Mount Saint Mary College Nursing Program Review

Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC) is located midway between New York City and Albany, the capital of New York State. It is a private four-year liberal arts college with almost 3,000 students, including those from other countries. The college was begun in 1959 by the Sisters of Saint Dominic. Mount Saint Mary College has strong undergraduate and graduate programs, including both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.

Nursing Program

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Mount Saint Mary College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for several groups of students. The traditional day student may begin the program after completing high school. It usually takes four years to complete the required liberal arts and sciences classes, nursing core courses, and clinical experience. Admittance to the program is competitive, and students must first be accepted into the college. After completing the prerequisite courses, they may apply to the nursing program if they have maintained at least a 2.75 grade point average in these classes.

Students who are interested in the program must also complete the TEAS-ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC) and the Pre-Nursing Computerized Testing given by the Nursing Division of Mount Saint Mary College. Admission requirements include having a high school diploma or GED with college prep classes. Nursing candidates must have completed one unit of biology and one unit of chemistry. Students are evaluated individually according to their SAT or ACT scores, average grades in high school, and their rank in their graduating class. Once students complete the nursing program, they qualify to take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Nursing students may want to study abroad before their junior and senior year when nursing courses and clinical experience make it almost impossible to do this. One of the experiences for students at Mount Saint Mary College is to study in New Zealand for part of a semester. The study experience is related to a non-lab science course and students earn three credits while visiting the sites of many endangered species and major cities in New Zealand. Students attend lectures at various universities and stay in youth hostels plus a two night camping experience in the national parks. Students who have taken advantage of the study abroad experiences offered at this school have said that it was the best memory of their college days.

RN to BSN

Another program that is offered is specifically designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) who have an associate degree. It enables them to earn their Bachelor of Science (BSN) in nursing. This degree is desirable because it leads to more interesting and challenging jobs and leadership roles in nursing. RNs can receive 30 credits for their experience in nursing to get a head start on their coursework. The college has made this program very convenient for working RNs since the classes are online and seminars are held on-site. Students have access to the college library as well as to national and international libraries so that they can complete their work in the comfort of their own home. The Nursing Learning Resource Center in the Nursing Division at the college has interactive multimedia software that simulates various patient situations in a clinical setting. The RN to BSN program can be completed in 2.5 years.

LPN to BSN

There is also a program at Mount Saint Mary College that allows Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to enter the BSN program with a head start in credits earned. They may receive credit for their knowledge and experience as LPNs.

Accelerated Evening and Weekend BSN

This program is another option for students who want to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program may be completed in 3.5 years, but the amount that the required coursework takes depends on the credits that students transfer to the program.

Master of Science in Nursing

Nurses who want to further their education and earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MS) may do so as full-time or part-time students. It usually takes 2.5 years full-time or 3.5 year on a part-time basis. Mount Saint Mary College offers blended online courses so that working RNs can study and complete coursework according to their schedule. There are two MS programs offered, which are Adult Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. The adult nurse practitioner program requires 27 credits in the nursing major, including 500 to 600 hours of clinical practice. Students in the family nursing practitioner major must complete 30 credits and 600 to 700 hours of clinical practice. When these programs are completed, RNs are qualified to practice in their specialty that is much in demand, or they may teach or pursue doctoral study.

Post-master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate Programs

It is also possible for RNs who already have a bachelor’s and master’s degree to get the necessary education to become an adult nurse practitioner or family nurse practitioner. Those who are interested in information on admissions, degree requirements, applications, and course may contact Mount Saint Mary College.

Contact:
Mount Saint Mary College
330 Powell Avenue,
Newburgh, NY 12550-3412
(845) 561-0800