College of St. Scholastica

Nursing Programs Offered

Adult Health Nursing - Master's degree
Adult Health Nursing - Post-master's certificate
BSN Programs
Clinical Nurse Specialist - Master's degree
Clinical Nurse Specialist - Post-master's certificate
DNP Programs (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Family Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner - Master's degree
Family Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner - Post-master's certificate
MSN Programs
Nursing Administration - Master's degree
Nursing Administration - Post-master's certificate
Nursing Science - Doctor's degree - professional practice
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing - Master's degree
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing - Post-master's certificate
RN Programs

BSN Program Details

The Undergraduate Nursing Program prepares students for entry-level professional nursing practice, including the health needs of under-served populations. This level of education is based on core knowledge and clinical competency applied through a unique blend of critical thinking, caring, communication and collaboration. Health promotion, illness management and population-based care are the focus of the traditional undergraduate curriculum. Students are prepared to practice holistically as leaders in healthcare delivery, with an educational foundation grounded in the Benedictine values. Throughout the curriculum simulation, technology and integrative therapies are blended to prepare students as healers of the mind, body and spirit. Graduates will have the skills and knowledge necessary for responsible living and meaningful work.

The program leads to a bachelor of arts degree with a major in Nursing and qualifies the graduate to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Minnesota public health nurse and have the academic credentials to pursue master's study in Nursing.

The following nursing program outcomes identify the depth and breadth of knowledge which graduates of both undergraduate programs are able to demonstrate. Upon completion of the undergraduate nursing programs the graduate will:

-Synthesize knowledge from nursing, the arts and sciences and the Benedictine values in the holistic practice of professional nursing.
-Demonstrate professional values and behaviors consistent with professional standards.
-Demonstrate competence for entry-level professional practice.
-Advocate for health care that is sensitive to the needs of clients including vulnerable populations.
-Assume responsibility for ongoing professional development in an ever-changing healthcare environment.

MSN Program Details

The Master of Science in Nursing Program educates professional nurses for advanced practice in nursing either as clinical nurse specialists in adult nursing, adult /gerontological nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (family or adult) and provides a foundation for doctoral study in nursing. Students can opt for a dual track of study by adding a gerontological specialization to any of the advanced practice tracks.

Post-master's options are available in all tracks.

The curriculum has, as a basis, the integration of nursing science, concepts and theories from related disciplines, along with practice and research. Opportunity is provided to pursue individual interests with respect to clientele and health care settings.

Expected outcomes of the program are designed to prepare graduates who will:

1. synthesize knowledge from nursing and related disciplines as a basis for advanced nursing practice across the lifespan;
2. implement roles of advanced nursing practice responsive to changing environmental forces;
3. integrate leadership skills, teaching and collaborative strategies to facilitate policy changes that augment health; 4. integrate and apply evidence based research to advanced nursing practice with individuals and populations across the lifespan;
5. utilize knowledge of political, economic and social issues in ethical and legal decision-making to resolve dilemmas of practice;
6. demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of professional nursing and to the professional growth of self and peers.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Details

The DNP program is based on The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006) guidelines for the curriculum, and reflects a multidisciplinary design incorporating appropriate graduate level courses from other disciplines. This program is designed to guide Registered Nurses and APN professionals in the development of a higher level of leadership skill at the organizational and systems level of practice as change agents for improving health care outcomes that focus on the following essential elements:

I. Scientific Underpinnings for Practice
II. Organizational and System Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
III. Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
IV. Information System/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care
V. Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care
VI. Inter-professional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
VII. Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation's Health
VIII. Advanced Nursing Practice