Direct Entry
Nursing Master’s
Degree Program
Table of Contents
Welcome………3
Contact Information………4
Overview………..….8
Current Pre-Licensure Curriculum………9
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
http://www.northeastern.edu/bouve/nursing/pdf/2013_2014%20SON%20Graduate%20Handbook.pdf
and the
Graduate Policies and Regulations
http://www.northeastern.edu/bouve/nursing/pdf/2013-
14%20Bouve_Graduate_Handbook%20rev%206%201.pdf
Contact Information
Bouvé College Administration
Dean of Bouvé College of Health Sciences
Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN
617-373-3323
215 Behrakis
[email protected]
Associate Dean of Bouvé, Director Bouvé Graduate School
Tom Olson, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC
617-373-6900
123 Behrakis
[email protected]
Director of Graduate Admissions and Student Services
Molly Schnabel, BS
617-373-3501
123 Behrakis
[email protected]School of Nursing Administration and Graduate Specialty Coordinators Interim Dean of School of Nursing
Tom Olson, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC 617-373-3649
102 Robinson [email protected]
Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs Susan Roberts, DNSc, ANP, FAAN 617-373-3130
Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Carol Connolly
617-373-4815 [email protected]
Adult and Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Susan Roberts
617-373-3130 [email protected]
Direct Entry On-Campus Nursing Program, Director Janet Briand-McGowan DNP, MS, RN
617-373-7330
Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), Director Michelle Beauchesne DNSc, RN, CPNP 617-373-3621
Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD), Director Elizabeth Howard PhD, MSN, BSN
617-373-4590 [email protected]
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Director Gretchen Hamn MSN, BSN, NNP 617-373-6543
Nursing Administration, Leadership, and Health Policy; MS/MBA Joint Degree, Director Laura Mylott, RN, PhD, ANP BC
617-373-3324 [email protected]
Nurse Anesthesia, Director Steve Alves PhD, CRNA 617-373-2985
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute & Primary Care, Director Karen Farnum DNP, RN, PNP-BC
617-373-8588 [email protected]
Psychiatric Mental Health CNS/NP, Child or Adult, Director Ann Polcari PhD, MSN, BSN
617-373-7571 [email protected]
Other Offices
Bouvé Admissions/Student Services 617-373-2708
123 Behrakis
School of Nursing Academic Programs Office Susan McDonald, Graduate Academic Coordinator 617-373-6083
School of Nursing Academic Programs Office
Lolita Hampton-Frisby, Under Graduate Academic Coordinator 617- 373-3521
School of Nursing, Office of the Dean Joie Liscano, Administrative Assistant 617-373-3649
[email protected] Clinical Placement Office Program Manager Maria Sorensen, RN, BSN 617 – 373-3247
[email protected] Clinical Placement Office
Program Manager of Clinical Education Khrystal DeHate
617 – 373-3247 [email protected] Academic Advisor Caitlin Connors, Ed.M. Phone (617) 373-3609 [email protected]
Direct Entry Master’s Nursing Programs
On Campus:Direct Entry Nursing Program, Director Janet Briand-McGowan DNP, MS, RN 407G Robinson Hall
617-373-7330
Direct Entry Graduate Assistant Meghan Markley
617-373-8563
[email protected] Hybrid:
Acting Site Director Alexandra Briggs 781-328-0765
[email protected] Clinical Instructor/Lab Coordinator
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
Current Pre-licensure Curriculum
Semester #1: 20 Credits
NRSG2210 Health and Illness Nursing Perspective (3 Credits)
NRSG2220 Nursing Intervention, Assessment, and Community Care I (3 Credits) NRSG2221 Lab for Nursing Intervention, Assessment, and Community Care I (2 Credits) NRSG5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3 Credits)
NRSG3302 Nursing with Women and Families (3 Credits)
NRSG3303 Clinical for Nursing with Women and Families (2 Credits) HLTH5450 Health Care Research (4 Credits)
Semester #2: 15 Credits
NRSG5117 Advanced Pharmacology (2 Credit) NRSG3320 Nursing Care of Adults I (4 Credits)
NRSG3321 Clinical for Nursing Care of Adults I (2 Credits) NRSG3400 Nursing and Promotion of Mental Health (3 Credits)
NRSG3401 Clinical for Nursing and Promotion of Mental Health (2 Credits) NRSG3323 Intermediate Interventions and Assessment (1 Credit)
NRSG3324 Lab for Intermediate Intervention and Assessment (1 Credit) Semester #3: 17 Credits
NRSG3420 Nursing Care of Adults II (4 Credits)
NRSG3421 Clinical for Nursing Care of Adults II (2 Credits) NRSG4502 Nursing Care of the Child (4 Credits)
NRSG4503 Clinical for Nursing Care of the Child (2 Credits) NRSG4604 Public Health Community Nursing (3 Credits)
NRSG4605 Clinical for Public Health Community Nursing (2 Credits) Semester #4: 12 Credits
NRSG4995 Comprehensive Nursing Practicum (6 Credits) NRSG4610 Managing and Leading in Nursing (3 Credits) NRSG6306 Health Informatics I (3 Credits)
Total: 64 Credits*
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a provisional acceptance mean?
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?
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.
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
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 agreed-upon 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 15.
12. 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?
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: http://www.northeastern.edu/uhcs/forms/index.html.
16. 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:
17. Who should I contact if I have a financial aid question?
Graduate Financial Aid Counselors assigned to the Direct Entry Program can be reached #617-373-5899. 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 #617-373-2270 or by email at [email protected].
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 pre-licensure 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.
