Nursing M.S.N.

Learning Goals

Jane Williams

Dean, School of Nursing

Lynn Blanchette

Associate Dean, School of Nursing

Graduate Department Chair: Debra Servello

M.S.N. Graduate Program Director: Cynthia Padula

M.S.N. Program Faculty: Professors Padula, Schwager; Associate Professors Servello; Assistant Professors Calvert, Dame, Hodne, Misto, Mock, Wilks

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. Provisional acceptance is occasionally granted to students with a cumulative grade point average of less than 3.00. Students who are provisionally admitted must achieve a minimum grade of B in three required nursing courses to qualify for full admission.
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. 

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 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 critical care experience. Complete definition of accepted critical care experience is found on the sjhsna website: www.sjhsna.com
8. Skills and abilities applicants and students must demonstrate are also on the sjhsna website: www.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 in a required nursing course (electives excluded) will be placed on probationary status. Students in the Nurse Anesthesia option who earn a grade of less than B- in the required science courses, including CHEM 519 and BIO 535 and BIO 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

B. Nurse Anesthesia

First Semester - Summer Session II

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Fifth Semester

Sixth Semester

Seventh Semester

Eighth Semester

A. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care

First Semester

Second Semester

Summer Session I

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

ONE COURSE from

C. Population/Public Health Nursing

First Semester

Second Semester

Summer Session I

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

ONE COURSE from

Course Requirements - Part-Time Students

Select option A or B below

A. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

ONE COURSE from

Summer Session I

Fifth Semester

Sixth Semester

B. Population/Public Health Nursing

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

ONE COURSE from

Fourth Semester

Summer Session I

Fifth Semester

Sixth Semester