Miriam Ford, FNP, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Nursing
914.674.7865 
 mford@mercy.edu

Deborah Hunt, Ph.D., RN, Associate Dean, Nursing
 dhunt4@mercy.edu

Overview

The Master of Science Degree Program in Nursing prepares nurses for roles in advanced leadership and education. Graduate study in nursing is grounded in the theoretical and research bases of the discipline, which provide a foundation for advanced practice and doctoral work.

Graduate Nursing Program Goals

The graduate nursing program is designed to prepare students in nursing administration and nursing education to:

1. Assume leadership roles
2. Support and engage in nursing research
3. Contribute to the advancement of the nursing professions
4. Participate in lifelong learning
5. Collaborate with other disciplines to enhance the quality of healthcare
6. Prepare for doctoral study

Graduate Nursing Program Outcomes 

Graduates of the Mercy College Master of Science Degree Programs in Nursing will be expected to demonstrate the following program outcomes:

Technology:

• Students will synthesize knowledge and skills using patient care technologies and information management to deliver and coordinate care across multiple settings. 
• Students will be able analyze care outcomes and communicate with individuals, groups, media, policy makers, health care professionals and the public.

Research: 

• Students will synthesize knowledge and skills to integrate theory, evidence, clinical judgment, research, and inter-professional perspectives using evidence based practices to improve health outcomes for patient aggregates.

Leadership: 

• Students will synthesize knowledge and expertise in assessing organizations, identifying systems issues, and facilitating organization wide changes in practice delivery. Students will be able to develop leadership skills to establish and maintain effective communication and collaborative relationships with inter-professional teams. 

Quality: 

• Students will synthesize knowledge and skills to analyze and prioritize outcomes that need to be improved, promote health, shape the health delivery system, and advance values such as social justice through policy processes and advocacy.

Students will use quality improvement and high reliability organizational principles to measure the impact of plans

Admission Requirements

• Please refer to the general requirements for admission and matriculation in the Admissions  section of this catalog.

• Copy of current RN registration in the U.S.A.

Bridge Admission Requirements

RNs with bachelor’s degrees in a field other than nursing may apply for admission to the master’s programs. Admission and program requirements to the master’s programs must be met. The applicant must complete the following courses with a grade of B or above prior to admission into the graduate programs:

1. NURS 361: Contemporary Topics in Nursing (See Undergraduate Catalog for description).

Applicants accepted into the Bridge program receive a MS in Nursing. If the applicant wants a BS in Nursing, they should apply to the RN-BS-MS program (see Undergraduate Catalog for the program description).

Advisement

Upon admission students are assigned a PACT advisor. Faculty are available to meet with students to assess the credit requirements necessary for completion of the program and to develop a long-term plan of study.

Course Load

The Master of Science in Nursing degree is a part-time program that takes three years to complete. The student is advised to take six credits per semester. Course work may be completed in 6 semesters.

Degree Requirements

To be eligible for graduation students must complete all coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or better. The words “With Distinction” will appear on the diploma of a student whose GPA, upon meeting all requirements for graduation, is 3.75 or above.

Maintenance of Matriculation

It is expected that students will fulfill the requirements for their graduate degree by registering over successive sessions. For non-cohort programs, summer registration is not required. Registration is accomplished by either enrolling in classes or maintaining matriculation. The Maintenance of Matriculation fee is processed as a registration. Students who have not maintained matriculation and wish to return to their program within one year after their last course will be charged the Maintenance of Matriculation fee for each missed term. Maintenance of matriculation without attending classes is limited to one year. Activated U.S. Military Reservists are not required to pay the Maintenance of Matriculation fee.

Maintenance of Good Academic Standing

The cumulative GPA for both good academic standing and degree conferral is a 3.0. A student admitted as a Special Matriculant is required to achieve a 3.0 average or better after completing a certain number of credits as stipulated by their respective program. Grades are subject to review by the faculty advisor and program director at the end of each term. If the academic average falls below 3.0 the student will be placed on academic probation.

Academic Probation

All students who have a GPA below 3.0 will be placed on program probation. Students have two semesters to bring the cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher in order to be in good academic standing. If at the end of two semesters the student’s cumulative GPA is < 3.0, the student will be dismissed from the Nursing Program. If a student receives a grade of F in any course, the student may be subject to dismissal from the College. For all students on program probation, future registrations must be reviewed and approved by the Director as well as the School Dean. Students who receive a grade of less than B may be required to repeat the course. Students will be allowed to repeat a course only once.

Program Academic Standing and Probation

All students who have a GPA below 3.0 will be placed on program probation. Students have two semesters to bring the cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher in order to be in good academic standing. If at the end of two semesters the student’s cumulative GPA is < 3.0, the student will be dismissed from the Nursing Program. If a student receives a grade of F in any course, the student may be subject to dismissal from the College. For all students on program probation, future registrations must be reviewed and approved by the Director as well as the School Dean. Students who receive a grade of less than B may be required to repeat the course. Students will be allowed to repeat a course only once.

Program Dismissal Review

In cases which a student has been dismissed from the Nursing Program, the student may request a dismissal review when he/she believes that extenuating circumstances effected his/her academic performance in the program. The student must follow the SHNS Program Dismissal Review Policy detailed at the beginning of the School of Health and Natural Sciences  section.

Time Limit

Requirements for the degree must be completed within five years from the candidate’s date of matriculation (exclusive of time spent in the Armed Forces). Exception may be made by the director of the program if the student’s request demonstrates circumstances beyond his or her control that temporarily interfere with the ability to complete the program on time.

Accreditation

The master’s degree in nursing at Mercy College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791. The program is also approved by the New York State Board of Regents.