College of Staten Island Nursing Program Review

The College of Staten Island (CSI) is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system and is one of its 11 senior colleges. Both bachelor and associate degrees are offered at this college, as well as master’s degree programs and a doctoral program in nursing. The College of Staten Island-CUNY is the largest college campus in New York City.

Nursing Programs

Students interested in any of the nursing programs at the CSI-CUNY must show proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or F1 Status as an International Student. The applicant may also have been granted asylum or be admitted under other conditions related to residency status in the U. S. Applicants must also submit a physical report from their doctor and may be required to have a physical each year that they are in the program at the school. In addition, applicants must take the NLN PAX-RN CSI Test or the SAT I or SAT II-Biology. In addition, applicants must have a criminal background check. Applicants may not have any pending cases against them or have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, or they may not be granted licensure in the State of New York.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

The College of Staten Island-CUNY offers a two-year AAS program that qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-RN, a national examination for nursing program graduates that is required for licensure. Before being admitted to the AAS program, students are admitted to the college on the basis of their high school academic average, SAT scores, or GED scores. Students must have at least one semester’s residency at the school to qualify for admission to the program. The nursing program is competitive, so not everyone who applies for admission is chosen. Prerequisite courses that must be taken before acceptance into the AAS program are Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Communications Workshop, Introduction to Ethics, and Psychology.

Once students are admitted into the AAS program, there are 48 credits that must be completed. These are Bacteriology and Bacteriology Lab, Medical-Surgical Nursing I and II, Psychiatric Nursing, Family-Centered Maternity Nursing, Child Health Nursing, plus electives. Students also complete clinical work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. After graduation and working as an RN, this nurse may elect to continue his or her education by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

RN-BSN Program

RNs who want to pursue further education may enroll in this program. Applicants must be graduates of an AAS or Nursing School Diploma program. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 in previous courses is required. There are 66 pre-major credits required that are expected to be completed before beginning the nursing courses at the BSN level. These are Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Ethics, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology and Cellular Pathology, Microbiology and Cellular Pathology Laboratory. Other required classes are Principles of Chemistry I & II and Laboratories, Introduction to Probability and Statistics with Computer applications, Medical Dosage Calculations, Medical Surgical Nursing I, II, and III, Psychiatric Nursing, Family-Centered Maternity Nursing, and Child Health Nursing.

Once these courses are completed, students move into 40 credits related to the BSN. These include Pharmacotherapeutics, Introduction to Physics, Seminar in Professional Development, Interpersonal Dynamics for Professional Nurses, Health Assessment and Physical Examinations, Introduction to Research in Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Leadership in the Management of Patient Care, and Issues in Health Care and Professional Nursing. In addition six credits in nursing electives must be chosen.

Graduate Nursing Programs – Master of Science (MSN)

RNs who have earned their BSN may apply for one of the MSN programs at the College of Staten Island-CUNY. Programs offered are Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Practitioner (CNS/NP). The college’s MSN program emphasizes the care of diverse populations and cultural competency. Students are prepared for their future job as a leader, consultant, or educator during the time spent at the college. Both full time and part time options are available for the MSN program. The various tracks available on the graduate level are in Adult Health Nursing, Gerontological Nursing, or Nursing Education. Graduate students may also earn an Advanced Certificate in Cultural Competence. The College of Staten Island is one of the first schools in the U.S. to offer this track for nurses.

Doctoral Degree in Nursing Program

The College of Staten Island-CUNY  offers The Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) program in conjunction with two other CUNY schools. They are Hunter College, Lehman College. Students may work with the department head to form their own program, or they may work with others at these colleges.

Contact:
College of Staten Island-CUNY
2800 Victory Blvd.
Staten Island, New York 10314
(718) 982-2000