University of Scranton Nursing School Review
The University of Scranton, originally called Saint Thomas College, was founded in 1888. Over 6000 students take classes through the university each year; the majority of the students are undergraduates, although the university does also offer graduate programs. As part of its Panuska College of Professional Studies, the University of Scranton of Pennsylvania offers programs for prospective nurses as well as continuing education programs for current nurses. All the programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing, BS
The University of Scranton’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program (also called Nursing, BS) is a traditional, four-year program. In the first two years, students take a combination of nursing and general education courses. In the final two years, students focus solely on nursing courses. In total, a student in the BSN program must earn 135 credits. Unlike many other BSN programs, the BSN program at the University of Scranton is compatible with studying abroad. Students may opt to spend the spring of their sophomore year at one of the university’s study abroad sites. Graduation from the BSN program allows a student to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). If successful, he may begin his career as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing, LPN to BS
A graduate of a Practical Nursing program who is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may complete a BSN degree through the Nursing, LPN to BS track. By taking an examination, she may earn up to twenty-four-and-a-half credits toward the lower-level nursing courses. In total, she must earn 131 credits to graduate, which includes the advanced placement credits. She must complete the program on a full-time basis. After graduation, she is eligible to take the NCLEX_RN and advance from an LPN position to an RN position.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing, RN to BSN
A graduate of an associate-degree or diploma in nursing program who is an RN is eligible to complete the Nursing, RN to BSN track. He can earn advanced placement for up to thirty-eight-and-a-half credits toward his BSN degree on the basis on his previous education and work experience. In total, he must earn 131 credits, which includes the advanced placement credits. An RN is eligible to complete the BSN program on either a full-time or part-time basis.
Master of Science in Nursing – Adult Health Nursing, MSN
A nurse who holds a BSN who wishes to become certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), specializing in adult healthcare, can complete the Adult Health Nursing track of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. This requires thirty-seven credits in total, and includes 500 hours of clinical practice. As part of the program, a student also takes classes in nursing education, and may sit for a post-master’s certification in nursing education after earning the master’s-level certification as a CNS.
Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track of the MSN program requires forty-six credits and includes 875 hours of clinical practice. On a full-time basis, it takes two years to complete; part-time, it takes four years to complete. A graduate is eligible to take the FNP certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. If successful, he may provide primary care to patients of all ages.
Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Anesthesia, MSN
The University of Scranton cooperates with the Wyoming Valley Health Care System Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia to offer the Nurse Anesthesia MSN program. This requires sixty credits, and is only open to nurses who already hold a BSN. The program takes twenty-five consecutive months of full-time study. The Nurse Anesthesia program holds additional accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
Master of Science in Nursing – Certified Advanced Practice Nurses, MSN
A nurse who already has advanced practice certification (as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse-midwife) can complete a full MSN degree through the Certified Advanced Practice Nurses track. A nurse will receive twenty-one credits for coursework leading to her advanced practice certification, and must complete an additional twenty-one credits through the University of Scranton. A full-time student can do this in one year; a part-time student can complete the program in two years.
Master of Science in Nursing – Accelerated MSN Degree
The Accelerated MSN degree program is designed for RNs who are graduates of associate-degree or diploma programs, as well as for BSN students who know that they want to pursue a graduate-level specialty. Students on this track take twelve credits that prepare them to enter the MSN program. These courses are at the graduate level. (For BSN students, these twelve credits can be substituted for twelve credits of the BSN program). The Accelerated MSN Degree program begins each fall and spring. After completing the transition courses, a student on the Accelerated MSN Degree track pursues the chosen MSN specialty.
Post-master’s Certification
A nurse who has already earned an MSN degree may work toward certification in another area of specialization without completing the core requirements again. The University of Scranton offers two post-master’s certificate programs. A master’s-prepared nurse who wishes to become an FNP must complete twenty-seven credits. A master’s-prepared nurse who already holds an advanced practice degree can become a Nurse Anesthetist after earning forty-eight credits.
Contact:
The University of Scranton
800 Linden Street,
Scranton, PA 18510
