Felician College Nursing Program Review
Felician College (FC) was established in 1923 as Immaculate Conception Normal School. It is a private, co-ed institution affiliated with the Catholic Church and operated by the Felician Sisters of America. The college is affiliated with the Catholic University of America and through it, was transformed into a teachers training college; who are also its founder organization. By 1967, the teacher training college had introduced other program besides teaching and it was authorized to offer 4-year programs. With this elevation came the change of name to Felician College.
Nursing at Felician College
Nursing was among the first disciplines introduced at the college after it became a junior college. All 2-year programs were however discontinued by 1965. 12 nursing tracks are offered at the college: 4 undergraduate, 3 Master of Science tracks, 3 post-master’s certificates and 2 options for the Doctor of Nursing Practice. There are also 2 other programs offered under the Teacher Education program that include a Master of Arts in Nursing education and a Certificate for School Nurses. The nursing programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Undergraduate Tracks
The 4 undergraduate nursing tracks admits high school graduates, transfer students, registered nurses or students with a first baccalaureate degree for the various entry options.
BSN Degree-High School Seniors and Transfer Students
As the name suggests, this is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) track designed for entry level candidates that have no prior nursing experience. Candidates are recent high school graduates or transfer students from other colleges. Coursework include freshman courses in liberal arts, sciences, general education and nursing courses. The 4-year curriculum is designed to prepare students for the NLCEX-RN exam for initial licensure as registered nurses besides earning a BSN degree.
RN to BSN Fast Track Program
This program is designed for busy and working registered nurses who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree. Candidates interested in this program must be registered nurses in New Jersey with current and unencumbered licenses. An associate degree in nursing or a diploma from an accredited institution is also required.
Students are admitted as cohorts and move from one learning cycle to another as so. Classes are scheduled for 1 full day per week for 8-week cycles. 54 credits: 27 of liberal arts and 27 of nursing courses. Coursework is taught in the two campuses of the Felician College and other off-campus location throughout New Jersey. On a normal basis, the program takes 17 months including a 5-week break to complete. Students are awarded a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree after successful completion.
Accelerated Bachelors to BSN Program
This second degree program is meant for adult learners who already hold another non-nursing baccalaureate degree and wishing to change career into nursing. It is a highly intensive program and is advised for students who can dedicate full time attention to study. Candidates must have completed all prerequisite courses for a BSN degree prior to enrolling for any nursing course sequence.
Like the RN to BSN option, students are admitted as cohorts that must be maintained to completion. Coursework is offered on a full time basis of 12-week cycles including summer sessions. A total of 72 upper division nursing courses and 32 prerequisite courses are required for eligible for graduation with a second degree BSN. Students also become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses.
RN to BSN to MSN
This program is designed for RN to BSN graduates of Felician College who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses. Such graduates get a streamlined admission into the RN to BSN to MSN track. The RN to BSN fast track program consists 2 graduate level nursing courses that are used to “jump-start” the Master of Science in nursing (MSN) program. Since the 2 courses are double edged: count towards both the BSN and MSN degrees, nurses save time and money. Registered nurses can choose Adult or Family Nurse Practitioner or the Nursing Education tracks as their MSN specialty.
Graduate Nursing Programs
Master of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in nursing (MSN) candidates must have a current and unencumbered registered nurse license. Not all tracks will require candidates to have a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree as a prerequisite for admission.
- MSN: Executive Leadership
This track requires 36 credits to complete with coursework being offered in a hybrid format of classroom and distance learning modes. Students are admitted in cohorts that must be maintained to the end. This track is open for both BSN-prepared candidates and baccalaureate degree holders with degrees other than nursing. The latter admission is evaluated on portfolio assessment. If successfully chosen, students take 3 level 400 Bridge Program courses after which they are matriculated into the MSN program.
- MSN Education
This track is specifically designed for BSN-prepares students who want to become faculty members. The track’s curriculum consists of 42 credits and minimal clinical and practicum hours. It can be completed in just about 2 years.
- MSN Family or Adult Nurse Practitioner
The 2 options are for registered nurses with a BSN degree and at least one year working experience as nurses. RNs that do not have 1 year working experience may be admitted on a conditional basis. The Family NP curriculum consists of 46 credits while the Adult NP track has 43 credits. All theory coursework is offered online while clinical courses are completed at a student’s location of choice. However, the preceptor must be approved by Felician College nursing faculty. Graduation requirement can be completed in a minimum of 2 years.
Post Master’s Certificates
3 post-master’s nursing certificate programs are available for MSN prepared candidates:
· Post Masters Certificate: Adult or Family Nurse Practitioner
· Post Masters Certificate: Executive Leadership
· Post Masters Certificate: Nursing Education
Teacher Education Nursing Options
Felician College offers 2 unique teacher education nurse training at the graduate level as follows:
· Certificate: School Nursing & Teacher of Health Education
This is a certificate offered under the division of education. It is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education and students become eligible to receive certification from the state as School Nurse & Teacher of Health Education. Candidates need only a BSN and not a MSN like other post-master’s certificate programs. Even more the college also helps with the certificate application process of the 2 certificates on behalf of the graduates. The coursework consists of 19 credits/9 courses projected to take 2-4 semesters to complete.
· MA Education: School Nursing & Health Education
Registered nurses that have completed the above named School Nurse/Teacher of Health education certificate are eligible to complete a Master of Arts (MA) program on the same. Such students only need 18 additional credits to bring it to 37 to earn a MA-School Nurse and Health education degree.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) terminal nursing degree is for MSN-prepared candidates. There are 2 options to choose from:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Executive Leadership
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Advanced Practice
Both options require 40 credit hours to complete with a projected completion time of 7 trimesters. Graduates of Felician College MSN Adult, Family Nurse Practitioner and Executive Leadership tracks have the advantage of seamlessly transferring 6 credits from their MSN towards the DNP. All theory coursework is offered online through synchronous instructions from the nursing faculty. Students are required to visit campus for campus-based intensives only on 2 occasions.
Contact:
Felician College
262 South Main Street, Rutherford,
NJ 07070
