Nursing

Graduates of the Master of Science (MS) in Adult-Gerontological Health Nursing, both 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.

These programs are designed to meet health care workforce needs and to provide opportunities for graduate-level education. 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.
 

Degree Requirements

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Option (42 credits)

The program requires 42 credits with a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours toward development of clinical competencies for adult-gerontological population with a specialty practice focus.  The program will soon require 750 supervised clinical hours over three semesters.
Requirements include a graduate core of 15 credits, an advanced practice core of nine credits, specialty (CNS role) courses of 12 credits, and six credits of elective courses.

Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) Option (42 credits)

The program requires 42 credits with a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours toward development of clinical competencies for primary care of the adult-gerontological population.  The program will soon require 750 supervised clinical hours over three semesters.
Requirements include a graduate core of 15 credits, and advanced practice core of nine credits, specialty (NP role) courses of 12 credits, and six credits of elective courses.
 

Students in the CNS and NP programs may attend on a full-time or part-time basis.  Completion of the program requires a minimum of one and a half years of full-time study; part-time study may take three years or more.

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing
• Minimum of one-year full-time experience as a registered nurse or a bachelor’s degree in another field with three years of appropriate full-time clinical experience as determined by the Nursing Admissions Committee
• Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the nursing major
• Evidence of successful completion of undergraduate courses (or comparable learning experiences approved by the Admissions Committee) in the following areas:
  • Nursing Research
  • Statistics
  • Health Assessment and Physical Examination
  • Pharmacotherapeutics
• Current Registered Nurse licensed to practice in New York State

The DNP programs are designed to meet health care workforce needs and to provide opportunities for the preparation of advanced practice nurses at the doctoral level to provide the highest level of nursing practice in the clinical setting.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses from many different specialties interact to form a dynamic online classroom. Along with CSI faculty from the Departments of Nursing and Biology, faculty include national experts/scholars in their field from across the country, each committed to excellence in online teaching.

The program is for three years, part-time and fully online. Courses that are synchronous online are scheduled one evening a week. Some courses are online hybrid (synchronous/asynchronous).

Degree Requirements

DNP - Doctorate of Nursing Practice Advanced Adult Clinical Care (33-36 credits)
This program will not grant advanced practice licensure at the DNP level but will continue to offer advanced practice licensure at the MS level. This meets the NYS requirement. This post-master’s admission criteria and the new registration/title are well suited to the distance learning format and can accept students who are not living in or near Staten Island. Students will complete 36 credits, with a final scholarly project. 
 

Admissions Requirements

• A Master's degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0-point scale.
• Evidence of successful completion of an Advanced Practice Master’s degree (or Master’s degree in advanced practice specialties) as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner in Adult-Gerontology Primary or Acute Care, Family Health, Psychiatry/Mental Health, Women’s Health.
• Current and unencumbered RN and APRN license to practice in New York State (or respective out-of-state documents)
• ANCC Board Certified Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists from the following specialties may apply:
  • Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist – Adult

    + Other APRNs may be considered for admission after a gap analysis of coursework and work experience is evaluated.

    (Note: This not an entry-level program to prepare Nurse Practitioners or Clinical Nurse Specialists)

The Department of Nursing offers two Post-Master’s Advanced Certificates in Adult-Gerontological Health Nursing. These certificates prepare nurses who have Master’s degrees in Nursing to meet the requirements for certification as Adult-Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialists or Primary Care Nurse Practitioners of New York State and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Students in the two certificate programs take courses that focus their course assignments and clinical hours on the role of choice – as clinical nurse specialists in the adult-gerontological population from wellness through acute care and beyond or as primary care nurse practitioners in the adult-gerontological population across the life span.


Degree Requirements

Post-Master’s Advanced Certificate in Clinical Nurse Specialist (12 credits)

• Advance Practice Nursing with Adults in Community Settings
• Role Practicum: Adults in Community Settings
• Advanced Practice Nursing with Adults in Acute Care Settings
• Role Practicum: Adults in Acute Care Settings

A minimum of 500 hours of supervised practice is also required.

Post-Master’s Advanced Certificate in Nurse Practitioner (12 credits)

• Primary Health Care Adult-Gerontology
• Primary Health Care Adult-Gerontology II
• Role Practicum: Primary health Care I
• Role Practicum: Primary Health Care II

A minimum of 500 hours of supervised practice is also required.

Admissions Requirements

• Master’s degree in Nursing
• Evidence of successful completion of graduate courses in pathophysiology, health assessment, and pharmacology. Candidates who do not have the required master’s-level courses may take them before beginning the required Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner courses
• Current Registered Nurse licensed to practice in New York State

Graduate Application:

The application must be completed online at Graduate Application.

Transcripts:

Transcripts must be sent directly to the CUNY College of Staten Island Graduate Admissions office from each university/college attended. Applicants who have studied outside of the United States are required to submit an official course by course evaluation for each university/college attended. Please refer to the list of approved evaluation agencies on our International Admissions page.

Application Fee:

Submit a $75.00 non-refundable application fee.  Applicants who are veterans of the United States Military Service, currently on Active Duty or members of the National Guard or Reserves, may obtain an application fee waiver.  Veteran applicants must submit proof of their Veteran/Military status (ie., DD-214, Current Military ID Card, or Deployment or Pre-separation orders).  

Personal Statement:

Personal statement should answer the predetermined set of questions and consist of 300 words (MS / Post-Master's) and 500 words (DNP), double-spaced with one-inch margins, in 12 point font. 
Access the MS / Post-Master's Nursing Personal Statement Form.

Letters of Recommendation:

Two letters of recommendation supporting the applicant’s potential for completing graduate studies; one must be from a current nursing supervisor or recent professor who can speak to clinical performance. Recommendation should be on business/professional letterhead.

Curriculum Vitae:

Recent Curriculum Vitae/Professional Resume

NYS Nursing Certificate:

Proof of Current Nurse Registration Certificate to practice in New York State.

English Proficiency Examination:

The TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exam is required of students for whom English is a second language.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum required score is 79 (Internet). For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the TOEFL website at www.ets.org. Our institutional code is 2778.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): We will only accept the academic exam scores. The minimum required score is 6.5 (overall band).  For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the IELTS website at www.ielts.org.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Minimum required score is 53. For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the PTE website at www.pearsonpte.com.
• Duolingo English Test: Minimum required score is 100. For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the Duolingo website.

Graduate Application:

The application must be completed online at Graduate Application.

Transcripts:

Transcripts must be sent directly to the CUNY College of Staten Island Graduate Admissions office from each university/college attended. Applicants who have studied outside of the United States are required to submit an official course by course evaluation for each university/college attended. Please refer to the list of approved evaluation agencies on our International Admissions page.

Application Fee:

Submit a $75.00 non-refundable application fee.  Applicants who are veterans of the United States Military Service, currently on Active Duty or members of the National Guard or Reserves, may obtain an application fee waiver.  Veteran applicants must submit proof of their Veteran/Military status (ie., DD-214, Current Military ID Card, or Deployment or Pre-separation orders).  

Personal Statement:

A well written personal statement that serves as an illustration of the applicant's ability to write as a professional. Your personal statement should be 600-900 words, approximately 2 to 3 pages in length total, double-spaced with one-inch margins, in 12-point font. Content may include:

• We want to know more about you – your life and goals, your challenges and strengths, and the clinical path that you have chosen that has led you to this point in your career.
• Required: What quality improvement project ideas from your practice might you study during your DNP degree?
• Describe an example from your nursing career where your clinical leadership fostered a successful outcome for one or more patients.
• Share specific experiences from your nursing career where your leadership efforts and caring intentions fostered the success of patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Describe why you selected this course of study.
• How has advanced practice nursing impacted health care delivery in the USA?
• What are your personal goals as a Doctor of Nursing Practice student and future graduate?

Letters of Recommendation:

Two recommendation letters from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s potential to succeed in doctoral study. A letter from your employer in a leadership role and graduate professor is preferred. The recommendation must address the applicant’s clinical performance, professional acumen, and academic ability.

Curriculum Vitae:

Recent Curriculum Vitae/Professional Resume

NYS Nursing Certificate / License:

ANCC Board Certification as well as current and unencumbered RN and APRN license to practice in New York State (or respective out-of-state documents)

Interview:

After initial review, applicants may be selected for an on-line interview

English Proficiency Examination:

The TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exam is required of students for whom English is a second language.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum required score is 79 (Internet). For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the TOEFL website at www.ets.org. Our institutional code is 2778.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): We will only accept the academic exam scores. The minimum required score is 6.5 (overall band).  For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the IELTS website at www.ielts.org.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Minimum required score is 53. For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the PTE website at www.pearsonpte.com.
• Duolingo English Test: Minimum required score is 100. For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the Duolingo website.