Nursing, M.S.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Nursing is to provide a rigorous professional education to a diverse population, built on a firm foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, that prepares students for leadership roles at all levels of nursing practice. The Department is committed to supporting holistic growth, fostering strong ethical values, providing an environment of equity and inclusion, promoting personal integrity, and preparing students committed to social justice.

 

Master’s Degree, Nursing

Master’s degree programs are designed to be completed within three years up to six years maximum on a part-time basis. Clinical learning experiences occur at a variety of health care agencies and meet the required hours for certification.

Candidates apply to the program to prepare as nurse practitioners in psychiatric/mental health nursing or primary care nursing.

The master’s degree in Nursing at the University of Saint Joseph is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.

Program outcomes

1. Demonstrate application of nursing and related sciences to inform clinical judgment in assessing, diagnosing, and managing high-quality healthcare. (Domain 1, 2, 5) 
2. Translate advanced-level nursing knowledge to provide holistic individualized care that advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion. (Domain 1, 2, 3, 6) 
3. Apply advanced-level nursing knowledge to health promotion and disease prevention through understanding cost-effectiveness and healthcare delivery systems. (Domain 1, 3, 4, 7) 
4. Engage in the scholarship of nursing by critically appraising evidence through an understanding of the principles of research, informatics, and technology. (Domain 2, 4, 8) 
5. Apply principles of safety and quality-driven care across healthcare settings and systems. (Domain 4, 5, 6, 7) 
6. Demonstrate understanding of the role of interprofessional partnerships in advanced-level nursing practice. (Domain 2, 5, 6, 9) 
7. Appraise systems-based practice and health policy as it influences healthcare outcomes through strategic planning, cost-effective care, and evidence-based practice. (Domain 2, 3, 5, 7) 
8. Demonstrate adherence to professional standards for advanced-level nursing practice. (Domain 8, 9, 10) 
9. Demonstrate commitment to excellence through personal, professional, and leadership development. (Domain 3, 9, 10) 
10. Apply nursing philosophical and theoretical concepts in identifying, initiating, and managing advanced practice nursing identity, professional roles, and clinical activities. (Domain 1, 9, 10) 
11. Provide individual and population-centered care that is centered on an appreciation of human diversity and advocacy for social justice, equity, and inclusion for all. (Domain 2, 3, 8, 9) 

 

A Comprehensive Curriculum

Using the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, the Master’s program at the University of Saint Joseph prepares graduates to meet the competencies in these domains for Advanced-Level Nursing:

• Knowledge for Nursing Practice
• Person-Centered Care
• Population Health
• Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline
• Quality and Safety
• Interprofessional Partnership
• Systems-Based Practice
• Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
• Professionalism
• Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development

Admission

The University of Saint Joseph considers a holistic framework in its admission process. The tenets of the holistic admission process are (a) experiences, (b) attributes, and (c) metrics. This interview provides an opportunity for applicants to share their attributes and experiences to support their application for admission. 

 

Matriculation requirements (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)

1. Acceptance into this program is highly competitive
2. Applications are reviewed twice a year. All application materials should be received by the Graduate Admissions Office by October 1 for application review the following spring, and March 1 for application review for admission for the following fall.
3. Admission application and nonrefundable admission fee
4. A current resume
5. A sealed official transcript showing a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from a regionally and nationally accredited Nursing institution, as well as transcripts from all undergraduate coursework
6. A current Registered Nurse license from the state in which clinical work will be completed.
7. Essay: Discuss a practice problem in your field that, in your experience has a broad impact on patient care and outcomes; state professional goals for the next 5-10 years and explain how this degree will help you reach your goals
8. Two letters from professionals attesting to the candidate’s intellectual, clinical and leadership abilities to pursue graduate work at the University of Saint Joseph. Letters should be from clinical supervisors or managers, and academic faculty
9. An interview with the graduate faculty prior to acceptance into the program
10. All immunization records as required by the University and Department of Nursing
11. Upon formal admission, a certified background check is required
12. Malpractice insurance: Students are required to purchase their own malpractice insurance, at the APRN level, prior to the start of clinical coursework

Matriculation requirements (Family Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care)

1. Acceptance into the program is highly competitive
2. Applications are reviewed twice a year. All application materials should be received by the Graduate Admissions Office by October 1 for application review for admission the following spring, and by March 1 for application review for admission the following fall.
3. Admission application and nonrefundable admission fee
4. A current resume
5. A sealed, official transcript showing a bachelor’s degree in Nursing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from a regionally and nationally accredited Nursing institution, as well as transcripts from all undergraduate coursework
6. A current Registered Nurse license from the state in which clinical work will be completed
7. Essay: Discuss a practice problem in your field that, in your experience has a broad impact on patient care and outcomes; state professional goals for the next 5-10 years and explain how this degree will help you reach your goals
8. Two letters from professionals attesting to the candidate’s intellectual, clinical and leadership abilities to pursue graduate work at the University of Saint Joseph. Letters should be from clinical supervisors or managers, and academic faculty.
9. An interview with the graduate faculty prior to acceptance into the program
10. All immunization records as required by the University and Department of Nursing
11. Upon formal admission, a certified background check is required
12. Malpractice insurance: Students are required to purchase their own malpractice insurance, at the APRN level, prior to the start of clinical coursework

Progression requirements

• A grade of B- or higher must be earned in every course in the graduate Nursing program
• All students must maintain a Nursing cumulative GPA of 2.67 throughout the program
• At any time the Nursing GPA falls below 2.67 the students will be placed on departmental probation
• Student placed on probation must improve their GPA within the next 6 credits taken
• Failure to increase the GPA to 2.67 or higher in a subsequent 6 credits following probation will result in dismissal
• Any grade below a B- in a required program course will result in departmental review with the student being placed on academic probation
• Students who earn less that a B- in a required Nursing course must re-take the course. In certain cases, such as clinical courses, the course must be retaken prior to enrollment in a subsequent clinical course
• Students may retake one course only one time
• Failure to earn a passing grade (B-) in the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program
• Students who do not achieve the clinical competencies required of a clinical course, will fail the course with a maximum grade of C+ (79) when other course work is calculated
• Students may withdraw from one Nursing course one time during the program
• Any students who earns a D or less in any course will be immediately dismissed from the program
• Students must be 100% compliant with all clinical requirements (Project Concert or Castlebranch) no later than two weeks before the beginning of any semester that has a clinical course (NURS 544, 530, 502, 504, 521, 508, 509, 591, 511) otherwise the student will be administratively removed from the clinical courses until they are in full compliance and will need to re-enroll once determined by the Nursing Department to be in full compliance
• Students that have an appeal in process may enroll in a clinical course ( NURS 502, 504, 508, 509, 511, 521, 530, 544, 591) but may not attend clinical until a final decision is rendered. If the appeal is granted they are eligible for a course extension to complete their clinical hours