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School of Nursing

Nursing, Master of Science

Nursing degrees give students the skills required to work in hospitals, nursing homes, out-patient surgery centers, specialized facilities, industrial settings, and doctor’s offices. Nurses also work as visiting nurses in patient homes. Students educated as registered nurses (RNs) treat patients, educate patients and the public about various health related conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patient family members. RNs protect, promote, and optimize health; prevent illness and injury; alleviate suffering; and advocate for patients, families, communities, and populations. RNs also address policies and factors in healthcare systems affecting the quality of the healthcare delivered.

Program Information

MSN Admissions Requirements

  • Completion of BSN degree from accredited institution
    • Undergraduate program will need to include completion of undergraduate statistics course within 5-years of application date.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA required; however the university will consider a 2.8-2.99 GPA for a provisional acceptance based on these criteria:
    • Interview with program director required if undergraduate degree GPA is below 3.0
    • Must earn a 3.0 GPA (B or better) in first term of enrollment to remain in the MSN graduate program. Students who are accepted on provisional acceptance and complete their first term earning a 3.0 or higher will transition to full acceptance
  • Copy of current, active RN License (progression in the practicum course will require an active RN license that allows student to practice in the state where they perform the final practicum)
  • AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers card and health requirements, including immunizations, will be required once a student enters into the practicum capstone course
  • Minimum one year Registered Nurse experience.  For RNs with less than one year RN experience, the Nursing Admissions Committee may consider other significant healthcare experience.
  • Current Resume

MSN Student Achievement

All MSN students must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and pass all courses with a B or higher.  A maximum of two non-passing grades will result in dismissal from the graduate nursing program regardless of cumulative grade point average.  A grade of C or lower is considered non-passing.  Final course grades are carried out to two decimal points and are not rounded up.  A failed course may be repeated only once.

Progression in the program after a failed course is affected as noted below:

  • If the CGPA is at or above a 3.0, the student may enroll in another course, assuming that prerequisites have been met, and repeat the course in which the grade of C or less was earned when it becomes available.
  • If the CGPA falls below a 3.0, the previously failed course must be repeated before enrolling in another course. After repeating the course, the student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better to remain in the program.

Students in courses that have theory and laboratory/clinical components must achieve an 80% in each of these course components. Failing one component of the course (either theory or lab/clinical) results in failure of the entire course.

  • Clinical practicum courses are graded Pass/F (P/F). Pass grades are not calculated into the cumulative grade point average.  Grades of “F” for clinical affect the grade point average.  If a clinical is failed, the co-joined lecture is always given a non-passing grade.
  • A maximum of two Incomplete grades is permitted while enrolled in the program.  Any requests above two Incomplete grades will be denied and subsequent course grades will be awarded.

Immunization Policies

Clinical sites may have varying requirements for the vaccination requirements of healthcare workers. Students working at such sites are required to comply with these regulations. If such vaccinations are contraindicated for medical or religious reasons, contact the designated representative of the nursing program to discuss possible resolutions to this problem. All Stratford nursing students are required, at their own expense, to provide documentation of Hepatitis B vaccination. The Center for Disease Control reports that between 15% and 25% of unimmunized persons working in the healthcare area will contract this potentially serious and sometimes fatal illness. Hepatitis B vaccination requires a series of two to three doses; the dosage series must be started before registering for clinical courses. (If the student already has immunity or if the vaccine is contraindicated for the student, this too must be documented.)

Students enrolled in a clinical course are also required to provide documentation of the following prior to the first day of class:

  • Measles/Mumps/Rubella – 2 doses, 4-8 weeks apart
  • Varicella Zoster (Chicken Pox) 4-8 weeks apart or reliable history of the disease
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria Adult Pertussis TDAP – every 10 years
  • Influenza Vaccine – Required yearly
  • Tuberculosis screening by PPD and/or X-ray yearly (students with a positive PPD and an initial negative X-ray can be followed with an annual physician screening)

Drug testing

Drug screening may be required prior to entry into clinical courses and some agencies may require additional drug screening. All drug screen testing is at the student’s expense.

Clinical Requirements

Attending clinicals is dependent upon meeting the following requirements and providing required documentation. Use the check list below to organize the process.

  • Obtain student ID
  • Provide documentation of immunizations
  • Complete and maintain certification in basic life support techniques
  • Submit evidence of recent physical exam