M.S. in Nursing (MSN)
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed for the baccalaureate-prepared
registered nurse (RN) who wishes to pursue a graduate degree with eligibility for
specialty certification as an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
or a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). A post-master’s certificate as an FNP or AGPCNP
is also available for master’s prepared nurses. The program may be completed in 24
months or 33 months.
Click here to watch the recording of our Virtual M.S.N./D.N.P. Information Session
About the Program
The program focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and skills that enable the nurse practitioner to assess, diagnose, and manage health problems of the client. Health promotion and disease prevention are emphasized as students assess and develop the wellness potential of individuals, families and communities.
This online blended (synchronous and asynchronous) program encourages self-directed learning and critical thinking. It ensures the graduate student will develop the expertise necessary to manage the professional role expectations of an advanced-practice nurse in complex health care systems.
Purposes of the Program
- Advance the educational level of nurses to affect improvement in the health care of clients.
- Encourage continued personal and professional growth.
- Prepare advanced-practice nurses who are eligible for national certification.
- Provide a foundation for continued graduate study.
Student Learning Outcomes
Stockton's learning outcomes are in accordance with those of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The graduate program is designed to produce an advanced nurse practitioner who is able to:
- Utilize the Roy Adaptation Model and additional theories from Nursing and other disciplines when making decisions regarding professional nursing practice.
- Assess and diagnose the health status and health potential of diverse clients within multiple complicated contexts to provide compassionate, coordinated, evidence-based care.
- Identify specific common deviations from wellness using evidence-based guidelines and clinical decision-making to provide culturally sensitive equitable care, across settings and populations.
- Synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge from the physical and behavioral sciences and humanities with advanced level nursing practice.
- Apply principles of quality, safety, and ethical decision-making to minimize risks and enhance health outcomes across diverse settings and populations.
- Work collaboratively with interprofessional teams, patients, families, and stakeholders to improve health outcomes at the local, regional, national, and global levels.
- Utilize leadership skills through interaction with consumers and providers to address quality, safety, racism, and advocate for coordinated fiscally responsible, equitable resources for diverse populations.
- Utilize information technologies to manage and enhance efficiency of health care decision making and services in accordance with current evidence, quality, safety, regulatory and professional standards.
- Practice and advocate for the profession's values in ethically, culturally, and linguistically appropriate manners, showing collaboration and professional accountability to address inequities, social injustice, and human rights issues.
- Promote and practice the values of the profession by participating in activities that foster accountability, self-care, resilience, lifelong learning, nursing expertise, advocacy, and leadership acumen.
Accreditation Statement
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Stockton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Stockton's nursing programs are accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Board of Nursing, 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, and P.O. Box 45010 Newark, New Jersey 07101, (973) 504-6430.
Complaint Process
Applicants for admission and current students can submit program complaints to the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Complaints may reach the Board of Nursing by writing to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Consumer Affairs New Jersey Board of Nursing 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, and P.O. Box 45010 Newark, New Jersey 07101.
Curriculum
The MSN curriculum builds on the undergraduate program and utilizes philosophy, purposes and learning outcomes to develop advanced level nurses. The Roy Adaptation Model serves as the conceptual framework of the program.
The Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) track consists of 46 credits, which may be completed in 24 months or 33 months. A minimum of 750 supervised clinical hours in primary care must be completed in addition to the didactic portion of the curriculum.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track consists of 50 credits, which may be completed in 24 or 33 months. A minimum of 770 supervised clinical hours in primary care and pediatrics must be completed in addition to the didactic portion of the curriculum.
Fall - Year 1
MHAL 5000 Management & Leadership Development in Healthcare - 3 credits
NURS 5326 Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Population Health - 3 credits
Spring - Year 1
MHAL 5035 Healthcare Informatics - 3 credits*
NURS 5327 Theory & Research for Evidence Based Practice - 3 credits
Summer - Year 1
NURS 5325 Health Care Systems & Policy - 3 credits
NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 credits*
Fall - Year 2
NURS 5333 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 credits
NURS 5332 Pharmacology - 3 credits
Spring - Year 2
NURS 5422 Adult Primary Care I - 3 credits
NURS 5922 Practicum I (190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
Summer - Year 2
NURS 5423 Adult Primary Care II - 3 credits
NURS 5923 Adult Practicum II (190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
Fall - Year 3
NURS 5424 Adult Primary Care III - 3 credits
NURS 5924 Practicum III 190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
Spring - Year 3
NURS5932 - Immersion in AGNP Practice (180 clinical hours) - 3 credits
NURS 5590 Professional Role Development - 1 credit
Summer- Year 1
NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 credits
NURS 5325 Health Care Systems & Policy - 3 credits
Fall - Year 1
NURS 5333 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 credits
NURS 5326 Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Population Health - 3 credits
NURS 5332 Pharmacology - 3 credits
Spring - Year 1
NURS 5422 Adult Primary Care I - 3 credits
NURS 5922 Practicum I (190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
NURS 5327 Theory & Research for Evidence Based Practice - 3 credits
Summer - Year 2
NURS 5423 Adult Primary Care II - 3 credits
NURS 5923 Adult Practicum II (190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
Fall - Year 2
NURS 5424 Adult Primary Care III - 3 credits
NURS 5924 Practicum III 190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
MHAL 5000 Management & Leadership Development in Healthcare - 3 credits
Spring - Year 2
NURS 5932 Immersion in AGNP Practice (180 clinical hours) - 3 credits
NURS 5590 Professional Role Development - 1 credit
MHAL 5035 Healthcare Informatics - 3 credits
Fall - Year 1
MHAL 5000 Management & Leadership Development in Healthcare - 3 credits
NURS 5326 Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Population Health - 3 credits
Spring - Year 1
MHAL 5035 Healthcare Informatics - 3 credits*
NURS 5327 Theory & Research for Evidence Based Practice - 3 credits
Summer - Year 1
NURS 5325 Health Care Systems & Policy - 3 credits
NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 credits*
Fall - Year 2
NURS 5333 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 credits
NURS 5332 Pharmacology - 3 credits
Spring - Year 2
NURS 5422 Adult Primary Care I - 3 credits
NURS 5922 Practicum I (190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
Summer - Year 2
NURS 5423 Adult Primary Care II - 3 credits
NURS 5923 Practicum II (190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
Fall - Year 3
NURS 5424 Adult Primary Care III - 3 credits
NURS 5924 Practicum III (190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
Spring - Year 3
NURS 5541 Assessment and Care of the Family with Young Children - 3 credits
NURS 5941 Pediatric Practicum (200 clinical hours) - 4 credits
NURS 5590 Professional Role Development - 1 credit
Summer - Year 1
NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 credits
NURS 5325 Healthcare Systems & Policy - 3 credits
Fall - Year 1
NURS 5333 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 credits
NURS 5326 Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Population Health - 3 credits
NURS 5332 Pharmacology - 3 credits
Spring - Year 1
NURS 5422 Adult Primary Care I - 3 Credits
NURS 5922 Practicum I (190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
NURS 5327 Theory & Research for Evidence Based Practice - 3 credits
Summer - Year 2
NURS 5423 Adult Primary Care II - 3 credits
NURS 5923 Practicum II (190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
NURS 5325 Health Care Systems & Policy - 3 credits
Fall - Year 2
NURS 5424 Adult Primary Care III - 3 credits
NURS 5924 Practicum III (190 clinical hours) - 3 credits
MHAL 5000 Management & Leadership Development in Healthcare - 3 credits
Spring - Year 2
NURS 5541 Assessment and Care of the Family with Young Children - 3 credits
NURS 5941 Pediatric Practicum (200 clinical hours) - 4 credits
NURS 5590 Professional Role Development - 1 credit
MHAL 5035 Healthcare Informatics - 3 credits
Post-Master's Certificates
The curriculum builds on previous graduate nursing education and utilizes philosophy, purposes and student learning outcomes to develop advanced level nurses. The Roy Adaptation Model serves as the conceptual framework of the program.
Stockton offers two post-master's certification tracks in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP). Required courses in each track are dependent upon the post-master’s applicant's transcript. A gap analysis will be done to determine required courses.
Nurse Practitioners certified in other specialties will complete courses and clinical hours according to the gap analysis.
Post-master's applicants that are not certified Nurse Practitioners can expect to complete 750 to 770 clinical hours.Remaining required courses will depend upon the results of the gap analysis.
A preliminary gap analysis may be done for curriculum planning by contacting the Chair of the MSN program; however, an official gap analysis will be completed after the application and official transcripts are received. The official gap analysis will determine the individual applicant’s curriculum.
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certificate track consists of 25 credits for option 1 candidates. A minimum of 750 supervised hours must be completed in addition to the didactic portion of the curriculum.
The Family Nurse Practitioner certificate track consists of 28 credits for option 1 candidates or 7 credits for option 2 and option 3 candidates (see option descriptions below). A minimum of 770 supervised clinical hours in primary care and pediatric must be completed in addition to the didactic portion of the curriculum. A gap analysis of the course work completed in the student’s previous NP program is performed by the MSN Chair to determine the number of courses and clinical hours to be completed during Stockton’s program.
There are three pathways to enroll:
Option 1
Provides registered nurses with a master's degree the option to complete coursework for eligibility to take the AGPCNP or FNP national certification examination. This option is applicable to prospective students who are practicing as NPs in roles other than the AGPCNP or FNP such as the acute care NP, or pediatric NP. It also applies to prospective students that obtained a non-clinical MSN degree.
Option 2
Provides nationally certified and practicing Adult Nurse Practitioners (ANP) or AGPCNP an option to complete additional didactic and clinical coursework to become eligible to take the FNP national certification examination. Applicants must provide proof of valid New Jersey APN credentials, proof of current NP certification, past clinical hour documentation and course syllabi for review.
Option 3
Recent graduates of Stockton's MSN program may qualify for "Direct Entry" into the FNP program. This option is available to Stockton MSN graduates with graduation date 12 months prior to the first day of courses in the FNP track. If the graduation date is more than 12 months, please follow option 2. NURS5424/5924 must be completed as a prerequisite for direct entry into the FNP program.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) post-master’s track consists of an additional 7 credits including a minimum of 200 clinical hours.
Summer Semester 1
NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 credits*
Fall Semester 1
NURS 5333 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 credits
NURS 5332 Pharmacology - 3 credits
Spring Semester 1
NURS 5422 Adult Primary Care I - 3 credits
NURS 5922 Practicum I (190 clinical hours) - 4 credits
Summer Semester 2 (Summer Session IV)
NURS 5423 Adult Primary Care II - 3 credits
NURS 5923 Adult Practicum II (190 clinical hours) - 4 credits
Fall Semester 2
NURS 5424 Adult Primary Care III - 3 credits
NURS 5923 Practicum III 190 clinical hours) - 4 credits
Spring Semester 2
NURS5932 - Immersion in AGNP Practice (180 clinical hours) - 3 credits
NURS 5590 Professional Role Development - 1 credit
*Credits provided if completed in the past 5 years with a grade of B or better
Summer Semester 1
NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 credits*
Fall Semester 1
NURS 5333 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 credits
NURS 5332 Pharmacology - 3 credits
Spring Semester 1
NURS 5422 Adult Primary Care I - 3 credits
NURS 5922 Practicum I (190 clinical hours) - 4 credits
Summer Semester 2 (Summer Session IV)
NURS 5423 Adult Primary Care II - 3 credits
NURS 5923 Adult Practicum II (190 clinical hours) - 4 credits
Fall Semester 2
NURS 5424 Adult Primary Care III - 3 credits
NURS 5923 Practicum III 190 clinical hours) - 4 credits
Spring Semester 2
NURS 5541 Assessment and Care of the Family with Young Children - 3 credits
NURS 5941 Pediatric Practicum (200 clinical hours) - 4 credits
NURS 5590 Professional Role Development - 1 credit
*Credits provided if completed in the past 5 years with a grade of B or better
Spring Semester
NURS 5541 Assessment and Care of the Family with Young Children - 3 credits
NURS 5941 Pediatric Practicum (200 clinical hours) - 4 credits
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Stockton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Admissions Criteria
Application Deadline
While graduate admissions selection committees review applications until the start of the semester, by applying prior to the Priority Deadline, you can ensure that your transition to Stockton is as smooth as possible: you will be invited to the New Student Orientation Event, and have access to priority registration which means you may have more options for monthly installments of a payment plan, as well as greater options for class selection.
Priority Deadlines: MSN
For a Summer start in the 24-month option: April 1
For a Fall start in the 33-month option: July 1
Priority Deadlines: Post-MSN Certificate Programs
For a Summer start: April 1
For a Fall start: July 1
For a Spring start: October 1
Prerequisite Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from either an NLN- or CCNE-accredited school.
- Meet one of the two requirements:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (on a scale of 4.0) with a minimum grade of "B" in all nursing courses.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.3 in at least two graduate nursing courses if the BSN GPA is less than or equal to 3.19.
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- Health Assessment
- Nursing Research (or in the health discipline)
- Statistics
- Proof of current RN license in the State of NJ, CPR certification.
- Students must meet the "Technical Standards and Essential Functions" requirements as specified by the Nursing Program
- Applicants to the Post-Master's program must have a master's degree in their specialty at the time of application and be certified by either ANCC or AANP
Admissions Requirements
- Click here to start your application.
- If you are a recent graduate of Stockton's MSN program, check to see if you qualify for the Direct Entry Option for the post-master's.
- Application fee: $50 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application
- Graduate application essay
- Proof of license to practice as a registered professional nurse in New Jersey
- Proof of current CPR certification
- Two letters of recommendation sent electronically via the online application
- Resume
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including Stockton) should be mailed, emailed, or dropped off directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
By mail:
Office of Graduate Admissions, N-Wing 007a
101 Vera King Farris Drive
Galloway, NJ 08205-9441
Electronically:
gradschool@stockton.edu
Learn more about our Health Care Partner Discount Program.
The Nursing programs at Stockton University adhere to policies required by clinical affiliates where student clinical learning experiences occur. Since clinical affiliates require criminal background checks (CBC), urine drug screenings (UDS), and current vaccinations for all students coming to their facility, all nursing students will conform to the following policy mandates. Students are responsible for all costs related to the mandatory requirements. Students entering the MSN program must be able to pass a criminal background check and a 10-panel urine drug screen.
Graduate nursing students are required to have a Criminal Background Check completed and submitted to CERTIPHI. Information regarding this requirement will be included with the admission letter. All students will complete the Criminal Background Check requirements one time prior to enrollment in the first semester.
All documents (Criminal Background Check reports) must be received by the graduate nursing Clinical Placement Specialist or Program Chair by the designated due dates or the student will be dropped from nursing classes and cannot be guaranteed a clinical placement.
- Results of the Criminal Background Check will be valid for two years, unless there is reason to initiate another check or if the clinical facility requires annual or more frequent screening.
- If the nursing student leaves the program for more than two semesters, a new Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen is required prior to return.
- Students must use CERTIPHI to register for the screening. No other results will be accepted. Information to access CERTIPHI will be provided by the Clinical Placement Specialist or Chair.
- History of the following infractions will disqualify an accepted student from enrollment
in the graduate Nursing program:
- Falsification of records or omission of pertinent information on either the certified background check or urine drug screen
- Felony convictions
- Misdemeanor convictions, probated sentences or felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons, including physical or sexual abuse
- Misdemeanor convictions related to moral turpitude, including prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, theft, etc.
- Felony probated sentences or deferred adjudication for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances
- Registered sex offenders
A graduate nursing student who is charged/convicted of a criminal offense must report the charge or conviction to the program chair within three days of the charge. A graduate nursing student whose second Criminal Background Check reveals any of the infractions noted above will be disqualified from participating in any clinical experience and will then be dismissed from the graduate program.
Graduate nursing students are required to have a urine drug screen completed and submitted to CERTIPHI. Information regarding this requirement will be includeds with the admission letter.
All documents (urine drug screen reports) must be received by the Clinical Placement Specialist or program chair by the designated due dates or the student will be dropped from classes and cannot be guaranteed a clinical placement.
- Results of the urine drug screening will be valid for two years, unless there is reason to initiate a random urine drug screening or if the facility requires annual or more frequent screening.
- Students must use CERTIPHI to register for the drug screening. No other results will be accepted. Information to access CERTIPHI will be provided by the Clinical Placement Specialist.
- The drug screening will consist of a 10-panel urine drug screening, see belwo for the list of substances.
- A positive drug screen on admission may result in dismissal from the graduate nursing program. A prescribed medication that shows up on a drug screen requires a letter to the graduate nursing program chair from the prescribing licensed physician or nurse practitioner within one week of the formal notification of the drug screen report.
- If a graduate nursing student has a positive drug screening on the test done just prior to the clinical semester, the student will not be permitted to participate in the clinical component of the course and is required to withdraw from all nursing courses for a period of one year. Students may appeal to the graduate nursing program chair for immediate reinstatement warranted by individual circumstances. The appeal for reinstatement due to individual circumstances must occur within five days of the positive drug screen results in the form of an electronic communication to the graduate nursing program chair. When a challenge to a screening is issued by a student, only the positive urine drug will be reviewed in the appeal.
- A student who had a positive drug screen and wishes to return to the graduate nursing program in one year, and who does not appeal for immediate reinstatement, must undergo chemical dependency evaluation and treatment by a therapist specializing in addiction behaviors. In order to be considered for full reinstatement at the end of the year, a statement is required by the addicition behavior specialist indicating rehabilitation related to the substance identified in the drug screening. The documentation must also include a statement that the student is able to function effectively and provide safe care for clients in all clinical sites. The student is responsible for communicating intent to return in one year, electronically, to the graduate nursing program chair within five days of the positive drug screen results. The student is also responsible for contacting the graduate nursing program chair, via email, three months prior to the beginning of the semester to confirm that they are ready to meet the requirements of the graduate nursing program, the clinical facilities and the university.
- A second positive drug screening by the same student, after reinstatement in the program, will result in immediate dismissal from the graduate nursing program with no appeal process.
- All students are subject to random drug screening at the discretion of a nursing faculty, Clinical Placement Specialist, Chief Nurse Administrator, and staff member with due cause.
Individuals with a history of any disqualifying behavior on the Criminal Background Check or urine drug screen will only be considered for readmission to the program if the NJ Board of Nursing issues a statement that the student's RN license has been reinstated.
All of the University's clinical partners have updated their immunization requirements to include mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. The University's affiliation agreements with those third-party clinical sites require the University's compliance with the standards implemented by the respective sites, including immunization requirements. Please note the following important information, which may affect nursing program progression and graduation:
- University medical or religious exemptions will not be honored at clinical placements. Our clinical facility partners have advised us that unvaccinated students will not be permitted to participate in clinical experiences at their facilities, and that University COVID-19 exemptions will not be honored at those sites.
- Available clinical sites for unvaccinated participants may not be an option. Where possible, Stockton will assist students to identify alternative options if external vaccination requirements present a barrier to a student's participation; however, the University cannot guarantee the availability of alternative or comparable sites. Some programs may use certain sites for specific clinical experiences required by the program and alternative sites may not be an option.
- Program participation and degree completion may be impacted. Attendance and participation in clinical-based learning is a requirement for graduate nursing students. Unvaccinated students may be permanently excluded from clinical participation due to external clinical site requirements and may be ineligible to continue or to complete the degree program, which may delay graduation, or impact choice of campus and program of study.
Requirements | Students |
A physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner must be completed and documented on Health & Immunization Record form (see Health & Immunization Record in the appendices of the Nursing Student Handbook) | Graduate Nursing students |
Tuberculosis screening is an annual requirement. The two-step PPD is required or the IGRA (infereron-Gamma Release assays) blood test. (Quantiferon-tb Gold Test is the trade name). | Annual requirement for Graduate Nursing students |
Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers - only the American Heart Association certficiation is accepted. Certification is good for two years. |
Bi-annual for Graduate Nursing students |
Current tetanus vaccine (Tdap) (within 10 years) | All nursing students |
Proof of personal health insurance/Documentation must have the student's name |
All students All Graduate Nursing students |
Laboratory results indicating positive titers for the following. If the titers are negative, proof of immunization is required.
|
Graduate Nursing students |
Criminal Background Check | Graduate Nursing students |
Urine Drug Screen
|
Graduate Nursing students |
COVID-19 Vaccine and Boosters | All students |
Effective: October 1, 2013
Reviewed: May 2015
Revised: August 2020
The Stockton University Nursing program has a responsibility to educate competent nurses to care for their patients (persons, families and/or communities) with critical judgment, broadly based knowledge and well-honed technical skills. The Nursing program has academic as well as technical standards that must be met by students in order to successfully progress in and graduate from its programs.
Nursing is a discipline that requires a range of psychomotor and psychosocial skills. Stockton University’s Nursing Program ensures that access to its facilities, programs and services is available to all students, including students with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12212 (2013) (amended 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. (“Rehabilitation Act”). Stockton University’s Nursing Program provides reasonable accommodations to students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements of the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instructional activity, equipment, facility, program or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to fulfill the requirements necessary for graduation from the nursing program. To be eligible for an accommodation(s), a student must have a documented disability of (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or, (c) be regarded as having such a condition (Marks & Ailey, 2014). Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities, provided the accommodation does not fundamentally alter essential academic requirements pursued by the student or any directly related licensing requirement. Student requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case by case basis in consultation with the Learning Access Program (LAP), Stockton University's disability support services office.
Nursing majors at Stockton University should be able to perform the following skills and behaviors:
General Abilities: The student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, and smell so that data received by the senses may be integrated, analyzed, and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. A student must also possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration, and movement that are important to the student's ability to gather significant information needed to effectively evaluate patients. A student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, comprehend, analyze, integrate and synthesize materials in the context of nursing education and practice. A student must be able to quickly read and comprehend sensitive written material, engage in critical thinking, clinical reasoning and evaluate and apply information in both the classroom and clinical settings. A student must be able to respond promptly to urgent situations that may occur during clinical training activities and must not hinder the ability of other members of the health care team to provide prompt treatment and care to patients.
Technical Standards:
The following description/examples of technical standards are intended to inform prospective and enrolled students of the standards required to complete the nursing science curriculum.
- These technical standards illustrate the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of Stockton University’s Nursing Program. The standards are not requirements of admission into the programs and the examples are not all-inclusive.
- Individuals interested in applying for admission to the programs should review these standards to develop a better understanding of the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics required to successfully complete the programs. Key areas for technical standards in nursing include having abilities and skills in the areas of: (1) acquiring fundamental knowledge; (2) developing communication skills; (3) interpreting data; (4) integrating knowledge to establish clinical judgment; and (5) incorporating appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice capabilities.
- Examples of the key areas for technical standards in nursing (acquiring fundamental knowledge, developing communication skills, interpreting data, integrating knowledge to establish clinical judgment, and incorporating appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice capabilities) include the following (adapted from Marks & Bailey, 2014):
To acquire fundamental knowledge, students have the ability to:
- Learn in classroom and other educational settings
- Find sources of knowledge and acquire the knowledge
- Be a life-long learner
- Use and apply novel and adaptive thinking
To develop communication skills, students have the ability to:
- Communicate sensitive and effective interactions with patients (persons, families and/or communities)
- Communication for effective interaction with the health care team (patients, their supports, other professional and non-professional team members)
- Make sense of information gathered from communication
- Apply social intelligence
In the interpretation of data, students have the ability to:
- Observe patient conditions and responses to health and illness
- Assess and monitor health needs
- Apply computational thinking
- Manage cognitive loads
To integrate knowledge to establish clinical judgment, students have the ability to:
- Critically think, problem-solve and make decisions needed to care for persons, families and/or communities across the health continuum and within (or managing or improving) their environments and/or in one or more environments of care
- Intellectualize, conceptualize and achieve the Essentials of Baccalaureate, Master's and Doctor of Nursing Practice education (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], Essentials, 2020)
- Apply information literacy
- Collaborate across disciplines
To incorporate appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice students have the ability to:
- Demonstrate concern for others, integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, interest and motivation
- Acquire interpersonal skills for professional interactions with a diverse population of individuals, families, and communities
- Acquire interpersonal skills for professional interactions with members of the health care team, including patients, their supports, other health care professionals and team members
- Acquire the skills necessary to promote change for necessary quality health care
- Collaborate virtually
Skills that nursing majors may use also include:
Motor Function: Sufficient motor function, neuromuscular strength and coordination to effectively perform client care activities. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Transfer, turn, lift clients
- Push, pull, lift and support 25 lbs.
- Manipulate life support devices
- Use diagnostic instruments for physical assessments
- Achieve and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Apply pressure to stop bleeding
- Manipulate diagnostic and life support devices
- Measure and administer medications by all routes
- Maintain balance, reach above shoulders, reach below waist, stoop and squat
Gross and Fine Motor Coordination: To provide safe and effective nursing care. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Move about in limited patient care environments
- Perform a variety of treatments and procedures
- Calibrate and use equipment
- Write with a pen/pencil and use a keyboard and/or mouse
- Sit, stand, move within classrooms, labs, acute nursing units, operating rooms, emergency rooms, community settings, and long-term care facilities for as long as required.
In addition to meeting the above criteria there are Technical Standards and Essential Functions that nursing students must meet upon entry and throughout the program. See Chapter 1 in the Student Handbook.
Due dates for clinical requirements will be communicated to the students via classroom announcements and e-mail messages from either the Clinical Placement Specialist or the Program Chair. Students who have not met all requirements will not be permitted in the clinical area and may jeopardize their clinical placement. Students who miss two or more clinical days are at risk for clinical failure.
Clinical facilities are selected based on the opportunity to provide the student experiences that meet the learning outcomes of the course. The assignment to a clinical site is made at the beginning of the semester, or earlier, and is dependent on faculty and the institutions availability. Students must be aware that they may need to travel a distance (up to 1.5 hours) from campus to attend assigned clinical sites. Nurse practitioners are required to carry their own student nurse professional liability insurance.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Stockton University is proud to offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to nurses seeking the highest credential or terminal degree in nursing practice.
Larider Ruffin, DNP, APN, ANP-BC, AGNP-C, CTTS, FAANP, FAAN
DNP Program Chair
Associate Professor of Nursing
DNP, Wilmington University
Areas of expertise: Diabetes, Smoking and Vaping prevention and education
Contact information
Phone: (609) 626-3563
Email: Larider.Ruffin@stockton.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
The MSN program with the clinical concentration: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) consists of 46 credits and the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) consists of 50 credits. All students must complete the program within five years of matriculation. Students may transfer a maximum of nine (9) appropriate graduate nursing credits from an accredited college or university (clinical courses are not transferable).
AGPCNP and FNP Post-Master's Certificates require additional didactic coursework and clinical hours.
Yes. Admission is open to RNs with a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from either an NLN- or CCNE-accredited school. Prospective applicants must meet the admissions criteria listed under the "Admissions Criteria" tab at the top of this page, however, meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission.
No, GRE scores are not required.
Students are admitted in the Fall and Summer semesters.
While graduate admissions selection committees review applications until the start of the semester, by applying prior to the Priority Deadline, you can ensure that your transition to Stockton is as smooth as possible: you will be invited to the New Student Orientation Event, and have access to priority registration which means you may have more options for monthly installments of a payment plan, as well as greater options for class selection.
Priority Deadlines
For a Summer start in the 24-month option: April 1
For a Fall start in the 33-month option: July 1
Yes. There are three graduate level nursing courses in the MSN & DNP programs available for non-matriculated students:
- NURS 5325 Health Care Systems & Policy
- NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology
- NURS 5326 Biostatistics, Epidemiology, & Population Health
To register, students must complete the online Graduate Non-Matriculated Student form.
Stockton may accept up to 9 credits that sufficiently match corresponding Stockton courses, provided that the grade earned is a 3.0 (B) or better. Clinical courses are exempt from transfer.
A Graduate Transfer Equivalency Form must be submitted at the time of application when requesting transfer credits. Any other transfer requests should be submitted to the student's advisor for prior approval, but in all cases no later than the first semester following admission to the program.
Yes, Stockton University offers a tuition discounts to matriculated nursing students who are employees of the following healthcare partners: AtlantiCare, RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health and Virtua Health. For more information, click here.
Lia Ludan, DNP, FNP-BC
Chair, MSN & Post-Master's Certificate Programs
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Email: Lia.Ludan@stockton.edu
Apply today. If you have further questions you can Request More Information or call the Office of Graduate Admissions at (609) 626-3640 or E-mail gradschool@stockton.edu.