2021-2022 Catalog

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Nursing M.S.N.

Carolynn Masters, Dean, School of Nursing 

 

Lynn Blanchette

Associate Dean, School of Nursing

 

Graduate Department Chair: Justin DiLibero

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

Admission to graduate study at the Rhode Island College School of Nursing is selective and determined by the quality of the total application. Applications are submitted on-line and are available for the MSN program at https://www.applyweb.com/ricg/index.ftl

Applications for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP option open on October 15th and the deadline for submission is February 15th. If space(s) remains in the NP option after the February 15th deadline, applications may be accepted for consideration at the discretion of the program director. Contact the MSN program director for further information. (2022 Application deadline has been extended to July.)

Applications for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care CNS, Population/Public Health Nursing options, and the four graduate certificate programs [Adult/Gerontology Acute Care CNS - (Post-Masters), Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP (Post-Masters), Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety, and Nursing Care Management] are accepted on an on-going basis, but applications must be received one month prior to the start of each semester.  

Admission requirements include:

  1. A completed application accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee.  Active duty military and veterans are eligible to receive a fee waiver - contact Ellen Morais (emorais@ric.edu) for additional information.
  2. A Baccalaureate degree from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program.
  3. Official transcripts of ALL undergraduate and graduate coursework.
  4. Completion of a course in statistics (MATH 240 or its equivalent), with a minimum grade of C within the last ten years.
  5. A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate course work. (Consideration will be given to students demonstrating successful completion of graduate level nursing classes earning 3.0 or greater).
  6. Eligibility for RN licensure in Rhode Island.
  7. A professional résumé.
  8. Three professional references (at least one from a clinical supervisor).
  9. A brief letter of intent that demonstrates the candidate’s practice experience and reasons for pursuing graduate study. The statement should be representative of the applicant’s writing ability, be no more than 500 words, double-spaced, and written in 12-point font. 
  10. Proof of residency for in-state tuition.
  11. An interview may be required.

 

Additional Requirements for International Students 

 

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.  An official report of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants who are from countries where English is not the first language. (For application assistance, see: https://www.ric.edu/department-directory/unity-center/international-immigrant-undocumented-dacamented-refugee-student-services and https://www.ric.edu/documents/international-graduate-students-guide).

  

Additional Admission Requirement for the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Option

A minimum of one year RN experience in an adult acute care setting within the last 3 years is recommended. 

 

An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). To schedule a test, visit the GRE or MAT websites at: GRE - http://www.ets.org/gre and MAT -http://www.pearsonassessments.com/postsecondaryeducation/graduate_admissions/mat.html

 

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 MSN 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 MSN program director in consult with the dean. Students may be required to repeat a course at the discretion of the MSN 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 Nursing Graduate Programs | Rhode Island College (ric.edu)

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 530Adult Health Illness I for CNS

6

 Spring.
NURS 540Adult Health Illness I for NPs

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 610Adult Health/Illness II for CNS

6

 Fall.
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.
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 530Adult Health Illness I for CNS

6

 Spring.
NURS 540Adult Health Illness I for NPs

6

 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.
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.
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.)