College of New Rochelle Nursing Program Review

The College of New Rochelle (CNR) is a private Catholic school that was once a women-only facility that was begun by the Ursuline nuns. It was the first Catholic college for women in New York State when it was founded. Three of the four schools are now co-ed, including the School of Nursing. This college is located in Westchester, about 16 miles north of Manhattan in New York City. Both undergraduate and graduate programs are offered at the College of New Rochelle. Almost 700 students are enrolled in these nursing programs.

Nursing Programs

There are five nursing programs available at the College of New Rochelle. These are an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a program for RNs seeking a BSN or Master of Science degree, a BSN program for those with bachelor’s degrees in other fields, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program with several options, or several post-masters certificate programs. All of the programs are highly competitive and selective. Special consideration is given to students with volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, and for non-academic pursuits. After graduating from the nursing program and receiving a BSN, graduates must apply for licensure in New York. They must also take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that must be passed before licensure is granted.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree

The admission requirements for undergraduates are that they must have four years of English and of Social Studies, and three units of math and science. The average SAT score for those admitted to the nursing program is around 1040. Applicants must also have reference letters and write an essay explaining why they want to enter the nursing profession. Those admitted to the program must earn 120 credits to graduate. The curriculum is divided into semesters, and BSN students must complete eight semesters. Freshmen must take 15 credits their first semester, including Quantitative Reasoning, Writers’ Workshop, General Psychology, Concepts in Biology, and The Self in Context. For the Spring Semester of the freshman year, students take Research Essay, Anatomy & Physiology I, General Chemistry, Sociology, and an elective.

The second year of studies for sophomores includes these courses for the Fall Semester: Anatomy & Physiology II, Development Psychology, Elemental Statistics or Psychological Statistics, Transcultural Perspectives, and Nutrition. The Spring Semester for sophomores requires that Microbiology, Nursing I: Foundations for Nursing Practice, Health Assessment and Laboratory, and Pharmacology are completed. In the Fall Semester of the junior year, students take Psychosocial Nursing, Nursing II: Acute Health (Adult Health I), Nursing II: Synthesis: Acute Health (Adult Health I), Altered Physiology I, and an elective in Economics, Business, or Political Sciences.

The Spring Semester of the junior year means that BSN students must take Altered Physiology II, Nursing III: Parent/Child Health Nursing, Nursing III: Synthesis: Parent/Child Health Nursing, an Economics, Business, or Political Science elective or Introduction to Research. In the senior year Fall Semester, students must take Nursing IV: Chronic Health (Adult Health II), Nursing IV: Synthesis: Chronic Health (Adult Health II), Nursing IV: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Nursing IV: Synthesis: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, an elective or Introduction to Research. The final semester in the senior year, BSN students must complete Nursing V: Community Health Nursing, Nursing V: Synthesis: Community Health Nursing, Nursing VI: Transition to Professional Practice and Leadership, Nursing VI: Synthesis: Transition to Professional Practice and Leadership, Politics of Health Care, two electives, or Introduction to Research.

Students may also opt to complete the BSN program in three years by taking accelerated classes, including two summer sessions.

RN to BSN Program and RN to BSN to MSN Program

RNs with licensure in the State of New York who have graduated with Associate Degrees or from Nursing School programs may elect to earn their BSN at the College of New Rochelle. Some students go on to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as well since there are 12 credits count towards the BSN and MSN degrees. RNs may opt out of some classes by taking the Excelsior College Examinations. Applicants may be able to earn credits in liberal arts and science classes by taking these exams. Applicants may opt out of additional courses by taking the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) for liberal arts and science classes. The college also offers an Accelerated RN-BSN Program that can be completed in 12 months of full time study. Students must first complete all required liberal arts and science courses and must have their professional RN licensure.

RNs who maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 may also pursue a Master’s Degree in one of the following tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Specialist in Holistic Nursing, Nursing and Health Care Management, or Nursing Education. The courses that are required for these MSN degrees are Health Assessment and Lab, Transcultural Perspectives in Health Care, community Health Nursing, Perspectives in Health Care Management, Advanced Role Development in Transformative Nursing, Theoretical Foundation for Advanced Nursing Practice, and Design and Methodology for Nursing Research. Upon the completion of these courses, students begin taking the advanced practice core courses in each of the specialty tracks. Students complete practicums and clinical work in their specialty area.

Post Master’s Certificate Program

The College of New Rochelle School of Nursing also offers six post-master’s certificates. The Family Nurse Practitioner Post Master’s Certificate Program requires 23 credit hours of study plus 765 clinical hours. To qualify for admission, the student must be an RN with a Master of Science degree in Nursing. Another post master’s certificate program offered at the School of Nursing is the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Holistic Nursing Post Master’s Certificate Program. Those with a master’s degree in nursing must complete 23 credit hours and 590 clinical hours. Another program, the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Holistic Nursing for Advanced Practice Nurses Post Master’s Certificate Program provides advanced placement for Nursing Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists. This certificate requires 14 credit hours and 300 clinical hours.

Another option for those with a master’s degree in nursing is to earn the Nursing & Health Care Administration Post Master’s Certificate. This program prepares RNs to work in administrative roles in healthcare. It consists of 22 credits and has a 135 hour practicum. RNs who want to become nurse educators may take the Nursing Education Post Master’s Certificate program to train to teach at the college level. There is a requirement of 22 credits plus 135 hour practicum required. The Long Term Care Administration Post Master’s Certificate Program is another option for RNs who hold a master’s degree in nursing. Fifteen credit hours are required to earn this certificate.

Contact:
College of New Rochelle
29 Castle Place,
New Rochelle, New York 10805
(914) 654-5000