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