NOTE: THE DECKER SCHOOL OF NURSING RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AT ANY TIME AMEND AND/OR ALTER CONTENTS OF THE GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK.
This Handbook for graduate students enrolled in the Decker School of Nursing provides general, convenient, and pertinent information which the student needs in order to maximize the resources of this University. Additional information is included in the University Bulletin and in specific policies of the Decker School of Nursing which are distributed with course materials. Students should also become familiar with the University Rules and Expectations for Students and the Graduate School Handbook.
The Decker School of Nursing offers programs at the graduate level leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), , the Master of Science degree, as well as post master's certification as a nurse practitioner or educator. At the master's and post master's levels students select a specialization in family nursing, psychiatric mental health nursing, community health nursing, or gerontological nursing and may pursue a functional role as a clinical specialist, educator, administrator or nurse practitioner. Students with a baccalaureate degree in nursing who are certified nurse midwives may complete requirements for the master's degree in family nursing.
This Handbook, along with its companion "Shared (Grad/UG) Handbook," contain a lot of “do's and don'ts, musts and shoulds as well as requirements and recommendations.” It is not wonderful reading, but we have tried to include things that will make your life in the Decker School more manageable. On behalf of the faculty and administration of the School, I offer my warmest welcome to you and wish you every success in your program.
Joyce Ferrario, RN, PhD
Dean and Professor
The Graduate School Manual will provide graduate students at the Master's and Doctoral levels with invaluable information regarding Graduate studies on the Binghamton University campus. The Decker School of Nursing Graduate Handbook is a guide to specific policies regarding Nursing specific programs while the Graduate School Manual is a guide to campus policy. They are designed to go hand in hand. It is recommended that you become familiar with both handbooks.
Decker School of Nursing Requirements for Admission
Admission requirements include:
Students may be admitted provisionally (lacking some part of the application, usually Graduate Record Examination scores) or conditionally (full status dependent on attaining a specific goal, usually a required G.P.A. after a specified number of credits). Students who do not advance from provisional to fully matriculated status (accepted and enrolled) in a specific program leading to a degree in a timely manner (i.e., do not take GREs) will find their registration blocked . Students may take 12 semester credits on a non-matriculated basis. Further discussion of admission information can be found here.
Students who have already completed a master's degree in nursing from an accredited program, but wish to pursue a different clinical specialty area and/or Advanced Practice role may be admitted as a Post-Masters Program.; (GRE's are never required for a Post-Master's program)
Full time students must take and pass their NCLEX exam by November 1. Students who do not pass will be required to go part time (no clinical) in the Spring semester.
Decker School of Nursing Master's Program Objectives
The Decker School of Nursing offers a program at the graduate level leading to a Master of Science degree. The major and clinical specialization is in family nursing, psychiatric mental health nursing, community health nursing, or gerontological nursing. Students will select a functional role as a nurse practitioner, clinical specialist, educator, or administrator. Students may pursue a dual functional role with additional credits and should speak to an advisor to develop a plan for this.
This clinical focus prepares the nurse as an expert in family-centered health care family nursing. Graduates are able to assess the health status of client families; provide expert nursing care; coordinate the care given by others; and assume leadership, consultative, and teaching roles with clients and other health personnel. Research skills are used in the analysis and evaluation of nursing practice. All students must complete core courses which address nursing theory, health assessment, nursing research, professional issues, and the health care delivery system. The curriculum is enriched by support courses as well as electives. The clinical focus is family nursing where the family is viewed as a unit which both affects, and is affected by its members. Students are urged to pursue personal and professional goals through their electives, and some opportunity exists for concentration in a specific phase of the life cycle. Functional role courses prepare students as either nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, educators or administrators. Students elect one of these role options. Courses in other functional roles may fulfill elective credit.
Certified nurse midwives who hold a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing may complete requirements for the Master of Science degree in family nursing.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Graduates of the program in psychiatric nursing are prepared provide comprehensive, client-centered mental health care to individuals, families and groups across the lifespan. Students acquire in-depth knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness, as well as the promotion of mental health. Students may select a functional role preparation as a family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, nurse educator, clinical nurse specialist or nurse administrator. Nurses who have a master of science degree in nursing may enroll in the post-masters family nurse practitioner certificate program.
Graduates of this program are committed to aiding the community to achieve optimal health as a means of improving life. Graduates are able to assess and diagnose actual and potential health problems of the community; work with families, groups and communities; and assume provider, consultative, leadership, facilitative, and evaluative roles with the community. In addition, graduates are able to apply sociocultural, public health, epidemiological, and advanced nursing theory to the care of families, groups, and communities. Research skills are used in the analysis and evaluation of nursing practice. All graduates must complete core courses that address nursing theory, family theory, health assessment, nursing research, professional issues, and the health care delivery system. Support and elective courses enrich the program. Functional role courses prepare students as nurse educators, nurse administrators, clinical nurse specialists or community health primary care nurse practitioners.
Graduates of this program are prepared to provide advanced nursing care to older persons in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings. Graduates are able to provide physical, functional, and psychosocial assessments of elders in homes, hospitals, communities, clinics, and long term care facilities. They are able to plan intervention strategies and work with other members of the health care team to implement plans of care. Research skills are used to analyze and evaluate nursing practice. Functional role courses prepare students as nurse administrators, nurse educators, clinical nurse specialists, or nurse practitioners. All graduates complete core courses as well as elective and support courses.
Nurse Practitioner Certificate Post Master's Programs
Postmaster's certificate programs exist in all clinical areas. These programs are available to students already holding a master's degree in nursing who desire preparation as a practitioner. Students are expected to be competent in research and knowledgeable about nursing theory and professional issues.
Advanced Certificate in Nursing Education
Students in the Educator Role can opt to take NURS 556, 557 & 590 (Nurse Educator I, II, & III) and complete the requirements for their degree, however, for those who want to delve more into the Nurse as Educator role may wish to seek the Advanced Certificate in Nursing Education. Students who also complete NURS 558 (Information and Technology in Nursing Education) are eligible to receive the Advanced Certificate status on their transcript.
Advanced Certificate in Disaster Management
Students in the Disaster Management certificate will take the following courses: NURS 540 (Essentials of Epidemiology and Biostatistics), NURS 546 (Community Health Response to Emerging Health Threats), NURS 547 (Disaster Management) and NURS 549 (Community Health's Response to Chemical and Radiological Incidents). Students will get an official certificate and the Advanced Certificate will appear on their transcript upon completion of their program.
Advanced Certificate in Forensics
Students in the Forensics certificate will take the following courses: NURS 581B (Essentials of Forensic Health), NURS 581G (Forensic Health of Victims), and NURS 581F (Forensic Health of Offenders). Students will get an official certificate and the Advanced Certificate will appear on their transcript upon completion of their program.
Concentrations in rural nursing are available for students who wish to enhance their knowledge and skill in this area. Additional credits may be required to complete these programs. Students interested in completing a concentration or certificate in these areas should contact the Graduate Nursing Program office for further information.
Course specific program plans vary dependent upon the student's choice of clinical and role preparation. To assure that students are on track for completing all program requirements, it is essential that students meet with their adviser.
Curriculum Plans are available by clicking here.
Students should check with the current course schedule or with their adviser each semester for elective offerings.
Additional graduate elective courses in related fields are available throughout the University.
Many courses in the program have prerequisite or corequisite requirements. For that reason it is important that you meet with an academic adviser every semester to insure that your program plan is appropriate. The following list of requirements will assist you in planning.
Clinical and role courses must be taken in order (I, II, III). When clinical and role courses cannot be taken together (i.e., Nursing 521, Family I, and Nursing 553, Nurse Practitioner Role I), the corresponding clinical course must taken before the role course (i.e., Nursing 521 must be completed before Nursing 553).
*****The above is a guide only. *****
Please See an Academic Adviser Each Semester to Avoid Delay in Your Educational Program.
Students have the option of writing a thesis as an elective. When the thesis option is chosen, the specific procedure outlined below should be followed.
All students are required to complete a capstone project at the end of their program. This two semester long planning and implementation is to demonstrate integrated synthesis of all areas of the program: Research, Clinical focus and Role development.
Decker School of Nursing Requirements for Admission to the Doctoral Program
POST BACCALAUREATE DEGREE ENTRY
1. BS in nursing from an accredited program
2. GPA of 3.0 or higher
3. GRE or MAT
4. Current unencumbered RN license in state where student will practice
5. Three (3) letters of recommendation
6. Successful completion of a descriptive statistics course
7. Computer literacy skills
8. Submission of a 500-1000 word essay on how the DNP will enhance your career
9. One-year of full-time RN employment is recommended
10. Professional resume
11. Evidence of professional productivity, scholarship, involvement in research, etc.
12. Interview with Program Director or Member of the DNP Admissions Committee
MASTER’S DEGREE ENTRY
1. Masters degree in nursing from an accredited program
2. Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
3. GRE or MAT
4. Current unencumbered RN license in state where student will practice
5. Three (3) letters of recommendation.
6. Current national certification as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist
7. Graduate level statistics course within past five years
8. Computer literacy skills
9. Submission of a 500-1000 word essay on how the DNP will enhance your career
10. Professional resume or CV
Writing samples and personal interview are used to access students academic ability and fit with the research focus of the school.
The Ph.D. program in nursing is designed to prepare nurse scholars with skills and knowledge necessary to conduct research on rural health and vulnerable populations. Graduates of the program are expected to assume leadership roles in nursing related to rural health and vulnerable populations in academic and practice settings.
To view the Curriculum guide, click here.
This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs for the future—-tomorrow's practice. The DNP program will incorporate the advanced practice content and competencies currently taught in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing graduates with knowledge and competence in health systems leadership, policy development, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve health care quality and increase health care access for all populations. Transforming health care delivery recognizes the critical need for clinicians to design, evaluate, and continuously improve the context within which care is delivered.
To view the Curriculum guide, click here.
Doctoral students will be assigned a faculty adviser to assist in program planning. As the students' research interests become more fully defined it is likely that the faculty member who is or is likely to become dissertation chair will assume primary advising activity.
Since it is likely that the majority of students graduating from the program will be employed in academic settings, students must demonstrate expertise in teaching before graduation. Specific guidelines for meeting this requirement will be individually determined.
The comprehensive examination is planned for the third year of the program (post masters entry level full time students.) The comprehensive examination for part-time students is planned for the summer before Year 5 of the program. Each student's chair and committee develop questions based on the student's research area of interest.
Under the guidance of a committee, students will complete a Capstone Project which will result in the implementation a program plan for improvement for one of the following: health care delivery system; program development and evaluation; development of a patient-focused intervention; or organizational changes that influence health care policies to reduce health care disparities.
The Capstone Project Committee will consist of three members, two faculty members from DSON and the other member a clinical mentor.
Students will complete a dissertation before graduation. Nursing 607 Advanced Research Practicum is designated as the course in which the dissertation proposal is prepared. Students will be working with their committee members and course faculty. When the committee agrees that the proposal is complete, an oral defense will be scheduled. The format for submitting a dissertation can be found here. Data cannot be collected without approval from the student's committee and Binghamton University Institutional Review Board.
Dissertation committees are formed using the guidelines of the Graduate School. The committee is comprised of a minimum of three members. The chair must be a faculty member in The Decker School of Nursing. Final decision regarding the membership of committees rests with The Doctoral Program Coordinator.
Petitioning an Academic Regulation
You may petition an Academic Regulation by writing a letter to the Masters Program Committee in the School of Nursing. The letter should include all relevant information regarding your situation, why you wish to petition the regulation, and what outcome you are seeking.
Meetings are scheduled on a regular basis during the academic year. Students may attend the meeting to provide further information regarding their petition. If the student does not wish to attend, they may have an advocate speak for them. Your adviser or the Director of the Graduate Program may be able to provide more information prior to your petitioning.
The Bulletin in effect when you matriculate into the School of Nursing stipulates the policies by which you may expect to proceed through the program. For example, if you enter in the Fall 2009, then the 2009-10 Graduate bulletin is your contract with the University. The rules and regulations printed at the time are the ones to be followed while you are a student at Binghamton University.
You may be allowed to change your bulletin. To make the change, you must go to the Graduate Program Coordinator in the School of Nursing to request a change. You can only change to a bulletin printed after you entered the School of Nursing. (You cannot change to a bulletin printed at an earlier date.)
A change is not made unless you request it. After it is approved, your request is placed on file.
For Current University Bulletin see University Bulletin.
All students who have completed 24 credits after the baccalaureate degree are considered level 2 students. Students who reach the Level 2 are able to be full time with only 9 credits. Doctoral students are considered Level 3 until they have completed all course work and only need to complete their dissertations (ABD). ABD students are considered Level 4. For more information click here.
You are considered a full-time student by the University if you are carrying 12 or more credits per semester until you are Level 2 or greater, then 9 credits is considered full time.
You may be a part-time or full-time matriculated student in the Decker School of Nursing. It is not necessary to formally change your status if you move from part time to full time or full time to part time, but it is important to see an adviser before you change status in order to maintain the integrity of your program.
The Office of the University Registrar asks all University students to meet the following deadlines, which are important and rigid. A copy of the current Add and Drop policy can be foundhere
It is not the responsibility of the Graduate Nursing office to monitor your registration. Please verify that you are registered for the appropriate courses each semester.
Continuous Registration and Leaves of Absence
The official policy for leaves of absence can be found here
All students who have been admitted into a degree granting program (matriculate) must maintain continuous registration each semester for a minimum number of credit hours, or must apply for a formal leave of absence. Unless the student registers or is granted a leave of absence, he/she is ineligible to return until readmitted. Graduate students are not required to maintain matriculation during the Summer Session unless they intend to complete their final degree requirements during this period.
Readmission is not automatic and may be subject to additional conditions set by the department or school or by the Dean of the Graduate School.
Graduate students in a degree program who wish to absent themselves from campus for a semester or two should normally register for one credit of continuous registration. A leave of absence is granted only in exceptional circumstances, such as illness or other unusual personal hardship, and requires detailed justification. Leaves of absence, since they are given for personal hardship reasons, are normally for a maximum of one year. If at all possible, requests for leaves of absence should be submitted one month prior to the semester for which leave is requested.
Leaves of absence are not granted to students working toward a graduate degree who are absenting themselves from campus for a semester or two to undertake thesis or dissertation research elsewhere; such students should maintain continuous registration. Students going off campus to fulfill an internship related to degree requirements should similarly register for at least one credit of continuous registration, unless the department or school specifies a course rubric and a minimum credit hour registration to encompass such internship experience.
When a leave of absence is granted, the period of leave of absence is counted against the time limitation for completing the degree.
During the period of leave of absence, a student is not eligible to participate in the student insurance plan.
Students must be registered during the semester their degree requirements are completed.
To withdraw from the Decker School of Nursing at the end of a semester, you must inform the School of Nursing, the Office of the University Registrar, and the Graduate School, in writing, of your decision.
If you leave in the middle of a semester, you must get a withdrawal form from the Office of the University Registrar and have it signed by all the offices indicated. Failure to do this, and leaving campus without properly withdrawing during a semester, means that you will receive an "F" on your transcript. You must return your I.D. card when you leave the University.
There is no academic penalty for withdrawal from the University up to the last day of class in any given semester.
Students who withdraw prior to the "Drop" deadline will have all courses deleted from their records. Students who withdraw after the "Drop" dead- line will have grade(s) of "W" appear for all courses along with the notation of the date of their withdrawal. (This information will appear on the official transcript.)
The official policy on Withdrawals can be found here.
All students admitted to a degree program must register for each semester, excluding summer, until all degree requirements have been completed. Students who fail to maintain continuous registration, unless granted a formal leave of absence, are ineligible to resume graduate study until readmission has been approved. A student applying for readmission to a graduate program is subject to the rules, procedures, curriculum, and standards in effect at the time of readmission. Readmission is not automatic and may be subject to additional conditions set by the department or school or by the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Research.
Non-matriculated students who fail to register for more than two consecutive semesters, excluding summer, are not permitted to register for courses until they have been readmitted.
Applications for readmission may be obtained from the Graduate Admissions Office or the Graduate Nursing Office. A fee is assessed for all applications for readmission to Binghamton University graduate degree programs.
Academic Honesty and Integrity
Students are responsible for maintaining the integrity of, and individual responsibility for, course assignments. Failure to do so is a violation of the Academic Honesty Policies of the University and the School. (See policy in Shared Handbook).
Preparation of Written Assignments for Nursing Courses
Students in School of Nursing courses are required to type all written assignments unless specifically advised otherwise. In addition, the School has adopted the use of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, latest edition, by the American Psychological Association.
Matriculated students may petition to have credits earned at other institutions transferred toward the Binghamton University School of Nursing Graduate degree. The student should submit the institution's course description, course outline if available, and an official transcript (if one is not already on file) to the Director of Graduate Studies. Credits petitioned for transfer must not have been used to satisfy the requirements of another degree. (See the University Graduate School Student Handbook (latest edition)). Students enrolled in master's programs may transfer 12 credits.
Credits for which transfer is sought must have been earned in graduate level courses with a grade of at least B. Courses without a letter grade cannot be transferred. When courses are approved for transfer, the letter grades are not reflected in the Binghamton University transcript, nor are they considered in determination of the student's grade point average. Courses taken more than five years prior to matriculation may not be used without approval from the Graduate School Office (in AD134). Consult the Graduate Nursing Program Office (AB110) for assistance in this area.
Grading System of the Graduate School
For the purpose of computing semester or cumulative averages, each letter grade is assigned a quality point value as follows:
|
A = 4.0 |
B = 3.0 |
C = 2.0 |
|
A- = 3.7 |
B- = 2.7 |
C- = 1.7 |
|
B+ = 3.3 |
C+ = 2.3 |
F = 0 |
These letter grade values are combined with course credit hours to produce an average. A cumulative average of 3.0 is required for graduation and to be considered in good standing in the Graduate School.
Students who withdraw from a nursing course after the drop deadline will be assigned a grade of either WP (Withdrawal Passing) or WF (Withdrawal Failing) based upon their performance to date in the course. A grade of "WP" or "WF" will always appear on the student's transcript. A grade of "WF" is counted the same as an "F" and will influence the G.P.A.
Students may repeat courses in which they received a grade of B- or lower upon approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator and the Graduate School. Students should submit a petition to the Office of the Graduate Program Coordinator.
When a course is repeated, with the approval of the Graduate School, the grade received in the second attempt is substituted for the first in the computation of the student's grade-point average and in the awarding of credit. However, the first grade remains on the student transcript.
In addition to the general policies of the Graduate School, the following are requirements that must be met by students in the graduate program of the School of Nursing:
Probation Policy of the Graduate School
The official Probation policy for the Graduate School can be found here
The official policy of the Graduate School regarding a grade of Incomplete can be found here.
The Decker School requires that if you are taking a grade of Incomplete (I), that you complete a contract with your faculty member to determine when the deadline is for completion. Contract forms are available in the Graduate Nursing Office. This contract will help you and your faculty member by determining a date of completion so that your grade does not turn into a “W” or Withdraw. This contract will also be used to monitor your progress in completion of coursework.
Statement of Expectations Regarding Computer Literacy
It is expected that all graduate students in the Decker School of Nursing will have a level of computer literacy before they begin graduate study. The expectation for literacy is defined in the following list of expected competencies.
The student will:
Students will not be asked to document or demonstrate these skills prior to admission; however, in courses where these skills are required, students who do not have them will be at a great disadvantage. Instructors will not assume responsibility for remediation of these skills. If you need to develop these skills, several options are available.
If you have questions, please come to the Graduate Office for assistance.
Declaration of Candidacy (Both University and Decker School of Nursing)
At the beginning of the semester in which a student intends to graduate, the student should complete the Intent to Graduate forms. These forms, which are available on the BU Brain and on the University Commencement page, should be completed by the University deadline to assure that your name will be in the commencement brochure and that you receive valuable commencement information in a timely manner. A cumulative average of at least 3.0 is required for a graduate degree.
The following guidelines must be followed if students register for Audit credit for School of Nursing courses:
School of Nursing Uniform Code
The student is required to meet the dress code of any agency to which he/she is assigned for clinical experience. The faculty member will inform students of particular regulations during orientation to the agency/clinical service. Non-compliance to the dress code will lead to disciplinary action by the faculty, relative to the seriousness of the infraction.
Students visiting families in the community not under the aegis of a clinical service/agency with a dress code should dress in a professional manner.
Nurse Practitioner Certification
Any student who completes a nurse practitioner program will have all forms completed for initial certification (i.e., one state) free of charge. Any subsequent documentation for certification or hospital privileges that is requested (i.e., another state) will be assessed a $10.00 charge. A fee of $25 is assessed for complicated documentation for hospital privileges or certification.
(08/08/03) Pending Acknowledgment of the Graduate Committee
Independent study is a mechanism by which students can study a definitive area in depth under the direction of faculty members. Students engaged in independent study are responsible for their own learning within the guidelines of the learning contract established with the supervising faculty member. Independent study can be counted as elective credit and may, with the approval of the Coordinator of the Graduate Program, be used in place of a regular course. Grading procedures for independent study are determined by the student and the faculty member and may be either normally graded or pass/fail.
Students who wish to pursue independent study should use the following procedures:
If the Independent Study involves a clinical component, the following procedures should be followed in addition to those previously stated:
Clinical placements must be made through the Clinical Site Coordinator. Requests for specific preceptors can be made, however, may not always be available.
The Decker School of Nursing has a limited number of teaching, graduate, and research assistantships. These provide stipends plus tuition scholarships and require full time enrollment. Activities involve assisting faculty in teaching and research.
Some professional nurse traineeships, with monies allocated by the Division of Nursing, Department of Health and Human Services, may also be available. The traineeships include a half stipend and half tuition scholarship and require full time enrollment. Other traineeships and fellowships may be available.
Application forms for assistantships and traineeships are distributed early in the spring semester. Students who request financial assistance are responsible for completing and returning application forms on an annual basis. Decisions are made early in the summer as soon as all necessary information about financial support has been received.
The acceptance of financial assistance, in the form of an assistantship or traineeship is regarded as a contract between the school and the student. Any changes require mutual consent and should be considered only in extreme circumstances. Students who do not maintain full time enrollment during the semester will incur a debt to the University in the form of tuition payback. Therefore, the decision to drop all or part of the course work must be made after careful thought as students MAY INCUR A DEBT EQUAL TO THE TOTAL COST OF TUITION FOR THE SEMESTER.
To be eligible for funding, a student cannot have any incomplete grades. Any Incomplete grades must be replaced by a letter grade before the start of the semester.
Procedures for Initiating Fellowships, Assistantships, and Traineeships
All students awarded financial assistance for a fellowship, assistantship or traineeship:
Failure to complete these procedures may result in a loss of stipend and/or tuition assistance.
Information regarding other forms of financial assistance is available in the Graduate Office and the Financial Aid Office.
A limited amount of scholarship funding is available directly through the Decker School. These include the Decker Foundation, Alumni and other scholarships. Each award has different requirements for eligibility. Applications are available in late spring and decisions are made during the summer. Students must be matriculated to be eligible for these scholarships.
There are two sources of funding for graduate students in the Decker School of Nursing who wish to complete a research project. The first is from José's Fund, and the second is from the local Zeta Iota Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau.
Sigma Theta Tau scholarships are given to support the research of its members. Sigma Theta Tau scholarship applications are also available through the Center for Nursing Research. Applications for this scholarship are accepted throughout the year and applications are approved by the Executive Committee of the Zeta Iota Chapter.
Other sources of funds to support thesis and independent study are available through community groups and agencies. For assistance in locating possible funding sources, speak with the Coordinator of the Graduate Program, Director of the Center for Nursing Research, or the chairperson of your thesis or dissertation committee or independent study project.
José's Fund is an endowment given in memory of José Reichel, who was the secretary in both the Graduate Office and the Kresge Center for Nursing Research. She was loved by all the graduate students, and upon her death a fund was begun by her family and friends to support graduate student research. Applications for this fund are located in the Decker School of Nursing Dean’s office. The application must be submitted to the Dean’s office on or before January 30th for use of funds during the current academic year.
