All students must meet the Requirements for the Master's Degree
Overview
The Department of Nursing offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Science degree. The Master of Science in nursing is an innovative graduate program that prepares nurses with a comprehensive and cohesive body of knowledge and skills essential for nursing practice at an advanced level. The program provides nurses with advanced specialization to expand their practice of nursing and to acquire additional expertise through a 9-credit core concentration or micro-certificate of graduate study.
The M.S. graduate curriculum includes 7 core courses essential for all students that address the theoretical basis of nursing care; professional issues and role development, research utilization and evidence-based practice, quality and informatics, leadership, planetary health, and biostatistics and epidemiology. Students select additional course work in a chosen area of specialization.
As a CNHS graduate nursing student, you are required to complete the CNHS Mandatories prior to matriculating into your program. Students must keep these requirements current throughout their program: Immunizations, CPR, HIPPA/OSHA training, annual PPD, and RN License. A Criminal Background check is completed prior to participating in clinical courses/experiences. Complete details on CNHS Mandatories are available on the college website.
Direct Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)
The Direct Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) is an accelerated, alternative-entry program is for those who have not graduated from a nursing program, and who hold a baccalaureate or higher degree in another field. The direct entry program is a full-time, on campus year-round coursework to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam and gain registered nurse licensure in the State of Vermont, then proceeds into the MS program for degree completion. A certificate of completion is awarded for the successful completion of the pre-licensure year. A BS degree is not conferred. It is not a stand-alone accelerated RN program. Year 1 includes 34.25 credits and 675 clinical hours of full- time, year-round coursework to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam. During the first semester, students must also successfully complete a math proficiency examination and a structured clinical examination to demonstrate competency in medication calculation and foundational clinical skills.
Specific Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements
The following criteria must be met to complete your minimum degree requirements:
- Core, track, and elective courses
- Grade point average of 3.00 or higher
- Successful completion of comprehensive examination
- Successful completion of a Master’s thesis or Master’s project
Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination is conducted by the Graduate Faculty in the Department of Nursing. The examination is designed to allow the student to demonstrate analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained through the program. The examination must be completed prior to the Master’s thesis or project. The Comprehensive Examination is rated on a satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis. In the event that the student does not achieve a satisfactory on the oral comprehensive exam, one opportunity to provide written or oral evidence of satisfactory achievement of the goal of the comprehensive exam will be allowed and is to be completed by 2 weeks following the oral attempt.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Science
Meet all of the above criteria.