Program Enrollment Requirements
The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialization has a competitive admissions process. Successful applicants will meet the following additional admissions criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree from a nationally accredited institution with at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4-point scale).
- Submission of GRE or MAT test scores. (No longer required as of 5/15/2014.)
- Submission of a resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Evidence of a minimum of 1,000 RN clinical hours worked prior to admission. Clinical hours must have been worked within the past five years. (No longer required as of 5/15/2014.)
- An active unrestricted U.S. RN license, that can be verified and is recognized by the State Board of Nursing where the applicant is licensed. Experienced RNs must have held an active unrestricted RN license for two years prior to application, and provide their license number to SJC for verification. RNs who have been licensed for less than two years must hold an active and unrestricted RN license since the time of licensure. (As of 5/15/2014, only an unencumbered RN license required; no two year minimum required.)
- Proficiency in English (SJC requirements for TOEFL).
- Ability to meet clinical agency requirements for health status verification, malpractice insurance and background checks.
- Submission of three letters of reference required, two professional and one personal.
- Submission of a five hundred (500) word essay.
The essay provides the Admissions Committee a first-hand example of writing skills and ability to present ideas in a clear, logical and coherent manner. In lieu of a face to face interview, the essay provides the Admissions Committee with a personal perspective on professional contributions, academic and clinical strengths as a student, and prior professional experiences. Proofread your essay carefully! Please address the following items in the 500 word essay:
1. Define your professional goals and how this program will contribute to achieving them.
2. Explain why you have chosen the advanced nursing practice FNP track in the MSN program.
3. Discuss how your professional experiences have prepared your for success in the FNP MSN program.
4. Discuss your academic and clinical strengths and weaknesses.
Pre-Admission Requirement
All applicants with a baccalaureate degree in another field who are graduates of a diploma or associate degree program in nursing must successfully complete two one-credit courses (NU510/NU511) with a grade of an A. NOTE: Successful completion of these courses does not guarantee acceptance into the MSN-FNP program.
NU 510- Community Health Nursing Assessment (counts as 1 nursing elective credit) NU 510 (Community Health Nursing Assessment) ONLY per director approval with appropriate documentation. This course is offered as a 1 credit elective to provide an opportunity for the RN who holds a bachelors in another field to enter the MSN program by demonstrating BSN level course outcomes competence AND earn the 1 graduate nursing elective credit by analyzing and reflecting upon Patricia Benner’s ‘From Novice to Expert’.
NU 511-Leadership Nursing Assessment (counts as 1 nursing elective credit) NU 511 (Nursing Leadership Assessment) ONLY per director approval with appropriate documentation. This course is offered as a 1 credit elective to provide an opportunity for the RN who holds a bachelors in another field to enter the MSN program by demonstrating BSN level course outcomes competence AND earn the 1 graduate nursing elective credit by analyzing and reflecting upon Patricia Benner’s ‘From Novice to Expert’.
Masters degree applicants may be able to transfer up to 6-credits if they have earned at least a B in equivalent courses.
Affords current nursing majors the transferring of 6-credits into the program.
Post MSN-FNP Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study
June 16, 2021COVID-19 Update: Upcoming vaccine deadlines; Testing phase-out
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