Pace University Nursing School Review
Pace University (PU) is a private university in New York with campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York. Over 14,000 students study at Pace with almost 9,000 undergraduates and almost 4,500 graduate students. Both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are offered at Pace University, and the Lienhard School of Nursing family nurse practitioner is rated as one of the best in the nation.
Nursing Programs
Nursing BS
The nursing Bachelor of Science (BS) at Pace University combines liberal arts and sciences with the professional skills needed by Registered Nurses (RNs). The program prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam required for licensure as a RN. It also prepares students for further education as nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and other graduate level studies. The curriculum takes four years to complete, and the BS in nursing is offered at both Pace locations. Students who are interested in attending this program may set up a tour at either of the locations to see the facility up close. Students must first apply to the university and then to the Lienhard School of Nursing. Applicants to the BS in nursing program must submit their application and two letters of recommendation from a teacher or counselor from high school. They must also write an essay and submit SAT or ACT scores and their high school transcript. In addition, students must take an admissions test if they are transfer students or change of major students.
Bridge Program to Advance Degree
This program is designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. The program includes undergraduate statistics, nursing research, and information on nursing practice. Students must also be computer literate to enter this program. The number of credits that may be transferred towards a BS in nursing is examined on an individual basis.
Accelerated, Combined BSN and Master’s Degree
This degree is designed for those with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing who wish to move forward in a nursing career. The accelerated curriculum moves quickly and takes from one to two years to complete. All prerequisite courses must be completed before entering this program. It then takes one year of full-time studies to earn the bachelor’s degree. After completing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, graduates take the NCLEX-RN to acquire their license to work as a RN. Students may stop studying at this point, or they may go on to complete their master’s level work without reapplying to Pace University. The student must choose which nursing specialty to pursue in their master’s degree studies.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program
Pace offers three different ways to acquire the educational background to become a family nurse practitioner. After graduating, students qualify to take the certification exam to become a certified Family Nurse Practitioner. One option is to enroll in a program that is designed for RNs with a BS in nursing. This program leads to a Master of Science (MS) degree. Students must earn 42 credits and complete over 700 credits of clinical experience. Another way to complete this program is for RNs who already have their MS in nursing. There is also an individualized program for master’s prepared Nurse Practitioners who want to achieve Family Nurse Practitioner certification. All three programs require extensive clinical experience throughout the New York City area and around Westchester County. Students who complete any of these three programs qualify to take the certification exam leading to Family Nurse Practitioner status.
Nursing Education
There are two paths to earn the nurse educator status at Pace University. One of these is by completing a 32 credit Master of Arts (MA). Students must have at least one year of clinical practice to enter this program. Another program is for RNs who already have a master’s degree in nursing and at least one year of clinical experience. They may become certified by completing a 20 credit advanced certificate program. The MA program is entirely online and has clinical experience opportunities close to students’ homes. In this program, students learn the educational aspects about teaching undergraduate nursing students. Upon completion, they qualify to take the certification exam to gain the status of Nurse Educator.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Pace University prepares students to begin clinical leadership positions in a variety of healthcare settings. This DNP is a 37 credit program. Those accepted into the program must be graduates of a master’s degree program and must have earned a grade point average of 3.3 in their master’s work.
Contact:
Pace University
551 5th Ave #8,
New York, NY 10176
SUNY Plattsburgh Nursing School Review
The State University of New York at Plattsburgh (SUNY Plattsburgh, PSU) is a four-year liberal arts college with over 6,000 students. Both undergraduate and graduate programs are offered. There are over 400 international students who attend Plattsburgh with 71 different countries represented. The university offers small classes and a beautiful campus in a rural area that is safe and small enough so that students can easily walk from building to building. There is another branch of the college in Queensbury. Plattsburgh offers over 60 affordable degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in nursing.
Nursing Programs
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing
PSU (Plattsburgh State University) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing that requires 120 credits in order to graduate. BS students begin their studies by completing the prerequisite courses of chemistry, psychology, composition, sociology, and other liberal arts and science classes. As the program progresses, they begin nursing courses in the second year of studies. A substantial number of hours are spent gaining clinical experience, a time when students work as student nursing in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. The practice their skills in the Damianos Nursing Skills Laboratory where state-of-the-art learning equipment prepares them for experiences that they may encounter while working as a Registered Nurse (RN). Most of the clinical experience that students have while at Plattsburgh takes place at the Champlain Valley Medical Center. Students also gain experience by working at the Clinton County Health Department where they provide wellness care to children and adults. After completing all of the liberal arts and nursing courses, plus the required clinical experience, students qualify to take the NCLEX-RN exam for licensure as Registered Nurses.
There are many activities for nursing students who reside on campus. Plattsburgh is located in Upstate New York not far from Montreal. Students can enjoy the restaurants, shopping, and see a movie in Plattsburgh or they may want to visit Olympic village in Lake Placid. There are also many clubs and activities on campus for students. Admission to the college requires that students have a strong college preparatory background and a Regents diploma. Although this diploma is not required, it is preferred. Applicants should have an average grade of B or better in their high school studies and good SAT or ACT scores.
RN to BS Online Program
The Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science degree in nursing is a program at SUNY Plattsburgh that is available online. Students may use some or many of the credits that they earned while working on their associate degree to pursue a bachelor’s degree. This enables them to advance in their nursing career or to enter a graduate program for more education as a specialist. The online program is very convenient and helpful to RNs who want to earn their BS because they can choose to study when it is convenient for their personal and work schedules. Applicants to the program must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in their associate degree studies, and they must earn at least a C in all required nursing courses to continue in the program. Clinical experience is a large portion of the program that is completed after much of the online coursework is finished.
Contact:
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, New York 12901
(518) 564-2000
CUNY Queensborough Community College Nursing Program Review
Queensborough Community College (QCC) is a community college within the City University of New York (CUNY) system. It is located at Bayside in Queens County in New York City. There are around 15,000 students enrolled at the college that offers associate degrees and certificates. The student body is very diverse with almost equal proportions of African Americans, Asians, Caucasians, and Latinos. Almost half of the students were born in another country.
Over half of Queensborough graduates transfer to bachelor’s degree programs. The nursing department at the college is one of the largest associate degree programs in New York State.
Nursing Programs
Associate of Science in Nursing
Queensborough Community College offers an Associate of Science in Nursing degree for those who want to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse (RN). At the completion of the program, graduates qualify to take the NCLEX-RN, the exam that leads to licensure needed to work as an RN. Students complete general education requirements including liberal arts, sciences, social sciences, and nursing. The program trains nurses to be prepared to enter the workforce as entry-level RNs. Students may also choose to continue their studies and continue to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing at one of the CUNY four-year colleges or to another college or university.
Applicants to the program must first complete pre-clinical nursing courses and earn a minimum grade point average of 3.0. These are English Composition, Psychology, Sociology, and Anatomy and Physiology. The Nursing Pre-Admission RN exam must also be taken and passed with a satisfactory score. In addition, placement tests are required in reading, writing, math, and speech. Students not meeting minimum scores in these subject areas need to take remedial coursework at Queensborough.
Admission to the clinical program is extremely competitive, and even if a student meets all of the necessary requirements for admission, the student may not be accepted into the program. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) may enter the AAS program with advance standing once they complete and pass the required exam. They must also pass and meet a practicum given at the college by the nursing faculty.
While taking nursing courses at Queensborough, students spend time in Queensborough’s Virtual Hospital. This is where they practice their skills using simulation to produce medical scenarios that may occur in their practice as RNs. Simulation labs are becoming popular in almost all nursing schools since it is becoming more difficult to access clinical sites because of increased demand. There are also healthcare restrictions that keep students nurses from spending as much clinical time as required to develop the excellent skills needed before graduation.
This cutting-edge learning facility at the college is maintained by a variety of grants and is supported by numerous foundations. The Virtual Hospital allows students to practice in a safe environment with advanced technology. Another benefit of the virtual learning experience is that faculty members can continually monitor students and work with them to help them perfect their nursing skills. This practice is especially important at Queensborough Community College since many of the students speak English as their second language.
Contact:
Queensborough Community College
222-05 56th Avenue,
Bayside, New York 11364,
(718) 631-6262
Roberts Wesleyan College Nursing Program Review
Roberts Wesleyan College (RWC) is a Christian liberal arts college located in North Chili, New York in the Rochester area. It was the first college founded for Free Methodists in North America. It is a small college with around 2,000 students enrolled. The college offers over 50 academic professional and pre-professional programs.
The campus is built in a park-like suburban setting. In addition, there is an award winning academic library and one of the area’s best performing arts centers. The college offers a close-knit community of students, small classes, and access to the faculty that is not usually found at larger institutions.
Nursing Programs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Roberts Wesleyan College offers a traditional bachelor’s degree in nursing. The nursing curriculum focuses on caring and wholeness and is built on a liberal arts base. Students must complete eight semesters including liberal arts and science, nursing core courses, and clinical experience that is necessary before graduation. Clinical practice begins in the second year and continues for five semesters. Clinical experience takes place in large medical centers as well as in community hospitals. It culminates in the senior year with the senior practicum, which is an experience in a field of nursing of particular interest to the student. These areas may be women’s health nursing, preoperative nursing, cardiopulmonary nursing, or other specialties. Besides academics, nursing students are involved in many different organizations at the college. They take part in organized sports, student government, and many other activities.
Some of the unique features of the Roberts Wesleyan College nursing program are that students are approached with a wholistic approach. Students are treated as having spiritual, social, psychological, and physical needs, and they are encouraged to approach patients in the same way. Students get a lot of personal attention and help if required at the college, and this is done in a Christian environment. Students are encouraged to lifelong service of God and society. Also, the college offers opportunities for foreign study to learn transcultural nursing and missionary nursing in other countries. After completing all of the required courses and clinical experience, students who have reached the graduation point qualify to take the NCLEX-RN. This is the national exam that is required to gain certification as a Registered Nurse.
Master of Science in Nursing
The Master of Science in nursing (MS) offers two specialty options to students. These are Nursing Education and Leadership & Administration. The accelerated curriculum requires only 69 weeks of study with classes held only one night each week. A total of 39 credits of graduate study must be earned to qualify for graduation. The classes are held at Roberts and are taught by long-term nursing faculty that has worked with many graduate students for many years. The program uses a modular, cohort format that focuses on one course at a time. A graduate internship is required for both of these programs. When the programs are complete, students qualify to take the certification exam to attain the Nurse Educator or Nursing Leadership & Administration status.
Contact:
Roberts Wesleyan College
2301 Westside Drive
Rochester, New York 14624
(585) 594-6000
Rochester General Hospital Nursing Program Review
The Rochester General Hospital (RGH) School of Nursing has been in existence since 1880. It was the 12th nursing school to open in the U.S. and the third in New York State. Instruction focuses on bandaging, massage, and hygiene, and there was no anatomy or physiology required. Student nurses slept in unoccupied rooms in the hospital since there were no dorms available. The Rochester General Hospital School of Nursing graduated its last class in 1964. Today, the Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing is still training nurse professionals to be Licensed Practical Nurses.
Nursing Program
Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing
Students who want to begin a career in nursing often choose practical nursing as their starting point. They can attend this school and begin their nursing career in only 10 months of full-time study or two years of part-time study. When the program is completed, graduates qualify to take the NCLEX-PN to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). LPNs work under Registered Nurses (RNs) caring for patient needs and performing important functions in the healthcare team.
Admission requirements include having a high school diploma or equivalent, a satisfactory interview and references, and being 17 years of age or older. Applicants must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills entrance exam and attain a score of 70 or higher. All applicants must also write an essay on why they want to become a practical nurse. The candidate’s application and application fee, which is nonrefundable, must be sent as far in advance as possible. In addition, the candidate’s high school or college transcripts must be forwarded to the Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing. Candidates must also forward two references from employers or work associates.
Once a student is accepted into the practical nursing program, they must complete the curriculum that includes Anatomy and Physiology, Practical Nursing I, Human Growth and Health Promotion, and a Laboratory in the first semester. Practical Nursing I includes 180 hours of theory and 60 hours of clinical practice. During the second semester, students must complete Practical Nursing II. This consists of 219 hours of theory and 120 hours of clinical practice plus 120 laboratory clinical hours. Semester III includes Practical Nursing III with 28 hours of theory and 135 hours of clinical practice. There is also a laboratory component of 120 hours. Students must have a final grade of 80 percent or higher in all nursing courses. They must have minimum grades of at least 75 percent or above in Human Growth and Health Promotion and Anatomy and Physiology.
In addition, students receive grades on their clinical performance. Evaluations are also completed at regular intervals during the program. There are formal evaluations and informal conferences throughout the year. Most of the students’ clinical experience occurs at Rochester General Hospital where students rotate to various medical, surgical, and mental health units. They are scheduled to work in the operating room, post anesthesia care, pediatrics, ambulatory care centers, and maternity. Students also gain clinical experience in Rochester Psychiatric Center, Monroe County Community Hospital, Hill Haven Nursing Home, and others. Students are also required to complete an independent study unit at a community health agency.
Contact:
Rochester General Hospital
1425 Portland Avenue,
Rochester, New York 14621
(877) 922-LINK
The Sage Colleges Nursing Program Review
The Sage Colleges is a group of three private colleges in New York. These are Russell Sage College (RSC), which is a women’s college in Troy, Sage College of Albany (SCA), a co-educational college in Albany, and the Sage Graduate School with branches in Troy and in Albany. There are over 3,000 students who are enrolled in bachelors, masters, and doctoral level programs at the Sage Colleges. Students complete extracurricular service projects and academic service learning to broaden their educational experiences. Also, Sage Colleges offer many opportunities for students to study abroad.
The colleges have formal partnerships with the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade, Mahidol University in Thailand, and the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women. Students may study in China at the Shanghai Institute for Foreign Trade, in Denmark at the Danish Institute of Study, and in France at the Parsons Paris School of Art and Design. Other opportunities to study abroad are in Span at the Center for Cross-Cultural Study or in the United Kingdom at the University of the Arts London.
Nursing Programs
Russell Sage College Nursing
The Russell Sage College offers a bachelor’s degree in nursing for women that requires 120 credits of liberal arts, science, nursing core courses, and clinical experience. Students may attend the program either full-time or part-time. There are at least five semesters of nursing courses required, and these may be during the summer session. Nursing courses require five or six semesters of study. A candidate’s high school grade point average and class rank are the most important indicators of academic success at Sages Colleges, and the SAT is no longer required. Admission is also based on the rigor of the high school program that the student attended. With a holistic approach to admitting students, each application is considered individually. After students have completed all of the requirements for the bachelor’s degree in nursing, they qualify to take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that leads to licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse.
Nursing for Registered Nurses
Registered Nurses who have graduated with an associate degree in nursing who want to continue their education and earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing may enter this program. One of the advantages of this program is that it offers reduced tuition. On-site courses are offered at Glens Falls Hospital and St. Peter’s Hospital so that working RNs do not need to spend time traveling to the campus of the college. Also, some of the course work is web-based for even more convenience. Another advantage of this program is that two graduate-level courses in nursing are offered during the final year to accelerate graduate education for those who want to pursue their master’s degree. Most RNs need to earn only 60 additional credits after the credits from their associate’s degree are transferred to Sage.
MS in Nursing
Sage Graduate Schools offer a Master of Science degree in nursing at both Sage locations. Students pursue advanced study in a specialized area of clinical nursing, such as nurse educator, clinical specialist, nurse practitioner, or administrator/executive in nursing. To obtain the MS, students must complete 39 to 49 credit hours. This may be completed either full-time or part-time. The programs take from two years to seven years to complete.
Master of Science in Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator, or Nurse Executive
RNs with a bachelor’s degree may enter this program to improve their knowledge of a particular nursing specialty. Community health nursing students study literature and research related to current and evolving strategies in public health. They specialize as Clinical Nurse Specialist, Educator, Executive, or in Leadership in Public Health. Students must earn from three to nine credits by taking electives pertinent to the field that they are studying. Upon completion of the program, students are qualified to take the certification test in their field of study to become a certified Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator, or Nurse Executive.
Adult Health Nursing
This graduate program in nursing prepares registered nurses for roles as educators, administrators, and resource nurses and to work in state and county health departments and in research and consultation.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Advanced Practice
This program prepares RNs with a bachelor’s degree for a career as a nurse practitioner or clinical specialist who is qualified to work with psychiatric patients.
Adult Nurse Practitioner
RNs with a bachelor degree may pursue their MS to become certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. These nurses work in doctor’s offices, clinics, and other healthcare settings.
Family Nurse Practitioner
This program prepares RNs with a bachelor’s degree to provide primary care to all family members. These professionals also work in doctor’s offices, clinics, and in other healthcare settings.
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
In this MS program, students learn to care for the elderly patient. The Gerontological Nurse Practitioner provides primary care to the patient.
Post-Master’s Certificates in Advanced Nursing
Sages Colleges offer post-master’s certificates in all role and clinical areas of the Master’s Degree program.
Doctor of Nursing Science
The Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) program prepares registered nurses who are holders of master degrees to be educators and leaders in academic and healthcare settings. Students must attend classes three weekends each semester at the Albany campus and complete additional coursework online.
Contact:
The Sages Colleges
65 1st Street,
Troy, New York 12180
St. Joseph’s College New York Nursing Program Review
St. Joseph’s College is a private liberal arts college in New York State. There are two campuses that are located in Brooklyn and in Long Island. The college offers both graduate and undergraduate programs with more than 20 majors. The college was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph because there was no day college for young women in the area. There are around 5,000 students enrolled at Saint Joseph’s. The college has small classes with a student-faculty radio that enables students to get guidance and support from the faculty. The college has a strict standard of excellence and low cost tuition.
Nursing Programs
Nursing Program for Adults
This nursing program at St. Joseph’s College is designed for adults who are already Registered Nurses (RNs). It focuses on self-directed learning so that the working nurse can learn more about the profession at his or her own pace. The program provides the upper division nursing courses so that RNs may earn their Bachelor of Science in nursing. Having a bachelor’s degree opens many career doors for nurses. If an RN wants to advance in his or her career, the first step to take is to complete the Bachelor of Science program. The program focuses on nursing theory and the restoration and maintenance of health. Nurses with a bachelor’s degree are trained to work in leadership positions in hospital teams, supervising associate degree level nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses. Many nurses with a bachelors degree continue their education and go on to earn a master’s degree with an advanced certificate qualification.
Admission requirements are that the RN must have graduated from an associate’s degree program or a hospital diploma program. The applicant must hold a current license in New York State or must be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. In addition, the applicant must have completed lower division course requirements. After completing 24 credits, the candidate may apply to Saint Joseph’s Nursing Department. A grade point average of 2.5 must have been attained in all lower level college work. Preference is given to those with a 3.0 grade point average on their previous nursing academic work. Registered Nurses must also take the Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam.
Graduates from hospital diploma programs must also take the RN to BSN tests. Students who are accepted into the program must then complete the remaining liberal arts and science classes, upper division nursing courses, and many hours of clinical experience. At the completion of these, the student may graduate and receive a Bachelor of Science in nursing.
MS Nursing Major
St. Joseph’s College also offers a Master of Science in nursing degree. To enter this program, applicants must have a BS from a nationally accredited program. The applicant must also have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, but preference is given to those with a 3.3 or above grade point average. Applicants must be currently licensed in New York State and must have completed at least one year of clinical practice. The MS program takes a minimum of seven semesters, and at least 38 credits are required for the clinical nurse specialist in adult health concentration. In addition, 525 clinical hours are required. The nursing education concentration includes a minimum of 37 credits and 100 practicum hours. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in their graduate studies. They must also obtain at least a 3.0 on the comprehensive examination for certification at the end of the program.
Contact:
St. Joseph’s College
LONG ISLAND CAMPUS,
155 West Roe Boulevard,
Patchogue, NY 11772
631-687-5100
St. Joseph’s College
BROOKLYN CAMPUS,
245 Clinton Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11205
718-940-5300
St. Elizabeth Medical Center Nursing Program Review
St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) major in nursing. There are around 210 students who attend this college. Saint Elizabeth College of Nursing has been operating since 1904. Students at this college learn theory in class and immediately transfer their new knowledge to actual nursing practice. This makes this college different from many others that separate theory and practice. A day program is offered as well as an evening and weekend program that is designed for those who are not able to attend classes during the weekday hours.
Nursing Programs
Weekday Program
Students may elect to complete their Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree during the day on weekdays. Students complete Anatomy & Physiology, English, and Psychology at the State University of New York Institute of Technology (SUNYIT) and also Fundamentals of Nursing at Saint Elizabeth during the first semester. Students also complete two courses at SUNYIT during the second semester, as well as two nursing courses at Saint Elizabeth. During the second year of the program, students complete two courses at SUNYIT and the remainder of the nursing courses at Saint Elizabeth. The bulk of the clinical experience occurs at Saint Elizabeth Medical Center. At the completion of the program, students take the NCLEX-RN to obtain their license as a Registered Nurse.
Evening/Weekend Program
This program is designed to take three years to complete. All classes are held at the college on Saturday and Sunday. There are also courses on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Students complete their clinical experience at St. Elizabeth Medical Center and other healthcare facilities on Saturday and Sunday. Liberal arts and science courses are taken at SUNYIT. After completing all of the liberal arts and science courses, nursing core courses, and clinical experience, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN to obtain their license as Registered Nurses.
Three Year Program
Another option that is available for students is to complete their Associate of Applied Science Degree in three years rather than in two years. In this curriculum format, students go to SUNYIT to take Anatomy & Physiology, English, and Psychology during the first semester. They also take College Survival Skills at Saint Elizabeth. The rest of the curriculum is stretched out over three years rather than two years. At the end of the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse.
SUNYIT/SECON 1 + 2 + 1 Program
Saint Elizabeth College of Nursing and State University of New York Institute of Technology (SUNYIT) have a unique partnership. The 1 + 2 + 1 program is geared towards high school students who have met excellent academic achievement and who can meet the strict admission requirements of the program. For this program, students complete their general education requirements at SUNYIT during their freshmen year. They then move to Saint Elizabeth College of Nursing to complete their RN associate’s degree. In the four year, students return to SUNYIT to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). By entering this program, students earn two degrees in four years.
Contact:
St. Elizabeth Medical Center
2209 Genesee Street,
Utica, New York 13501
(315) 798-8100
St. Francis College Nursing Program Review
St. Francis College (SFC) is located in Brooklyn Heights, in Brooklyn. This New York City private college was founded by the Franciscan friars in 1859. There are 19 academic departments at the school with 72 majors and minors offered. This small college has only around 2,500 students, but the student body is diverse because students originate from more than 80 countries. St. Francis has opportunities for studying abroad in several European countries.
Nursing Programs
The nursing program at Saint Francis College is designed to meet the shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) in Brooklyn who do not have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing. This program is only for those who are currently licensed in New York State as Registered Nurses. It is a bachelor’s degree completion program that will result in a Bachelor of Science in nursing. RNs with their bachelor’s degree can step into higher-level jobs. These Registered Nurses will then supervise and work with RNs who have an associate degree in nursing. A bachelors degree also leads to great salary increases as more administrative and supervisory responsibilities are assumed. This is the only nursing program available at St. Francis College.
Bachelor of Science Degree
This program is designed to help RNs who would like to earn their bachelor’s degree. The courses may be completed either full-term or part-time, according to the RNs personal availability. Courses and clinical experience are provided during the daytime, but the college attempts to make evening classes possible as well. Part-time students must complete a minimum of 12 credits per year, so it takes five years to earn the bachelor’s degree on a part-time basis. A total of 62 credits are earned in the program, whether a student attends full-time or part-time.
Registered Nurses may transfer up to 97 credits to St. Francis as long as they were completed with a grade of C or higher. Foreign students and graduates who have a diploma in nursing may transfer up to 30 credits. They must first complete an exam that is taken during their first semester at St. Francis. To qualify for graduation, students must have a total of 128 credits completed.
RNs in the program take liberal arts and science courses that are required for the bachelor’s degree at Saint Francis College. They also spend a substantial amount of time taking upper-level nursing courses and completing clinical experience at area hospitals in Brooklyn and in other Burroughs in New York City. Students must show that they have the knowledge and skills in liberal arts and sciences, including mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, history, the arts, and basic communication in the courses that they take.
Student life at St. Francis College is much different for working RNs who are completing their bachelor’s degree than it is for students who attend the college right out of high school. There are sports, clubs, and many activities at the college, including the opportunity to study abroad. Working nurses are not usually able to participate in the travel abroad opportunity since they must work and complete courses and additional clinical work at the same time.
Contact:
St. Francis College
180 Remsen Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
(718) 489-5200
St. John Fisher College Nursing Program Review
St. John Fisher College (SJFC) was founded in 1948 by the Basilian Fathers and was a male-only college at that time. It became coeducational in 1971. Saint John Fisher is a small college with around 2,900 students enrolled. The college offers 32 undergraduate majors, 12 master’s degree programs, and 3 doctoral programs. Wegmans School of Nursing at the college offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in nursing.
Nursing Programs
Traditional Nursing BS Program
St. John Fisher College offers a traditional nursing program that leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing. This program is for students who are directly out of high school or older students without any college courses. The advantage of attending St. John Fisher College is that in the first two years at the college, students follow the undergraduate Nursing curriculum. This involves completing the college core courses and prerequisite liberal arts and science courses. Students also participate in non-credit nursing seminars. Since the first two years do not include clinical practice in medical settings, students in the nursing program are free to pursue trips abroad and special outreach programs at St. John Fisher. Groups of nursing students and some of the nursing teaching staff take part in projects, such as going to Kenya to provide immunizations and basic health care.
Students are admitted to the nursing program in their junior year, and they begin studying nursing theory and clinical coursework related to children, adults, women’s health, psychiatry, and community health. They also complete their clinical experience in a variety of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities at this time. After completing the program and earning 120 credits, students take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that leads to becoming a RN in New York State.
RN/BS Nursing Program
Nurses who are already RNs may complete their Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing at St. John Fisher College. The college offers a blended curriculum that consists of both online and in-class courses that make it much more convenient for the working adult to complete their degree. RNs must be graduates with an associate degree or a nursing diploma. The program can be completed in 18 months consisting of nine 7-week modules that include liberal arts courses and nursing courses. The college encourages students to coordinate their course projects around their current work environment.
Fast-Track RN/BS to MS
RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing may also choose the RN to BS to Master of Science (MS) program if they want to quickly earn an advanced degree. A MS in nursing leads to higher level jobs with much higher pay than a nurse with an associate degree or diploma in nursing would earn. This advanced degree also leads to many more high level jobs in hospitals, clinics, and as nurse practitioners who provide primary care, or other positions. Students in this program follow the same program as other RNs in the RN to BS nursing program, except that at the end of their studies, they substitute four courses that count towards the BS and MS degree. This overlapping of coursework enables them to complete the program much faster. Completing these master-level courses does not automatically guarantee that the student will be admitted to the MS program. Students are accepted on an individual basis that is based on grade point average, clinical experience, and other factors.
If a student is accepted into the MS program, they must then choose their special area that they wish to focus on in their master’s level studies, such as Nurse Education, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Clinical Nurse Specialist programs.
MS in Advanced Practice Nursing
RNs who have their BS in nursing may apply to enter the Master of Science (MS) in Advanced Practice Nursing at St. John Fisher. Applicants must have current licensure as an RN in New York State. Students attend classes in the evening and in the summer, and they may begin their studies in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. Applicants must have two letters of recommendation from a professional who is on the master’s level or above. The options of MS programs are discussed below.
MS in Advanced Practice Nursing: Clinical Nurse Specialist
This Master of Science in nursing program involves a choice of pursuing either an Adult/Gerontologic focus or a Maternal/Child focus. Students must complete 9 credits of coursework and 500 hours of precepted clinical practice. After completing the program, students take the certification exam to become certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
MS in Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
After completing this program, the RN is qualified to take the test for certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. These nurses provide primary care for children and adolescents, adults, and the elderly. The MS program requires that 27 credits in addition to the core courses must be completed. This amounts to 46 credits of coursework and 600 hours of precepted clinical practice..
MS in Advanced Practice Nursing: Nurse Educator
RNs with a BS in nursing may opt to complete the Nurse Educator program at St. John Fisher College. There is a great demand for nurse educators all around the US. This program requires 17 credits in addition to the MS core courses, including three education courses. Students may either major in Adult/Gerontologic focus or a Maternal Child focus. The program requires that students earn 36 credits and complete 300 hours of clinical practice. At the end of the program, RNs take the national certification exam to receive their Nurse Educator certificate.
Post-Master’s Certificate: Clinical Nurse Specialist
This program is for those who already have a MS in nursing, but others with a non-clinical master’s degree may also take the program to prepare to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Students with a master’s degree in another area may need to complete other core courses. All students must choose whether to pursue the Adult Health Focus or Maternal/Child Health Focus. The national exam that leads to a certificate as a
Post-Master’s Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
The college also offers the Family Nurse Practitioner program for RNs who already have a master’s degree in nursing who want to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Those with a master’s degree in another field may also qualify after taking additional core courses. After completing the program, graduates will qualify to take the national exam that leads to certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Post-Master’s Certificate: Nurse Educator
RNs that already have a MS in nursing and want to become a Nurse Educator may complete this program to become certified to teach student nurses in a variety of settings. This is an 11 credit certificate program, and students take the national certification exam after completing a practicum.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
St. John Fisher College offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Admission requirements include a grade point average of 3.3 in master’s level work. The applicant must have graduated from an accredited Advanced Practice Nursing program, must be licensed in New York State as an RN, and must hold a certificate as an advanced practiced nurse. Applicants must also have at least one year’s clinical experience as an advanced practice nurse. Students may enter the program at the Post Baccalaureate Degree Entry Level or the Post Master’s Degree Entry level.
The Post Baccalaureate Degree Entry Level program requires 72 credit hours that are completed over 3-1/2 years. Students may enter the program on a part-time or full-time basis and attend classes that meet every other weekend. The curriculum is designed to accommodate working nurses. The other option is for those who already have a master’s degree. The Post Master’s Degree Entry Level program can be finished in two years. It requires that 48 credit hours are taken. There are also part-time or full-time options at this level, and nurses meet for classes every other weekend, which includes Friday evening and all-day Saturday.
Contact:
St. John Fisher College
3690 East Avenue,
Rochester, New York 14618
(585) 385-8000
Cochran School of Nursing Review
The Cochran School of Nursing (CSN) at St. John’s Riverside Hospital is the oldest hospital-based nursing school in this area of New York. The program leads to an Associate in Applied Science, and there are over 150 students currently enrolled in the program. The program is part of St. John’s Riverside Hospital that cares for patients in Yonkers and Southern Westchester. The hospital has been in existence since 1869. State-of-the art medical technology is used at St. John’s, and nursing students train on this equipment.
Nursing Program
Associate in Applied Science
Classes that lead to an Associate in Applied Science are offered at St. John’s Cochran School of Nursing on a daytime or evening basis. Students accepted into the program are expected to complete it in two years consisting of four semesters. Licensed Practical Nurses are able to enter the program to become Registered Nurses (RNs) and complete the program in 18 months consisting of 3 semesters. The nursing school also offers a Fast Track program that can be completed in less time.
Students who are enrolled in the Day Theory Section attend courses full-time. Classes are held twice a week and last four to five hours. Clinical practice is twice a week as well, usually lasting from 7 AM to 4 PM. Student who choose to attend the Evening Theory Section also attend classes twice each week, but their classes last from 5:30 PM until 11 PM. Their clinical practice hours are also from 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM twice each week. Evening students must also spend some daytime and weekend hours for classes and clinical work.
Applicants to the nursing program at the hospital must be US citizens or legal residents of the US. Once a student is accepted into the program, the student must pass a physical examination that includes screening tests and immunizations. Applicants must have the physical abilities needed for nursing, such as the ability to lift 50 pounds, work on their feet for around eight hours or more each day, and the applicant must also have the motor coordination and manual dexterity to perform nursing duties. Visual acuity and auditory acuity are also necessary for performing routine nursing duties.
The Cochran School of Nursing also requires that a non-refundable application is paid to the school when the application is submitted. Applicants should also submit all high school and college transcripts. Applicants must also take a computerized Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) at the nursing school within one month of applying to begin the program. Financial aid is available for students who need assistance paying their tuition at the nursing school. Most students who apply for financial aid receive approximately two-thirds of the cost of the tuition and are responsible for paying only one-third of it. This is a great help to those who would not otherwise be able to attend the program.
Applicants must also be high school graduates or have a GED. They must have at a grade of C in high school algebra, biology, and chemistry. If these were not taken in high school, they must be completed on the college level with a grade of B or better. Applicants must also take microbiology and anatomy and physiology with a minimum grade of B in these courses. Licensed Practical Nurses who meet all of the entrance requirements may be exempt from Nursing 101, a basic nursing course. After students complete the curriculum at Cochran School of Nursing, they qualify to take the national examination for licensure as a RN.
Contact:
Cochran School of Nursing
967 North Broadway,
Yonkers, New York 10701
(914) 964-4296
St. Joseph’s College of Nursing Program Review
St. Joseph’s College of Nursing (SJCON) is located at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center (SJHHC) in Syracuse in central New York State. It was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis in 1898 and there have been thousands of graduates from this nursing program since that time. St. Joseph’s is the only nursing college in the area that is affiliated with a hospital that has been recognized as a Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Nursing Program
Associate in Applied Science
The program at Saint Joseph’s is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce as Registered Nurses. After completing a two-year program, graduates qualify to take the NCLEX-RN to become licensed as Registered Nurses (RNs). Admission to the program is very competitive, so not all applicants are accepted into the program even if they meet the admission requirements. New York State high school students who plan to attend St. Josephs College of Nursing are highly encouraged to take Regents courses, including four years of high school science and math. They should have a grade point average of at least a B in these courses to increase the chance that they will be accepted into the nursing program.
Candidates for admission must have a high school diploma and they must rank in the upper half of their graduating class. They must also have SAT or ACT scores that are acceptable. The high school courses that must have been completed are Biology, Chemistry, and Math, including Algebra, Social Sciences, and English, including English Composition. Once admitted to the program, students must take a critical thinking entrance exam before orientation.
St. Joseph’s has a weekday program for students or a weekend program. Students are placed in clinical experience after only six weeks of classes during their first semester as a freshman. This is not found at most community college or in four year programs that focus on liberal arts and sciences during the first two years. Students complete many hours of clinical care experience during the four semesters that they attend St. Josephs, including 180 hours each semester. Students also take 30 credits of liberal arts and science courses at Le Moyne College. Nursing courses are taken at St. Josephs. The school also offers economical tuition for students, with a fee for the entire program that is approximately equal to one year at a public college. Almost all graduates from the program pass the NCLEX-RN the first time that they take it.
2 + 2 Option
St. Joseph’s College of Nursing offers the 2 + 2 option for students who graduate from the nursing school. Through an arrangement with Le Moyne College in Syracuse and other nearby colleges, students are able to transfer to these four year colleges to complete their bachelor’s degree. They are also able to work as RNs during this time. St. Josephs offers more patient care than most other nursing programs, so attending this college to earn an associate degree in nursing is a good choice. Then, students are able to work and earn a salary while completing their bachelor’s degree.
Dual Degree Partnership in Nursing (DDPN)
This option is very unique because it allows students to earn both an associate and bachelors degree in nursing in four years. Students begin their first year of study at Le Moyne College and then transfer to Saint Joseph’s for the second and third year. They then finish their bachelor’s degree in the fourth year of studies. Students who choose this option live on the Le Moyne campus so that they can have the full college experience.
Weekend Program
This option is good for students who need to work during the daytime. They can then earn their associate degree in nursing in two years by attending classes two weekends each month. Clinical experience is also completed during this time. The 2 + 2 option is also available for weekend students who begin their college career at Le Moyne College for their first year and then attend St. Josephs for the next two years to earn their associate degree. The final year of studies is then completed at Le Moyne to finish the bachelor’s degree.
Licensed Practical Nurse-RN Program
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who want to become RNs may enter the RN program at St. Josephs. There are weekday and weekend programs available. LPNs are exempt from taking the first semester of nursing courses in most cases. Each applicant must have an 85% grade point average during their practical nursing (PN) program and must be a licensed practical nurse (LPN) .
Contact:
St. Joseph’s College of Nursing
206 Prospect Avenue,
Syracuse, New York 13203
(315) 448-5040
Stony Brook University Nursing School Review
The State University of New York at Stony Brook, also known as Stony Brook University (SBU), is located about 50 miles east of Manhattan on the North Shore of Long Island. It is a public research university that is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). Over 24,500 students are enrolled at the college. It is best known as an internationally recognized research university. Stony Brook also has many activities for students, including a month-long series of events at the beginning of the Fall and spring semesters, an annual regatta, a concert series with popular recording artists, and a film festival.
Nursing Programs
Basic Baccalaureate Program
The nursing program at The State University of New York at Stony Brook leads to a Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing. Students must first complete the first two years of their bachelor’s degree at Stony Brook or at another college before transferring to the nursing program for the final two years. Students often begin their college studies at one of SUNY’s community colleges and then apply to the nursing program at Stony Brook. Students must have at least 57 credits before beginning the nursing program, and a grade point average of at least 2.5 is required in these courses. Once students are accepted into the nursing program at Stony Brook, they must complete 71 credits in nursing courses and clinical experience. Much of the clinical experience takes place at the Stony Brook University Hospital on campus.
Admission to the Stony Brook nursing program is very competitive and not every applicant is accepted into the program. Applicants must have the physical and emotional ability that is needed for a nursing career, such as the ability to use visual, auditory, olfactory, and somatic senses. They must also have the behavioral and social attributes needed in nursing that are required while caring for patients. At the completion of the nursing program, students are qualified to take the national exam, The NCLEX-RN that leads to licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).
12-Month Accelerated Bachelor of Science Program for College Graduates
This program is designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree. At the completion of the program, these students have a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing. They also qualify to take the NCLEX-RN to obtain their license to work as Licensed Nurses. Admission to the 12 Month Accelerated Nursing Program is very competitive. Applicants are required to have at least a 2.8 or C average in their previous undergraduate studies. Students must earn 69 credits and complete 820 hours of clinical experience to qualify for graduation. This program is very intense and requires full-time attendance without working outside of clinical experience in most cases.
Registered Nurse Baccalaureate Program
RNs that have either an associate degree or a diploma in nursing may pursue their bachelor’s degree in nursing by completing this program. The credits from the student’s previous studies for the associate degree or diploma are transferred to Stony Brook and go towards to bachelor’s degree. Up to 57 credits may be transferred with a grade point average of 2.5 or better. Applicants to the program must have three letters of recommendation and must complete three prerequisite science courses by the application deadline. They must also have clinical experience for at least one year as an RN.
Registered Nurse Baccalaureate to Master’s Program
This program is designed for students who are RNs who have either an associate degree or diploma in nursing. Students complete the remaining liberal arts and science courses needed for their bachelor’s degree plus upper-level nursing courses and additional clinical experience. A grade point average of 3.0 is required in the associate degree courses or nursing school courses. When the bachelor’s degree is completed, the students may continue to study for their master’s degree if they have maintained a minimum grade point average.
Master of Science Programs in Advanced Practice Nursing
Nurse Practitioner
Adult Health Nurse Practitioner Program
The Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing as a Nurse Practitioner offers many choices for RNs with a bachelor’s degree. A Nurse Practitioner may focus on Adult Health, Perinatal/Women’s Health, Neonatal Health, Pediatric, or Psychiatric/Mental Health. There are core courses that are taken for all of these specialties with specific courses geared to the specialty required as well. The Adult Health Nurse Practitioner Program prepares nurses to provide primary healthcare service to adults and older adults and their families. Applicants to the program must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 and be licensed as an RN. Three letters of recommendation are also required. Applicants must also complete a course in Health Assessment and one in Statistics. Upon completion, the graduate is qualified to take the national exam to gain certification as an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner.
Advanced Practice Nursing Program in Perinatal Women’s Health
This masters-level program involves distance education with additional on-site requirements. It prepares RNs to care for women and their families in many different healthcare settings. Applicants to the program are required to have at least a 3.0-grade point average in their undergraduate studies. They must also have three recommendation letters, and complete a course in Health Assessment and one in Statistics. Only RNs who are currently licensed are considered. It is preferred that applicants have at least one year of clinical experience. After completing the program, the graduate will take the national exam leading to certification as a Perinatal/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
This program is for RNs with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. It prepares nurses to provide primary care to neonates and their families. It is preferred that applicants have at least one year’s clinical experience and a grade point average in undergraduate work of 3.0 or greater is required. Applicants must also have their RN license and submit three letters of recommendation. Two classes are required before beginning the program, which is Health Assessment and Statistics. When the program is completed, graduates take the national exam that provides certification as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
Graduates of this program are qualified to take the national exam that leads to certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. These specialized nurses provide primary healthcare to children. Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in their undergraduate studies and must submit three letters of recommendation. They must also take Health Assessment and Statistics courses before entering the program.
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Stony Brook University offers this program for RNs with a bachelor’s degree that wants to become primary caregivers as Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. The program offers distance education, but some on-site requirements are also required. Applicants with at least one year’s clinical experience are preferred, and they must have at least a 3.0-grade point average in their bachelor’s degree studies. The courses Health Assessment and Statistics are required before beginning the program. Upon graduation, students take the national exam leading to certification as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
This master’s degree program is offered either on-site or by distance education with some on-site requirements. An Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist works with adults of all ages and their families in a variety of healthcare settings. Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in undergraduate work. Three recommendation letters are required plus the completion of Health Assessment and Statistics courses. It is preferred that applicants have at least one year’s clinical experience as well.
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
RNs with bachelor’s degrees who want to work specifically with children may want to pursue this degree. Many of the courses are available through distance education with some on-site requirements. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 is required plus three recommendation letters. In addition, the courses of Health Assessment and Statistics must be completed before admission to the program. It is preferred that applicants have worked as a clinical nurse for at least one year before beginning the program.
Certified Nurse-Midwifery
This master’s degree program is offered with distance education that requires some on-site hours. The Nurse-Midwifery Program prepares nurses to care for women of all ages with a focus on normal birth and care of a healthy newborn. Admission to the program requires that the applicant had a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Applicants must be currently licensed RNs and submit three letters of recommendation. They must also take Health Assessment and Statistics courses before entering the program. At graduation, they take a national exam to be certified in Nurse-Midwifery.
Advanced Certificate Programs
RNs who already have their master’s degree may earn an Advanced Certificate as a Nurse Practitioner. They may specialize in Adult Health, Women’s Health, Neonatal Health, Pediatric, or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. At the completion of the program, students take a national exam to become certified as Nurse Practitioners in their particular area.
It is also possible to complete an Advanced Certificate Program to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health or Pediatrics. Another specialty area is Nurse Midwifery. These areas lead to certification after graduation when a national exam is passed.
Master’s Completion Programs
Nurse Practitioner
On-Site or distance education with on-site requirements in Nurse Practitioner specialties are offered at Stony Brook University for Nurse Practitioners who want to continue their education. Specialty areas are in Adult Health, Neonatal Health, and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
Midwifery
This program is designed for Midwives who want to continue their education beyond the master’s degree level. It is a distance education program with on-site requirements.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
This doctoral program prepares RNs who have a master’s degree through computer-mediated distributive learning and on-site residencies. The program uses the cohort model and takes 18 months of full-time study and 42 credits.
Contact:
The State University of New York at Stony Brook
100 Nicolls Road,
Stony Brook, New York 11794
(631) 632-6000
Suffolk County Community College Nursing Program Review
Suffolk County Community College (SCCC, SUNY Suffolk) is a two-year college that is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). It is a large college with over 22,000 students enrolled. Located in the suburban and rural area of Suffolk County on Long Island, this college offers 69 academic programs. Many activities and programs are offered at Suffolk County Community College, including a Study Abroad Program.
Most of the travel opportunities are in the summer session, so it may be possible for nursing students to participate in one of the programs that will not interfere with clinical experience. Some of the summer programs that are planned are to Germany, Canada, Spain, and Italy. Suffolk County Community College does not have dorms or housing available for students. They are required to rent a room or apartment nearby, and the monthly cost of rental is from $700 to $2,000.
Nursing Programs
Practical Nursing
This community college offers a highly competitive Practical Nursing (PN) program. Graduates of the program qualify to take the NCLEX-PN national exam that will enable them to be licensed practical nurses. They may then enter the workforce as entry-level nurses. Applicants are required to have taken high school biology and chemistry with a lab. If they do not have this background, they will need to take these courses at Suffolk County Community College before applying to the PN program. The program consists of three semesters plus one summer session.
Associate in Applied Science
Suffolk County Community College offers a two-year program that leads to an Associate in applied Science. Admittance to the nursing program is highly competitive, and even if a candidate meets all of the entrance requirements, it is not guaranteed that the applicant will be accepted into the program. Students take general education courses that include liberal arts and science courses. They also take the nursing core courses and complete clinical experience at nearby hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities that prepare them to take the NCLEX-RN when they are ready to graduate. This national exam leads to licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) that is required to work as a professional nurse in the State of New York. Two options are offered to students who want to enter the nursing field by beginning their studies at the college. These are either a two-year day program or a three-year evening program.
Once a student is accepted into the program, he or she must take a CPR class sponsored by the American heart Association and pass the class to be certified in CPR. Students are also required to have a physical exam and to purchase uniforms and a patch and name tag. A background check is also required. Also, all students entering Suffolk County Community College must take a placement test to ensure that they have beginning college level skills necessary for success in college level courses. Students complete their courses either in the daytime or evening program. When they are ready for the clinical experience portion of the program, students are sent to nearby medical facilities for a variety of experience. When the program is completed, students are ready to take the national exam for licensure as a Registered Nurse.
Contact:
Suffolk County Community College
Crooked Hill Road,
Brentwood, New York 11717
(631) 851-6700
Sullivan County Community College Nursing Program Review
Sullivan County Community College (SCCC, SUNY Sullivan) is a two-year program that is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). It is located in Fallsburg, New York, a rural area of Loch Sheldrake in the Catskill Mountains. There are only about 1,700 students who are enrolled at the college. Sullivan has EcoGreen Community townhouse residences for students, or they may live in the Lazarus I. Levine Residence Hall if they are not going to commute to classes. The campus is on over 400 acres of rural land, but is only about a two hour commute to New York City.
Nursing Programs
Nursing Associate Degree
Sullivan County Community College offers an associate’s degree in nursing that is highly competitive. High school students must have an overall average of 85 or above or a grade point average of at least 2.5 to be considered. High school students should complete Regents courses, including English, math, Advanced Placement Biology or Principles of Biology. The ACT or SAT college entrance tests are also required. A minimum score on the ACT English section must be at least 17, and for the SAT a minimum of 560 in Critical Reading and Writing must be at least 550, or the applicant may have a B or higher in English Composition in high school.. ACT scores for math must also be 17 or higher, and SAT must be 560. Higher-level math courses must have at least a C or higher. Applicants must also take the SUNY pre-nursing exam and score at least a 70 or higher to be considered for the program.
About 40 students are accepted into the program each year, and after admission decisions are made, no one else may enter the program. Students admitted to the program are expected to complete it in two years or four semesters of full-time study. If students need to complete prerequisite courses, completing the nursing program can take up to six semesters. Clinical experience must also be completed in this time frame. Licensed Practical Nurses may apply to enter the program with an advanced standing if they pass the advanced placement exams and prerequisites for the program. These nurses must hold a current license to be considered. At the completion of the associate degree program, graduates take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam to receive their license as a Registered Nurse.
LPN to RN Evening/Weekend Nursing Cohort
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) may study to become Registered Nurses (RNs) and work in a cohort group with other LPNs. The LPN must first meet all of the admission requirements of the college and complete the prerequisites of the nursing program. The prerequisite courses may be completed in cohort style meetings with other nurses who take the required courses together. Groups meet one evening during the week and on Saturdays. The courses are taken during the fall and spring semesters, as well as during the winter and summer session. At the end of the prerequisite studies, LPNs must take a LPN to RN Transition-Bridge Course in the summer, and this course must also be passed. Once the LPN has met all of the requirements, 16 credits are awarded. This means that the LPN can then begin taking higher level nursing courses and complete the program is less time. At the completion of the program, the graduate may sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to qualify for licensure to work as a Registered Nurse.
Contact:
Sullivan County Community College
112 College Road,
Loch Sheldrake, New York 12759
(845) 434-5750
SUNY Brockport Nursing Program Review
The College at Brockport (SUNY Brockport ) is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). This college is a four-year liberal arts institution with around 7,000 undergraduate students and almost 2,000 graduate students enrolled at the university. There are over 400 acres of land at Brockport’s campus that is located near Rochester. The university has one of the largest study abroad programs in the US and more than 60 clubs and organizations. There are indoor recreation facilities, such as a large pool, gymnasium, squash and racquetball courts, and more.
Nursing Programs
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Brockport offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing program that takes four years to complete. Before being admitted to the program, there are prerequisite courses that must be completed, including Statistics, Microbiology, Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, and others. Students must also complete all of the liberal arts and other science courses that are required for general education at Brockport. A total of 122 credits must be accumulated over the four years to qualify for graduation. Students complete nursing core courses and clinical experience during their junior and senior years at Brockport. At their completion, the graduate is prepared to take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that leads to certification as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Before being admitted to the BS in nursing program, applicants must first be accepted into Brockport. Admission is competitive, and high school students are usually in the top 28 percent of their graduating class. Typical SAT scores of accepted students range from 1040 to 1170, and ACT scores are between 22 and 26. It is preferred that students have an Advanced Regents Diploma with four years of English, three years of math, science, and social studies, three years of a foreign language, and a solid grade point average. After being accepted into the university and completing prerequisite courses, students may apply to the nursing program.
Students may qualify for a scholarship to pay for their four years of tuition at Brockport by joining the Army ROTC. The Military Science/ROTC Scholarships are for those who want to be an Army Officer and Registered Nurse after graduation. They will work wherever the US Army sends them. Academic requirements are for a student to have a high school grade point average of 2.5 or better, and applicants must also score at least 1000 on the SAT. Those who receive the scholarships are obligated to complete eight years of service after graduation. There are also opportunities for scholarships if a student enlists in the US Army Reserves or National Guard.
RN-BSN Program
Brockport offers a Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for nurses with an associate’s degree in nursing. They must also be licensed as RNs. Students who are accepted into the program may earn their bachelor’s degree in two semesters plus part of a summer session when a bridge program from RN to BSN is held. Students must also complete all required liberal arts and sciences courses to qualify for graduation.
Contact:
State University of New York at Brockport
350 New Campus Drive,
Brockport, New York 14420
(585) 395-2211
SUNY Alfred State College Nursing Program Review
Alfred State College (ASC, SUNY Alfred) was once called the Agricultural and Technical College at Alfred. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) in Allegany County in the city of Alfred, a rural area. The college has around 3,200 students enrolled in 18 baccalaureate degree areas or 60 associate degree areas. The university also awards certificates for numerous programs. One of the social events for which Alfred is known is Hot Dog Day, an annual event that is held in April. There are 12 residence halls on the campus, and students have the option of becoming part of a fraternity or sorority.
Nursing Programs
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
This associate degree program prepares Registered Nurses (RNs) to enter the workforce as entry-level RNs. The program is designed to take two years to complete, but if an individual needs more time to take prerequisite courses, it can be extended according to the student’s needs. Students must take a clinical lab once a week during the first year of the program and twice a week during the second year. Each lab lasts for seven hours. Alfred offers transportation to clinical sites. Students must have a computer with Internet access and Microsoft Word. They must also have an i-Pod Touch without a phone or camera, or with the camera disabled. Students must earn at least a C in the core courses and must meet the grade specifications for computing medication.
Students must demonstrate the physical ability to complete the duties of a RN to enter the program. This includes the ability to lift at least 30 pounds, to perform under stress, to adjust to changing situations, to maintain confidentiality, and to demonstrate effective communication orally and in the written word. If the applicant has not had algebra, biology, and chemistry at the high school level, then they must be completed at the college level. Admission requirements also include a minimum SAT score of 900. Before being eligible to graduate, a nursing student must have earned 40 credits of nursing courses, 12 credits of natural science, including anatomy and physiology and microbiology, 9 credits of social science, 6 credits of English and humanities, and 1 credit of physical education. At the completion of the AAS program at Alfred, graduates qualify to take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that leads to licensure as a RN.
Another option for graduates is to transfer to a baccalaureate nursing program. Around 8 percent of the graduates at the college do this because of the 2 + 2 baccalaureate nursing program. Graduates of Alfred are eligible to enter upper level Bachelor of Science (BS) nursing programs after their credits at Alfred State are transferred to the BS program. There is also a program called 3 + 1 Transfer Program that allows students to complete their third year at Alfred State and then transfer to Brockport for their fourth year.
Nursing (BS)
Alfred State also offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) program. Applicants to the program must have an associate degree in nursing or a diploma from a nursing school. They must also be currently registered as professional RNs. Students complete upper level nursing courses plus two in-residence classes each semester. Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 2.0 in their associate degree program. By the time a student is qualified to graduate, he or she has completed 27 credits of upper level nursing courses, 3 credits of electives, 21 credits of liberal arts and sciences, and 12 credits of upper level liberal arts electives. One credit of physical education is also required. After completing the program, graduates may take the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain their licensure as Registered Nurses.
Contact:
Alfred State College
10 Upper College Drive,
Alfred, New York 14802
(800) 425-3733
SUNY Canton Nursing Program Review
SUNY College of Technology at Canton (SUNY Canton) is a large campus that is built next to the Grasse River in St. Lawrence County. The university is in the Canton, but is near the Adirondack Mountains and the St. Lawrence River. It is not far from the Canadian border and Montreal and Ottawa. There are around 3,300 students enrolled in the university that is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). Both associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees are offered at this university with around 40 program offerings.
Nursing Programs
Practical Nursing-Certificate
SUNY Canton offers a Practical Nursing (PN) certificate program for students who want to begin working with patients without spending years in college. Practical Nurses take care of patients in long-term care facilities, in acute care, and in clinical settings. Admission to the PN program is selective, and to be considered for admission a student must have a high school diploma and an average of at least 75. Applicants must also score at least 75 on the test for sentence structure and 60 on the test for reading that is required before entering the PN program. An SAT score of at least 420 on the verbal section is required or an ACT score of at least 17 on reading and writing. After completing the program, graduates take the NCLEX-PN national exam that they must pass to become Licensed Practical Nurses.
Associate of Applied Science
Canton State also offers a two year program for those who want to enter the workforce after only two years of education. They will be ready to take the NCLEX-RN after completing the program that includes liberal arts and sciences courses, nursing courses, and clinical experience. Around 95% of the graduates who take the NCLEX-RN pass it, which is a rate higher than the state average for New York. Admission to the program is selective, and applicants must have either a high school average of 80 or an SAT score of 900 or higher. An ACT score of 21 or higher is also acceptable. Prerequisite courses must be completed before a student is considered for admission to the nursing program. Students must complete a CPR course and meet the physical and other requirements of the program. At the completion of the program, graduates may continue their education by transferring the credits that they have earned to a bachelor’s program in nursing.
Nursing-BS
Registered Nurses (RNs) who want to earn their Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing may also do that at Canton State. This four-year program prepares RNs for advanced positions in many different healthcare facilities, including doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics, and other sites. Applicants must be licensed RNs in New York State and must be graduates with an associate’s degree. Some employers pay the tuition for nurses to continue their education, so many RNs can earn their bachelor’s degree without paying a cent. In addition to that, they will have many more opportunities for advancements over their working years in their career. The program is offered through SUNY Canton OnLine with a lot of flexibility so that RNs may continue working.
Contact:
State University of New York at Canton
34 Cornell Drive,
Canton, New York 13617
(315) 386-7011
SUNY Delhi Nursing Program Review
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi (SUNY Delhi) is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. It is located in the rural area of the Catskill Mountains, around 3.5 hours from New York City. There are around 3,000 or more enrolled in the university. There are one-year certificate programs offered, associate degree programs, and bachelor’s degree programs. The campus is fairly large and is situated on 625 acres with 44 buildings. There is even an 18 hold golf course. Many students live on campus in the six residence halls.
Nursing Programs
Associate in Applied Science Degree
Delhi offers an associate degree in nursing that prepares students to enter the workforce when they graduate. They will be professional Registered Nurses (RNs) after passing the NCLEX-RN. RNs work in industrial settings, geriatric centers, public and private healthcare agencies, and acute care facilities. The nursing program is selective, and students must meet the minimum requirements to be considered. These are a high school grade average of at least 80, Algebra Regents grade of 80, Biology Regents grade of 80, English Regents grade of 80, or a transfer GPA of 3.0.
Once a candidate is accepted into the program, they are assigned an advisor who will guide them when planning their schedule for the two years that they are at Delhi. A total of 69 credits must be earned, and a minimum grade of C+ is required in all nursing courses. Students complete liberal arts and science classes plus nursing core courses. They are also assigned to a variety of healthcare facilities for clinical experience for a well-rounded experience in acute care, psychiatric, maternity, pediatric, and other specialty areas.
Online RN to BSN Program
This program at Delhi is for RNs who want to continue their education and earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in the most flexible way possible. Since it is designed for working nurses, it is 100% online and does not require RNs to sit in class. Courses may be completed at the convenience of the student. There are practicum experiences that are required, but these are completed near the student’s home. RNs with an associate degree are often able to transfer between 60 and 80 credits. There are only 120 credits needed for a bachelor’s degree at Delhi, so students begin with at least half of the credits needed. A benefit to the program is that employers often pay 100% of the tuition for associate degree level nurses to continue their education and earn their bachelor’s degree. Many RNs pay little to nothing for their bachelor’s degree that will provide multiple career opportunities over their lifetime.
The time that the program takes to complete depends on how many credits are transferred. Students must complete more liberal arts and sciences, electives, and higher level nursing courses. There are some requirements for RNs to enter this program, including an RN license. Applicants must also have at least a 2.8 grade point average in their associate degree coursework. Those who complete the online program are eligible to graduate with other students when they complete the program.
Contact:
State University of New York at Delhi
2 Main Street,
Delhi, New York 13753
(607) 746-4000
SUNY Downstate Medical Center Nursing Program Review
SUNY Downstate Medical Center (SUNY-DMC) is located in Brooklyn, New York, a borough of New York City. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). The College of Nursing has existed since 1967 and began as a bachelor’s degree program. Today, there are other programs offered, including the RN to BS program that admits around 100 RNs each year. Downstate also offers a Master of Science program with advanced nursing specialty areas.
Nursing Programs
Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Program in Nursing
Applicants to this program must have a bachelor’s degree in another field. The accelerated program is designed to be completed in only 15 months. It consists of 60 credits of classroom theory and clinical experience. Applicants must have 65 prerequisite credits that can be transferred to the program. When these are combined with the credits earned at Downstate Medical Center, the student has the 125 credits necessary for graduation. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing. They are able to take the NCLEX-RN, the exam required for licensure as a Registered Nurse in New York State. Those who are accepted into the program must have a 3.0 grade point average in their undergraduate studies from their first bachelor’s degree.
Master of Science
RNs who already have their BS in nursing may want to specialize in an area of advanced nursing, such as Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse Practitioner. There are also other programs available that are explained below.
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Master of Science Degree
The clinical nurse specialist provides advanced care to patients in many different settings. This includes acute care and wellness care for patients of all ages. To complete the Master of Science (MS) degree, students must complete 44 credits. The program is designed to be completed in two years with two summer sessions included. At the completion of all courses and clinical experience, graduates may sit for the national certification exam. They will also receive their Master of Science degree. Applicants to the program must have a current RN license in New York State, and they must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the previous studies.
Nurse Anesthesia Program
This program requires full-time study and takes 27 months to complete. It prepares RNs to become Nurse Anesthetists who administer anesthesia during surgery, for pain management, and for oral surgery. Students must complete 61 credits, plus a minimum of 550 cases must be completed to take the national certification examination to become licensed as a Nurse Anesthetist. Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, must be currently licensed RNs in New York State, and must have a grade point average of at least 3.3 on their undergraduate studies.
Nurse Midwifery Collaborative Program
This program requires that 52 credits are completed to prepare RNs with a bachelor’s degree to provide primary care to women and newborns. Students receive a Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery with the Advanced Certificate program at the College of Health Related Professions. They also take 14 credits through the College of Nursing. It can be completed in two years when attending full-time, or three years for part-time attendance. Graduates take the national certification exam to become a certified Nurse Midwife.
Nurse Practitioner Program
RNs with a bachelor’s degree may enter this program that takes six, eight, or nine semesters to complete. Family Nurse Practitioners provide primary care to family members from children to elderly people. They treat acute and chronic health problems and work to prevent disease and to promote health and wellness. Another option of study besides the Family Nurse Practitioner program is the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. This advanced care nurse provides primary care for women of all ages and their children. At graduation time, students take the national exam to receive their certificate as a Nurse Practitioner.
Women’s Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Advanced Certificate
This program is for RNs who already have their MS and wish to earn a certificate as a Women’s Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. After completing the program, they take the national certification exam and are able to practice as nurse practitioners. This program excludes the basic MS courses that these nurses have already taken and focuses on the advanced nursing specialty courses.
Contact:
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
College of Nursing
450 Clarkson Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11203
(718) 270-7600
SUNY New Paltz Nursing Program Review
SUNY New Paltz is part of the State University of new York (SUNY). The campus is located in a small college town that is only 90 minutes from New York City. Students lie in thirteen residence halls, and there are 24 buildings on the main campus. New Paltz is one of the most selective of the SUNY schools, accepting only around 34 percent of those who apply. The mean SAT score is 1172, and students typically have a high school grade point average of 91.
Nursing Programs
Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Certificate of Advanced Study in Nursing
The nursing program at New Paltz is in a phase out phase. There are currently 148 students enrolled in undergraduate programs. Most of these students attend only one-third time. There are 19 students enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing degree program and 0 students are currently enrolled in the Certificate of Advanced Study in Nursing. Those who are currently enrolled will be given the opportunity complete their degree over the next three years. No new students are currently being accepted into the program, and none will be accepted because the closure is a permanent one. The college will save one-half a million dollars by making this change. There are 11 students who have been accepted into the Bachelor of Science program that will not be allowed to begin. They have been sent to SUY Delhi as of Fall, 2009.
Contact:
SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive,
New Paltz, New York 12561,
(845) 257-7869
SUNY Rockland Community College Nursing Program Review
Rockland Community College (RCC) is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. It is a two-year college that is in the Village of Suffern in Rockland County, just north of New Jersey. It is only 35 miles from New York City. There are 48 programs offered at Rockland, and associates degrees and certificates may be earned. Around 7,300 students attend Rockland. The college also has articulation programs with four-year schools so that the credits earned at Rockland may be transferred to a bachelor’s degree program at a four-year university. The college has many sports available, as well as activities for students.
Nursing Programs
Associate in Science
Rockland Community College offers an Associate in Science that trains students to become professional Registered Nurses (RNs) in only two years if the student attends full-time. A part-time option is also available for students who must work while they attend college. Students complete their liberal arts and science courses as well as nursing core courses within this time frame. They also work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and community health centers during this time to gain clinical experience. At the completion of their studies, students take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that leads to licensure that is needed to work as a professional RN. They will then be able to enter the workforce as entry-level nurses.
Students who want to have a career in nursing must first enroll in Rockland community college. They must take the Math and English Assessment exams. The math exam consists of both arithmetic and algebra. While waiting for a seat in the nursing program, students may take prerequisite courses and several nursing courses. Once a student is enrolled in the AS program, he or she must maintain at least a C+ in nursing courses. A grade point average of at least 2.0 is required to graduate with the Associate of Science degree and to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that provides licensure for nurses to work as professional RNs.
Attending Rockland Community College is already very economical since it costs only a fraction of what a private college would cost in tuition. In addition, many students receive financial assistance. Every year, students from the college receive over $10 million in financial assistance. Besides federal and state financial aid programs, there are local programs that can sometimes aid nursing students with paying their tuition. The Rockland Community college Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization that awards hundreds of scholarships to new and continuing students each year.
LPN to RN Express
Licensed Practical Nurses who want to become RNs may enter this program. They have the opportunity to test out of four of the six nursing process courses by passing the test that is required to measure their nursing knowledge. These nurses must be currently licensed as Practical Nurses in the State of New York. After completing the required arts and science courses, LPNs can often complete the remaining nursing courses in only one semester. Most students take longer than one semester because the RN nursing courses are presented in more depth than those for LPNs.
Contact:
SUNY Rockland Community College
145 College Road,
Suffern, New York 10901
(845) 574-4000
SUNY Morrisville State College Nursing Program Review
Morrisville State College (MSC) is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). It is a small college with only 3,356 students enrolled. Morrisville offers 22 bachelor degrees and many different associate degrees at its two campuses in Morrisville and Norwich. The college is in Central New York. There are over 50 buildings on the campus that is about 30 miles from the cities of Syracuse and Utica.
Nursing Programs
Associate of Applied Science
Morrisville State College has some definite advantages in the Associate of Applied Science in nursing degree. One of the biggest of these is that classes are small, so students get a lot of personal attention from faculty. During clinical experience, there are never more than 8 students with one faculty member as students practice learning the skills they will need in their careers as nurses. Another advantage of this college is the low cost of tuition. Some nursing students intend to continue their education to complete their bachelor’s degree in later years after they have worked for a few years. By attending a SUNY college like Morrisville, they keep their student loans down to a minimum.
Admission requirements for the AAS program are having a high school average of B or better. Students are expected to have completed biology, chemistry, and New York State Math A. They should also have a Regents score of at least 65 in all of these. Applicants must also take the NLN pre-admission exam and score at least 100 points. Once students are accepted into the program, it takes four semesters or two years to complete. At the end of this time, students qualify to take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that is necessary to become licensed as a Registered Nurse. Graduates are then eligible to work as entry-level professional nurses in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Students who graduate from this program may apply to the Nursing Bachelor of Science program at SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology-Morrisville when they are in their final semester of the AAS program.
Nursing BS
A Nursing Bachelor of Science (BS) is a good choice for those who want to stay in school for four years before beginning their professional career. RNs with a bachelor’s degree earn higher salaries, have more responsibility, and they often manage LPNs and RNs with associate degrees. Some graduates with a BS in nursing go on to complete their Master of Science (MS) degree. Students who are in the AAS program at Morrisville may apply to enter the BS program in their final AAS semester. They must have a cumulative average of 2.5 or better in the AAS program, and they must be licensed RNs by the time that they complete the first semester in the bachelor’s degree program.
Most of the time, students are able to transfer 60 credits from their associate’s degree work, and this gives them around half of the credits necessary for their bachelor’s degree. They must then complete the courses in liberal arts and sciences needed to meet the college’s general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree. In addition, they complete higher-level nursing courses and many hours of clinical experience. At the completion of the program, the RN is awarded a BS degree.
Contact:
Morrisville State College
80 Eaton Street,
Morrisville, New York 13408
800-258-0111
SUNY Upstate Medical University Nursing School Review
The State University of New York Upstate Medical University (SUNY-UMU) is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) network of colleges. It is located in Syracuse and has around 1300 students enrolled in upper-division transfer programs and graduate programs. The campus includes University Hospital where students complete clinical experience. The College of Nursing has options for nurses to complete a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or post-master’s certificate.
Nursing Program
RN to Bachelor’s (2 + 2) Early Admission Program
This unique program at SUNY-Upstate Medical University allows students to apply to this university at the same time they apply to an associate’s degree nursing program. This guarantees students a spot in the bachelor’s degree program at Upstate Medical University as soon as they complete their Registered Nurse (RN) associate degree program. Before beginning at Upstate Medical University, the student must have completed all prerequisite courses and must have at least a 2.8 cumulative grade point average.
Students are accepted into this program after completing their associate’s degree at nearby community colleges and nursing schools including Cayuga Community College, Crouse Hospital School of Nursing, Jefferson Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Onondaga Community College, and more. Other associate’s degree programs are St. Elizabeth’s College of Nursing, St. Joseph’s College of Nursing, Morrisville State College, and Tompkins-Cortland Community College. Those accepted into the program must have successfully completed at least three years of Regents or honors level courses in math and science. They should also be in the top 25 percent of their high school class. Additionally, volunteer or observational experience is highly regarded when considering students for the program.
Bachelor of Science
This Bachelor of Science (BS) program is designed for RNs who want to complete their bachelor’s degree. A total of 61 credits must be completed, consisting of upper level nursing courses and clinical experience plus the liberal arts and science courses that are necessary for graduation. The program curriculum is arranged so that it is convenient for working nurses. It is possible to take courses only one day a week. Many students complete the BS on a part-time basis. They are encouraged to take a minimum of 12 credits per year. At the completion of the program, students are awarded their BS.
Master of Science
The Master of Science (MS) program at Upstate Medical University is a program that RNs with a bachelor’s degree are eligible to enter if they meet the admission requirements. Although the core courses of this program are the same, there are upper level specialty courses that prepare nurses to perform important tasks in the healthcare industry. RNs may train to be nurse practitioners, nurse educators, or they may decide to pursue research with this training. They may also want to go into leadership roles or consulting jobs within the healthcare community. The following information about these advanced nursing specialties explains each one.
BS to MS
Some students at Upstate Medical University want to continue their education as far as they want to go without stopped to work for a year or so. This can be done at this SUNY University. Admission requirements for any of the MS programs are two prerequisite courses of Basic Health Assessment and Basic Statistics. Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in their undergraduate courses. They must also be currently licensed as an RN in New York State, and have current CPR certification. When an applicant moves directly to the master’s program after completing the BS, there is no work requirement to gain experience as an RN and no GRE required.
RN to MS
Applicants who are already RNs and have an associate’s degree or a nursing diploma from a nursing program may also attend the BS program at Upstate Medical University. They must have a minimum of 60 credits including Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, six credits in English, six credits in social science including psychology, and six to nine liberal arts science credits. They also need to have 30 credits in nursing courses. A minimum grade of C should have been earned in all of these courses. It is also recommended that applicants have 12 additional credits in arts and sciences.
Bachelor’s in Another Field RN to MS
RNs who have a bachelor’s degree in another field may also attend the university to complete their MS. They must have Basic Health Assessment, Basic Statistics, and Management in Nursing, Research, and Community Focused Nursing completed before entering the program.
RN to MS Program
RNs with an associate’s degree may enter this program to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degree in three years of full-time study.
Nurse Practitioner: Child Track
This program is currently on hold at the university.
Nurse Practitioner: Family Track
This advanced practice nursing program prepares RNs to diagnose acute and chronic illnesses. They create treatment plans and prescribe medication and diagnostic tests. They then analyze the lab tests and x-rays. They also refer patients to specialists and educate patients about their illness. The program takes two or three years of full-time study to complete, including coursework, clinical experience, and residency. Students may complete the program part-time, and doing this usually takes around three to five years. At the completion of the program, students take the national exam leading to certification as a Nurse Practitioner.
Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is a specialist who provides children and adults with primary healthcare that includes the diagnosis of mental illness and medication. This nurse also works with the family in group therapy in clinics, shelters, and other settings. At the completion of the program, students take the national exam for certification to practice this specialty. This program can usually be completed by attending the university full-time for two years.
RN to MS Program
RNs with an associate’s degree may enter this program to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degree in three years of full-time study.
Master of Science: Clinical Nurse Specialist
This program is very unique in that it is designed for RNs with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. It is the only local clinical program that accepts students with this academic background. Those who are accepted into the program may choose from two clinical tracks, which are Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist. Nurse Practitioner students must choose from either the Family Nurse Practitioner or Family Psychiatric mental health Nurse Practitioner. A Clinical Nurse Specialist is trained in a particular area, such as wound care, Emergency Department, rehabilitation, and others.
Master’s Completion for NPs
Nurse Practitioners who have only their bachelor’s degree in nursing may complete their MS at Upstate Medical University in one year of full-time or two years of part-time study.
MS-Unique Education Minor for Certificate
There is also a master’s program for RNs who want to become Nurse Educators. They complete the core courses of the MS and also a minor in education. The education minor takes two semesters to complete.
Certificate Programs
RNs that have their MS may complete the Nurse Practitioner program or the Clinical Nurse Specialist program. They do not need to repeat courses that were taken when working on their MS, and this cuts down the time needed to earn the specialty certificate. They take the national exam at the completion of the program to become licensed in their specialty.
Contact:
SUNY-Upstate Medical University
750 East Adams Street,
Syracuse, New York 13210
(315) 464-5540
Tompkins Cortland Community College Nursing Program Review
Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) is near the counties of Cortland and Tompkins in New York. It is a public college that is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The campus is located in a rural area in the town of Dryden. There are around 3,270 students enrolled at the college. The student body is diverse, with students from over 50 different countries attending Tompkins-Cortland. These students attend colleges in their own countries and then go to Tompkins-Cortland for two semesters. Students stay in seven student housing buildings. Over 50 different programs are offered at this community college.
Tompkins-Cortland offers some programs that are not often seen in community colleges. One of these is a study abroad program that is led by faculty members. Some of the countries where these opportunities are available are India, Ireland, Argentina, Ecuador, Cyprus, England, France, Japan, Peru, Switzerland, and many others. Students who have completed 12 credits may also take part in the Disney College Program. Students complete a full-time internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando. They are paid for their work and receive academic credit as well. Although it is not always possible for nursing students to take part in these activities, it is possible in certain circumstances if the student completes these experiences before beginning the nursing courses.
Nursing Program
AAS Degree
An Associate of Applied Science is offered at Tompkins-Cortland Community College. This two-year associate degree in nursing prepares students to enter the workforce as entry-level nurses. At the completion of the program, graduates take the national exam, the NCLEX-RN, to attain their license to practice as professional Registered Nurses. General admission to college is open, but the nursing program is selective. Students are selected on the highest grade point averages and other criteria. Those who have graduated from high school within five years must have completed New York State math courses A and B, biology, and chemistry with Regent’s scores of 80 percent or better. Preference is given to students residing in Tompkins, Cortland, or Tioga Counties.
Applicants must also take the Test of Essential Academic Skills. Applicants who have graduated from high school more than five years ago must complete 12 credits at the Tompkins-Cortland or at another college before being considered for the nursing program. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) may seek advanced entry into the nursing program. They must complete the New York Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse course with a passing grade. After that, they are granted experiential credit for some of the nursing courses in the RN program. Grade point averages of college work completed for the LPN are considered when admitting students to the program.
The college’s nursing program is highly-praised and is demanding to prepare future nurses to work in many different healthcare facilities. Students take liberal arts and science courses to meet the general education requirements at the college. Then, once accepted into the nursing program, they take nursing courses and complete clinical experience. This experience takes place in same day surgery, acute care units, community agencies, doctor’s and midwives’ offices, mental health clinics, and hospice organizations.
Contact:
Tompkins Cortland Community College
170 North Street,
Dryden, New York 13053
(607) 844-8211
Trocaire College Nursing Program Review
Trocaire College (TC) specializes in healthcare training. It is located in Buffalo and has around 1,300 students enrolled. The Sisters of Mercy founded the college in 1958, and at that time it was for sisters only. Other women were admitted in 1965, and the college became coeducational in 1972. It is a junior college that offers certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. Although healthcare is the main focus of Trocaire, they also have programs in Human Resource Management, and Hospitality Management. Students receive a lot of attention with a student to faculty ratio of nine to one.
Nursing Programs
Nursing PN
Trocaire College offers a Nursing Practical Nurse program. A graduates of this program is eligible to take the NCLEX-LPN exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Applicants must have a high school diploma and a grade point average of at least 75 percent. Either high school algebra or algebra on the college level is required, as well as biology or chemistry. Candidates must take the Arnett Diagnostic Entrance Test at Trocaire. They must also have a cumulative average of 2.5 on all coursework at the college. Students are first accepted into the college into a pre-professional program and are not guaranteed admittance to the professional program. Students in the program must complete 48 credits to qualify for graduation.
Nursing AAS Day
Students who want to become Registered Nurses (RNs) may enroll in the Associate in applied Science degree program. This program trains entry-level RNs to join the workforce in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare facilities. There are two ways to complete the program. These are either in the day program or evening program. Both of them require the same amount of credits, but the day program is completed in two years, while the evening program is planned to be completed in three years plus two summers. It is ideal for students who must work in the daytime. Students in the day program must take the pre-professional Anatomy and Physiology course before moving onto the nursing curriculum. The first semester of courses is a heavy course load consisting of 19 to 21 credits. The second and third semesters require 16 credits each, and the final fourth semester consists of 12 credits.
Nursing AAS Evening
Trocaire College’s Associate of Applied Science Evening Program requires that students complete 67 credits, the same as for the day program. Students who apply to this program must have their high school diploma and a grade point average of at least 85 percent. Math I, Biology, and Chemistry are also required before being admitted to the program. Students must also take Anatomy and Physiology I as a pre-professional course, and they must maintain at least a 2.75 in this course and all others in the program. The Accuplacer and TEAS test are also required before admission is finalized.
Nursing BS
Trocaire College also offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) program for RNs who have a diploma in nursing or an associate’s degree. RNs with a bachelor’s degree qualify for higher paying positions on nursing teams in hospitals or for jobs in other healthcare facilities. All courses for this program are offered online with a maximum of three traditional courses on campus. This allows working RNs to complete their degree according to their unique schedule. The 135 hours of clinical experience may sometimes be completed at the nurse’s current worksite, but these experiences must take place on units that are distinct from the current worksite. The BS program can be completed in as little as 16 months.
Contact:
Trocaire College
360 Choate Avenue,
Buffalo, New York 14220
(716) 826-1200
SUNY Ulster County Nursing Program Review
SUNY Ulster is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) network of colleges. It is a two year college that offers over 60 programs, including nursing. The college is located in a rural area of New York and has around 3500 students enrolled. The college offers athletics programs, peer tutoring, and a variety of cultural programs throughout the year. They are known for their Poetry Forum, Visiting Artist Series, Elizabeth Gross Lecture Series, and musical concerts featuring many different genres that are open to the public year round.
Nursing Program
Associate in Science
The nursing department at SUNY Ulster offers a two-year nursing program that leads to an Associate in Science (AS) degree. Students may attend either full-time or part-time to complete the program. Students seeking admission to the nursing program must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills and score at least 75 percent on the test. Students who need extra academic help or tutoring may find it at the SUNY Ulster’s Learning Center, Times Square math lab, the Writing Center, the Peer and Friend Tutor Program, or English as a Second Language (ESL) tutors. Students who attend full-time can complete the nursing program in two years. At that time, they are prepared to take the national exam for certification, the NCLEX-RN, which leads to a license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
It is recommended that nursing courses are taken in succession without interruption. Although it is possible to attend the program part-time, not all nursing courses and laboratories are offered in the evening. Admission to the nursing program is competitive, and applicants must be legal residents of Ulster County, New York to be admitted to the program. Permanent residents must have resided in the county for six months or in New York State for one year. In addition, students who are taking general education requirements at SUNY Ulster must maintain a grade point average of 2.5 to be considered for the nursing program. Students must complete a total of 72 credits to qualify for graduation, including clinical experience that takes place at nearby clinics, community agencies, and hospitals. All students who graduate from Ulster must complete the general education requirements of liberal arts and science classes in addition to the nursing courses that are required. Some of the liberal arts courses are foreign languages, sociology, and history such as American History, Other World Civilizations, or Western Civilization.
There are also general requirements that must be met to be considered for the program, such as a satisfactory physical examination. Applicants must have the proper immunizations and must have a certificate of Basic Life Support. Another consideration is the nursing dress code. Students should expect to spend at least $400 for the cost of uniforms and supplies. They also need to pay for their liability insurance, which can be purchased through the college for around $20 annually.
Financial aid is available for nursing students through federal, state, and private loans, grants, and scholarships.
Contact:
SUNY Ulster
491 Cottekill Road
Stone Ridge, New York 12484
(845) 687-5000
University of Rochester Nursing School Review
The University of Rochester (UR, U of R) is a research university located in Rochester, New York. This private university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Doctoral and professional degrees are also offered. There are around 5,600 undergraduate students and 4,600 postgraduate students who attend the university. There are students from 90 different countries enrolled at the University of Rochester. The university offers around 200 programs and is a prominent research university with a very low student to faculty ratio of nine to one.
Nursing Programs
University of Rochester’s School of Nursing (SON) can be found at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) campus.
Accelerated Bachelor’s Program for Non-Nurses (ABPNN)
This program prepares those with a bachelor’s degree in another field to graduate as a Registered Nurse (RN). At the completion of the program, students qualify to take the national exam for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). It is possible to complete this program in only one year of accelerated studies after completing the prerequisite courses of Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Human Growth and Development, and Statistics if the student has not yet taken these in the undergraduate work. It is preferred that applicants have a grade point average of 3.0 in their undergraduate work. Students complete 750 hours of clinical with 660 hours of direct patient care during their studies.
RN to BS Modular Program
This program is specifically designed for RNs who have an associate’s degree or a diploma from a nursing school. The program builds on the knowledge that these RNs have from their previous studies and from their work experience. The university will transfer 32 nursing credits from previous studies, and only 32 additional nursing credits must be completed. Most of the coursework is online, and the program is part-time so that the RN can continue working. A grade point average of 3.0 in undergraduate studies is preferred, and applicants must have their licensure as an RN. It is possible to complete it in four semesters if the arts and sciences requirements have been completed. After the student has a total of 64 arts and sciences credits, he or she may graduate with a Bachelor of Science.
RN to BS to MS
This program enables RNs with an associate degree or diploma from an accredited nursing school to save time in earning their master’s degree. This is accomplished by saving from 19 to 24 credits, depending on the specialty. Some courses count for both the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. It is possible to earn both degrees in only three years. Applicants choose the nurse practitioner specialty that they would like to practice after graduation, and their master’s level courses focus on these. It is highly preferred that applicants have a grade point average of 3.0 in their undergraduate studies to enter this accelerated program.
Accelerated Master’s Program for Non-Nurses
The University of Rochester offers this master’s program for students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Students are able to earn a bachelor’s degree in one year and a master’s degree in two years. Through this program, students may become Nurse Practitioners. They qualify to take the national exam to obtain their licensure as a Nurse Practitioner at the completion of the master’s program. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher to be considered for the program. They must also complete the prerequisite courses, including Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Human Growth & Development, and Statistics if they have not taken them in their undergraduate studies. There are eight Nurse Practitioner programs that are described in the following paragraphs. At the completion of these programs, students take the national certification test to become registered Nurse Practitioners in their specialty.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Cardiovascular or Critical Care)
This program requires that the student complete 43 credits, including 672 clinical hours. Students must complete the master’s degree courses and those related to acute care.
Adult Nurse Practitioner
Students must complete 42 credits of study plus 560 clinical hours. They complete master’s core courses as well as courses related to healthcare of adults of all ages.
Family Nurse Practitioner
This program prepares students to treat family members of all ages, providing primary care and prescribing medication. A total of 53 credits must be earned, including master’s core courses and specialty courses. In addition, 672 clinical hours are required.
Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
The Master of Science degree in Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner requires 50 credits of core courses and specialty courses plus 840 clinical hours to complete.
Care of Children and Families/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
This program prepares RNs to become Nurse Practitioners who care for families and children of all ages. There are 45 credits of study required plus 616 clinic hours.
Care of Children and Families/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
RNs that complete this program are qualified to care for children in doctor’s offices, community agencies, and other healthcare facilities. They are also specially trained to care for newborn babies. The program requires the completion of 54 credits and 960 clinical hours.
Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
This specially trained Nurse Practitioner will be able to care for the family and diagnose and treat mental illness in the family. There are 47 credits required and 616 hours of clinical experience.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
A program leading to this advanced degree is available at the University of Rochester. This degree is for RNs who want to continue clinical work at the highest level, and it is an alternative to a research-oriented PhD degree. It takes approximately two and one-half years to complete the program. Students must complete a minimum of 90 credits plus a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. The clinical practicum courses are geared towards the student’s clinical focus. Admission requirements to the program are a grade point average of 3.0 for undergraduate studies and 3.5 for graduate studies.
PhD in Health Practice Research
RNs who want to go into academic and research leadership may complete this program to complete their PhD. The program builds on the research skills of RNs with a master’s degree. This program at the University of Rochester is also open to non-nurses, and it is one of two programs in the U.S. that allow non-nurses to complete a program like this. Students must spend two full years of coursework at the beginning of the program, and they then work independently and spend 360 hours on Research Assistantship and Teaching Assistantship work.
MS and PhD Dual-Degree Accelerated Programs
This program allows RNs with bachelor’s degrees in nursing to become researchers and Nurse Practitioners at the same time. It is a very rigorous program that can be completed in five years. Those who are interested in the program should have a grade point average of 3.5 in their undergraduate work. They must also have taken statistics and have a grade of B or higher.
Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Programs
The University of Rochester offers this program to RNs with a master’s degree in nursing who want to become certified in New York and nationally as Nurse Practitioners. After choosing one of the Nurse Practitioner specialties, the student completes only the subspecialty courses since the masters’ level nursing courses have been completed while studying for the master’s degree. Any courses that were not included in these studies must be completed as well. At the completion of the program, the student takes the national certification exam to practice as a Nurse Practitioner.
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
This program allows those with a doctoral degree to study for two more years to expand their research skills. They will establish a program of nursing research in areas of faculty expertise. Each applicant and their academic goals are considered individually before admission to the program.
Contact:
University of Rochester
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, New York 14642
(585) 275-2375
Utica College Nursing Program Review
Utica College (UC) is a private university with only 2,500 undergraduate students and around 600 postgraduate students. Utica is a four-year college that offers 37 majors, 27 minors, 21 master’s and doctoral programs, and some special programs. Its health science education is well known, and it is one of the op colleges for occupational therapy and physical therapy, as well as psychology. Utica offers a personalized atmosphere for each student, and they choose students who will contribute to the culture of their community. Each applicant’s background is considered individually to determine if the applicant would fit into the college community.
Nursing Program
Bachelor’s Program in Nursing
This four-year bachelor’s degree program offers unique elective courses in forensic nursing for students who want to work with prison populations and geriatric nursing for future nurses who want to work with the elderly. Utica offers small classes with a strong clinical focus. The Dr. Albert and Gloria Shaheen Nursing Laboratory is a practice facility that provides learning experiences for students. It has a 10-bed ward, a 6-bed examination bay, a multipurpose isolation room with diagnostic and vital sign monitoring equipment. In this lab, students learn bedside monitoring and respiration technology and more. Besides learning in this lab, students complete clinical experience at nearby St. Luke’s Healthcare.
Admission requirements are three years of science and math experience in high school with a preferred minimum grade of 80% or better. The applicant’s high school grade point average should be 2.5 or better. Satisfactory ACT or SAT scores are also required. Once an applicant is accepted, the college’s general requirements must be met. In addition, students must complete the nursing core courses and clinical experience. A total of 128 credits must be completed before a student is eligible for graduation. At that point, the graduate takes the national exam, the NCLEX-RN, to gain licensure as a Registered Nurse.
Online RN to BSN Degree
Utica Collage also offers an online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This program is designed for RNs who have completed their associate degree. Graduates of the program are prepared to fill higher level positions in hospitals and other healthcare facilities that demand bachelor’s degrees. In this program, students focus on management, pharmacology, and health assessment. Students are not required to complete clinicals because they take Community Health Nursing and Nursing Management in place of the clinical experience. Most students complete their bachelor’s degree in three years, but it can be completed sooner, depending on the number of credits transferred from their associate’s degree. Utica accepts between 60 and 90 credits from undergraduate work that enables students to complete their bachelor’s degree in less time.
Financial aid is available for almost every student who wants to complete a degree program at Utica College. Besides federal and state financial aid, there are scholarships, grants, and other sources available to nursing students. The Financial Aid office works with students to locate the funds needed to pay for their tuition if they want to attend Utica College.
Contact:
Utica College
1600 Burrstone Road
Utica, New York 13502
(315) 792-3006
Wagner College Nursing Program Review
Wagner College (WC) is a small liberal arts college in the borough of Staten Island in New York City. There are around 2,400 undergraduate students enrolled and 400 postgraduate students at this private college.
Wagner was originally a college to train Lutheran ministers in 1883 with a six-year curriculum. Today, most students live in one of the four residence halls. Students admitted to Wagner from high school have an average high school grade point average of 3.6 and high SAT scores of 530 to 640 in critical reading, 530 to 650 in math, and 520 to 650 in writing. The average ACT scores are usually between 24 and 28.
Each year, the college consistently appears in Princeton Review’s ‘Best Colleges’ list. Wagner College is also featured on several ‘top 20’ lists and receives special mention as a great school for health service majors. With these ratings, it is easy to see that the college has more going for it than its spectacular views overlooking the New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. When you add its convenient location to Manhattan (just a free ferry trip away), you will discover why so many students choose Wagner for their education home.
The nursing school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC). The school is also registered with the New York State Education Department and holds membership in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Nursing Programs at Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing
Wagner College’s School of Nursing focuses on a “community-based” approach to health and nursing education. Nursing students are inspired to become leaders down the path of health for the people they will serve in communities around the nation. The nursing program incorporates an understanding of society as a whole, the value of individuals, and the impact of environment, including the objects, people, cultural values, beliefs, and experiences in the world around.
The Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing seeks to prepare individuals for their role as professional healthcare givers, both independent thinkers and collaborative team workers. The idea of personal care is never divorced from professionalism at Wagner’s, but becomes an integral part of the educational focus. Field experience is a critical component of the nursing programs and occurs in a variety of nearby healthcare facilities. All graduates are prepared to take and pass the NCLEX-RN examinations.
Undergraduate Nursing Degrees
One of the best ways to begin an exciting career in the field of nursing is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Wagner College offers several ways to accomplish, designed to meet the needs of every student. Whether you are just starting college, are working on a second degree, or already have nursing experience as a registered nurse, Wagner can get you on the path to a BSN in no time at all.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Wagner offers a BSN as a fantastic way to launch into the nursing field. Carefully built upon the foundational core of liberal arts subjects, the nursing degree thoroughly transforms students into professional nurses, equipped to serve society as guardians of health. The rigorous studies of a BSN train nursing students to research and think for themselves, while the practical experience at local healthcare facilities helps them embrace the teamwork and collaboration skills needed in the medical field.
Admission into the baccalaureate program requires a score of at least proficient on the entrance exam (TEAS V), and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Prerequisites of Biology, Psychology (or Sociology or Anthropology), Microbiology, and Nutrition must be completed before a student can begin taking nursing courses.
RN-BS
Registered Nurses seeking to boost their career with an undergraduate degree will find the perfect program at Wagner College. The college offers credit for on the job experience, allowing nurses to receive credit for clinical practice. In addition, some transfer credits may be obtained from other colleges.
RN to BS students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to enter the program, or be evaluated by the admission committee. A total of 36 units are required for a RN to BS, and 18 can be received by credit for previous experience. However, the final 9 credits must be taken at Wagner College.
Second Degree – 15 Month Program
Already have a Bachelor degree but want to delve into the field of nursing? Wagner’s 15 month program may be the perfect match. The previous Bachelor’s degree must have come from an accredited college, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required. In addition, a number of prerequisites are required, including 4 units of Biology and one of either Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology.
Graduate Programs
When it is time to advance your nursing career to the professional level, check out the graduate programs at Wagner. Designed to enable nurses to focus in on a special area, the graduate level offers focus that a general, undergraduate degree cannot accomplish. Students wishing to transfer credits for the Master’s level are required to seek approval from the school.
Masters in Nursing (MSN)
At the graduate level, Wagner College offers two Masters programs: the Family Nurse Practitioner and the Nurse Educator. Both of these advanced practice degrees offer nurses greater flexibility and opportunity for advancement in their nursing career. Both Masters level programs are designed to be taken either as full-time study (5 semesters) or part-time (7 semesters), offering flexibility for working professionals to continue their education without sacrificing their jobs.
Post Master’s Advanced Certificate Program
Nurses who already have a Master’s of Nursing degree can receive certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, allowing them to legally practice independently as a Family Nurse Practitioner. These advanced level courses include 27 credits, and involve clinical practice. These classes may be taken in the evening, acknowledging that most students at this level will be actively involved in a nursing career.
Contact:
Wagner College
1 Campus Road
Staten Island, NY 10301
(718) 390-3100
York College – CUNY Nursing School Review
York College is part of the City University of New York (CUNY). It is one of the eleven senior colleges in the network and is located in Jamaica, Queens in New York City. The college offers bachelors degree programs in over 40 fields. There are about 7,800 students enrolled at the college. A large part of the college’s focus is on continuing education, and many programs are offered for students who want to continue their educations. Students who attend this college have the experience of living in New York City with its cultural and other attractions.
Nursing Programs
Nursing BS
York College-SUNY offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) program that enables students to transfer credits that they have earned in their associate degree work. RNs may complete their bachelor’s degree by completing this program. RNs may also be nurses who have earned their diploma in nursing from an accredited nursing school. York College has articulation agreements with the nursing programs at Queensborough Community College/CUNY and LaGuardia Community College/CUNY. Students who have earned their associate’s degrees at these two community colleges are guaranteed entry into the nursing program at York College. The credits that they earned are then transferred to York to give them a good start on their bachelor’s degrees.
Applicants to the nursing program must complete 56 general education and prerequisite credits. They must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in these courses. Applicants must also complete all lower division Writing Intensive Courses. They must also be RNs in the State of New York. There are other requirements for admission, such as holding a current Basic Life Support Certificate and having professional liability insurance before the first clinical course begins. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. They may also be international students with F1 status or those who have been granted asylum, refugee status or have a legal reason to stay in the U.S.
York College offers some unique courses for students to choose from when completing their prerequisite courses. Some of these are Spanish for the Health Professions or French for the Health Professions. These courses can be very practical if the RN intends to continue to practice in a diverse area like New York City.
Nursing-Generic (BS)
This program is designed for students who want to become RNs and want to complete a bachelor’s degree to do so. Admission to the program is highly competitive. Students must first meet the requirements for admission to York College. They must also complete 56 credits of prerequisite courses before being admitted to the nursing program. All candidates must be proficient in reading, writing, and math and must pass the CUNY assessment tests. Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 in general education courses and prerequisite courses. They must also have adequate scores on the pre-admission RN exam (PAX-RN). In addition, students must have a Basic Life Support Certificate and professional liability insurance. Once students are accepted into the program, they begin taking nursing core courses and completing their clinical experience. When the program is completed, they must take the NCLEX-RN to become licensed as Registered Nurses.
Contact:
York College-CUNY
94-20 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard
Jamaica, New York 11451
(718) 262-2000
