Direct Entry Nursing Master s Degree Program

Transcription

1 1 Direct Entry Nursing Master s Degree Program Student Guidebook

2 2 Table of Contents Welcome 3 Contact Information 4 Overview...8 Current Pre-Licensure Curriculum 9 FAQ 10

3 3 Welcome to the Direct Entry Nursing Program at Northeastern University! This guidebook is intended to ease your transition into the Direct Entry Nursing Program. We have drawn on both the School of Nursing Graduate Program Student Handbook and the Graduate Policies and Regulations Highlighted is information that we believe will be the most important to you throughout the entire program. This information should be especially helpful during the first semester as you become oriented to the program as well as expectations and standards within the School of Nursing. For more detailed information, please refer to both of these handbooks. You received them at orientation. Please take the time to review the two handbooks, as you are accountable for all of the information contained in each.

4 4 Contact Information Bouvé College Administration Dean of Bouvé College of Health Sciences Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN Behrakis Associate Dean of Bouvé, Director Bouvé Graduate School Tom Olson, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC Behrakis Director of Graduate Admissions and Student Services Molly Schnabel, BS Behrakis School of Nursing Administration and Graduate Specialty Coordinators Interim Dean of School of Nursing Tom Olson, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC Robinson Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs Susan Roberts, DNSc, ANP, FAAN Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Carol Connolly Adult and Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Susan Roberts Direct Entry On-Campus Nursing Program, Director Janet Briand-McGowan DNP, MS, RN

5 5 Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), Director Michelle Beauchesne DNSc, RN, CPNP Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD), Director Elizabeth Howard PhD, MSN, BSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Director Gretchen Hamn MSN, BSN, NNP Nursing Administration, Leadership, and Health Policy; MS/MBA Joint Degree, Director Laura Mylott, RN, PhD, ANP BC Nurse Anesthesia, Director Steve Alves PhD, CRNA Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute & Primary Care, Director Karen Farnum DNP, RN, PNP-BC Psychiatric Mental Health CNS/NP, Child or Adult, Director Ann Polcari PhD, MSN, BSN Other Offices Bouvé Admissions/Student Services Behrakis School of Nursing Academic Programs Office Susan McDonald, Graduate Academic Coordinator School of Nursing Academic Programs Office Lolita Hampton-Frisby, Under Graduate Academic Coordinator

6 6 School of Nursing, Office of the Dean Joie Liscano, Administrative Assistant Clinical Placement Office Program Manager Maria Sorensen, RN, BSN Clinical Placement Office Program Manager of Clinical Education Khrystal DeHate Academic Advisor Caitlin Connors, Ed.M. Phone (617) Direct Entry Master s Nursing Programs On Campus: Direct Entry Nursing Program, Director Janet Briand-McGowan DNP, MS, RN 407G Robinson Hall j.briand-mcgowan@neu.edu Direct Entry Graduate Assistant Meghan Markley markey.m@huskey.neu.edu Hybrid: Direct Entry Nursing Program, Director Paulette Thabault, DNP, APRN, JD Burlington Campus Tel: (781) p.thabault@neu.edu Clinical Instructor Stacey Waite MSN, RN Burlington Campus Stacey.Waite@northeasternnursing.com

7 7 Acting Site Director Alexandra Briggs Clinical Instructor/Lab Coordinator Carol Femia, RN, MSN (781) Admission Advisor Lindsay May Admission Advisor Mandy Tison Admission Advisor Jenny Sibert Administrative Assistant Sarah Rothkopf

8 8 Program Overview Part I: Pre-licensure The Direct Entry Nursing student enters the Accelerated Master s program as a graduate student. The first 16 months (4 semesters) of the program consist of intensive, sequential classes and clinical with combined undergraduate and graduate level courses. Students are then prepared to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) upon completion of 64 program semester hours. Students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) after this part of the program. Financial Aid will be granted on an undergraduate basis during the Pre-Licensure phase of the program. RN Work Experience Once a student becomes licensed as an RN, the student acquires full time RN work experience. This part of the program (2 semesters) requires at least 6-9 months of work experience as a RN before returning to school (including 1 year of experience in Acute Care and 2 years of experience in Neonatal). It is important to know that finding a job is the responsibility of the student as it is professional RN experience. Northeastern will help support the student in preparation for the job search. A Leave of Absence (LOA) after the two semesters of RN Work Experience may be granted on an individual basis to gain more nursing experience before returning to the Master s portion of the program. Please see the FAQ on Page 14 for more LOA information. Part II: Return to Master s Specialty Tracks In the Master s Specialty Track, students are required to take professional and research core classes, clinical core, and specialty clinical courses. Full or part-time academic study is available to students. Although most students return to the Master s segment of the program and take coursework as a part-time student while continuing to work and increase the amount of RN professional experience. Full-time study, however, is also an option at this point. Completion of the MSN can take four to six semesters depending on the student s pace and specialty track. Upon completion of the required specialty area credits, the student receives a Master of Science Degree and is eligible to take the National Certification Exam in their area of advanced specialty nursing practice. Financial Aid is awarded on a graduate basis during this portion of the program.

9 9 Current Pre-licensure Curriculum Semester #1: 20 Credits NRSG2210 NRSG2220 NRSG2221 NRSG5126 NRSG3302 NRSG3303 HLTH5450 Health and Illness Nursing Perspective (3 Credits) Nursing Intervention, Assessment, and Community Care I (3 Credits) Lab for Nursing Intervention, Assessment, and Community Care I (2 Credits) Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3 Credits) Nursing with Women and Families (3 Credits) Clinical for Nursing with Women and Families (2 Credits) Health Care Research (4 Credits) Semester #2: 15 Credits NRSG5117 NRSG3320 NRSG3321 NRSG3400 NRSG3401 NRSG3323 NRSG3324 Advanced Pharmacology (2 Credit) Nursing Care of Adults I (4 Credits) Clinical for Nursing Care of Adults I (2 Credits) Nursing and Promotion of Mental Health (3 Credits) Clinical for Nursing and Promotion of Mental Health (2 Credits) Intermediate Interventions and Assessment (1 Credit) Lab for Intermediate Intervention and Assessment (1 Credit) Semester #3: 17 Credits NRSG3420 NRSG3421 NRSG4502 NRSG4503 NRSG4604 NRSG4605 Nursing Care of Adults II (4 Credits) Clinical for Nursing Care of Adults II (2 Credits) Nursing Care of the Child (4 Credits) Clinical for Nursing Care of the Child (2 Credits) Public Health Community Nursing (3 Credits) Clinical for Public Health Community Nursing (2 Credits) Semester #4: 12 Credits NRSG4995 NRSG4610 NRSG6306 Comprehensive Nursing Practicum (6 Credits) Managing and Leading in Nursing (3 Credits) Health Informatics I (3 Credits) Total: 64 Credits* *If any changes are made to the curriculum, students will be notified.

10 10 1. What does a provisional acceptance mean? Frequently Asked Questions Students that do not meet one or more minimal requirements of the Direct Entry Program can still be admitted as provisional acceptance (i.e. GPA less than 3.0). Students accepted provisionally must meet conditions during the period of time stated in the acceptance letter. (i.e. Obtain a GPA of 3.0 or better in the first semester). Students who do not meet this requirement will be dismissed from the program. Provisional Student Status: Provisional students are students whose academic records do not qualify them for acceptance as regular students. Provisional students must obtain a 3.0 grade point average in the first nine semester hours of graduate courses in order to continue in the graduate program or meet specifically delineated departmental requirements to qualify for full acceptance to a degree program. Students may not enroll in more than nine semester hours when on Provisional Status. After the completion of nine semester hours, students must either satisfy regular admission standards or be denied further registration in the graduate program. Normally these nine semester hours will be earned within a single academic year. Provisional students are not eligible for Northeastern financial aid rewards or federal financial aid. International students cannot be admitted provisionally. 2. What does a conditional acceptance mean? Admission into the School of Nursing accelerated program is granted as long as the condition(s) stated in the conditional acceptance letter is satisfied prior to enrollment. (ie. Successful completion of outstanding prerequisites with a C or better grade). 3. Are there accommodations for students with disabilities? Accommodations for students requesting disability services are available. Students who wish to be evaluated for disabilities should contact the Disability Resource Center ( or # ). If diagnostic documentation can be provided for a disability that substantially limits one of more major life activities, the student is eligible to receive services from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) and to have appropriate accommodation in coursework, in accordance with federal laws and guidelines. The student must register with the DRC and meet with a specialist prior to matriculation. The student must address this process in the first week of class or as soon as Diagnostic Documentation occurs.

11 11 4. What are the minimum grades needed to progress through the program? A C grade or better is required in undergraduate classes during the pre-licensure segment of the program. Exceptions to this requirement are three courses offered on a graduate level require a B or better grade to pass the course. These three courses are Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice, Advanced Pharmacolgy, and Health Informatics I. These courses are taken during the pre-licensure portion of the program. In the Graduate Specialty track segment of the program, students must receive a B or better grade in all courses on the graduate level to pass each course. 5. What are the specific grading policies for both graduate and undergraduate classes? Only the Course Instructor can assign and/or change grades. Student academic performance is graded according to the following criteria: A (4.000) Performance in the course A- (3.667) has been of very high graduate caliber. B + (3.333) Performance in the course B (3.000) has been of satisfactory graduate level. B- (2.667) Performance in the course is below the C + (2.333) level expected for graduate work. C (2.000) Performance in the course has been of satisfactory undergraduate level. C- to F (0) Performance in the course is below the level expected for both graduate and undergraduate work. U Unsatisfactory. Failure to complete satisfactory work in thesis, research practicum, or clinical courses. U is not calculated in the GPA but must be repeated. W Withdrawal. Withdrawal from the course between the beginning of the fourth calendar week of the semester and the end ofthe eleventh calendar week of the semester. *Incompletes are given only with prior approval of the instructor and advisor. A completion contract must be filed with the Bouvé Graduate Office (see Appendix 1 of Graduate Policies and Regulation for Incomplete Contract form). The coursework must be completed within one year of the end of the course, unless the course is not offered by the College/Program annually. Acceptance of any grade given after one year is at the discretion of the Associate Dean of the Bouvé Graduate School. Grades of I do not affect a student s GPA.. Except in extenuating circumstances specified in writing that are approved by the student s advisor and the Bouvé Graduate School Office, students may carry only two incompletes simultaneously, and may not enroll in further courses until they have completed the work for the incomplete course(s).

12 12 6. How do I know if I am in good Academic Standing? Academic standing is determined by the student s cumulative grade point average (GPA) and performance in academic and clinical courses that are required by his/her program. All students are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 each semester to remain in good academic standing and to progress toward graduation. Students who do not maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 each semester will be placed on probation. 7. What is the minimum GPA needed in order to graduate? Students need a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to graduate from the MS portion of the program. 8. What happens if I fail a class? The course will have to be repeated the next semester that it is offered and a student is placed on Academic Probation (see policy below). A student may repeat a course only once to achieve a passing grade, and may repeat only two courses during his/her entire program of study. In all cases the most recent grade earned is the one used in calculating the overall GPA. Previous grades, however, do remain on the transcript followed by the word: Repeat. Students are required to pay normal tuition charges for all repeated courses. 9. What is Academic or Research Dishonesty? The University s Academic Honesty and Integrity Policy is published in the Graduate Student Handbook. Academic or research dishonesty will result in disciplinary action, which may include a failing grade in the course, probation, suspension, or immediate dismissal from the program. Students found responsible for academic or research dishonesty will have a letter placed in their permanent file stating the pertinent findings of the case. No student may withdraw from a course in which they have been notified that they will fail for a specific finding of academic dishonesty. 10. What does Academic Probation mean? Academic Probation Policy Academic probation is a period of time when a student must address and remediate academic deficiencies. An action plan to clear the deficiency must be developed by the student, the student s academic advisor, and the specific program graduate committee (if applicable). Any student placed on probation will receive written notification by the Office of Graduate Student Services. The student's program director will also receive notification of probationary status. It is the student s responsibility to write an action plan (with input from the advisor and the program graduate committee, if relevant), which documents how the deficiency will be remediated. This action plan must be signed by the advisor and the student, and placed in the student s file in the Graduate Office within one month from the date of the written notification of probation. The student s failure to file an action plan may be cause for dismissal from the program. The action plan must specify the date by which the deficiency will be cleared. Students will be placed on probation for the following deficiencies:

13 13 A cumulative GPA below 3.0; A grade of B or below in a specified graduate level courses; Unsatisfactory performance in a clinical course, practicum, internship, or research course, etc. Academic Probation Requirements: A Bouvé College of Health Sciences (BCHS) graduate student may repeat a course only once to achieve a passing grade, and may only repeat two courses during his/her entire program of study. A student may be on probation for only one semester, or until the course is offered again, unless the advisor approves an action plan which specifies a longer, but definite period. A student may only be placed on probation twice during enrollment in BCHS and must correct all deficiencies, as specified, in each respective action plan during the applicable probationary period. Failure to remediate the deficiency within the agreedupon time may result in dismissal from the program. During the period of probation, the student must earn a GPA of 3.0 or better each semester, or she/he is subject to dismissal from BCHS. Note that individual graduate programs may have additional requirements which must be included in the probation action plan. Once the student has regained a GPA of 3.0, earned a grade of B or better in a repeated course, and/or demonstrated satisfactory performance in a clinical course, she/he must petition to be removed from probation. 11. What is Academic Dismissal? A student may be dismissed from the Direct Entry program when she/he has failed to maintain academic requirements or has violated a policy that specifies immediate dismissal. All students shall have an opportunity to correct academic deficiencies during an appropriate probationary period before dismissal is instituted, except when the policy specifies immediate dismissal. For a complete list of conditions that students are subject to dismissal, please refer to the Graduate Policies and Regulation page What if I don t agree with the grade I received in a course? Students should first address the issue with the Course Faculty. If not resolved then the student can discuss the problem with the Direct Entry On Campus or Hybrid Nursing Program Director, then the Undergraduate or Graduate Assistant Dean of the School of Nursing and the Dean of the School of Nursing. If academic or nonacademic appeals are not resolved within the department or unit, there is an appeals process that goes to the Dean of the College. Appeals beyond this level follow the general guidelines of Northeastern University (see Graduate Policies and Regulation handbook, The Appeals Process ). An appeal is not a hearing and legal representation is not permitted. Note that issues of readmission into program may not be appealed above the level of the college. Note that issues of readmission into a program may not be appealed above the level of the college. 13. What if I have to withdraw from a class during the semester? Students who wish to withdraw from a course should discuss this with his/her academic advisor before dropping a course. The advisor will direct the process.

14 14 Student who officially withdraw from a class will receive a tuition refund depending on when they withdraw during the semester. Week 1: 100% Week 2: 90% Week 3: 80% Week 4: 60% Week 5: 40% After Week 5: No refund 14. Can I waive a course? A student must obtain approval from their academic advisor to waive a course that was taken for credit toward a prior degree. To obtain approval by the academic advisor, the student must provide an official transcript and a syllabus of the content of the course to the program director, in order to verify equivalency with the course to be waived. The student must submit the signed appropriate petition form to the Bouvé Graduate Office (see Appendix in the Graduate Policies and Regulation for the petition form). If approved to waive the course, the student must take another course in its place for equivalent credit. 15. What is a Leave of Absence (LOA)? Matriculated students may request an official Leave of Absence following the procedures and regulations outlined by the Graduate Student Handbook. The LOA can be taken for a variety of reasons including medical, academic, personal, or discipline. The student must discuss the LOA with her/his advisor and complete the petition form that is available in the Bouvé College Graduate Office. The student must submit a petition with the advisor s signature requesting reinstatement following the termination of the leave of absence. Students with an approved leave of absence who do not return at the end of the leave of absence period, and have not requested an extension of the leave, will be dismissed. Information about Medical Leaves of Absence can be found at: How do I withdraw from the program? A student who wishes to withdraw from the program should meet with their academic advisor and complete a University withdrawal form that can be found at: The student should fill out the form with his/her advisor and then take the form to the Graduate School Office and the Registrar. The student is responsible for dropping any courses in which she/he is currently registered and should have an exit interview with his/her financial aid advisor.

15 Who should I contact if I have a financial aid question? Graduate Financial Aid Counselors assigned to the Direct Entry Program can be reached # Contact the Direct Entry Nursing program office for the names of the Financial Aid Counselors. 18. Who should I contact with a billing or tuition question? Students should first contact the Student Accounts office. The office is located in 354 Richards Hall and can be reached by telephone at # or by at studentaccounts@neu.edu. 19. When do I select a Master s Specialty Track? Students make a final selection of a Specialization during the fourth semester of the pre-licensure segment of the program. A process of selection is guided by the Direct Entry Program, including overview of the Program Specialty Areas by the Directors of the Specialty Tracks and written Approval of Selection. 20. Can I decrease the pace of the Direct Entry Nursing Program? The Direct Entry Nursing Program is an accelerated and sequenced program. Students are required to take all prescribed courses as outlined in the curriculum during the first fours semesters (16 months) of the prelicensure segment of the program. Once a student enters the Master s specialty track, students can adjust their graduate curriculum through consultation and approval of the Specialty Track Director. Students who fail a course(s) in the prelicensure portion of the program may not be able to proceed and require a modified program plan to complete the program. The student needs to meet with his/her academic advisor to develop the new curriculum plan. The modified plan will extend the remaining length of the program. 9/2012; updated 3/2014