Purpose
The master of science program prepares advanced practice nurses who are qualified to take relevant national certification examinations and to become certified for prescriptive privileges in New Jersey and other states. Students in the B.S./M.S. to Ph.D. programs are prepared to become nurse scientists. The master's graduate will be prepared to:
1. apply knowledge gained from nursing and related disciplines as the basis for advanced nursing practice;
2. manage independently and collaboratively the health care problems of clients in a variety of settings;
3. analyze values and beliefs as the basis for a personal philosophy of advanced nursing practice;
4. use research findings to provide high quality health care, initiate change, and improve nursing practice;
5. design and provide quality, cost-effective care in health care systems;
6. provide culturally competent care;
7. participate in regulatory, legislative, and professional policies to promote health communities;
8. use information systems for the storage, analysis, and retrieval of data for clinical practice and research;
9. evaluate the standards of practice and consensus or evidence-based practice guidelines applicable to a particular population or area of practice;
10. employ educational strategies (using instructional theories/research) with clients, families, staff members, and others;
11. use management theories and research to optimize health system functioning;
12. pursue doctoral study.
Organizing Framework
The master's curriculum prepares clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners who are able to function in continuously changing environments or health care delivery systems. A nursing research track, as part of the B.S./M.S. to Ph.D. program is also available. The curriculum consists of three components: core courses in nursing, cognate courses, and the clinical or research specialty in nursing.
Core courses build upon the knowledge and skills gained at the baccalaureate level. In core courses, students study ethics and advanced theories and research about the health of individuals, families, groups, and communities. They also discuss theories and research about management, education, role, and health care policy. The essential theoretical foundations underpinning nursing practice are addressed. The research focus is on identifying a problem, designing advanced methods for testing hypotheses, and organizing and managing qualitative and quantitative data.
The second component of the curriculum involves science courses that establish a foundation for clinical decision making. The final area of the curriculum concentrates on preparing advanced practice nurses for adult and aged primary care, advanced practice in women's health, community health nursing, family, acute care, advanced practice in pediatrics, oncology, and psychiatric/mental health nursing. The theory and practicum courses cut across all areas, focusing on levels of health, specifically health promotion, acute health problems, and chronic health problems. Students in the B.S./M.S. to Ph.D. program take courses that focus on nursing concepts and the research process.
Curriculum
Professional nursing is accountable to society for the effects of nursing practice. As the needs of society change in response to new knowledge and new technology, nursing evolves to meet these challenges. The roles of professional nurses are changing to complement and work with the changing roles of other health professionals. With society demanding increasing authority and responsibility from health professionals, leadership in planning and developing health resources as a part of an interdisciplinary team is a necessary response.
The master's program offers specialized study that takes students from the baccalaureate-prepared generalist to the advanced practitioner who is able to take on sophisticated roles in consultation, management, and education. The graduate program is designed to prepare nurses to deal with larger and more complex situations in providing health care services.
Degree Requirements
The master's program in nursing may be completed in full- or part-time study. Some courses are offered in sequence and are not offered every semester. Students in most tracks of the master's program must complete 42 credits of coursework. The exceptions are the family nurse practitioner track, which requires completion of 48 credits; the psychiatric/mental-health track, which requires 39 credits; the nursing oncology track, which requires 48 credits; the acute care nursing track, which requires 43 credits; and the nursing research track (B.S./M.S. to Ph.D.), which requires 30 credits. Additional requirements are determined by the catalog in effect when the student is admitted or readmitted.
Students also are encouraged to enroll in various elective courses, which are available in other major academic units of the university. Courses may be taken in the Rutgers Business School, the School of Law-Newark, the School of Criminal Justice, the School of Social Work, the School of Public Affairs and Administration, and other graduate programs offered by the Graduate School-Newark.
Time Limit. Requirements for the master of science degree with a major in nursing must be completed within five consecutive years from the date of matriculation. Matriculation continued status is included in matriculation time.
Additional Master's Level Options
Post-Master's Certificate Program
Post-masters' certificates can be obtained in the following advanced practice specializations: acute care, community health nursing, family, pediatrics, primary care of the adult and aged, psychiatric/mental health, oncology, and women's health nursing. A post-master's certificate can also be obtained in nursing education. These programs are for the graduate of a nursing master's program.
Minor in Nursing Education
A minor in nursing education can be obtained along with any of the advanced practice specializations. To complete either the minor or the post-master's certificate program, four nursing and one education course must be completed.
B.S./M.S. to Ph.D. Program
The B.S./M.S. to Ph.D. program is available for exceptional students desiring a career in research. Students may be admitted prior to beginning their bachelor's program or master's program. The master's program is designed for a role in research. It is not an advanced practice nursing specialization. The student is expected to maintain a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average throughout the program.
Admission
The requirements for admission to the master's program are as follows:
1. baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program or an acceptable combined score on the verbal, quantitative, and written portions of the GRE;
2. an undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 (where A = 4.0). For the B.S./M.S. to Ph.D. program, an undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 is required.
3. acceptable combined scores on the verbal, quantitative, and writing portions of the GRE or (1) five years or more of relevant practice experience, or (2) a grade of B or better in three Rutgers' College of Nursing graduate courses taken on a nonmatriculated basis, or (3) a B.S. in nursing from an accredited university within the past 12 months with a GPA of 3.2 or better;
4. current New Jersey Professional Nurse licensure;
5. three satisfactory academic and professional letters of reference;
6. completion of a descriptive/inferential statistics course and a physical assessment course* or equivalent, prerequisite to full matriculation.
Admission for Foreign Applicants
To qualify for full graduate status, foreign applicants must meet all of the following additional criteria:
1. completion of a college or university program equal to the unit requirements for a baccalaureate degree in nursing;
2. registered professional nurse licensure in the country of origin and registered professional nurse licensure in the state of New Jersey;
3. completion of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a satisfactory score for students whose first language is not English (the Test of Written English, part of TOEFL, is required);
4. satisfactory completion of Rutgers' English as a Second Language Placement Examination. This test is administered by the Program in American Language Studies (PALS) and is given prior to the semester for which the student is accepted. Details about taking the test are sent to the student by the admissions office along with the letter of acceptance to the program. Based upon the student's performance on this placement test, the PALS program makes recommendations that are to be followed by the graduate program in nursing;
5. Applicants in F-1 or J-1 student status must prove that they have sufficient funds to cover both their educational and living expenses.
Transcripts of courses or degrees completed at academic institutions outside of the United States must be sent to World Education Services (WES) for evaluation. Please instruct WES to forward their evaluation to the graduate admissions office in Newark.
Applicants are encouraged to write to the College of Nursing Office of Student Affairs asking for an informal evaluation before filing a formal application.
Please note that specific clinical specialties may impose additional requirements.
Academic Advisement
When a student is fully or conditionally accepted into the graduate program, the associate dean for student affairs consults with the graduate program director and assigns a member of the graduate faculty as the student's academic adviser. Students are notified of their advisers' names during new student orientation.
A student's adviser will be changed if a faculty member leaves the College of Nursing, if the adviser or student indicates that a change would be beneficial, or if the faculty member's workload needs to be readjusted. The change may be initiated by the adviser or student in a written request to the associate dean for student affairs, and/or the graduate program director. The associate dean for student affairs, in consultation with the graduate program director, assesses and coordinates reassignment of the student to another adviser.
Academic Policies
1. A full-time course load is defined as 9 or more credits, and a course load of 18 credits or more requires the approval of the graduate program director.
2. A student registered for 8 or fewer credits has part-time status.
3. Students must be registered every semester to continue matriculation. Those students who interrupt their studies may register, with the approval of the graduate program director, for matriculation continued.
4. When a student applies for admission, the requirements for the degree at that time become the student's program of study. Any courses taken as a nonmatriculated student are applied toward the degree only if the courses are required at the time of admission and were taken within the five-year time frame for earning the degree.
5. As many as 12 credits of graduate coursework taken at other fully accredited institutions before enrollment in this program may be considered for replacing courses within the student's program. The courses must have been taken within the five-year time limit for the degree and all must meet the stipulations outlined in this catalog. To petition for approval of substitute courses, students should complete Form T-1, which is available at the Office of Student Affairs. Transfer of credits does not occur until a student has completed at least 12 credits in the graduate program.
6. No more than 9 credits with a grade of C or C+ may be used in meeting the requirements for a master's degree.
7. Students are expected to earn grades of B or better in their coursework. An overall B average is required for graduation.
8. The grade of incomplete, IN, can be granted when a student has not completed the assigned work in a course because of illness or other reasons satisfactory to the instructor. The grade of IN is issued at the discretion of the instructor. The IN grade must be converted to a letter grade by the end of the drop/add period in the next semester if the course with the incomplete grade is a prerequisite for a current course the student is taking. Any student failing to complete the assigned work to remove the IN grade is required to drop the subsequent course. University regulations require the removal of incompletes within a calendar year. If not removed, the IN remains on the transcript. In unusual and compelling situations, an extension may be recommended by the graduate program director and approved by the dean of the Graduate School-Newark. A specific plan for completion is required for an extension to be approved. The Request for Incomplete Status form may be obtained from the College of Nursing Office of Student Affairs.
9. All requirements for the master's degree must be completed within five consecutive years from the date of matriculation. Should extenuating circumstances necessitate prolonging the time limit, the student's record is reviewed. Extensions are granted only to those students who have a history of satisfactory performance and can document a timetable and plan to complete the requirements within a reasonable period of time. A written request for such an extension is made to the academic adviser, who makes a recommendation on the matter to the graduate program director. The director reviews the student's record and forwards the appropriate document of approval or disapproval to the dean of the Graduate School-Newark. The final decision rests with the dean of the Graduate School-Newark.
Clinical Placements
Clinical placements for graduate students are arranged collaboratively with the student, the professor responsible for the course, and a preceptor. The terms of the placement are formalized in a letter of agreement filed with the agency and in the Office of Student Affairs. Preceptors serve as role models and guide the clinical experience. The professor maintains contact with the preceptor, provides overall supervision, and assigns the final grade.
Professional Liability Protection
All graduate students are required to have professional liability insurance before they begin clinical work.
CPR Certification
Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the health care provider level is required prior to beginning the clinical experience. Thereafter, yearly recertification is required. A letter from the instructor indicating a pass or a current CPR card is valid proof of status. Only CPR certification from the American Heart Association will be accepted.
Criminal History Background Check
Clinical agencies mandate criminal history background checks for all individuals engaged in patient care. All students must undergo these criminal history background checks and information related to this process will be sent to the student from the College of Nursing.
Grade Complaints
The nursing program has procedures to ensure that all parties get due process when a grade complaint arises. Any complaints by students about their grades should be handled within the graduate program. The program's procedures give the student a chance to determine if an error was made in assigning the grade. On the other hand, they enable the instructor to explain why the grade was given. Complaints about grading practices of individual instructors are handled in the following manner:
1. Within 10 days of receiving notification of the grade, the student should meet with the instructor who recorded the grade.
2. If the two parties cannot resolve the matter, the student must file within 10 school days a written complaint with the graduate program director or a designee.
3. The program director's office reviews the case and attempts to mediate the dispute. Within 10 school days of receiving the written complaint, the graduate program director or designee shall consult with all parties and propose a resolution.
4. If the student is not satisfied with the results achieved at that level, he or she can refer the matter to the Student Life Committee. To support this appeal, the student must forward to the chair of the Student Life Committee the previously written complaint and all materials submitted earlier in the case.
5. To review materials the student has submitted, the Student Life Committee forms a subcommittee composed solely of its members who have graduate faculty status.
6. Within 15 school days of receiving the complaint, the committee shall render a decision. In arriving at its decision, the committee may consult with anyone it chooses. In extraordinary cases, it even may ask third parties from among the faculty to review the grade in question.
7. Any student wishing to pursue the matter further may appeal the program faculty's decision to the dean of the Graduate School-Newark. Such an appeal must be made in writing within 10 school days from the day the student received notice of the program faculty's decision. In this document, the student should outline clearly the grounds for the appeal.
8. The dean of the Graduate School-Newark shall render a decision within 10 school days of the receipt of the appeal. This decision is final.
Health Requirements
All students enrolled in degree-granting programs must provide documents to prove that they have had all immunizations that are required by state law. The required immunization forms are included with the student's letter of admission. Students who do not submit documentation of immunizations before enrolling or during the first semester of enrollment may not register for the following semester. Any student seeking an exemption from this requirement for medical or religious reasons must request in writing that the requirement be waived.
In addition to the university's health requirements, the College of Nursing health policy requires the following:
1. complete physical examination, health history, and laboratory tests;
2. tuberculin screening yearly if the person tests negatively. For those who test positively by Mantoux test, a chest X-ray is required upon admission;
3. evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B;
4. tetanus/diphtheria booster received within the last 10 years;
5. documentation of immunity to varicella, measles, mumps, and rubella.
Forms needed to meet these requirements are sent to each student by the College of Nursing. Each student must return these forms to the Immunization Program at Hurtado Health Center, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 11 Bishop Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1180.
Nondegree Students
Students who wish to take courses without enrolling in a degree program are given nondegree status. The following policies and procedures apply to nondegree students:
1. Applications for nondegree graduate nursing courses may be obtained from the internet by visiting http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu.
2. All students must be advised before registering for courses. The College of Nursing associate dean for student affairs is the adviser for all nondegree students.
3. No more than 12 credits may be earned as nondegree credits. This includes prerequisite courses for the graduate program in nursing.
4. Credit for nondegree courses may be applied to the graduate degree if the student applies and is admitted to the graduate program within five years. However, satisfactory completion of these courses does not guarantee admission to the graduate degree program. In addition, a student receives credit for these courses only if the courses were required at the time of admission. Course syllabi are available no later than the first day of class at http://nursing.rutgers.edu.
Internet and Internet-Assisted Courses
A number of the master's nursing courses are provided either entirely online or partially online accompanied by a number of face-to-face meetings. Courses that are entirely online are indicated as such in the specific schedule of courses. Students are expected to be computer literate and have convenient access to a computer with the appropriate hardware and software. These computer system requirements are provided on the College of Nursing website.
