Improving the nation’s health in the twenty-first century requires a need for more advanced practice nurses. Professional nurses of tomorrow must be prepared today to meet the challenges of a highly complex health care system and the needs of people in our communities and globally. The Masters of Science curriculum at SUNY Polytechnic Institute prepares highly skilled nurses to achieve the Future of Nursing Agenda by caring for individuals globally and improving on the health care of the citizens of our nation.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing programs (Nursing Education and Nurse Practitioner) are registered by the New York State Education Department and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE, 1 Dupont Circle NW, Washington, DC, 202-887-6791). The CCNE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an accrediting agency for nursing programs at both the baccalaureate and graduate levels. For more information, see: www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation.
Vision
The nursing community at SUNY Polytechnic Institute aspires to be a values-based center of nursing excellence for learners and professionals regionally, nationally, and internationally. We are dedicated to contributing to society by advancing nursing scholarship and practice through innovation, technology, collaboration, and caring.
Mission Statement
The mission of the nursing community at SUNY Polytechnic Institute is to promote a caring, transformational learning environment through academic excellence, lifelong scholarship, and innovation in nursing. We provide quality, evidence-based nursing education that prepares learners to meet diverse healthcare needs within our local and global communities through technology, leadership and collaboration.
Statement of Purpose and Program Goals
The graduates of this program are prepared at beginning and advanced levels of their practice to utilize theory, leadership, and research evidence as the foundation of their practice. They are prepared to continue their education and to deliver quality nursing services to individuals, families, groups, and communities.
The overall Nursing Department goals are to:
-
Provide nursing education within the context of an integrative framework that includes technology, behavioral science, biological sciences, arts & humanities.
-
Prepare learners to apply evidence-based methodologies to their practice.
-
Provide a transformational education environment that promotes academic excellence, lifelong learning, global citizenship, evidence based practice, integrity, civility, inclusiveness.
-
Foster clinical decisions & ethical practice in health care based upon the codes and standards of practice to meet the unique needs of clients & families within local and globally diverse communities.
-
Promote leadership and caring within clinical practice, education, administration, community service and scholarship.
-
Cultivate the capacity to utilize technology within the human caring experience.
MS Program Objectives
- Integrate knowledge from the liberal arts and sciences and nursing for application to advanced nursing practice.
- Practice in the multidimensional, advanced practice roles of educator, administrator or nurse practitioner with a specialty focus to provide direct or indirect healthcare to individuals, families, groups, communities and populations.
- Illustrate advanced communication with clients, colleagues and other professionals through proficient verbal, non-verbal, writing skills and emerging technology.
- Critically evaluate research based findings as evidence to improve and change practice.
- Apply advanced critical thinking skills when assessing, designing, managing, implementing and evaluating outcomes of nursing interventions.
- Integrate values of caring, cultural diversity, altruism, social justice, advocacy, and ethical decision in the provision of health services to clients.
- Exhibit advanced principles of leadership to effectively and efficiently use resources for enhancing the practice environment and improving patient care outcomes.
- Incorporate principles of teaching and learning in health promotion and protection, risk reduction, disease management, and rehabilitation activities for the improvement of health outcomes.
- Demonstrate high level skills of inquiry, analysis, and information literacy to address practice issues.
- Assume accountability of professional development and growth by engaging in activities to promote personal and discipline advancement.
- Apply advanced concepts and guidelines inherent in the educator or nurse practitioner role to provide leadership and service for the enhancement of continuous quality improvement in health care.
MS Student Learning Outcomes
The following are the Department of Nursing goals, which prepare the student for completion of the master’s program. In addition, each student must complete goals specific to their programmatic area, which also prepares the student for completion of their graduate work and advanced professional practice. The Department of Nursing goals include:
- Integrate theoretical and empirical knowledge in nursing and from related arts, sciences, and technology essential for advanced practice nursing.
- Appraise relevant theories for their application within to the advanced practice role.
- Utilize critical reflection in the translation and integration of scholarship into advanced practice.
- Exemplify the code of ethics and standards of nursing practice in the provision of care and professional performance.
- Promote collaboration with consumers, health care professionals, and organizations to provide safe, high quality healthcare.
- Demonstrate commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.
- Utilize innovative technologies within the advanced practice role.
Career Paths
Nurse Practitioner
The need for Nurse Practitioner’s has continued to grow to support the demand for qualified primary health care providers in multiple settings. Nurse Practitioners are now working in their own private practices, public health agencies, primary care clinics, home health care and nursing homes. There are also many opportunities in physician offices, palliative care and occupational settings. Graduates of the program are encouraged to pursue doctoral study after completing their MS degree.
Nursing Education
There continues to be a need for master’s prepared nursing faculty. The Master of Science in Nursing Education program prepares graduates for a professional career as a nurse educator in academia or staff development. Graduates advance their careers as faculty and administrative leaders in a wide variety of settings including associate degree and baccalaureate degree nursing programs and institution based staff development. Graduates of the program are encouraged to pursue doctoral study beyond their MS degree.
Sigma Theta Tau International
Iota Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing includes in its membership students, alumni, faculty, and community leaders in nursing. The purposes of this society is to recognize superior achievement and leadership qualities, foster high professional standards, encourage creative work, and strengthen commitment to the ideals and purposes of the profession. Eligibility is determined by scholastic achievement, evidence of professional potential, and/or marked accomplishment in the field of nursing.
Lab Facilities
The nursing laboratory provides multiple student work stations (with examination tables) where students practice the processes associated with medical history taking and physical examinations. Specialized equipment associated with the physical examination is provided. Video equipped exam rooms are utilized for simulation experiences. Nurse practitioner students routinely perform histories and physicals on volunteers from inside and outside the campus community.
Computer Requirements
Computers compatible with the current BLACKBOARD platform. (Check computer capabilities.) Students must have a USB headset with microphone. A wired internet connection is preferred.
Health Clearance Requirements
All students must be in compliance with SUNY and SUNY Poly health regulations. Nursing Students must meet additional health requirements of the nursing program and health agencies. Satisfactory health clearance must be complete using the SUNY Poly Health History and Physical Examination Forms and be on file in the Health and Wellness Center prior to participation in each of the placements in agency settings for teaching practicum and/or clinical experiences.
Clinical clearance must be updated and validated every semester prior to the first scheduled clinical agency experience. Attendance at clinical activity without prior clinical clearance will result in clinical failure.
Clinical Experiences
Students must have a clear and unencumbered nursing license in order to participate in clinical experiences. Failure to report any license sanction or condition will result in automatic course failure and removal from the nursing program.
All students are expected to perform clinical duties with the upmost professional, ethical, and caring behaviors. All students regardless of level, will be expected to adhere to legal and ethical standards as established by regulatory agencies and nursing professional standards. There is zero tolerance for breaches of ethics or professionalism. Unsafe clinical performance is care that seriously jeopardizes a patient’s well-being and/or causes potential or actual harm to self of others. No student demonstrating unsafe performance will be allowed to continue in clinical settings. Any acts of omission or commission by a student that are deemed unsafe, unethical or
unprofessional are grounds for course failure and program dismissal.