Nursing

B.S. in Nursing

The College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE) has established a cohort-model RN-BSN program designed for nurses to complete their degree in a flexible and convenient learning environment. The program provides a seamless transition from RN-BSN through flexible class times and off-site locations. Discounts extended to affiliated hospitals.

Students with an associate's degree will enter as Juniors with the general education requirements completed. The nursing curriculum at CSE is based on the theoretical model of Betty Neuman and is designed to prepare a professional nurse generalist and leader at the baccalaureate level providing a solid foundation for graduate study in nursing.

In addition to the college requirements, the following requirements MUST be filed by Nursing majors within 6 weeks after starting the first clinical nursing course at the College:
 

I. Health Requirements:

     1. Health history and physical

     2. Documentation of having received the Hepatitis B vaccine series or positive serum testing for hepatitis B surface antibody, or a signed declination form.

     3. Tuberculin skin (PPD) test results
          a. Chest x-ray if positive or previous history of positive test or history of tuberculosis.
          b. Tuberculin skin test results must be updated annually.

     4. Documentation of a positive varicella titer or completed immunization series.
 

II. Additional Requirements:

     1. Validation of a current, New Jersey registered nurse license. This must remain current during the course of study.

     2. Successful completion of a nursing refresher course may be required if a student has not practiced nursing for the past five years or other reasons deemed appropriate by the faculty.

     3. A student criminal background check is required of all students utilizing a JCAHO accredited health care agency for clinical experience. The cost of completing the background check is the responsibility of the student.

The Nursing Program divides its course of study into lower and upper division. The lower division includes those nursing courses and conditions completed in the nurse’s basic program. The 34 nursing credits required for the lower division are fulfilled by diploma or Associate Degree nursing courses. An Associate’s Degree in Nursing is accepted in lieu of many General Education requirements. Diploma school graduates will need to fulfill all general education requirements. Students may transfer up to 96 credits if applicable.

Requirements

• NURS 301    Professional Practice of Nursing I
• NURS 303    Holistic Health Assessment with Individuals
• NURS 304    Physiology of Human Responses in Health and Illness 3 (replaces BIO Pathophysiology)
• NURS 305    Nursing Roles and Interventions
• NURS 311    Nursing Research
• NURS 313    Nursing Process with Clients in Groups
• NURS 315    Nursing Process with Family Systems
• NURS 411    International Nursing

OR

• NURS 419    Nursing Process in the Community
• NURS 421    Professional Practice of Nursing II
• NURS 423    Strategies of Professional Practice

Lower Division Requirements:

1. Thirty-four credits are awarded to graduates of diploma programs.

2. All nursing credits are transferred from Associate Degree in Nursing programs.

3. All nurses educated in a foreign country must have their education evaluated by theWorld Education Services or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools for transfer of credits.

Related Requirements:

• ENG 225     ResearchWriting for Nurses
• PHIL 331    Ethics in Health Care
• MATH 119   Elementary Statistics
• Theology one course (3 Credits)
• Chemistry, Physics and Nutrition: (7 or 8 Credits)
• CHEM 121  Introductory Chemistry and Lab

AND ONE of the following:

• CHEM 123 &
• CHEM 123L   Introductory Organic Chemistry and Lab

OR

• CHEM 115 &
• CHEM 115L   Introduction to General and Organic Chemistry and Lab

OR

• CHEM 201 &
• CHEM 201L   Introductory Biochemistry and Lab

OR

• PHYS 149   General Physics or an introductory physics course with Lab

OR

• FN 201    Introductory Nutrition

College Requirements:

General Education Requirements including:

• ENG 111    English Composition
• SOC 101   Introduction to Sociology

OR

• XDPT 211  Anthropology
• PSY 101    General Psychology I

OR

• PSY 103    General Psychology II
• PSY 191    Developmental Psychology: The Human Life Span (preferred)
• BIO - - -    Anatomy and Physiology (8 Credits)
• BIO 209    Microbiology

Political Science:

• PS 205     American Politics and Government

OR

• PS 101     Principles of Political Science

OR

• PS 221     Law and Contemporary American Society

OR

• PS 241     Public Administration

Total Credits Required for Graduation 128 Credits

Capstone Experience:

The Capstone Project provides the senior baccalaureate nursing student the opportunity to integrate concepts learned in previous courses in the design of a culminating interdisciplinary change project in a clinical setting of their choice. Students work individually or in small groups, collaborating with members of the health team to identify an opportunity for improvement in their healthcare organization. After completion of an organizational assessment, a thorough review of the literature and collection of evidence-based data, the student participates in the development and implementation of a systematic strategy for improvement and change. An oral and a poster presentation of the process of change, its results, and a self-assessment of the role as a leader, advocate and change agent is presented at the end of the semester to the college faculty, organization staff, and students. This project is used for the oral comprehensive exam mid-semester.

Comprehensive Examination:

Satisfactory attainment of the outcomes of each academic program is a degree requirement at the College of Saint Elizabeth. Nursing students meet this requirement by passing comprehensive examinations and through completion of the course requirements for NURS 423 Strategies of Professional Practice.

There are two components of the Comprehensive Examination in the Nursing Program: written and oral. The written component of this examination is a self reflection consisting of a review of all of the completed assignments in their individual portfolio in relation to the expected outcomes of the Nursing Program. Each student will analyze her/his professional development fostered through the nursing curriculum. The student’s attainment of each outcome of the Program will be the prism through which each written assignment will be selfevaluated. The oral comprehensive exam is based on their capstone project.

M.S. in Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing Program, offered at the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE), is a 37 credit co-educational cohort-based program which can be completed in two years of full-time or three years of part-time study. It was developed in response to the growing need for nurses with advanced degrees who can assume leadership positions in education and practice. The curriculum provides the foundation for doctoral study. The program also offers a bridge program for RNs with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree who wish to enter the MSN program and a Certificate in Nursing Education for nurses who have earned a non-nursing education master’s degree.

Program Philosophy

Nursing education is a dynamic field that is experiencing the challenges of a nursing faculty shortage and a diverse student and client population. The College of Saint Elizabeth, cognizant of these issues, has developed the Master of Science in Nursing Program (MSN) to prepare nurses to assume the role of nurse educator in a variety of settings. The course of study is marked by an emphasis on the integration of spiritual, social and ethical values in the construction of a personal philosophy as a nurse educator. The program builds upon the knowledge and skills acquired at the baccalaureate level and afford students the opportunity to broaden their theoretical foundation of nursing and acquire the depth and breadth of advanced knowledge for the practice of nursing education in the 21st century.

Program Goals

At the completion of the Masters of Science in Nursing with an emphasis on nursing education, graduates of the College of Saint Elizabeth will be able to:

1. Apply the Betty Neuman Health Care System Model, professional nursing standards, nurse educator practice standards and guidelines for master’s nursing education into the nurse educator role.
2. Integrate advanced knowledge from nursing and related disciplines into the nurse educator role.
3. Design, analyze, implement and evaluate curricula, clinical teaching and outcomes of educational programs using extant literature, research, theories,models and ethical and legal principles.
4. Design, implement and evaluate strategies that recognize the multicultural, gender and experiential influences on teaching and learning.
5. Utilize selected theories of teaching and learning grounded in educational theory and evidence-based teaching practices to prepare graduates for practice in a complex, dynamic health care environment.
6. Employ a variety of evolving technologies and modalities in the classroom and clinical setting to facilitate student/ client learning.
7. Utilize research findings in the development of evidence based practice.
8. Integrate spiritual, social and ethical values and beliefs in the construction of a personal philosophy as a nurse educator.
9. Analyze trends and issues in nursing and health care, and exercise leadership in creating a preferred future for nursing education and nursing practice.
10. Utilize knowledge and skills in the pursuit of doctoral study.

Program Description

The Master of Science in Nursing Program consists of 37 credits of required coursework. The program features a multidisciplinary core with advanced study in nursing education and two clinical practicum courses. This program is offered off-site as well as on campus.

Level I: Core Courses

• GST 605     GraduateWriting Seminar (3)
• NURS 610   Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
• NURS 615   Nursing Research:Analysis & Design (3)
• MC 626      Ethical Issues in Human Service Leadership (3)
• NURS 620   Nurse Educator as Leader (3)

Graduate Nursing Electives:

One 2-credit graduate elective is required in the program. Studentsmay select NURS 623,NURS 665 or another graduate elective with approval of ProgramDirector.

• NURS 623   Integrative Health Teaching
• NURS 665   Simulation in Nursing Education

Level II:Theory and Clinical Role Courses

• NURS 625   Analysis of Concepts in Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
• NURS 630   Application of Clinical Interventions in Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
• NURS 635   Curriculum/ProgramDevelopment & Evaluation (3)
• NURS 640   Assessment,Measurement & Evaluation (3)
• NURS 645   Pedagogical Strategies in Nursing Education (3)

Level III: Role Synthesis Courses

• NURS 650   Seminar and Practicumin Teaching (3)
• NURS 660   Guided Study and Seminar in Nursing Education (2)

Approved Nursing Elective Courses

• NURS 623   Integration in Health Teaching
• NURS 665   Simulation in Nursing Education

Bridge to the MSN for the RN with a Non-Nursing Bachelor's Degree

• A baccalaureate degree in any field froman accredited institution

                • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their baccalaureate degree program
                • A grade of B or better on the first 2 CSE undergraduate courses taken as part of the undergraduate bridge program.

• Transcripts froman associates degree or diploma in nursing froman NLN accredited institution and fromtheir nonnursing bachelor’s degree program.
• Pre-admission interview
• Adherence to The College and Nursing Programs health requirements
• An acceptable Background Check is required as a condition of admission to the graduate programin Nutrition.Applicants are responsible for completing and paying for a Background Check(s) as a condition of admission and also as required under renewal time lines. (Applicants should contact the
• Nursing programfor full policy, requirements and procedures.)

• License to practice as a registered nurse in the state of New Jersey
• Computer skills – proficiency inWord processing, email and library on-line searches.A computer proficiency test has been developed by the nursing faculty will be administered in the computer lab during orientation to the program
• Provisional admission to MSN Program

Prior to beginning the required bridge courses students must meet the following additional requirements:

• Grade of C or better in undergraduate health assessment course (or approved equivalent such as:NURS 303 or Health Assessment/ CE certificate with lab or Health Assessment on line- through Jarvis- Final Head to toe in classroom (could take during the summer)
• Grade of C or better in undergraduate statistics course
• Grade of C or better in undergraduate nursing research course or comparable research course (by approval)
• Complete a full day required MSN Orientation Program

Note: Successful completion means a grade of B in the course (or by special permission)
 

Required MSN Bridge Courses:

• NURS 440   Transitional Issues in the Professional Practice of Nursing (3 credits)
• NURS 405   Strategies of Professional Nursing Practice in Community/Public Health (5 credits)

Note: Graduate courses listed below may be taken following the completion of all admission requirements including the two bridge courses

• GST 605    GraduateWriting Seminar (3 credits)
• MC 626     Ethical Issues in Human Services Leadership (3 credits)

Upon satisfactory completion of admission requirements, including the required bridge courses, students enter the MSN Nursing Education Program

Post Master’s Nurse Education Certificate Program

Program Description

The post-master’s certificate program in Nursing Education is intended for the registered nurse with a previous Master’s in Nursing Degree or Doctoral Degree who wishes to acquire the knowledge and skills for specialization in the role of the nurse educator in a diverse variety of settings, including but not limited to health care agencies, technical schools, and schools of nursing (associate degree, diploma, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral). The post-master’s certificate program is comprised of 12 credits of study, distributed over four (4) courses. Foundational theoretical content includes: nurse educator role development, educational test and measurements, educational learning theories, pedagogical strategies, curriculum development and evaluation, ethics, educational research, and educational leadership. Practical knowledge development of 90 hours is facilitated through the educational teaching practicum in a variety of settings through the implementation of diverse
delivery models inclusive of technological pedagogies. Applicants may elect to complete the certificate on a full-time or part-time plan of study. Successful completion of the Post- Master’s Nurse Education Certificate allows for sitting for the national nurse educator certification exam.

Admission Requirements

MSN – in major other than nurse educator role

Applicants must complete the following prerequisites before admission to the program:

• Have completed a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) in a major other than in the nurse educator role and awarded from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency for nursing.
• Current resume or CV
• Current licensure as RN in State of New Jersey
• Two years professional nursing practice experience in the last five years
• Computer skills – proficiency in word processing, email and library on-line searches.
• Meet health requirements of the Nursing Program.
• Interview may be required.

Number of Credits: 12
 

Required Courses:

• NURS 635    Curriculum and Program Development and Evaluation
• NURS 640    Assessment,Measurement and Evaluation
• NURS 645    Pedagogical Strategies in Nursing Education
• NURS 650    Seminar and Practicum in Nursing Education