Nursing
Department Chair:
Dr. Elizabeth Bloom
(401) 341-2475
Associate Chair of Graduate Nursing Program:
Dr. Sharon L. Stager, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
(401) 341-3297
Assistant Chair:
Dr. Terri Legare
(401) 341-2382
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Salve Regina University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
About the Program
The Graduate Nursing Program is designed for nurses to continue their studies within their profession to seek advanced practice and/or an advanced degree in nursing. There are numerous programs to obtain a degree: Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, Master of Science of Nursing with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration, and Post-Master’s Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP). There are Post Master's Certifications to expand advanced nursing certifications, including Post Master's Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. All graduates are prepared to sit for national certification examinations.
The DNP curriculum focuses on an organizational and systems leadership perspective embedded in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, systems thinking, and leadership. Graduates may seek leadership roles as advanced practice nurses, managers of quality initiatives, executives in healthcare organizations, directors of clinical programs, and faculty responsible for clinical program delivery and teaching.
Programs
- Master of Science of Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration
- Master of Science of Nursing with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration
- Post- Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner concentration
- Post- Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post- Master’s Doctorate in Nursing Practice
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission Statement
Salve Regina University strives to cultivate belonging values through diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster a welcoming culture for our staff, faculty, students, and the wider community.
Advising
The Associate Chair and Program Coordinators conduct academic advising in the Graduate Nursing program. The Chair of the Nursing department supports the Associate Chair as needed. Students are eligible for full admission into the MSN with FNP concentration program when they complete advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment, and advanced pharmacology.
Nursing Liability Insurance
Nursing Liability Insurance is required before initiating clinical practice providing patient care within the nursing program. The university has supplemental insurance for all nursing students.
Program Requirements
Students must meet the University Graduate Catalog's admission, progression, and graduation requirements. No more than nine (9) transfer credits can be applied to program requirements. All transfer credits need to be approved by the Associate Chair. The minimum acceptable grade is B- or greater. If a student earns less than a B- within a course, the student will be required to retake the course. A required course may be repeated once. If the student is not successful in earning a B- or greater, the student will be disenrolled from the program.
Policy for Readmission
Students who leave in good academic standing may resume enrollment in the program within two years after taking their first course by enrolling in courses required to complete the degree requirements. The completed coursework will be reviewed individually if a student is on leave from the program for 3-5 years. Completion will be determined by the Associate Chair of Graduate Nursing or Chair of the Department of Nursing based on the courses taken, the current information needed for advanced nursing practice, and student experience. Student remediation may be part of this individualized program. Students who have left the program in good academic standing and wish to re-enroll more than five (5) years after taking their first course in the graduate program will have transcripts reviewed individually. Readmission to the program may require retaking courses and/or remediation. In addition to the Department of Nursing policy for readmission, all students must follow the readmission procedures for the Graduate School.
Prerequisite Courses
Students must have successfully completed a course in statistics from an accredited university within the past 8 years.
Master of Science Nursing with a FNP concentration
Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Prepare for independent practice as an advanced care provider embodying the tenets of nursing and practice to the highest level of licensure. The advanced practice nurse provides safe, holistic, innovative, and comprehensive care across the lifespan using evidence, scientific knowledge, and science-based theory.
- Demonstrate leadership skills through the assessment of patient’s bio-physical, emotional, behavioral, and social determinants impacting health and engaging in the improvement of healthcare outcomes. Engaging in collaborative communication with patients, caregivers, communities, and other healthcare professionals and leaders.
- Analyzing, evaluating, and integrating quality improvement, evidence-based research, evidenced-based quality patient care, informatics, and healthcare technologies to enhance interprofessional communication and resources for quality care delivery.
- Evaluate, interpret, and integrate healthcare policies to deliver care as an advocate for health to provide safe, effective, ethical, equitable, and holistic care.
- Employ health promotion, education, resilience and self-care strategies for patients, healthcare providers and one's self through the integration of technology, science-based resources and community services.
(Source: 2022 Update)
Master of Science Nursing with a PMHNP concentration
Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Prepare for independent practice as an advanced care provider embodying the tenets of nursing and practice to the highest level of licensure. The advanced practice nurse provides safe, holistic, innovative, and comprehensive care across the lifespan using evidence, scientific knowledge, and science-based theory.
- Demonstrate leadership skills through the assessment of patient’s bio-physical, emotional, behavioral, and social determinants impacting health and engaging in the improvement of healthcare outcomes. Engaging in collaborative communication with patients, caregivers, communities, and other healthcare professionals and leaders.
- Analyzing, evaluating, and integrating quality improvement, evidence-based research, evidenced-based quality patient care, informatics, and healthcare technologies to enhance interprofessional communication and resources for quality care delivery.
- Evaluate, interpret, and integrate healthcare policies to deliver care as an advocate for health to provide safe, effective, ethical, equitable, and holistic care.
- Employ health promotion, education, resilience and self-care strategies for patients, healthcare providers and one's self through the integration of technology, science-based resources and community services.
Post Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner
Student Learning Outcomes
- Prepare for independent practice as an advanced care provider embodying the tenets of nursing and practice to the highest level of licensure. The advanced practice nurse provides safe, holistic, innovative, and comprehensive care across the lifespan using evidence, scientific knowledge, and science-based theory.
- Demonstrate leadership skills through the assessment of patient's bio-physical, emotional, behavioral, and social determinants impacting health and engaging in the improvement of healthcare outcomes. Engaging in collaborative communication with patients, caregivers, communities, and other healthcare professionals and leaders.
- Analyzing, evaluating, and integrating quality improvement, evidence-based research, evidenced-based quality patient care, informatics, and healthcare technologies to enhance interprofessional communication and resources for quality care delivery.
- Evaluate, interpret, and integrate healthcare policies to deliver care as an advocate for health to provide safe, effective, ethical, equitable, and holistic care.
- Employ health promotion, education, resilience and self-care strategies for patients, healthcare providers and one's self through the integration of technology, science-based resources and community services.
(Source: 2023 Update)
Post Master's Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Student Learning Outcomes
- Prepare for independent practice as an advanced care provider embodying the tenets of nursing and practice to the highest level of licensure. The advanced practice nurse provides safe, holistic, innovative, and comprehensive care across the lifespan using evidence, scientific knowledge, and science-based theory.
- Demonstrate leadership skills through the assessment of patient's bio-physical, emotional, behavioral, and social determinants impacting health and engaging in the improvement of healthcare outcomes. Engaging in collaborative communication with patients, caregivers, communities, and other healthcare professionals and leaders.
- Analyzing, evaluating, and integrating quality improvement, evidence-based research, evidenced-based quality patient care, informatics, and healthcare technologies to enhance interprofessional communication and resources for quality care delivery.
- Evaluate, interpret, and integrate healthcare policies to deliver care as an advocate for health to provide safe, effective, ethical, equitable, and holistic care.
- Employ health promotion, education, resilience and self-care strategies for patients, healthcare providers and one's self through the integration of technology, science-based resources and community services.
(Source: 2023 Update)
Post-MSN Doctorate of Nursing Practice
Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Applying critical thinking, and collaborative, interprofessional communication utilizing evidenced based resources to evaluate, improve, address, and transform health care across all populations and organizational systems.
- Using a systematic process through theoretical and evidence-based strategies to provide solutions in healthcare. Evaluate, facilitate, and transform processes and policies to ensure quality, cost- efficient, equitable and innovative solutions including technological advancements to improve global health while upholding cultural, ethical, and diverse aspects of healthcare.
- Engaging in advocacy and policy formation as a change agent and a transformational leader, the student will critically analyze health care policies to promote, collaborate and improve healthcare outcomes while addressing the social determinants of care and the diverse needs of individuals, organizations, and communities in which we serve.
- Engagement in global networking to provide servant leadership within the nursing profession and healthcare communities as a transformational leader embodying the Sisters’ of Mercy mission to encourage a world that is harmonious, just and merciful. Remaining entrenched as a life-long learner to uphold the highest level of nursing practice.
(Source: 2022 Update)
NUR-503: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3 Credits)
System-focused content addresses the normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease that serve as the foundation for advanced clinical assessment, decision-making, and management. Physiologic changes are compared and contrasted over the life span; and developmental physiology, normal etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations that are commonly found are addressed.
NUR-505: Foundations of the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 Credits)
Seminar focusing on leadership concepts and professional values as they apply to the advanced practice nurse in a variety of settings at all levels of prevention. This course provides an integration of science-based theory and concepts with an emphasis on role transition and synthesis. Professional issues, collaboration, scope of practice, and advocacy are emphasized.
NUR-511: Global Influences in the Advanced Management of Care (3 Credits)
Global influences are changing advanced nursing health care practice. The course will explore health care policies, regulations, political and legal influences and ethical aspects to provide quality care. Genetics and genomics are expanding and influencing the management of care. Exploring the impact of these influences of care in relation to the role of the advanced practice nurse today and in the future.
NUR-512: Advanced Health Assessment (3 Credits)
Advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning focuses on assessment of health status of individuals and families throughout the lifespan addressing cultural and developmental variations. Diagnostic reasoning is emphasized as the decision- making process which differentiates normal from abnormal health states.
NUR-514: Advanced Healthcare Informatics (3 Credits)
This course focuses on application and innovation related to the collection, development, organization, analysis, and dissemination of information and technology in an interdisciplinary health care environment. Students are introduced to the role of the healthcare informaticist, healthcare information systems and the information system life cycle, the electronic health record (EHR), telemedicine, clinical decision-making tools, and other technology useful for enhancing healthcare delivery and patient safety.
NUR-520: Research for Evidence-Based Practice (3 Credits)
This course focuses on the study of scientific research as applied to advanced practice nursing. Emphasis is placed on the role of the advanced practice nurse in research formulation and utilization.
NUR-535: Pharmacologic Principles for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 Credits)
Pre-requisite(s): NUR-503 is required.
The study of pharmacologic principles and nursing prescriptive authority for the management of common and complex problems is the focus of this class.
NUR-506: Comprehensive Care for Gender, Women and Children (3 Credits)
Comprehensive Care for Gender, Women, and Children will delve into the complexities of care for all persons, gender, women, and children. Perinatal management throughout the stage of procreation will be addressed. Family dynamics and theoretical frameworks will be explored while delving into the complexities of holistic care. Pediatric stages of growth and development and maintaining high-quality preventative care will be explored. Advanced skills to assess, diagnose, and manage health conditions. prevent chronic disease, and provide health promotion to the population will be evaluated.
NUR-550: Advanced Practice Care I (3 Credits)
This course concentrates on the role of the advanced practice nurse in the coordination and management of common health conditions for persons across the life span. Focus is on the assessment, diagnosis, clinical management, and education of persons within primary care settings.
NUR-552: Advanced Practice Care II (3 Credits)
Pre-requisite(s): NUR-550 is required.
This course focuses on the role of the advanced practice nurse in the coordination and management of complex health conditions and restoration of health for persons across the lifespan. The emphasis is on the assessment, diagnosis, management, and education of persons within primary care settings.
NUR-540: Application of the Advanced Practice Nurse Role I (6 Credits)
Pre-requisite(s): NUR-552 is required.
This clinical course facilitates the implementation of the role of the advanced practice nurse. In consultation with faculty, students select an area of clinical practice and implement advanced clinical decision-making in providing evidence-based nursing care, emphasizing health and wellness, achieving a basic understanding of the advanced practice role, and critical competencies to provide holistic management of care. 250 Clinical Hours.
Offering Term(s): Spring Only
NUR-555: Application of the Advanced Practice Nurse Role II (6 Credits)
This clinical course facilitates implementation of the role of the advanced practice nurse. In consultation with faculty, students select an area of clinical practice and implement advanced clinical decision-making in the provision of evidence-based nursing care with an emphasis on common health conditions in primary care settings. 250 Clinical Hours.
NUR-565: Application of the Advanced Practical Nurse Role III (6 Credits)
This course continues the focus on the clinical development of the advanced practice nurse. The emphasis is on the implementation of interdisciplinary care for complex health conditions in primary care settings. 250 Clinical Hours.
NUR-615: Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 Credits)
This course examines ethical issues in advanced practice nursing. The theoretical underpinnings of ethical decision making are discussed. The responsibilities of the advanced practice nurse as a patient advocate are analyzed. 75 direct experiential supervised hours.
NUR-620: Epidemiology (3 Credits)
This course focuses on the application of the principles of epidemiology to the planning, implementing, and evaluating of population-based health care services. The course emphasis is on the use of epidemiological and biostatistical methods of reasoning to draw inferences about strategies at all levels of prevention. 50 direct experiential supervised hours
NUR-625: Organizational and Systems Leadership in Healthcare (3 Credits)
This course explores critical topics in organizational and systems leadership that emphasize collaboration and communication strategies to move interdisciplinary groups toward common goals and objectives. Students will examine professional relationships within health care systems and identify strategies to positively influence health care quality and ensure patient safety. 75 direct experiential supervised hours.
NUR-633: Business and Legal Aspects of Advanced Practice Nursing (3 Credits)
Business and legal aspects relevant to establishing and maintaining an advanced nursing practice are critically analyzed. Aspects such as consulting, contracting, budgeting, profit analysis, billing, and reimbursement practices are discussed. 50 direct experiential supervised hours.
NUR-645: Advanced Nursing Research Methods (3 Credits)
Students explore various research techniques and methods to develop an advanced practice research project and apply the results to encourage knowledge through intensive analysis of existing research and current researched findings. The course includes preparation of appropriate research questions, literature review, qualitative and quantitative approaches to advance practice research, research designs, and threats to internal and external validity. Students identify a population to accurately sample, conduct data collection, and adhere to ethical considerations of research with the goal of enhancing outcomes and practice change. 50 direct experiential supervised hours.
NUR-652: Foundation of Scholarly Work (3 Credits)
This course is an introductory course to prepare, develop and disseminate academic writing. Academic writing is different from other forms of writing. Scholarly writing allows for the demonstration of scholarship in a specific domain like nursing. Writing and scholarship impacts advancements in teaching, research, and practice. The course will reinforce composition and writing skills for academic purposes. Students utilize citations and references to assure that their work reflects a larger body of literature on the topic of interest. The course encourages written communication of ideas to inform and persuade a reader on the topic. The student will use the approved format to support their position and learn how to avoid plagiarism.
NUR-658: Health Policy and Population Health (3 Credits)
This course will examine the theoretical foundation and frameworks for examining health policy including health promotion, population health, health equity and the implementation of community-based interventions. Utilization of current U.S. and global data will be examined to improve outcomes. U.S. health policies and the role of APRNs in analyzing and creating health policy will be examined. Additionally, this course provides an evidence-based approach to the analysis of the healthcare policy making process, the effect of policy on healthcare and broader social policy, the influence of political and economic forces on healthcare policy, and the necessity of health service organizations to engage in strategic governmental relations to empower community action. Direct Supervised Hours 75.
NUR-662: Health Care Management and Care Systems (3 Credits)
This course analyzes how health care is organized, delivered and financed in the United States. It provides a comprehensive systems thinking approach tracing the economic, cultural, and social contexts to deliver high-quality care. This course will examine the evidence-based practices of distribution and access to medical and other services, the roles of public and private insurance and healthcare benefits, licensure and accreditation, quality, and reimbursement. Investigation of the role of the advance nurse leader and the leaders' ability to improve outcomes within the areas of access to healthcare, federal healthcare and legislative programs and trends in healthcare delivery is explored and examined. Direct Supervised Hours 50 .
NUR-665: Biostatistics (3 Credits)
Biostatistics explores the rigorous transformation of knowledge gathering into measurable data to improve healthcare outcomes. This course will build upon basic statistics and develop new knowledge to explain and decipher data within healthcare. The application and interpretation of statistical and epidemiological techniques appropriate to health research and science will be implemented. This course will prepare students to think quantitatively, assess data critically and interpret qualitative data. The student will examine principles of statistical inference and the application to the analysis and interpretation for answering practice questions.
NUR-670: Quality Improvement, Initiatives and Safety in Advanced Nursing (3 Credits)
This course explores the theoretical foundations and application of quality improvement methods, tools and strategies needed to increase organizational effectiveness. Measurement and accountability in health care delivery systems through the examination and analysis of data, structures, processes, and outcomes will be emphasized. Evidence-based science of quality improvement and interprofessional patient safety across various healthcare settings will be explored while focusing on contemporary issues in healthcare professions. This course will prepare students to lead and practice in organizations that advance high reliability principles, patient safety, inter-professional teamwork, and continuous learning to improve outcomes. Direct Supervised Hours 75.
NUR-672: DNP Practice Experiential Hours I (6 Credits)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice Experiential Hour I course offers the Post-MSN student requiring 250 experiential hours to work collaboratively with a leader in healthcare. The student will select an area of health care to work with an advanced practitioner to focus on organizational systems and leadership qualities. In consultation with faculty, the student will identify individualized learning outcomes to support the understanding of impacts on patient care outcomes.
NUR-674: DNP Practice Experiential Hours II (6 Credits)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice Experiential Hour II course offers the Post-MSN student requiring an additional 250 experiential hours, above the Doctor of Nursing Practice Experiential Hours I to work collaboratively with a leader in healthcare. The student will select an area of health care to work with an advanced practitioner to focus on organizational systems and leadership qualities. In consultation with faculty, the student will identify individualized learning outcomes to support the understanding of impacts on patient care outcomes.