SUNY Upstate Medical University

Nursing Programs Offered

RN to BSN Program Details

This degree program is a flexible, upper division program for registered nurses with associate’s degrees or diplomas in nursing. The courses build on, but do not duplicate, the content taught in AAS programs.

Our program focuses on theory and application, provides exposure to many areas of nursing, and serves as a foundation for graduate study. It prepares you to deliver comprehensive care to patients of all ages in a variety of settings as a direct care provider and as a nursing leader.

Most full-time students complete degree requirements in two years. Part-time students taking two or three courses per semester will complete the degree in four or five years. Degree requirements must be completed within six years of matriculation.

Our bachelor’s program is a direct response to today’s health care: patients are sicker, hospital stays shorter, and community health nursing stronger. Studies show better patient outcomes are linked to bachelor’s-prepared nurses. Our curriculum emphasizes the leadership skills essential for problem-solving and improving the delivery of health care. The curriculum includes course work in epidemiology, statistics, research, health care policy and politics, family and community nursing, management and leadership, patient education, genomics and informatics, and healthy aging. patient education, family nursing, research and management. Clinical experiences focus on community health as well as nursing trends.

MSN Program Details

This program has a residency requirement of 24 credit hours.

Students studying to become nurse practitioners choose from three tracks: child, family, or family psychiatric mental health. Students studying to become clinical nurse specialists follow an adult medical-surgical track. We also offer a fast track RN-to-MS option for this degree.

Nurse Practitioner: Child track (PNP)
Nurse Practitioner: Family track (FNP)
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP

The master’s program emphasizes clinical practice and requires students to practice advanced nursing under the guidance of experts. In addition to the expertise available on campus (at University Hospital and its many specialty clinics) the College of Nursing has developed an extensive network of physician offices, hospitals, clinics and other agencies that participate in our program. These affiliations give you the opportunity to work in primary and acute care settings with preceptors who special­ize in a vast array of clinical practice areas.

Before graduating, students in the master’s program either complete a master’s thesis or a culminating project exam.

RN to MSN Program Details

Registered nurses may elect to enter an RN to MS fast track program, which allows completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degree in three years of full-time study. A part-time option is available.

The RN to MS program is also ideal for associate degree holders with extra college credits, as 12 additional undergraduate credits may be accepted at the time of admission. Students must complete a minimum of 48 credits at SUNY Upstate.