Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist

The Department of Nursing offers programs leading to the Master of Science (MS) in Adult-Gerontological Health Nursing. The MS degree programs have two options: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Nurse Practitioner (NP). Students in the two degree programs take many of the same courses but focus their course assignments, competency development and clinical hours on the role of choice— as clinical nurse specialists to work with the adult and gerontological populations within the spheres of direct care, nursing personnel, and organizations/networks or as primary care nurse practitioners to work with the adult and gerontological populations to promote health, prevent disease, and manage the care of individuals, their families, and communities.

These programs are designed to meet health care workforce needs and to provide opportunities for graduate-level education. The program requirements are consistent with the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) competencies published by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, the Nurse Practitioner (NP) competencies published by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, and the Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies and Adult-Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist Competencies published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Nurses who successfully complete the programs are prepared to meet the needs of culturally diverse individuals, families, and communities and will have a competitive edge in the changing environment of health care.

Restructuring of health organizations has created new roles for nurses, especially those with master’s-level preparation.

Graduates of the Master’s programs, both teh Clinical Nurse Specialist and Primary Care Nurse Practitioner roles, are eligible for certification as specialists in adult-gerontological health nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and other certifications offered by ANCC and nursing specialty organizations. Graduates of the CNS option are also eligible for certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) for the ACCNS-AG certification. Graduates of the CNS and NP option are also eligible for licensing and/or certification from New York State Education Department-Office of the Professions.

All advanced practice nurse programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, Phone: 404.975.5000, Fax: 404.975.5020, Email: info@acenursing.org, Web: www.acenursing.org

The Clinical Nurse Specialist program has been approved by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).

All advanced practice nurse programs have pending approval from the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA).

Requirements for Progression and Retention

Students must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) to be retained and to progress. 

Progression: Students must achieve a grade of B in all graduate courses in order to progress. Students must provide verification of three years full-time appropriate clinical experience as a registered nurse in order to progress to the clinical courses.

Grades: For a grade lower than a B, the course must be repeated within one year. Students who do not obtain a passing grade in one course may repeat the course only once.  Progression in the program cannot occur until the course is repeated successfully.  Courses cannot be repeated more than once. Only one course can be repeated throughout the curriculum.  

Withdrawals: No more than two (2) withdrawals are permitted throughout the curriculum. When a second withdrawal is requested, permission must be obtained from the Department Chair by requesting permission for the second withdrawal in writing. Permission may be granted based upon previous academic performance, circumstances, and adequacy of the individual’s plan for success.

Academic Probation: Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation, please see policy in Graduate Catalog and the Academic Policy of the College. Improvement of the GPA may require additional coursework. Students on academic probation are not permitted to progress to the clinical courses.

Dismissal: If the student fails any one of the core (BIO 670, BIO/NRS 682, NRS 702) or role specialization courses (i.e. NRS 720, NRS 721, NRS 722, NRS 723, NRS 735, NRS 736, NRS 737) the student will be dismissed from the program. 

Health Documentation

Students taking NRS 721, NRS 722, NRS 727, and NRS 728 must present the following on the first clinical day: a completed copy of the College Health Record that includes annual physical examination, required immunizations, proof of measles and varicella vaccination or a positive titer, PPD test, and drug screen (urine) result. Hepatitis B immunization is highly recommended.

Professional Documentation

Students taking NS 721, and NRS 723 must present the following on the first clinical day: copy of current RN license; copy of malpractice insurance face-sheet showing dates and coverage. Students taking NRS 727, and NRS 728 must present the following on the first clinical day: copy of current RN license; copy of malpractice insurance for NP students with face-sheet showing dates and coverage.

Advisement

Each student admitted to the program will be provided academic guidance and career support. The program coordinator will monitor and evaluate each student’s progress and recommend appropriate counseling and/or academic support services. The faculty members assigned to coordinate clinical role practica will collaborate with agency preceptors to guide students’ progress in clinical settings.

Policy on Transfer Credits

Students may transfer a maximum of nine (9) credits out of the 42 credit total for the Master of Science in Adult-Gerontological Health from an accredited U.S. graduate program which will be applied as follows:

• Six (6) credits may be applied towards the two elective requirement with a grade of B or better

• Three (3) credits to satisfy one (1) of the following Graduate Nursing Core courses with a grade of B or better:

  • NRS 701 Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing, 

  • NRS 705 Health Organizations, Policy, Finance, and Ethics, 

  • NRS 706 Applied Statistical Thinking and methods in Health Research, 

  • NRS 730 Evidence-Based Nursing for Advanced Practice

Students must complete all remaining nursing or biology coursework through the College of Staten Island-City University of New York as follows:

Graduate Core (Remaining Graduate Core plus)

NRS 700 Transcultural Concepts and Issues in Health Care

NRS 701 Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing, 

NRS 705 Health Organizations, Policy, Finance, and Ethics, 

NRS 706 Applied Statistical Thinking and methods in Health Research, 

NRS 730 Evidence-Based Nursing for Advanced Practice

Advanced Practice Core (9 credits)

BIO 670 Pathophysiological Concepts in Health and Illness

NRS/BIO 682 Advanced Pharmacology

NRS 702 Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning

Specialty (CNS Role) (12 credits)

NRS 720 Advanced Practice Nursing with Adults in Community Settings

NRS 721 Role Practicum: Adults in Community Settings

NRS 722 Advanced Practice Nursing with Adults in Acute Care Settings

NRS 723 Role Practicum: Adults in Acute Care Settings

A minimum of 500 hours of supervised practice.   

OR

Specialty (NP Role) (12 credits)

NRS 735 Primary Health Care I 4 credits
NRS 736 Primary Health Care II 4 credits
NRS 737 Primary Health Care III 4 credits
AND 
A minimum of 600 hours of supervised practice.