Nursing M.S.N.

Learning Goals

Debra Servello

Interim Dean, School of Nursing

Lynn Blanchette

Associate Dean, School of Nursing

Graduate Department Chair: Joanne Costello

M.S.N. Graduate Program Director: Kara Misto

M.S.N. Program Faculty: Professor Costello; Associate Professors Misto, Servello; Assistant Professors Calvert, Dame, DiLibero, Hodne, 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.
   
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: 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, including a grade of ‘U’, in any course 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

A. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care

First Semester

Second Semester

Summer Session I

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

ONE COURSE from

B. Nurse Anesthesia

First Semester - Summer Session II

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Fifth Semester

Sixth Semester

Seventh Semester

Eighth Semester

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