Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Saint Joseph’s College Online Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Saint Joseph’s College Online Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Master of Science in Nursing


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Saint Joseph’s College’s MSN curriculum includes core courses in nursing informatics, organizational and systems leadership, policy, quality, and safety, and interprofessional collaboration which support the specialty tracks, where you will acquire in-depth knowledge and advanced skills. 

Mastery of critical thinking skills will prepare you for leadership roles within a patient-centered health care delivery setting or educational setting.  Upon completing this online graduate nursing program, you will have the knowledge and skills in leadership and management to influence nursing practice and health care policy.

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares graduates in advanced practice, education and leadership roles who demonstrate the following outcomes:

  • Integrate nursing science with knowledge from ethics, biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences into clinical reasoning and decision making. (MSN Essential I, V)
  • Uses advanced communication skills and leadership in quality, ethical, and safety healthcare initiatives that incorporate interprofessional collaboration for current and future needs of patient populations. (MSN Essential II, III)
  • Uses information systems and technology to evaluate patient care and outcomes. (MSN Essential V)
  • Uses communication and leadership skills as a member of the interprofessional team to manage and coordinate patient care to achieve outcomes. (MSN Essential VII)
  • Analyze biostatistical and environmental data in the development, implementation and evaluation of culturally humble care directed toward health promotion and disease prevention in individuals and communities. (MSN Essential VIII)
  • Demonstrate advanced levels of critical reasoning and decision making in designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence based care to improve patient outcomes in primary care environments. (MSN Essential IV)
  • Analyze health care policy for application in regards to access, safety, quality, and efficacy in advanced level nursing practice. (MSN Essential VI)
  • Analyze methods for critical appraisal of evidence and application of evidence in advanced level nursing practice. (MSN Essential IV,IX)

Incomplete Grades:

Incomplete grades are given only in cases of illness or emergency.  It is the responsibility of the student to request an incomplete course grade from the faculty member teaching the course.  Forms may be obtained from the Office of Academic Affairs or the student’s advisor. A request for an incomplete grade form signed by the faculty member, student, and the Chair of the Nursing Department must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar in order for an “I” (incomplete) grade to be assigned.  A grade of Incomplete reflects an agreed upon course of action between a faculty member and a student to complete the course within the designated time frame.  Course work must be completed four weeks from the last day of class.  If course work is not completed within this time, a grade of “F” will automatically be assigned.  Under special circumstances, students may petition the Chair of the Nursing Department to extend the time limit in which course work may be completed. 

Academic Requirements:

A passing grade of 83 (B) is required for successful completion of all graduate level nursing courses. 

According to the Department of Nursing policy, students who fail to successfully complete a nursing course on the second attempt at any institution or fail a second nursing course are dismissed from the nursing major. 

Matriculated students will have a maximum five (5) years to complete the program.

 

Curriculum


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.

Five specializations are offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP),Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)  Family/ Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner (FNP),   Nursing Administration, and Nursing Education.  The Nurse Practitioner specializations prepare nurses for a career in the AGACNP, AGPCNP or FNP specialization. Students in all specializations are required to take the common core curriculum prior to starting the specialty courses.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practioner (AGACNP)


(24 semester-hour credits)

Family / Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner (FNP)


Students entering the program in September 2020 are required to complete a mandatory on campus skills session during clinical rotations.  This mandatory skills session will account for 24 hours of clinical time which can be applied to NP613 or NP621.

(24 semester-hour credits)

 

Additional Admission Requirements



Admission Requirements

  1. BSN from an accredited institution
  2. Active unrestricted, unencumbered RN license in the US
  3. Cumulative GPA 3.0
  4. All official transcripts
  5. Must have statistics and health assessment as an undergrad with a B or better and courses must be current.
    *If the applicant did not have statistics or health assessment as an undergrad, recommend that they take the courses at SJC and apply once the courses are complete
  6. Resume or CV
  7. Career statement
    ** FNP / AGACNP Applicants:   Describe the FNP/AGACNP role in the context of advanced practice. How does obtaining a graduate nursing degree fit into your professional development goals?
    *** Administration / Education Applicants:  In 750 words or less, please describe how a nurse with an advanced degree impacts practice and how you plan to use your advanced degree after graduation.
  8. 3 references- from peer, supervisor and prior faculty
  9. TOEFL if needed

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

 

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, Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program policies can be located in the Student Handbook.


Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening Policy

Students who will be participating in clinical must complete a criminal background check and drug screening (see Nursing Student Handbook).

  • Criminal Background Check - CertifiedProfile is a secure platform that allows students to order a background check through a web-based secure platform.
  • Drug Screen Testing - Drug testing is purchased with the CertifiedProfile package.

 

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