Overview

Dr. Cynthia Ricci McCloskey, Program Director

Mission of the Wegmans School of Nursing Graduate Program

The mission of the educational programs leading to the Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing at St. John Fisher College is to provide a stimulating milieu of academic and clinical excellence that challenges the professional nurse to acquire the theoretical and clinical scholarship needed to assume expanded nursing roles in interdisciplinary health care and/or academic settings upon graduation.

The school offers three degree programs at the master’s level:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), which qualifies the graduate to seek certification and employment as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), which qualifies the graduate to seek certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in a Maternal/Child or Adult/Gerontology clinical specialty.
• Nurse Educator (N.E.), which qualifies the graduate to seek certification as a Certified Nurse Educator and practice in faculty roles and staff development.

Post master’s certificate programs are also available for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Nurse Educator (N.E.) tracks.

Study of any of these programs prepares the student to continue on to doctoral study, if that is a career goal. The Wegmans School of Nursing offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program, which buids upon the FNP and CNS master’s programs.

Admission Requirements

Applicants who present satisfactory evidence of their ability to perform at the graduate level are admitted to the graduate nursing program at St. John Fisher College. The Enrollment Management Committee of the graduate nursing program and the graduate program director judge the qualifications of the applicants.

In addition to the materials and credentials outlined in the general admission requirements, the following are required:

• Two letters of recommendation must be submitted by individuals who are qualified at the master’s or higher level.
• Official transcript showing completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program. The only exception to this is for students in the B.S./M.S. accelerated program. Applicants who do not possess a baccalaureate degree in nursing should meet with the Graduate Program Director or Program Chair to discuss terms for completion of the degree and the accelerated B.S./M.S. program.
• Evidence of current licensure as a registered professional nurse in New York (copy of the registration certificate from the University of the State of New York Education Department Office of the Professions). The only exception to this is for students in the B.S./M.S. accelerated program.
• Official transcript indicating successful completion of undergraduate courses in statistics, nursing research, and undergraduate health assessment (physical examination) with grades of “C” or higher.
• A completed Health History and Immunization form submitted to the College Wellness Center. Health information must be current and valid for the academic year in which the student intends to enter St. John Fisher College. Prior to beginning their first clinical course, students must document and maintain current CPR certification and submit the passing score achieved on the hospital R.N. Medication Administration Competency exam. Students will not be assigned a preceptor until they are in compliance with all of these clinical documentation expectations.
• Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional; taking the GRE may strengthen a graduate application.
• Post-master’s certificate students must present evidence (official transcript) of completion of a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program.

For more information regarding application and admission to the Advanced Practice Nursing program, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (585) 385-8161 or by e-mail at grad@sjfc.edu.

For specific information regarding the Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing, please contact the Graduate Program Director, Dr. Cynthia Ricci McCloskey, at (585) 385-8471 or cmccloskey@sjfc.edu.

Scholarships are available for full- or part-time study.

About the Program

The rapidly changing healthcare environment requires increased numbers of master’s-prepared nurses who are equipped to creatively participate in multidisciplinary planning for productive practice environments that achieve high-quality measurable outcomes. Master’s degree prepared nurses also formulate patient care models that promote professional nurse autonomy and clinical decision-making.

The graduate nursing programs are based on the values of St. John Fisher College, the Wegmans School of Nursing philosophy, and the American Nurses Association Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The curriculum is also guided by educational recommendations from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), and the National League of Nursing (NLN). The curriculum reflects a commitment to the fundamental nature of nursing, which is professional caring for people by providing compassionate, holistic, evidence-based nursing care to diverse populations.

The faculty of the Wegmans School of Nursing is committed to working with the individual needs of the adult learner in planning a program of study that promotes personal balance while successfully completing requirements for the Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing degree. Nursing faculty values students’ diversity in perspectives, experiences, and learning styles and anticipates that students will engage in self-directed, interactive learning that is characterized by integrity, initiative, and interpersonal growth. The Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing programs build on the students’ undergraduate education in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the discipline of nursing. The curriculum affords students the opportunity to broaden their commitment to nursing excellence through the integration of professional and personal values in their new role development.

Graduates of the Advanced Practice Nursing programs are employed in roles consistent with their area of study and are highly respected for their leadership in healthcare. Students are well prepared for new, expanded roles through dynamic, interactive classroom experiences, as well as through precepted experiences with highly qualified nurses who are certified and practicing in specialties congruent with coursework.

In addition to core course requirements, students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program engage in a total of 700 clinical-precepted hours; students in the Clinical Nurse Specialist program engage in a total of 500 clinical-precepted hours of practice. Students in the Nurse Educator program engage in 300 clinical-precepted hours of practice. The undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are currently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an affiliate of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, D.C. 20036-1120
Phone: (202) 887-8476
Website: www.aacn.nche.edu

B.S./M.S. and R.N./M.S. Programs

The BS/MS and RN/MS programs provide an accelerated approach for qualified baccalaureate students and RN students to obtain the Master of Science degree in Nursing. Qualified candidates have a GPA of 3.00 or higher in their undergraduate nursing coursework. The accelerated program substitutes graduate courses for undergraduate courses, thereby lessening graduate degree requirements by six credit hours without compromising didactic and clinical learning experiences. This plan is specific for the nursing major. All liberal arts and sciences requirements for the baccalaureate degree must be met.

The non-RN student pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing may take up to six credit hours in graduate nursing by substituting:

• GNUR 529 Advanced Practice Nursing Roles and Leadership
  in place of
  NUR 409 Leadership and Management

• GNUR 512 Healthcare, Economics, and Policy
  OR
  GNUR 518 Advanced Practice in the Care of Families
  in place of
  NUR 417 Seminar

The RN to BS student may take up to seven credit hours in graduate nursing by taking:

• GNUR 512 Healthcare, Economics, and Policy
  in place of
  NURS 458 Contemporary Professional Issues
  and
  GNUR 518 Advanced Practice in the Care of Families as an additional nursing course

Petition to take graduate nursing courses may be made after the 300-level undergraduate nursing courses have been completed. RN students may apply after completing four nursing courses. Students interested in the accelerated program should consult with their academic advisor and the Graduate Program Director as early as possible during their studies at St. John Fisher College. Students applying to the accelerated program should include a recommendation from a full-time faculty member and a clinical recommendation from a junior-year clinical faculty member. Formal application to the graduate nursing program should be made during the final undergraduate semester. Admission is competitive.

Students accepted into the BS/MS program will retain their undergraduate status until they have completed all requirements for the baccalaureate degree. During this period, any graduate courses taken will be posted on the student’s undergraduate transcript. To continue in the BS/MS or RN/MS program, students must maintain a 3.00 GPA and achieve a grade of “B” or higher in their first graduate course.

Following successful completion of the first semerster of graduate work at St. John Fisher College, all graduate courses that were taken for the undergraduate degree will be posted on the graduate transcript.

Clinical Learning Experiences

The graduate student completes all clinical courses as precepted practicum experiences. The FNP program has a total of 600 clinical hours; the CNS program has a total of 500 clinical hours; the Nurse Educator program has a total of 300 clinical hours. Due to the scarcity of preceptors, the WSON cannot permit students to take more than one clinical course/semester.It is the policy of the graduate nursing program that the student’s clinical learning experiences are separate and apart from his or her position of employment. Precepted clinical experiences are in a wide variety of healthcare agencies. Students will be required to sign a formal attestation form which communicates their understanding of the climicall placement process.

In each clinical course, students must be rated as “competent” by the clinical preceptor and faculty site visitor in order to successfully complete the course. Failure to be rated “competent” at the final clinical evaluation will result in a grade of “F” for the course. Clinical failure can be due to unsatisfactory professional behavior or lack of clinical competence. Earning a grade of “F” in more than one graduate course will result in dismissal of the student from the graduate program.

Note: At least 50 percent of the clinical hours for Family Nurse Practitioner students must be in primary care settings.

Learning Outcomes

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing program, the graduate is prepared to:

• Synthesize knowledge from nursing and related disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate health services, educational offerings, program resources, and research. (Knowledge)
• Engage in multidisciplinary communication to facilitate intervention systems, scientific inquiry, education, and collaboration/negotiation that will positively influence healthcare outcomes. (Communication)
• Provide and advocate for compassionate, high-quality, cost-effective, holistic advanced practice nursing care in diverse settings within communities and health systems. (Holism)
• Use evidence-based intervention and educational strategies to promote, maintain, and restore health, or provide end-of-life care. (Praxis)
• Integrate into role implementation the legal principles and the professional and ethical values essential to advanced practice nursing. (Professional Values)
• Serve as a leader in advancing healthcare by promoting expert nursing practice and education through collegial relationships. (Role)
• Promote practice and education models that are respectful of diversity and pluralism and are based on knowledge of the policies and political issues that influence outcomes of care. (Diversity)
• Develop a personal advanced practice model which incorporates a commitment to lifelong learning and the advancement of the art and science of nursing. (Lifelong Learning)
• Engage in the development of contemporary nursing strategies and models which reflect emerging nursing practice. (Praxis)

Program Requirements

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing offers three programs of study/practice/role development. All students are required to complete a minimum of 20 credit hours of core coursework, including either a master’s project or thesis. Courses are offered weekday evenings.

M.S. in Advanced Practice Nursing: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

The Clinical Nurse Specialist program requires 20 credit hours in addition to the core courses. Clinical Nurse Specialist students can choose either an Adult/Gerontologic focus or a Maternal/Child focus. Successful completion of the program requires 39 credits of coursework and 500 hours of precepted clinical practice. The post-master’s CNS certificate is a variable-credit program based upon the student’s past master’s program courses, up to 23 credits in length.

Adult Health Focus Area

• GNUR 566 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Older Adults (3)
• GNUR 684 Advanced Practice in the Care of Older Adults for CNS (1) (160)
• GNUR 567 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Adults (3)
• GNUR 685 Advanced Practice in the Care of Adults for CNS (1) (160)

Maternal/Child Focus Area

• GNUR 576 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Women (3)
• GNUR 686 Advanced Practice in the Care of Women for CNS (1) (160)
• GNUR 577 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Children (3)
• GNUR 687 Advanced Practice in the Care of Children for CNS (1) (160)

M.S. in Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The Family Nurse Practitioner program requires 27 credits in addition to the core courses. The clinical courses focus on acquiring the knowledge and skills associated with providing primary care for populations including children and adolescents, women, adults, and the elderly. Successful completion of the program requires 46 credits of coursework and 600 hours of precepted clinical practice. Graduates are eligible for New York State certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner and national, professional certification. The post-master’s FNP certificate is a variable-credit program, based upon the student’s past master’s program courses, ranging from 12–30 credits in length.

M.S. in Advanced Practice Nursing: Nurse Educator

The Nurse Educator program requires 17 credits in addition to the core, including three education courses. Educator students can choose either an Adult/Gerontologic focus or a Maternal/Child focus. Successful completion of the program requires 36 credits of coursework and 300 hours of precepted clinical practice. The post-master’s Nurse Educator certificate is 11 credits in length.

Adult Health Focus Area

• GNUR 566 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Older Adults (3)
• GNUR 567 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Adults (3)

Maternal/Child Health Focus Area

• GNUR 576 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Women (3)
• GNUR 577 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Children (3)

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-Master’s Certificate: Clinical Nurse Specialist

Nurses who hold a master’s degree in nursing or a non-clinical master’s degree* and wish to become Clinical Nurse Specialists may obtain the CNS Certificate. The post-master’s program requires the student to complete coursework in the Clinical Nurse Specialist program. Students who have already completed a master’s program in nursing may be eligible for course waivers at the discretion of the Program Director.** Upon completion of this variable-credit program, the nurse will be eligible for national, professional CNS certification. Students will choose either an adult/gerontology focus or a maternal/child focus.

*Students with a non-nursing master's degree may need to take additional courses from the core.

**Required courses will be based on the individual’s program review.

Adult Health Focus Area

• GNUR 566 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Older Adults (3)
• GNUR 684 Advanced Practice in the Care of Older Adults for CNS (1) (160)
• GNUR 567 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Adults (3)
• GNUR 685 Advanced Practice in the Care of Adults for CNS (1) (160)
• GNUR 688 Synthesis CNS Practicum (1) (180)

Maternal/Child Health Focus Area

• GNUR 576 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Women (3)
• GNUR 686 Advanced Practice in the Care of Women for CNS (1) (160)
• GNUR 577 Advanced Concepts in the Care of Children (3)
• GNUR 687 Advanced Practice in the Care of Children for CNS (1) (160)
• GNUR 688 Synthesis CNS Practicum (1) (180)

Post-Master’s Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner

Nurses who hold a master’s degree in nursing and wish to become Family Nurse Practitioners may obtain the FNP certificate. The post-master’s program requires the student to complete coursework in the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Students who have already completed a master’s program (either NP or non-NP) in nursing may be eligible for course waivers at the discretion of the Program Director. Upon completion of this variable-credit program, the nurse will be eligible for certification as an FNP in New York State and national, professional FNP certification.*

*Required courses will be based on the individual’s program review.

Post-Master’s Certificate: Nurse Educator

Nurses who hold a master’s degree in nursing and wish to become Nurse Educators may obtain the Nurse Educator certificate. The post-master’s program requires the student to complete coursework in the Nurse Educator program. Upon completion of this 11-credit-hour certificate program, the nurse will be eligible for certification as a Nurse Educator through the completion of a national certification exam.

Additional Information

Attendance

Participation in and attendance at all classes is a critical component for successful completion of the master’s program.

One missed clinical seminar, Capstone seminar, or hybrid session is equivalent to being absent for a significant portion of a course and will adversely impact a candidate’s final grade in that course. It is important, therefore, that candidates make every effort to be on time and attend every session.

If it is necessary to miss or be late to a class, candidates are required to notify the faculty member teaching the course in advance, if possible. At the discretionof the instructor, the student may be assigned additional coursework to make up for the lost time.

Specific details of the attendance policy and requirements will be provided by the faculty at the start of each course.

Professional Standards

The graduate programs adhere to the standards and guidelines associated with the following organizations: the AACN Essentials of Master’s Education (1996), the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), the Statement on CNS Practice and Education (Section III), the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF), the American Nurses Association Standards of Clinical Practice, the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics (1996), the American Nurses Association Social Policy Statement (1980), and the National League of Nursing (NLN).

The New York State Education Department Office of Professions Nursing Handbook specifies the determination of applicants for authorization to practice a profession. Rules of the Board of Regents, such as those defining good moral character and unprofessional conduct, are followed by the School of Nursing for all undergraduate and graduate nursing students at St. John Fisher College.

Professional standards and state rules acknowledge the nurse’s responsibility to society and mechanisms for accountability. Personal or professional conduct that is inconsistent with these standards, rules, and codes, as well as with those of St. John Fisher College, may prohibit an applicant from being admitted to the nursing program.

In addition, healthcare agencies offering clinical learning experiences for students have specific expectations and policies regarding student behaviors in practice. These agencies may also have specific policies regarding the reciprocal obligations among students, faculty, and clinical preceptors. Updated immunizations, current CPR, R.N. license, medication administration competency, and hospital competency packets must be submitted by students as part of the clinical application. (See Graduate Clinical Application form for details). Students will not be assigned a preceptor until they are in compliance with all of these clinical documentation expectations. These policies are described in the Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.

Any student enrolled in any nursing program who exhibits personal or professional conduct that violates the standards, rules, codes, and/or policies of the School of Nursing, St. John Fisher College, cooperating healthcare agencies, the State of New York, or the nursing profession will face investigation, review, and appropriate action, including possible dismissal from the program and/or College.