DEPARTMENT OF NURSING GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) 2020-2021 Prepared by Department of Nursing Bloomsburg University Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania 17815-1301 Phone: 570-389-4423 1 NOTICE The provisions of this handbook are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the department and the student. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to amend any academic, administrative or disciplinary policy or regulation (or fee) described in this handbook. Requirements for graduation, as well as curricula may change throughout the student’s matriculation. Such changes will not be retroactively required. Exceptions may be necessary when changes in professional certification or licensure standards mandate changes in academic requirements. 2 LETTER TO INCOMING STUDENTS Congratulations! Your admission into the Department of Nursing is the first step toward a challenging and fulfilling professional career. The faculty and staff welcome you and hope that you will be successful in completing the degree requirements. This handbook is given to each student upon admission to the Department of Nursing in order to provide vital information about the program requirements. It is your responsibility to read the entire handbook and to refer to its content throughout the program of study. You will be notified of any revisions made to the handbook or to any policies. An updated version of the handbook can be found at www.bloomu.edu/nursing. On behalf of the faculty and staff, congratulations and best wishes for a successful academic career at Bloomsburg University. Sincerely, Lori Metzger, Ph.D., NP-C, RN-BC Department Chairperson Department of Nursing 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section I Structure and Governance A. Mission Statements 1. Bloomsburg University Mission Statement.......................................................... 8 2. COST Mission Statement………………………………………………………. 8 3. Departmental Mission Statement......................................................................... 8 B. Organizational Structure 1. Faculty Assembly Organizational Chart……………………………………… 9 2. Department of Nursing........................................................................................ 9 Section II Curriculum Design A. Curriculum 1. Departmental Philosophy..................................................................................… 11 2. Organizing Framework.....................................................................................…. 12 3. Graduate Program Goals………………………………………………………. 15 4. Graduate Program Outcomes and Competencies................................................ 15 B. About the Program 1. Program Options ................................................................................................ 18 2. Degree Requirements.......................................................................................... 20 3. Graduation Requirements……………………………………………………… 22 4. Description of Graduate Courses in Nursing........................................................ 24 Section III Admission and Program Planning A. Policies/Procedures 1. Admission Requirements....................................................................................... 32 2. Program Planning Session..................................................................................... 33 3. Transfer of Credit……………………………………………………………… 33 4. FORM: Request for Transfer of Courses……………………………………… 33 5. FORM: MSN Program - Graduate Admission Requirements ............................... 34 6. FORM: MSN Program – Nurse Anesthesia Graduate Admission Requirements… 35 7. FORM: MSN Program – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner….. 36 8. FORM: MSN Program – Family Health Nurse Practitioner…………………….. 38 9. FORM: MSN Program – Community/ Public Health Program…………………….. 40 10. FORM: CSN-MSN Program – Community Health Program – School Health…… 42 11. FORM: MSN Program – Nursing Administration and MSN/MBA Program …….. 44 12. FORM: MSN Program – Nurse Anesthesia Program …………………………….. 46 13. FORM: MSN Program – CRNA/CRNP/CNM Graduate Admission Requirements. 48 14. FORM: MSN Program – CRNA/CRNP/CNM Program Planning………………… 49 15. FORM: RN-MSN Program Admission Requirements…………………………….. 52 16. FORM: MSN Program – RN-MSN Program Planning……………………….…… 54 17. FORM: Second Degree RNs Program Planning……………………………………. 57 18. FORM: Deviation from Approved Program for The Master’s Degree in Nursing… 70 4 Section IV Academic Policies, Guidelines, and Forms of MSN Program A. Academic Policies 1. Role of Graduate Coordinator................................................................................. 72 2. Role of Program Option Director............................................................................ 72 3. Student Responsibilities ....................................................................................... 73 4. Academic Advisement Procedure......................................................................... 73 5. Graduate Student Portfolios................................................................................. 73 6. Confidentiality of Student Records and information………………………… … 73 7. Leave of Absence………………………………………………………………… 74 8. Program Withdrawal……………………………………………………………… 74 9. Change of Courses………………………………………………………………… 74 B. Guidelines 1. Guidelines for Student Application for NURSING 514 - Independent Study......... 74 2. Individualized Study Guidelines................................................................................. 75 3. MSN Progression Policy............................................................................................. 76 4. MSN Program Grading Policy ……………………………………………………… 77 5. Graduate Admissions, Withdrawal, Course Repeat, Transfers, and Graduation Requirements Policy………………………………………………………………… 78 6. Graduate Academic Progress, Probation, and Dismissal Policy.…………………….. 82 7. Student Academic Integrity Policy………………………………………………… 84 8. Student Disruptive Behavior Policy……………………………………………………88 9. Academic Grievance Procedure……………………………………………………… 92 10. Minimal Essential Performance Standards for Admission and Progression…………. 96 11. Departmental Code of Academic and Professional Conduct………………………….100 12. Academic Integrity…………………………………………………………………… 112 13. Dress Code…………………………………………………………………………… 112 14. Graduation Requirements and Guidelines............................................................ 113 a. University’s Guidelines and Application for Graduation.................................... 113 b. Departmental Graduation Requirements.......................................................... 113 15. Alumni Surveys……………………………………………………………………… 113 16. FORM: Graduate Course Evaluation………………………………………………… 114 Section V Clinical Polices/Requirements Guidelines A. Clinical Policies/Requirements……………………………………………………………116 1. Clinical Placements.............................................................................................. 116 2. Selection of Clinical Site………………………………………………………………117 3. Guidelines for Graduate Program Clinical Preceptors…………………………… 118 4. Clinical Evaluations Forms………………………………………………………….. 119 5. Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens................................................................… 120 6. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification.......................................... 120 7. Liability/Malpractice......................................................................................…… 135 5 8. RN Licensure................................................................................................…… 135 9. Criminal Background Checks.............................................................................. 136 10. Request for Criminal Record Check………………………………………………… 139 11. Child Abuse History Clearance............................................................................. 140 12. FBI Fingerprinting Instruction………………………………………………… 141 13. Drug Testing Policy……………………………………………………………… 142 14. FORM: Annual Health Examination .................................................................... 143 Section VI Student Activities and General Information A. Activities 1. University Committees Which Include Student Membership.................................. 146 2. Bloomsburg University Theta Zeta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau........................... 147 3. Departmental Graduate Council……………………………………………… 147 4. Sigma Theta Tau – Theta Zeta Chapter – Graduate Student Recognition Award. 147 5. Departmental Guidelines for Graduate Assistantships............................................ 148 a. Departmental Activities for Graduate Assistantships……………………………. 149 b. Graduate Assistantships…………………………………………………… 149 6. Graduate Assistant Responsibilities in SLL…………………………………… 150 B. Nursing Graduate Faculty......................................................................................... 151 6 SECTION I MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE 7 BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT Mission Statement ● Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is an inclusive comprehensive public university that prepares students for personal and professional success in an increasingly complex global environment. Value Statement ● Bloomsburg University students, faculty and staff value: Collaboration Community Critical thinking Diversity Excellence Integrity Knowledge Opportunity Respect Personal and professional growth Vision Statement Bloomsburg University aspires to: ● be a premier public comprehensive