Overview
The pre-licensure Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN) is designed for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing and are interested in transitioning to a career in nursing. The curriculum builds upon knowledge and skills from other disciplines and prepares the graduate to be a leader among peers and interprofessional colleagues in the provision of professional nursing care. The University of Jamestown will accept transfer credits for students who meet the requirements presented in the College of Graduate Studies and Professional Studies (CGPS) catalog transfer credit policy.
Requirements to earn the degree of Master of Science in Nursing Degree
- Successfully complete a minimum of 72 semester credit hours, all of which are 500 and 600-level courses.
- Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Successfully complete the coursework prescribed in the major field of study with a C or above.
- Complete a graduation application.
Residency Requirement for the DEMSN Degree
To fulfill the residence requirement, a minimum of 15-semester credits must be earned at the University of Jamestown. These credits may be earned entirely online, on campus, or in any combination thereof.
All students enrolled at the University of Jamestown who wish to complete courses at other academic institutions and to transfer those courses for credit to the University of Jamestown must have those courses pre-approved through the Registrar’s Office. Whether a course corresponds in content and quality to a University of Jamestown course will be determined by the Registrar in conversation with the relevant Chair and the Program Director. A minimal expectation is that the course in question comes from a CHEA-approved regional accrediting association of schools and colleges that offers either associate or bachelor’s degrees.
Major Field of Study
At least half of the candidate’s major must be completed at the University of Jamestown; modification of this requirement may be made by the Chair with the consent of the DSON.
Graduation Application
A Graduation Intent Form must be submitted to the registrar at least one semester prior to graduation. This is the responsibility of the student. Forms are available in the Registrar’s Office or the Chair's office for programs that are not located in Jamestown.
Commencement
Graduating students are expected to attend and participate fully in graduation activities including baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies. Mid-year or other graduates unable to return for commencement may request their degrees in absentia by writing to the Dean of the CGPS.
Admission
Declaration of Major
The DEMSN student planning to apply to the nursing program is encouraged to declare nursing as a major at the time of application. Declared students receive important communication from the School of Nursing.
Admission and Progression
- Students must apply and be accepted to the University of Jamestown prior to applying for acceptance into the nursing program.
- Bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing conferred by a college or university accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The C-GPA of the undergraduate degree must be 3.0 or above.
- Prior to formal admission to the DEMSN program, the following prerequisite courses, or their equivalents, must be successfully completed with a grade of C or above within seven years of entry to the DEMSN program: Statistics, Developmental Psychology Courses outside of the seven-year window must be audited or reviewed by the program director on a case-by-case basis.
- The following courses must be successfully completed with a grade of C or higher and with a cumulative average grade of B within seven years of entry to the DEMSN program: Anatomy and Physiology I (must include a lab component), Anatomy and Physiology II (must include a lab component), Microbiology (must include a lab component).
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II (must include a lab component), Microbiology (must include a lab component), Statistics, and Developmental/Lifespan Psychology. Students who have received a grade lower than C in one prerequisite may repeat that course and still be eligible to apply for the DEMSN program. Students who have received a grade lower than a C in more than one prerequisite course will not be considered for admission into the nursing program. An applicant may petition for an exception to this rule if the failed prerequisite courses are more than five years out and have been retaken and received a grade of C or above.
- If a student's undergraduate degree CGPA does not meet the minimum 3.0 requirement (no rounding will be applied) but is above 2.9, and the student meets all other program requirements, the student may take the TEAS (Version 7.0). If the student scores 75% or above (no rounding will be applied), the student will be considered qualified for admission. The student will be allowed a maximum of 3 attempts on the TEAS. It is the responsibility of the student to register, schedule and pay for the TEAS exam using the link below. When registering for the TEAS choose “Remote Online” and then choose “ATI Remote Proctor-Nursing” for the student to take the exam on their own through the ATI system. The TEAS must be completed by the week prior to the start of the spring semester. Once the student completes the exam, they must share the score with the University of Jamestown by logging into their student ATI account and clicking “Send Transcript.” Link to ATI TEAS exam registration: https://atitesting.com/teas
- Enrollment is limited. No candidate is excluded based on race, national origin, ethnicity, disability, religion, gender, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
- The University of Jamestown reserves the right to rescind an admissions decision due to various circumstances deemed appropriate by the University; including, but not limited to personal behavior, social conduct that may poorly reflect the University of Jamestown values, and a criminal background check.
- Prerequisites cannot be fulfilled via CLEP or PEP.
- All official transcripts of credit transfers from other colleges and universities must be in the Registrar’s Office before entrance into the nursing program.
- Following admission, a grade of C or above must be earned in all nursing courses. Refer to the Readmission Policy as stated below.
- The University of Jamestown reserves the right to rescind an admissions decision due to various circumstances deemed appropriate by the University; including, but not limited to personal behavior, social conduct that may poorly reflect the University of Jamestown values and a criminal background check.
- Admitted students are considered conditionally approved until all required documents are received, including all clinical requirements.
Readmission After Nursing Course Failure
After receiving one failing grade (C- or below) in a nursing course the student will be required to submit a letter requesting re-admission to the nursing program. The nursing faculty will meet and consider the student’s re-admission status. A decision will be made based on the student’s perceived ability to successfully progress through the major and to pass the NCLEX. Students who fail a nursing course are strongly advised to work with their advisor to formulate a plan outlining actions to facilitate successful course completion. After receiving a C- or below in a subsequent nursing course, the student will be ineligible for continued progression through the major.
Fees and Expenses
In addition to tuition and general university fees, nursing students assume additional fees. Fees are attached to your bill each semester you are in the nursing program. Clinical fees and ATI (an integrated testing service utilized in the nursing department) fees are assessed each semester. A one-time lab supply fee will be charged with enrollment in Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice (NRSG 510).
You will be required to open an account with an external compliance tracker that will maintain and store your immunization records. Before you are formally admitted to the nursing program, a criminal background check will be required. The external compliance tracker and criminal background check are additional charges that you pay directly and are not billed for through the billing department.
All the above are required as part of the nursing program. Total fees and charges assessed by the billing department will be approximately $3,700.00 over the course of the program.
Additionally, costs incurred to maintain the current immunization status, as required by the School of Nursing, are the responsibility of the student nurse. These costs will vary dependent on your health insurance coverage.
The University of Jamestown provides professional liability insurance for students admitted to the ASN, BSN, RN-BSN, and DEMSN nursing programs. Coverage applies while the insured is acting in his/her capacity as a student at the University. Students are expected to provide their own health insurance and required immunizations.
Disability Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation will be made for assisting students who have disabilities to fulfill clinical and professional requirements. The ultimate determination regarding the reasonableness of accommodations will be based on the preservation of client safety and the resources of the University of Jamestown and the School of Nursing. Students requesting disability accommodation should refer to the Office of Disability Services.
Outcomes
Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
DEMSN Student Learning Outcomes were derived from the Nursing Department’s mission, philosophy, and core competencies for professional nursing practice. DEMSN Student Learning Outcomes are congruent with contemporary RN roles which require novice nurses to be leaders among peers and interprofessional colleagues in the provision of professional nursing care. The DEMSN graduate will be prepared to apply evidence-based clinical judgement in the provision of safe, compassionate, and equitable healthcare services for culturally diverse patients within a variety of healthcare settings and complex healthcare systems.
The DEMSN student, upon graduation, will be able to:
- Apply current evidence and sound clinical judgement in the provision of compassionate, patient-centered care in all healthcare settings.
- Analyze the impact of social, political, economic, and technological trends on patient health behaviors, nursing practices, and the healthcare delivery system.
- Collaborate with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members to promote optimum states of health and wellness.
- Synthesize concepts from nursing practice and other disciplines to form the foundation of professional nursing practice.
- Demonstrate leadership, accountability, and cultural humility when managing care for diverse patients across the lifespan and continuum of care.
- Promote patient and staff safety by utilizing quality improvement processes within complex systems of health care.
- Utilize innovative technologies to enhance communication and access to equitable, holistic health services for individuals, families, and populations.