St. Catherine University Nursing School Review

St. Catherine University, previously known as College of Saint Catherine (CSC) is an school with a catholic identity whose history started back in early 1900s. The university was started under the leadership of Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet and named after an Egyptian martyr. By then, it had the name College of St. Catherine which was changed recently to Saint Catherine University (St. Kate’s, SCU).  Prior to the renaming, the college merged with St. Mary’s School of Nursing and as such, nursing in the university has a long history of excellence. It is located in the Twin cities and has one extended campus location.

Henrietta Schmoll School of Health

The Henrietta Schmoll School of Health leads the stewardship of nursing programs at Saint Catherine University. The school has numerous programs of study ranging from associate degrees to doctoral programs, all which have been accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.  The nursing programs available in an ascending order are:

Associate Programs

  • Nursing: Associate of Nursing

The program is a co-ed program that trains pre-nursing students to become professional nurses. The curriculum is designed to run for two-three years of full time study upon which, students are in a position to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become RNs. Students start off with liberal arts courses and then progress to nursing courses. Courses are offered only at the university’s Minneapolis campus.

  • Nursing: LPN to RN Mobility Program

The program gives licensed practical nurses a chance to become registered nurses. LPNs receive advanced standings from the LPN certificate and complete the program in one academic year. Courses are offered at the Minneapolis campus on an evening/ weekend study mode. Students graduate with an associate of science in nursing degree and become ready to write the state RN licensure exam.

Baccalaureate Majors

  • Nursing: Baccalaureate Day

The program is offered on a full time day schedule at the main campus at St. Paul. Basically, student nurses are prepared to sit for the NLCEX-RN exam for licensure as registered nurses in addition to the award of a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree (BSN).

  • Nursing: RN to Bachelor’s

This program is also offered during weekends at St Paul’s campus and is designed for registered nurses stepping up to the bachelor’s level. It accepts transfer students and takes about two to three years to complete depending on the acceptable number credits accepted for transfer.

Master of Arts in Nursing (MA in Nursing)

The Master of Arts in nursing program is offered at the main campus with classes being scheduled in the evening and weekends only. Two concentrations: Nurse Educator and Nurse Practitioner are available for students to choose from. Further, students can choose from three functional roles under the Nurse Practitioner concentration i.e.

  • Neonatal option
  • Adult Gerontological option
  • Pediatric option

Generally, students must complete 37 credits for the education track and up to 40 credits for the practitioner track depending on which option is chosen.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

This terminal nursing program at Saint Catherine University is meant for Masters degree prepared students. It is an evidence based program where students are expected to cover 9 clinical credits and 19 theory credits.  The curriculum is delivered on a part time basis and students only come to campus to campus once monthly for face to face instructions.

Contact:
St. Catherine University
2004 Randolph Ave, St. Paul,
MN 55105