Graduate Catalog - Masters in Nursing

MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN NURSING PROGRAM OF STUDY

The curriculum is delivered on a part-time basis for the CNS, ANP and NE tracks. There are four curriculum sequences for the CNS, ANP and NE tracks: the adult clinical nurse specialist role with an administration focus, the adult clinical nurse specialist role with an education focus, adult nurse practitioner, and the nurse educator role. The curriculum is designed so that students are free to schedule courses as they are able to take them with several exceptions. For the CNS and NE tracks, students must take Seminar I and Seminar II during the last two semesters. During these two courses students will apply knowledge and skills accrued during earlier studies. An administration or education course may be taken with Seminar I and Seminar II. The three ANP clinical courses, Diagnosis and Management of Clinical Problems in Adults I, Diagnosis and Management of Clinical Problems of Adults II and Adult Nurse Practitioner Seminar, are taken during the last three semesters in the order listed. It is also strongly recommended that Advanced Pathophysiology, Assessment and Pharmacology courses be taken during the three semesters immediately prior to the first ANP clinical course. The CRNA track is only offered as a full-time program. The curriculum is designed in a highly structured fashion designed to meet or exceed the accreditation requirements of the Council on Accreditation of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Please note that some of the core courses in the CNS, ANP and NE tracks are replaced by anesthesia specific courses in the CRNA track. A complete schematic of the CRNA track course structure may be found on page 61. The total number of credits required to earn the Master of Science degree in nursing: Students pursuing the adult clinical nurse specialist role will complete 41 credits and will be eligible to write the examination to become credentialed by the American Nurse Credentialing Center as a clinical nurse specialist. Students pursuing the educator role will complete 41 credits and will be eligible to write the National League for Nursing examination for Nurse Educators. The Adult Nurse Practitioner track consists of 44 credits preparing the graduates for Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification examination from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Students will complete core courses, specialty courses, and electives depending on the role they choose. Students pursuing the nurse anesthetist role will complete 92 credits in preparation for the AANA Council on certification examination.

ORIENTATION TO GRADUATE STUDY IN NURSING AT YORK COLLEGE

Upon registration for the first course in the graduate program, students must attend an orientation provided by Department of Nursing faculty. Topics will include review of the graduate program policies and procedures, library orientation including access of nursing literature, an orientation to information resources, introduction to department faculty and how each may be of use to students during the
program, and community clinical and educational resources. In addition, emphasis will be placed on students focusing on their individual professional goals and how the program can be of assistance to them as they progress through the curriculum.

CORE COURSES REQUIRED FOR CNS, ANP AND NE STUDENTS (24 CREDITS):

ADULT CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST ROLE

In addition to the CORE requirements, students who select the adult clinical nurse specialist role will complete 11 credits of specialty courses and 6 credits of elective courses depending on their focus:

SPECIALTY COURSES (11 CREDITS):

ELECTIVE COURSES (6 CREDITS):

ADMINISTRATION FOCUS:

EDUCATION FOCUS (TWO OF THE FOLLOWING THREE COURSES):

ADULT NURSE PRACTITIONER ROLE

In addition to the CORE requirements, students who select the adult nurse practitioner role will complete Advanced Pharmacology and 17 credits of Adult Nurse Practitioner courses: 

NURSE EDUCATOR ROLE

Students who select the nurse educator role will complete 17 credits in education courses:

CORE COURSES REQUIRED FOR CRNA STUDENTS (17 CREDITS)

ANESTHESIA COURSES (75 CREDITS)

* Simulation Laboratory Component

REQUIREMENTS FOR COURSES WITH PRACTICUM IN CLINICAL NURSING OR EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS

Students must submit the following documentation to the graduate program director prior to
registering for the first course requiring practice in a clinical nursing or educational setting:

• Completed health form current within two years, immunizations as required (including current PPD).
• Health insurance coverage.
• Completion of statement regarding understanding of CDC recommendations relative to HIV and HBV transmission.
• Malpractice (liability) insurance (student-$1,000,000/$3,000,000 and college policy - $1,000,000/3,000,000, for a total of $2,000,000/6,000,000 for advanced practice nursing).**
• Basic life support (BLS) certification (ACLS required for ED and ICU placement).***
• RN license for the state where the practicum will be completed.
• Recent relevant clinical experience.****
• Criminal Record background check (current within one year of clinical/educational practice).
• Out of state students need an FBI check.
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (current within one year of clinical/educational practice).
• Computer competency.
• Preparation for travel to clinical/educational sites.
• Personal clinical/educational contract with learning objectives submitted prior to the clinical/educational rotation to: a) clinical faculty b) preceptor c) student file.
• Pennsylvania's Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act to hospitals Information.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Information.
• Education concerning blood borne pathogens, universal precautions, hazardous substances, report
  and having exposures evaluated and treated.