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 builds 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  an undergraduate GPA  of a minimum of 3.0 with priority enrollment to those with a GPA of 3.3.
• Official transcript indicating successful completion of undergraduate courses in statistics, nursing research, and undergraduate health assessment (physical examination) with grades of “B” 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 health care 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 health care. 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 600 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. to M.S. Fast Track Program

Petition for Graduate Study

Current St. John Fisher nursing students may petition to complete graduate-level coursework during their senior year of undergraduate study. This offers an accelerated approach for qualified traditional baccalaureate students who wish to pursue the Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing degree. The accelerated program allows specific graduate-level courses to be taken and for one course to fulfill a designated undergraduate requirement. This shortens graduate degree requirements without compromising didactic and clinical learning experiences.

Note: Approval to take graduate courses does not guarantee admission to the M.S. program in Advanced Practice Nursing. Students who wish to continue their graduate studies at Fisher must complete the application process for graduate admissions. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information.

Students beginning their study of Nursing at St. John Fisher follow the curriculum of the Traditional Nursing B.S. Program. They may petition to take courses in the graduate program after all 300-level undergraduate courses have been completed with a GPA in Nursing of 3.30 or higher, by submitting the Petition for Graduate Courses [pdf] form. Application deadline for graduate courses is July 1 for fall admission and January 1 for spring admission. Students interested in an accelerated program should consult with their advisors and the Graduate Program Director during their junior year at St. John Fisher College. Approved traditional baccalaureate students take:

• GNUR 512 Health Care, Economics, and Policy (4) –OR–
  GNUR 518 Advanced Practice in the Care of Families (3)

-AND-

• GNUR 529 Advanced Practice Nursing Roles and Leadership (2) in place of
  NURS 446 Nursing Leadership & Patient-Centered Care III (3)

Enrollment Status

Either GNUR 512 Health Care, Economics, and Policy (4) –OR– GNUR 518 Advanced Practice in the Care of Families (3) is taken along with other required undergraduate nursing courses during the senior year. This course is posted as graduate credit, and there is no additional charge for this course as long as the student is full-time in the undergraduate B.S. Nursing program.

GNUR 529 Advanced Practice Nursing Roles and Leadership (2) is taken during the senior year. Students who successfully complete GNUR 529 will not take NURS 446 Nursing Leadership and Patient-Centered Care III (3). The graduate course is posted as undergraduate credit, and there is no additional charge for this course as long as the student is full-time in the undergraduate B.S. Nursing program. The graduate course is added to the student’s graduate transcript at the end of the first semester of graduate study at the Wegmans School of Nursing.

R.N./B.S. to M.S. Fast Track Program

Current St. John Fisher R.N. to B.S. nursing students may petition to complete graduate-level coursework during their undergraduate study. This offers an accelerated approach to R.N. baccalaureate students who wish to pursue the Master of Science degree in Advanced Practice Nursing. The program allows specific graduate-level courses to fulfill designated undergraduate requirements. This shortens graduate degree requirements without compromising didactic and clinical learning experiences.

Note: Approval to take graduate courses does not guarantee admission to the M.S. program in Advanced Practice Nursing. Students who wish to pursue their graduate studies at Fisher must complete the application process for graduate admissions. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information.

Students follow the curriculum of the R.N./B.S. program and substitute two graduate courses for undergraduate nursing courses. Students may petition to take graduate courses after completing four undergraduate R.N./B.S. courses, by submitting the Petition for Graduate Courses [pdf] form. Students interested in an 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. Approved students take:

• GNUR 512 Health Care, Economics, and Policy (4)
  in place of NURS 458 Contemporary Professional Issues

–AND–

• GNUR 543 Advanced Pathophysiology(3)
  in place of NURS 459 Capstone Professional Portfolio

Enrollment Status

Both GNUR 512 Health Care, Economics and Policy (4) and GNUR 543 Advanced Pathophysiology (3) are posted as undergraduate credit on the student’s academic record, and there is no additional charge for these courses for students in the undergraduate R.N./B.S. nursing program. The graduate courses are added to the student’s graduate transcript at the end of the first semester of graduate study at the Wegmans School of Nursing.

Progression Policy

Students matriculating in to the WSON graduate program beginning in Fall 2012 must achieve a grade of B (84-86) or higher in GNUR 543, 566, 567, 570, 571, 576 and  577 in order to progress to the next course.  If a student does not achieve a grade of B on the first attempt, the student may re-take the course once. If the student does not achieve a grade of B on the next attempt, the student will not be allowed to progress.

Note: Students matriculated into the WSON graduate program prior to fall 2012, will have four semesters to complete these courses with an average of B or higher, or be held to this policy.

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 health care agencies. Students will be required to sign a formal attestation form which communicates their understanding of the clinical 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 health care 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 health care 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 one of the capstone options. 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 discretion of 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 or result in course failure or dismissal from the program.

In addition, health care 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 health care 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.