Adult Health/Illness III for CNS

6

 Spring.
-Or-
NURS 625Adult Health/Illness III for NPs

6

Spring.
 
NURS 693Directed Readings II

1

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Total Credit Hours:45

B. Population/Public Health Nursing

First Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 501Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice

3

 Fall, Summer.
NURS 502/HCA 502Health Care Systems

3

 Fall, Spring.

Second Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
HPE 507Epidemiology and Biostatistics

3

 Spring.
NURS 503Professional Role Development

3

 Spring, Summer.
NURS 512Genetics and Genomics in Health Care

3

 Fall, Summer.

Third Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 508Public Health Science

3

 Fall.
ONE COURSE from
CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 513Teaching Nursing

3

 Summer Session I.
NURS 515Simulation in Interprofessional Healthcare Education

3

Spring.
NURS 518Nursing Care/Case Management

3

 Fall.
NURS 519Quality/Safety in Advanced Practice Nursing

3

Fall.
NURS 521Global Health and Advanced Practice Nursing

3

Spring, Summer.
NURS 522Concepts and Practice of Palliative Care

3

Annually.
NURS 523Surgical First Assist Theory

3

Fall.
-Or-
Other elective approved by advisor

Fourth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 509Professional Project Seminar

1

 Fall, Spring.
NURS 511Population/Public Health Nursing

6

 Spring.

Summer Session I

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 509Professional Project Seminar

1

 Fall, Spring.

Fifth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 611Population/Public Health Nursing II

6

 Fall.
NURS 692Directed Readings I

1

Fall, Spring, Summer.

Sixth Semester

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NURS 621Population/Public Health Nursing III

6

 Spring.
NURS 693Directed Readings II

1

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Total Credit Hours:42

C.G.S. IN ADULT/GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS

The C.G.S. in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners is a certificate program which enables students who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and wish to expand upon their current role as a nurse practitioner. Students who successfully complete this 18 credit certificate program will be eligible to apply to take the following certification examinations: the American Nurses Credentialing Center Adult Acute (NPs) exam or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP exam (NPs).

(See “C.G.S. in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care For Nurse Practitioners” for a full description.)

 

C.G.S. IN ADULT/GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE FOR CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS

The C.G.S. in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care for Clinical Nurse Specialists is a certificate program which enables students who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and wish to expand upon their current role as a clinical nurse specialist. Students who successfully complete this 18 credit certificate program will be eligible to apply to take the following certification examinations: the American Nurses Credentialing Center Adult / Gerontology CNS exam (CNSs) or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Adult / Gerontology Acute CNS exam (CNSs).

(See “C.G.S. in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care For Clinical Nurse Specialists” for a full description.)