Queens University of Charlotte Nursing School Review

Queens University of Charlotte (QUC) is located in Charlotte and has around 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students. Queens is a private Presbyterian university that was founded in 1857 as a women only college. The college became co-educational after World War II. The John Belk International Program has received national recognition for its study programs for juniors and seniors at the college who travel to various countries around the world. Some of the places that students have studied are Hong Kong, Ireland, Vietnam, and South Africa.

Nursing Programs

ASN in Nursing

Queens offers an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program that prepares students to enter the workforce as Registered Nurses (RNs). Graduates take the NCLEX-RN national exam to become licensed as RNs. Graduates are prepared to work in many different healthcare environments, including hospitals, clinics, schools, doctors’ offices, and others. The current ASN program can be traced back to the nursing diploma program at Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing that was opened in 1903. The nursing school and Queens University of Charlotte’s nursing program merged in 2004. The two-year program includes liberal arts and science courses plus nursing courses that also include clinical practice. Admission to the ASN program is on an individual basis and is most based on the applicant’s academic history.

BSN in Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offered at Queens prepares students to work in many different healthcare facilities and specialties. Graduates take the NCLEX-RN to gain licensure to practice as a professional nurse. Some graduates go forward with their education to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or to earn a doctoral degree. Students complete all of the general education requirements for the university plus courses related to the nursing field. Clinical experience takes place at hospitals and other area healthcare facilities. Students in this four year program have an opportunity to participate in the university’s John Belk International Program. The BSN program is designed for students who are 18 to 22 years of age. Adults who want to earn their BSN have the opportunity to take classes in the evening so that they may continue working full or part-time. There is a special program for adults at Queens that is called the Hayworth College Undergraduate Program that offers flexible advising and other services to working adults.

RN-BSN

Queens offers this program for RNs with an associate degree or diploma. RNs may complete their bachelor’s degree either online or in the classroom. The program lasts for four semesters and requires daytime classes. There is no foreign language requirement for students in the program. Students must complete the Queens University of Charlotte Career Mobility Scholarship for the bridge course. They may do this with a 50 percent savings in tuition. There are also scholarships that are awarded according to student need and merit, such as the William Randolph Hearst Nursing Scholarship and Preceptor scholarship. The university offers tuition deferment as well. Applicants who have earned their ASN at the Presbyterian School of Nursing have all 41 credits transferred to the RN-BSN program. If an applicant has earned an associate degree elsewhere, 36 credits are transferred after the bridge course is completed.

Minor in Health Services

Another option for students in the BSN program is to also earn a Minor in Health Services. This involves completing 14 credits plus Introductory Statistics.

MSN in Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) prepares students for advanced practice. Students choose from three areas of concentration, which are Health Systems Management, Clinical Nurse Leader, or Nurse Educator Practices. At the completion of the programs, graduates take the certification exam to gain national certification in the specialty area that they have studied. All students in the graduate program take 15 credit hours in nursing core courses and must earn 36 to 38 credits depending on their concentration. Some of the advantages to working towards a MSN at Queens University are that students take part in small interactive classes that are held in the evening. This allows working RNs to continue in their professional careers while working on their graduate degree. Also, the university offers tuition deferment that allows students to graduate and move into a higher paying nursing position before being required to pay their tuition. There are also scholarships available for those who qualify and financial aid is available as well.

Admission requirements to the graduate program in nursing are that the applicant must be currently licensed as an RN with an unrestricted license. A BSN is required, but those with a bachelor’s degree in another are considered on an individual basis. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required as well, and applicants with grade point averages lower than 3.0 may take the GRE and will be considered if they have a verbal and math combined score of at least 1000. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation and must be computer proficient.

The following three concentrations lead to a MSN in a specialty area of advanced nursing practice.

Health Systems Management Concentration

Besides completing the graduate level nursing core courses, students complete courses in business such as Law and Ethics and others. Courses in health care administration and nursing management are also part of this program. The program requires a health care practicum and nursing capstone project.

Nurse Educator Practice Concentration

This concentration leads to a MSN and also prepares the student to teach nursing students on a variety of levels including nursing school programs, associate and bachelor’s degree programs, and to serve as a community educator. Students learn the basics of teaching and learning in nursing, how to develop curriculum, and evaluation of nursing students. A practicum in nurse education and a capstone project are required for this concentration.

Clinical Nurse Leader Concentration

This program focuses on the clinical care of patients including health assessment, clinical outcomes, and management of the healthcare environment. A residency is required for this concentration that leads to a MSN.

MSN-MBA Combined Program

This Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is combined with an additional Master of Business Administration degree. Students who plan to go into management of various community organizations, hospitals, clinics, and other facilities sometimes prefer to earn this dual degree to enhance their credibility as a nurse administrator. All of the requirements for the MSN must be completed in the school of nursing, and business courses must be taken at the McColl Graduate School of Business. Admission to the program is on an individual basis.

MSN in Nursing (RN-MSN)

This program is designed for RNs enrolled in Queens RN-BSN program who want to earn their master’s degree in nursing. Students choose from one of the three concentrations of Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator Practices, or Health Systems Management. To qualify for this program, RNs must first apply to the RN-BSN program. This requires completing all prerequisite courses with a grade of C- or better. The applicant must also be a registered nurse. Students then work on their BSN and apply to the RN-BSN program after completing courses at Queens. They must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 to qualify for the MSN program in the last 60 hours of studies that they have done at the university. One of the advantages of enrolling in this program for students who want to get their MSN is that 9 credits apply for both the BSN and MSN. The applicant must complete the BSN before enrolling in the MSN program.

Graduate Certificate in Health Systems Management

RNs who have previously earned their MSN who want to continue their education by studying an advanced nursing practice area may earn a certificate in one of the three MSN special concentration areas. The program consists of completing 15 credits in health systems management. At the completion of the courses, graduates take the certification exam and are granted a certificate in this specialty area.

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nurse Leader

RNs who have a MSN may earn a certificate as a clinical nurse leader by completing this program. A residency of 6 credit hours is required in addition to the mandatory courses. At the completion of the program, RNs take the national exam for certification in this specialty area.

Graduate Certificate in Nurse Educator Practices

There is a great need for nurse educators, and this program at Queens prepares RNs who already have a MSN to enter this field of nursing. Students complete 15 credits in curriculum building and education courses for teaching student nurses.

Contact:
Queens University-Charlotte
1900 Selwyn Avenue,
Charlotte, NC 28274
(704) 337-2200