Curriculum

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A common core of knowledge at the master’s level provides a foundation for nurses in advanced nursing roles. The theoretical base specific to each specialization is included in the course of study and accompanied by practical experience, thus providing students the opportunity to apply theory in a variety of settings.

Three specializations are offered: Nursing Administration*, Nursing Education*, and Family Nurse Practitioner**.  The Nursing Administration specialization prepares nurses for administrative positions in various health care organizations. The Nursing Education specialization prepares nurses to teach in baccalaureate and associate degree education programs, or in staff development and continuing education fields. The Family Nurse Practitioner specialization prepares RNs with an undergraduate degree for a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Additional Admission Requirements

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MSN Administration, Education & Family Nurse Practitioner Tracks

1. Applicants must be graduates of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, accredited at the time of graduation by CCNE or ACEN.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program must have been completed with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

2. Applicants are required to hold an active, unrestricted RN license. RNs are to provide their license number to Saint Joseph’s College for verification. 

Note: Applicants who have had license sanctions must be without restrictions during the two years prior to Saint Joseph’s application.

Master of Science in Nursing- Non-BSN applicants (All Tracks)

1. Applicants must be graduates of a Baccalaureate degree, accredited at the time of graduation by a regionally or nationally accredited institution.

• Baccalaureate degree program must have been completed with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

2. Applicants must be graduates of a Diploma or Associate degree in Nursing, accredited at the time of graduation by CCNE or ACEN

• Diploma or Associate degree in Nursing program must have been completed with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

3. Applicants are required to hold an active, unrestricted RN license. RNs are to provide their license number to Saint Joseph’s College for verification. 

Note: Applicants who have had license sanctions must be without restrictions during the two years prior to Saint Joseph’s application.

Non-Bachelor of Science in Nursing applicants who are accepted into any specialization of the Master of Science in Nursing program, are required to complete the following undergraduate RN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses: 

• NU 405T Community Nursing Theory   
  • A minimum final course letter grade of “B” is required for successful completion.
  • Applicants who can show evidence of comparable coursework, or professional working experience through a resume, may request a waiver of NU 405T in writing to the Program Director.
• NU 406T Nursing Leadership and Management Theory  
  • A minimum final course letter grade of “B” is required for successful completion.
  • Without exception, NU 406T- Nursing Leadership and Management Theory will not be waived.
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International Applicants

International applicants must be graduates of nursing programs equivalent to ACEN or CCNE-accredited baccalaureate nursing degrees. International applicants educated in countries other than the United States must contact the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (COGFNS) for credentialing at: Commission of Foreign Nursing Schools, 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651 USA. Applicant Inquiries:  215-349-8767. Graduates of foreign nursing schools must submit an official report from the COGFNS.

Note: Additional Master of Science in Nursing Administration, Education and Family Nurse Practitioner program policies can be located in the Student Handbook.

http://online.sjcme.edu/pdf/DistanceNursingHandbook.pdf

Criminal Background Check Policy

All students will be required to submit to a criminal background check as part of preparation for practica courses. Students will be enrolled in a web based background screening and immunization tracker program (CertifiedBackground.com). The results of the one- time criminal background check are stored until a student graduates from the SJC Online MSN program or is no longer in the nursing program. In the event that the clinical practica extend beyond a 12 month period, an additional background check may be required. Criminal Background check items disqualifying a student from continuing into the clinical portion of the program include the following:

1. Misdemeanor involving violence/drug related offenses.
2. Felony, pending felony, sex abuse conviction.

If a student disputes the background check findings, they have up to 2 weeks to do the following:

1. Contact Certified Background Check directly to dispute findings or request supporting documentation.
2. Submit their dispute in writing to the Program Director. (see Student Handbook for details)

 Process of the dispute: (see Student Handbook for details).

Drug Screen Policy

All students will be required to submit to an initial urine 10-drug panel screening performed at a SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) certified laboratory as part of Phase I preparation for clinical practica. Students will be enrolled in a web based background screening and immunization tracker program where specific instructions for drug urine testing are provided (CertifiedBackground.com – (see Student Handbook for details). The results of the urine drug screen are stored until a student graduates from the SJC Online MSN program or is no longer in the nursing program. At the direction and discretion of the Program Director, additional drug urine screens may be requested of the student. Any substance found on urine drug screen not explained by prescription and identified within the PCP documented physical exam is considered unacceptable and is grounds for a student to be denied access to the remaining practica portion of the Saint Joseph’s College MSN program. If a student disputes the findings, they have up to 2 weeks to do the following: (see Student Handbook for details)

CPR Policy

All students in clinical courses must present evidence of provider CPR certification (copy of both sides of card) before starting clinical. A provider level CPR course includes one and two rescuer CPR and covers adult, infant and child CPR. Evidence of CPR certification will be submitted in the Certified Background online tracking program (see Student Handbook for details).

Health Requirements

All students are required to maintain Individual Health Insurance Coverage that covers $10,000 per claim. Additional health requirements may be deemed necessary by the clinical agency and are at the student’s expense. In addition to the College health requirements, MSN/FNP students are required to supply evidence of meeting the following requirements prior to starting clinical courses: Evidence of health requirements will be submitted in the Certified Background online tracking program (see Student Handbook for details).

Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

All students must conform to clinical site Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) policies and the HIPAA national standards. It is required that all students supply the SJC Department of Online Nursing Education confirmation of attendance at HIPAA training either through their clinical agency or work agency. Documentation of attendance at a valid HIPAA training session will be submitted in the Certified Background online tracking program (see Student Handbook for details) All students must hold an active and unrestricted R.N. license in their state of practice. RN license numbers will be submitted in the Certified Background online tracking program All students must also purchase and maintain private student professional malpractice insurance throughout the entire MSN program. The student should purchase a per occurrence policy or a claims made policy with limits of 1,000,000/3,000,000. This should be a student policy. Documentation of this requirement will be submitted in the Certified Background online tracking program. (see Student Handbook for details).