Nursing M.S.N.
Carolynn Masters, Dean, Onanian School of Nursing
Bethany Petronio-DeFanti
Associate Dean, Onanian School of Nursing
Graduate Department Chair: Justin DiLibero
M.S.N. Graduate Program Director: Debra Servello
M.S.N. Program Faculty: Professor Costello, Servello; Associate Professors Dame, DiLibero, Misto, Mock; Assistant Professors Hodne, Walsh
Admission Requirements for All M.S.N. Students
Admission to graduate study at the Rhode Island College School of Nursing is selective and determined by the quality of the total application. Applications are submitted on-line and are available for the MSN program at https://www.applyweb.com/ricg/index.ftl
Applications for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP option open on October 15th and the deadline for submission is February 15th. If space(s) remains in the NP option after the February 15th deadline, applications may be accepted for consideration at the discretion of the program director. Contact the MSN program director for further information. (2022 Application deadline has been extended to July.)
Applications for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care CNS, Population/Public Health Nursing options, and the four graduate certificate programs [Adult/Gerontology Acute Care CNS - (Post-Masters), Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP (Post-Masters), Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety, and Nursing Care Management] are accepted on an on-going basis, but applications must be received one month prior to the start of each semester.
Admission requirements include:
- A completed application accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Active duty military and veterans are eligible to receive a fee waiver - contact Ellen Morais (emorais@ric.edu) for additional information.
- A Baccalaureate degree from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program.
- Official transcripts of ALL undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- Completion of a course in statistics (MATH 240 or its equivalent), with a minimum grade of C within the last ten years.
- A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate course work. (Consideration will be given to students demonstrating successful completion of graduate level nursing classes earning 3.0 or greater).
- Eligibility for RN licensure in Rhode Island.
- A professional résumé.
- Three professional references (at least one from a clinical supervisor).
- A brief letter of intent that demonstrates the candidate’s practice experience and reasons for pursuing graduate study. The statement should be representative of the applicant’s writing ability, be no more than 500 words, double-spaced, and written in 12-point font.
- Proof of residency for in-state tuition.
- An interview may be required.
Additional Requirements for International Students
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. An official report of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants who are from countries where English is not the first language. (For application assistance, see: https://www.ric.edu/department-directory/unity-center/international-immigrant-undocumented-dacamented-refugee-student-services and https://www.ric.edu/documents/international-graduate-students-guide).
Additional Admission Requirement for the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Option
A minimum of one year RN experience in an adult acute care setting within the last 3 years is recommended.
An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). To schedule a test, visit the GRE or MAT websites at: GRE - http://www.ets.org/gre and MAT -http://www.pearsonassessments.com/postsecondaryeducation/graduate_admissions/mat.html (Beginning in the 2023-2024 application cycle, Rhode Island College has approved the removal of the GRE/MAT requirement)
Retention Requirement for 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 MSN 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 BIOL 535 and BIOL 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 MSN program director in consult with the dean. Students may be required to repeat a course at the discretion of the MSN program director.
Handbook
The School of Nursing Handbook for Graduate Students in Nursing provides detailed and essential information about the graduate nursing program. It is available online at Nursing Graduate Programs | Rhode Island College (ric.edu)
Course Requirements - Full-Time Students
Select option A, B, or C below
A. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care
First Semester
| NURS 501 | Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 | Fall, Summer. |
| NURS 502/HCA 502 | Health Care Systems | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 505 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 506 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 | Fall. |
Second Semester
| NURS 504 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 509 | Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Seminar I | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 510 | Adult/Older Adult Health/Illness I | 3 | Spring. |
| NURS 530 | Adult Health Illness I for CNS | 6 | Spring. |
| NURS 540 | Adult Health Illness I for NPs | 6 | Spring. |
Summer Session I
| NURS 503 | Professional Role Development | 3 | Spring, Summer. |
Third Semester
| NURS 610 | Adult Health/Illness II for CNS | 6 | Fall. |
| NURS 615 | Adult Health/Illness II for NPs | 6 | Fall. |
Fourth Semester
| NURS 620 | Adult Health/Illness III for CNS | 6 | Spring. |
| NURS 622 | Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Seminar II | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 625 | Adult Health/Illness III for NPs | 6 | Spring. |
ONE COURSE from
| NURS 513 | Teaching Nursing | 3 | Summer Session I. |
| NURS 515 | Simulation in Interprofessional Healthcare Education | 3 | Spring. |
| NURS 518 | Nursing Care/Case Management | 3 | Fall. |
| NURS 519 | Quality/Safety in Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 | Fall. |
| NURS 521 | Global Health and Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 | Spring, Summer. |
| NURS 522 | Concepts and Practice of Palliative Care | 3 | Annually. |
| NURS 523 | Surgical First Assist Theory | 3 | Fall. |
| | -Or- | | |
| | Other elective approved by advisor | | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 45 | |
B. Nurse Anesthesia
First Semester - Summer Session II
| NURS 501 | Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 | Fall, Summer. |
Second Semester
Third Semester
| BIOL 536 | Advanced Physiology II | 4 | Spring. |
| NURS 503 | Professional Role Development | 3 | Spring, Summer. |
| NURS 504 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 514 | Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia | 4 | Spring. |
| NURS 517 | Foundational Principles of Nurse Anesthesia | 3 | Spring. |
Fourth Semester
| NURS 512 | Genetics and Genomics in Health Care | 3 | Fall, Summer. |
| NURS 516 | Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice I | 3 | Summer. |
| NURS 570 | Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum I | 1 | Summer. |
Fifth Semester
| NURS 509 | Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Seminar I | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 512 | Genetics and Genomics in Health Care | 3 | Fall, Summer. |
| NURS 616 | Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice II | 3 | Fall. |
| NURS 630 | Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum II | 1 | Fall. |
Sixth Semester
| NURS 626 | Advanced Principles in Nurse Anesthesia III | 3 | Spring. |
| NURS 640 | Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum III | 1 | Spring. |
| NURS 692 | Directed Readings I | 1 | Fall, Spring, Summer. |
Seventh Semester
| NURS 670 | Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum IV | 1 | Summer. |
| NURS 693 | Directed Readings II | 1 | Fall, Spring, Summer. |
Eighth Semester
| NURS 636 | Transition into Nurse Anesthesia Practice | 2 | Fall. |
| NURS 691 | Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum V | 1 | Fall. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 56 | |
C. Population/Public Health Nursing
First Semester
| NURS 501 | Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 | Fall, Summer. |
| NURS 502/HCA 502 | Health Care Systems | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 508 | Public Health Science | 3 | Fall. |
Second Semester
| HPE 507 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 3 | Spring. |
| NURS 509 | Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Seminar I | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 511 | Population/Public Health Nursing | 6 | Spring. |
Summer Session I
| NURS 503 | Professional Role Development | 3 | Spring, Summer. |
Third Semester
| NURS 611 | Population/Public Health Nursing II | 6 | Fall. |
Fourth Semester
| NURS 621 | Population/Public Health Nursing III | 6 | Spring. |
| NURS 622 | Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Seminar II | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
ONE COURSE from
| NURS 513 | Teaching Nursing | 3 | Summer Session I. |
| NURS 515 | Simulation in Interprofessional Healthcare Education | 3 | Spring. |
| NURS 518 | Nursing Care/Case Management | 3 | Fall. |
| NURS 519 | Quality/Safety in Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 | Fall. |
| NURS 521 | Global Health and Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 | Spring, Summer. |
| NURS 522 | Concepts and Practice of Palliative Care | 3 | Annually. |
| NURS 523 | Surgical First Assist Theory | 3 | Fall. |
| | -Or- | | |
| | Other elective approved by advisor | | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 42 | |
Course Requirements - Part-Time Students
Select option A or B below
A. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care
First Semester
| NURS 501 | Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 | Fall, Summer. |
| NURS 502/HCA 502 | Health Care Systems | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
Second Semester
| NURS 503 | Professional Role Development | 3 | Spring, Summer. |
| NURS 504 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
Third Semester
| NURS 505 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 506 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 | Fall. |
Fourth Semester
| NURS 509 | Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Seminar I | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 510 | Adult/Older Adult Health/Illness I | 3 | Spring. |
| NURS 530 | Adult Health Illness I for CNS | 6 | Spring. |
| NURS 540 | Adult Health Illness I for NPs | 6 | Spring. |
ONE COURSE from
| NURS 513 | Teaching Nursing | 3 | Summer Session I. |
| NURS 515 | Simulation in Interprofessional Healthcare Education | 3 | Spring. |
| NURS 518 | Nursing Care/Case Management | 3 | Fall. |
| NURS 519 | Quality/Safety in Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 | Fall. |
| NURS 521 | Global Health and Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 | Spring, Summer. |
| NURS 522 | Concepts and Practice of Palliative Care | 3 | Annually. |
| NURS 523 | Surgical First Assist Theory | 3 | Fall. |
| | -Or- | | |
| | Other elective approved by advisor | | |
Fifth Semester
| NURS 610 | Adult Health/Illness II for CNS | 6 | Fall. |
| NURS 615 | Adult Health/Illness II for NPs | 6 | Fall. |
Sixth Semester
| NURS 620 | Adult Health/Illness III for CNS | 6 | Spring. |
| NURS 622 | Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Seminar II | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 625 | Adult Health/Illness III for NPs | 6 | Spring. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 45 | |
B. Population/Public Health Nursing
First Semester
| NURS 501 | Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 | Fall, Summer. |
| NURS 502/HCA 502 | Health Care Systems | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
Second Semester
| HPE 507 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 3 | Spring. |
| NURS 503 | Professional Role Development | 3 | Spring, Summer. |
Third Semester
ONE COURSE from
| NURS 513 | Teaching Nursing | 3 | Summer Session I. |
| NURS 515 | Simulation in Interprofessional Healthcare Education | 3 | Spring. |
| NURS 518 | Nursing Care/Case Management | 3 | Fall. |
| NURS 519 | Quality/Safety in Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 | Fall. |
| NURS 521 | Global Health and Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 | Spring, Summer. |
| NURS 522 | Concepts and Practice of Palliative Care | 3 | Annually. |
| NURS 523 | Surgical First Assist Theory | 3 | Fall. |
| | -Or- | | |
| | Other elective approved by advisor | | |
Fourth Semester
| NURS 509 | Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Seminar I | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| NURS 511 | Population/Public Health Nursing | 6 | Spring. |
Summer Session I
| NURS 509 | Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Seminar I | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
Fifth Semester
| NURS 611 | Population/Public Health Nursing II | 6 | Fall. |
Sixth Semester
| NURS 621 | Population/Public Health Nursing III | 6 | Spring. |
| NURS 622 | Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Seminar II | 3 | Fall, Spring. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 42 | |
C.G.S. IN ADULT/GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS
The C.G.S. in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners is a certificate program which enables students who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and wish to expand upon their current role as a nurse practitioner. Students who successfully complete this 18 credit certificate program will be eligible to apply to take the following certification examinations: the American Nurses Credentialing Center Adult Acute (NPs) exam or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP exam (NPs).
(See “C.G.S. in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care For Nurse Practitioners” for a full description.)
C.G.S. IN ADULT/GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE FOR CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS
The C.G.S. in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care for Clinical Nurse Specialists is a certificate program which enables students who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and wish to expand upon their current role as a clinical nurse specialist. Students who successfully complete this 18 credit certificate program will be eligible to apply to take the following certification examinations: the American Nurses Credentialing Center Adult / Gerontology CNS exam (CNSs) or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Adult / Gerontology Acute CNS exam (CNSs).
(See “C.G.S. in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care For Clinical Nurse Specialists” for a full description.)