Master of Science in Nursing
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master's degree program in nursing at Rhode Island College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The Master of Science in Nursing program is fully accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through April of 2023.
The St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The next review is in 2026.
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requires that all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022 or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree. The program plans to submit its application to the COA in 2020 for approval to award the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree by January 2025. Pending approval by the COA, the program plans to enroll its first doctoral cohort of students in January 2022. Further information regarding this transition may be obtained by contacting the program at: Anne Tierney, M.S.N., M.A., C.R.N.A., Program Director, Rhode Island College School of Nursing/St. Joseph Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia, 200 High Service Avenue, North Providence, R.I. 02904; 401-456-3638.
Application Periods for MSN Program
Please note: Admissions for the Nurse Practitioner program will remain open for 2021 due to Covid
Nurse Anesthesia (starts Summer Session II) August 15 – December 15
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner September 15-February 15
Acute Care CNS Ongoing Rolling Admissions
Population/Public Health Ongoing Rolling Admissions
Certificate in Graduate Studies in Nurse Care Management Ongoing Rolling Admissions
Certificate in Graduate Studies in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety Ongoing Rolling Admissions
Certificate in Graduate Studies in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP) Ongoing Rolling Admissions
Certificate in Graduate Studies in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care CNS (AGACCNS) Ongoing Rolling Admissions
Mission
Educating and empowering nurses to enrich the health and well-being of all people.
Approved May, 2016
Students should visit
www.ric.edu/simlab/ for simulation program information prior to participating in any simulation activities.
For MSN information, contact program director:
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Patricia A. Molloy
Associate Professor and Program Director of the MSN Program
NEC-Providence (100L)
(401) 456-9704
pmolloy@ric.edu
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Master's Program Goals
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Master's Program Expected Outcomes
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| Apply scientific knowledge from nursing and related disciplines to plan, direct, and evaluate health care |
Competency in
Background for Practice: Sciences & Humanities |
| Assume leadership responsibilities to shape nursing practice in adult/older adult care, nurse anesthesia or population/public health nursing |
Competency in
Organizational/Systems Leadership |
| Implement quality and safety initiatives to assure positive individual and population health outcomes |
Competency in
Quality & Safety |
| Promote translation and integration of scholarship, research, and evidence based practice |
Competency in
Translation and Integration of Scholarship, Research, Evidence Based Practice |
| Incorporate innovative healthcare technologies and informatics to improve care management and enhance outcomes |
Competency in
Innovative Health Care Technologies and Informatics |
| Promote policies that assure quality, cost effective and equitable care within a dynamic health care system |
Competency in
Health Policy and Advocacy |
| Engage in interdisciplinary, collaborative practice to improve individual and population health outcomes |
Competency in
Interdisciplinary, Collaborative Practice |
| Analyze population health needs of a diverse society for preventive health strategies |
Competency in
Clinical Prevention and Population Health.
Competency in
Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity |
| Demonstrate ethical practice, professional responsibility, and continued professional growth |
Competency in
Ethics |
| Demonstrate master's level nursing practice |
Competency in
Master's Level Nursing Practice |
| Assume advanced practice roles in adult/gerontology acute care, nurse anesthesia or population/public health nursing |
Competency in
Advanced Practice Role |
MSN Program Options
The following areas of study are available:
A. Adult/Gerontology with an Acute Care Emphasis
Students may choose the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) role. Students who successfully complete the Adult/Acute Care option will be eligible to apply to take the following certification examinations: the American Nurses Credentialing Center Adult Acute (NPs) exam; the American Association of Critical Care Nurses; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP exam (NPs); the American Nurses Credentialing Center Adult / Gerontology CNS exam (CNSs); the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Adult / Gerontology Acute CNS exam (CNSs)
B. Nurse Anesthesia
Students who successfully complete the Nurse Anesthesia option will be eligible to sit for the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) Nurse Anesthesia certification exam. This program is in collaboration with the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia. Visit their website at
http://www.sjhsna.com.
C. Population/Public Health
Students who successfully complete the Population/Public Health option will be eligible to practice in leadership roles in the community and additionally as nurse educators who instruct community/public health nursing in academic settings.
D. Certificate in Nursing Care Management
The Nursing Care Management Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS) has been designed to meet a rapidly emerging need in health care, that of preparing nurses for nurse care/case manager positions across health care settings.
E. Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety
This certificate option will meet a key, identified need to expand nurses' understanding of quality and safety.
F. Certificate in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP)
The Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS) is designed for those who already hold a Master’s degree in nursing and wish to expand upon their current role as a nurse practitioner.
G. Certificate in Graduate Studies in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care CNS (AGACCNS)
The C.G.S. in adult gerontology with an acute care emphasis is designed for those who already hold a Master’s degree in nursing and wish to expand upon their current role as a clinical nurse specialist.
Admission Requirements
- A completed application accompanied by a fifty-dollar nonrefundable application fee.
- A baccalaureate degree in an upper division nursing major from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program.
- Applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited institution in the United States.
- Official transcripts of
all undergraduate and graduate records.
- Completion of a course in statistics (MATH 240 or its equivalent), with a minimum grade of C.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate course work. Provisional acceptance occasionally granted.
- An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies test (MA).
- An official report of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from international applicants who are from countries where English is not the first language.
- Current unrestricted licensure for the practice of nursing in Rhode Island.
- A professional résumé.
- Three
professional references (at least one from the clinical area).
- A brief letter of intent, which includes a statement of goals.
- Proof of residency is required for in-state tuition.
- An interview may be required.
*Students may apply no more than 3 times to a program option of the Graduate Nursing Program.
Admission Deadlines
The admission deadline for Fall admission for the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP option is February 15th. The Nurse Anesthesia option deadline for Summer Session II admission is December 15. In the event that space(s) remains in the NP option after the February 15th deadline, the application deadline may be extended at the discretion of the program director. Contact the MSN program director for further information. Applications for the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care CNS option, the Populations/Public Health Nursing option, Nursing Care Management Certificate and Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety Certificate in Graduate Studies are on-going and may be submitted at any time.
Additional Admission Requirements for Adult/Gerontology acute care
One year of relevant acute care experience
Additional Admission Requirements for Nurse Anesthesia
- Due to clinical rotations at hospitals in Massachusetts, a license is required for Massachusetts.
- Personal interview is required.
- Completion of two courses in chemistry (Chem 105, 106 - 8 credits total) within the last 10 years with minimum grades of C.
- A preferred undergraduate science GPA of 3.0
- Of the three required references, one must be from a clinical supervisor.
- Current ACLS certification.
- Minimum of 1 year critical care experience. Complete definition of accepted critical care experience is found on the sjhsna website:
www.sjhsna.com
- Skills and abilities applicants and students must demonstrate are also on the sjhsna website:
www.sjhsna.com
Additional Admission Requirements for RN to M.S.N. Students
Applicants will be required to meet all admission requirements for the MSN with the exception of having earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Students who have senior standing in the B.S.N. program may complete NURS 501, 502, 503, or 512 (up to 9 credits) as electives. M.S.N. courses that are completed will be waived upon entry into the M.S.N. program of study. Students must fulfill all of the above requirements and successfully complete the RN to B.S.N. program, including Math 240 or equivalent.
Retention Requirement for All M.S.N. Students
All students are expected to maintain a cumulative average of B (3.00) or better in their graduate program. Students who do not maintain a cumulative B (3.00) average will have their status reviewed by the master’s program director. Students who achieve less than a B, including a grade of ‘U’, in any course will be placed on probationary status.
Students who do not achieve a B or better in Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology or Advanced Pharmacology
must repeat the course and may not progress in clinical courses. Students in the Nurse Anesthesia option who earn a grade of less than B- in the required science courses, including CHEM 519 and BIO 535 and BIO 536, will be placed on probationary status. Students on probationary status must achieve a B or better in each required course over the next 9 credits. Two grades below B are sufficient cause for consideration of dismissal; the decision regarding students’ status will be made by the master’s program director in consult with the dean. Students may be required to repeat a course at the discretion of the master’s program director.
Handbook
The School of Nursing
Handbook for Master of Science in Nursing provides detailed and essential information about the graduate nursing program. It is available by clicking
here.
