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Students are enrolled in the master’s program in nursing once a year in September. Fall and spring terms are sixteen weeks in length and the summer term is eleven weeks long. Full-time study is required for students in the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in nursing and is offered in all specialties. The course schedule for part-time study is predetermined and will be either three or four years depending upon the specialty. General descriptions of the part-time study schedule can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. Conversion from part-time to full-time study or the reverse is not normally permitted. Nonmatriculated part-time study is available with the course instructor’s permission. A nonmatriculated student is limited to three courses per term. Students are permitted to apply up to six courses toward a degree program or a post master’s certificate at the discretion of the specialty director and assistant dean of academic affairs. The application procedure and deadlines are the same for both part-time and full-time study. There are separate application packets for registered nurses and applicants to the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing. Application materials may be obtained online at www.nursing.yale.edu/ or by writing to the Office of Admissions, Yale University School of Nursing, PO Box 9740, New Haven CT 06536-0740 or by calling 203.737.1793. A nonrefundable fee of $65 is charged for processing an application. A check or money order for this amount made payable to the Yale School of Nursing should accompany the application. Admission decisions are based upon a number of variables, which include evidence of motivation, academic ability, personal understanding of and propensity for advanced practice nursing, letters of recommendation, and potential for continued constructive use of the professional education. For clinical placement purposes, all accepted applicants will be required to complete a background check before enrolling in the fall.
The minimum requirement for admission to the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing is a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. No specific major is required. Collegiate courses in anatomy, physiology, statistics, and biological and social sciences are strongly recommended, but not required. Requirements for admission for registered nurses include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and graduation from a school of nursing (approved by the licensing board of the state in which it is located). Professional nursing experience is considered desirable but is not required for admission. Applicants must be licensed to practice nursing in at least one state. If the applicant is a new graduate, licensure steps must be in process and completed no later than November 1. A course in statistics and research methods is recommended, but not required. The following materials are required:
The Bulletin and application materials also can be found on the Yale School of Nursing Web site at www.nursing.yale.edu. Following initial review of written credentials, qualified applicants are asked to come to the School for an interview. When distance presents a hardship, candidates are encouraged to work through the Student Affairs Office to make alternate arrangements. Written credentials are submitted and reviewed prior to the fall of anticipated enrollment according to the deadlines and time frames noted. For Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing applicants, the deadline for submitting required materials is November 1. Notification of action on applications is mailed by late February. Applications submitted after November 1 and before April 1 are processed subject to availability of space. Applications submitted after April 1 will not be considered for admission in the upcoming fall term. For registered nurse applicants, completed materials are considered in one of three admission cycles:
It is to the applicant’s advantage to complete the application process by the first admission cycle deadline, as all qualified applicants from that cycle are offered available positions. Admission to any specialty may close for subsequent cycles once available positions are filled; however, the Admissions Committee continues to develop an alternate pool in the event places become available at a later time. For information on application to the Post Master’s Certificate option, below. Admission requirements and application procedures for the doctoral program are found on under Doctor of Philosophy Program. Reapplication Policy Applicants to the Yale School of Nursing who have applied three times to the same program without an offer of admission will not be allowed to apply to that program again. Graduate Record Examinations All applicants for admission are required to take the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Those who have already taken the test must submit transcripts of their scores with their applications. Scores that are six or more years old are not acceptable. Those who have not taken the test should arrange to do so immediately upon forwarding an application for admission to the School. International students are required to take both the General Test and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Computer-based testing has replaced paper format and can be scheduled year-round. It takes two weeks from the date of administration for the official transcript of GRE scores to reach the School. Prompt arrangements for taking this examination should be made in order to meet the application deadlines. Examinations are scheduled at specific times in centers located throughout the United States. Information about the examination may be obtained by contacting Graduate Record Examinations, Educational Testing Service, PO Box 6000, Princeton NJ 08541-6000, or by calling 609.771.7670. The Web site address is www.gre.org. Test of English as a Foreign Language Applicants whose first language is other than English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as one of the admission requirements. This test is given at various centers throughout the world. Arrangements to take this test must be made by contacting TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, PO Box 6155, Princeton NJ 08541-6155, U.S.A.; by visiting the Web site at www.toefl.org/; or by telephoning 609.921.9000. This requirement can be waived if the applicant has successfully completed a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States. A formal written request for this waiver must be sent to the chairperson of the School’s Admissions Committee. Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Examination Prior to enrolling in the School, graduates of foreign schools of nursing must pass the CGFNS examination as well as the NCLEX–RN examination in order to become a registered nurse (R.N.) in the United States. Several states, however, do not require successful completion of the CGFNS examination in order to sit the NCLEX-RN. Information on the CGFNS examination can be obtained from either the United States Embassy or the nurses’ association in the foreign country of residence.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals on their qualifications and abilities and affirmatively seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons of diverse backgrounds. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that indiviudal’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
To complete most of the nursing programs at the Yale School of Nursing, a student must complete a clinical/practicum component which involves caring for actual patients. By accepting admission and enrolling in the School of Nursing, the student certifies that she/he has read these materials and understands the essential eligibility requirements of the program. YSN does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If reasonable accommodations will allow an otherwise qualified student with a disability to meet the essential eligibility requirements for participation in its nursing programs, the School will assist the student in making the reasonable accommodations. Students who would like to receive accommodations on the basis of disability must self-identify, must provide documentation of the disability, and must request accommodation. Please refer to the Yale University Resource Office on Disabilities’ Web site at www.yale.edu/rod for further information. Essential eligibility requirements for participation and completion by students in the nursing program include the following core performance standards: Intellectual. Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical and academic judgment. Interpersonal. Interpersonal ability sufficient to appropriately interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Communication. Communication abilities sufficient for professional interaction with others in oral, written, and computer-assisted forms. Mobility. Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces. Motor Skills. Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide therapeutic nursing interventions that are safe and effective and that maintain safety and security standards. Hearing. Auditory ability sufficient to monitor, assess, and respond to health needs. Visual. Visual ability sufficient to monitor, assess, and respond to health needs. Tactile. Tactile ability sufficient to monitor, assess, and respond to health needs. Judgmental. Mental and physical ability to demonstrate good judgment in decision making, in order to maintain safety and security of patients and to behave appropriately with patients, staff, students, and supervisors.
The Yale School of Nursing is an academic and professional community committed to the education of students and socialization of professionals for a variety of clinical and scholarly roles. The ultimate goal of the School is to contribute to the better health care of people. This goal requires that all members of the YSN community contribute to the creation of a work and learning environment that maintains the highest standards of academic integrity, values honesty and free expression, and respects individual differences and viewpoints. All members of the community are expected to abide by the regulations of the University as well as to obey local, state, and federal laws. Students in the School of Nursing are expected to adhere to high standards of behavior in the following areas, and failure to do so will lead to appropriate disciplinary action.
Failure to adhere to the above principles will be referred to the YSN Committee on Discipline and students who have violated the above principles will be subject to one or more of the following actions: counseling, reprimand, probation, suspension, dismissal, fine, or restriction. This policy allows for the consideration of infractions on a case-by-case basis. Final actions will depend on the seriousness of the infraction and the circumstances surrounding the case.
A leave of absence must be requested in writing and is subject to approval by the assistant dean for student affairs. A request for withdrawal must also be in writing and presented first to the appropriate specialty director and then to the assistant dean for student affairs. In the event of withdrawal or leave of absence, the general rules of the University and policies of the School apply. They can be found in the School’s Student Handbook. Tuition charges will be adjusted according to the Refund and Rebate section under General Information.
The grading system is Honors, High Pass, Pass, and Fail. The School employs a standard set of definitions for each grade. Criteria for each grade are the prerogative of individual faculty; however, the School uses a standard numerical system for converting scored tests and assignments to the grading system: Honors, 92–100; High Pass, 83–91; Pass, 74–82; Fail, 73 and below. Satisfactory progress is defined as a grade of Pass or higher in all required courses. Satisfactory completion of all required courses in a given term is prerequisite for progression in the program of study. More information on satisfactory progress can be found in the School’s Student Handbook under Policy No. 23, Students in Academic Difficulty. Students who withdraw or are withdrawn for unsatisfactory grades or progress may be considered eligible to return only upon recommendation of the faculty, the specialty director, and the associate dean for academic affairs. At the discretion of the faculty, a challenge or waiver may be available for students who wish to demonstrate competence or mastery of the particular subject matter offered in required courses, or modules of required courses. It is understood that students who challenge or waive a particular module or course are expected to replace it with another learning opportunity. Tuition will not be reduced. In the final term, course work must be completed and grades reported one week prior to Commencement for students to qualify for the degree. The scholarly inquiry praxis must be submitted by noon of a set day prior to Commencement for a student to receive the degree. The School of Nursing has policies and procedures that govern student complaints and dismissal for unsatisfactory conduct. The School of Nursing reserves the right to withhold the degree or to request the withdrawal of any student for any reason deemed advisable by the faculty of the School. Student records are kept in the Student Affairs Office and are available to an enrolled student upon request.
The master’s curriculum is organized by clinical specialty. The first year of the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing is described separately. All course descriptions are listed in numerical order in the section entitled Course Listings. Required courses for each specialty are listed in the description of each specialty. The charts describe schedules for full-time study. The course plan for scheduled part-time study may be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. The School reserves the right to offer course substitutions and to amend the overall curriculum. Fall-term courses are noted by “a’’ following the course number, spring-term by “b,’’ and summer-term courses by “c.’’ Yearlong courses have no letter designation. Elective courses: Students may elect School of Nursing courses offered by specialties other than the one in which they are enrolled or by other schools or departments within Yale University, with the permission of the course instructor and of their specialty director. See below for nonspecialty affiliated School of Nursing electives. Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing The Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing (GEPN) is a three-year full-time course of study that combines preparation in basic nursing with advanced preparation in a clinical specialty and in nursing research. The first year of the program of study is designed to provide a solid foundation in basic nursing theory, nursing process, biological science, nutrition, and pharmacology. This content is reinforced by clinical experience in medical-surgical, pediatric, psychiatric–mental health, maternal-newborn, and community health nursing settings. The curriculum also includes a course that addresses current issues in nursing and health care. Upon completion of the prespecialty year, the student moves into a clinical specialty and continues with the study of relevant nursing theory, practice, and research. Students are admitted into a designated specialty when accepted into the program. Any change in the choice of specialty is made only with the approval of the specialty directors and the associate dean for academic affairs. The Certificate in Nursing is awarded upon successful completion of all required courses and experiences in the prespecialty year and in the first term of specialization, but is not intended as an exit point. The Certificate in Nursing satisfies Connecticut General Statutes requirements, allowing the student to become eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination–Registered Nurse (NCLEX–RN). Students are required to take the NCLEX–RN by July 15 following completion of the first specialty year. The Certificate in Nursing and a license to practice nursing in Connecticut are two prerequisites for enrollment in the final year of study to earn the M.S.N. degree. Courses may be elected from those offered by the School of Nursing, the Graduate School, and other professional schools within the University. The First Year of the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing Fall Term Spring and Summer Terms The Master’s program is designed to prepare effective nurse clinicians and nurse scholars capable of improving practice through sound clinical judgment and scholarly inquiry. In general, the first year in all clinical specialties includes basic clinical skill development, assessment and therapies, theories and concepts in nursing practice, and an introduction to research. The final year provides advanced clinical management skills, role development, integration of practice and theory, concepts of leadership, consultation, teaching, change, and policy. Students have the opportunity to take electives across specialties within the School and in other schools in the University. The specialties offered in the Master’s program are (1) Adult Advanced Practice Nursing, with Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Oncology Nurse Practitioner options available; (2) Adult, Family, Gerontological, and Women’s Health Primary Care; (3) Nurse-Midwifery; (4) Nursing Management, Policy, and Leadership; (5) Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, with a Chronic Illness concentration available; and (6) Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing, with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner option. Students may elect one of two additional concentrations once a clinical specialty has been selected. Concentrations offered are Diabetes Care and Health Care Ethics. See the individual concentration descriptions for further information. Each student is assigned a faculty adviser who is a clinical expert in the student’s chosen field of specialization. Within the specialty area, emphasis is placed upon the development of clinical judgment. In addition to clinical experience, conferences with individual faculty advisers, group conferences with specialty faculty members, and courses presenting scientific data and content relevant to the specialty area provide opportunity for in-depth study. The required research courses in the years of specialization build upon experiences and learning in the clinical area. The courses in nursing research and statistics aid students in formulating nursing questions, selecting and developing appropriate techniques of measurement, and applying appropriate statistical techniques including computer analysis. Through a critical review of the literature, the second-term praxis seminar assists students in identifying problems for examination and in preparing a scholarly inquiry praxis. During the final year the student is expected to expand and consolidate knowledge and skill in the specialty and to assume increasing independent responsibility for management of patients and/or systems. In addition to the required curriculum, elective courses are available in the School of Nursing, the Graduate School, and other professional schools within the University that provide theoretical preparation in areas of education and administration, research, advanced clinical work, or further study in related fields. The student prepares a program of study in consultation with a faculty adviser. All students are required to complete a scholarly inquiry praxis for the M.S.N. degree. Several options are available for students to meet academic requirements for the scholarly inquiry praxis. They include the state of the science paper (such as a clinical paper or integrated literature review), the master’s thesis, an aesthetic production, or a historical praxis. Students choose one praxis adviser who has primary responsibility for the direction of the scholarly inquiry praxis. Upon completion of clinical specialties, graduates are eligible to sit for certification through credentialing agencies. Please note that there is no program in the nation that can meet each state’s individual certification requirements. The School recommends that you review all state requirements and consult your academic adviser to plan how you can meet those requirements while enrolled in the School. Nursing Research Courses The nursing research courses provide core curriculum in research methods and statistics for all enrolled master’s students. The sequence of required courses taken during the first year of clinical specialization (525a/b, 529a) is designed to prepare the student to undertake a systematic investigation of a clinical problem. These required courses include emphasis on research methods and design, analysis of data, and application of principles in the development of a specific research plan. The scholarly inquiry praxis, which is to be completed in the final year of specialization (721a/b), is designed to provide a learning experience in which the student integrates knowledge of clinical management, scholarly inquiry, and leadership in the course of identifying a researchable problem. Specific information on the preparation of the written component of the scholarly inquiry praxis is provided by the associate dean for academic affairs. Adult Advanced Practice Nursing Specialty The Adult Advanced Practice Nursing (AAPN) curriculum is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses as clinical nurse specialists (cardiovascular or oncology), and acute care or oncology nurse practitioners. In-depth knowledge of a specialty area enables the advanced practice nurse to manage collaboratively the care for patients in a variety of settings: acute care, critical care, intermediate care, long-term care, ambulatory care, and home care. Specialization also provides the opportunity to deliver continuity of care through assessment, teaching, case management, and evaluation. The scope of advanced practice is further enhanced by the ability to identify the need for and to participate in the development of clinical nursing research. The uniqueness of the curriculum lies in its emphasis on the development of clinical expertise based on an understanding of nursing practice, research, and theory. The curriculum aims to prepare leaders who will improve clinical practice, apply new knowledge, and further the goals of the nursing profession. The student elects the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Oncology Nurse Practitioner track. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track In the first year of study, the focus is on history taking, physical assessment, differential diagnosis, diagnostic testing, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and management of patients. Courses in assessing the acutely ill individual, diagnostic reasoning, nursing theory, research, and statistics are also featured in the first year. Clinical conferences focus on the diagnosis and management of problems seen in acutely ill patients, as well as pharmacology. During the final year of study, emphasis is placed on the differential diagnosis and management of complex problems seen in the acutely ill patient population. Courses also include content on specialty pharmacology, health promotion, acute and chronic disease management, and the role of the nurse practitioner. Clinical placement sites expose the student to a variety of acute care settings and patient populations. Clinical conferences focus on the diagnosis and management of complex acute care problems.
The course plan for scheduled part-time study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. A Post Master’s Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate option is also available and described below. Clinical Nurse Specialist Track In the first year of study, emphasis is placed on developing skill in health history taking, physical assessment, pathophysiology, and assessment of the elected specialty population. Students study research and theory as a basis for developing conceptual models for advanced nursing practice. During the final year the focus is on clinical nursing management and role development as an advanced practice nurse. Leadership, change, case management, and consultation are emphasized. On completion of the Clinical Nurse Specialist track, students are eligible for Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification through the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center.
The course plan for scheduled part-time study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. Oncology Nurse Practitioner Track In the first year of study, the clinical emphasis is on history taking, physical assessment, diagnostic reasoning, differential diagnosis, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and management of primary health problems in adults. Specialty oncology knowledge, research, and statistics are the required didactic content. During the final year of study, the focus is on managing complex oncologic problems and developing a model of evidence-based practice as an advanced oncology nurse. Courses include specialty pharmacology, symptom management, health promotion, and clinical practica in diverse sites and settings. Clinical conferences focus on the integration of knowledge and research into practice, specifically applied to the management of the individual patient and family, and to management of populations of specialty patients.
The course plan for part-time study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. A Post Master’s Oncology Nurse Practitioner Certificate option is available and described below. Adult, Family, Gerontological, and Women's Health Primary Care Specialty The Adult, Family, Gerontological, and Women’s Health Primary Care (AFGWH) specialty is designed to prepare nurse practitioners to meet the primary care needs of diverse populations throughout the life span. The curriculum focuses on the diverse health care needs of clients served in a multitude of settings. Each client is viewed in relation to his or her self-described family and community. This curriculum integrates research, clinical practice, and policy to prepare nurse practitioners as leaders in the provision of primary care. Adult Nurse Practitioner Track
A Post Master’s Adult Nurse Practitioner Certificate option is also available and described on below. Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Track
Family Nurse Practitioner Track
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Track
A Post Master’s Gerontological Nurse Practitioner option is also available and described below. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Track
The course plans for part-time study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. Nurse-Midwifery Specialty The Nurse-Midwifery (NM) curriculum is designed to prepare clinically competent nurse-midwives who provide family-centered primary health care to women. Clinical experiences with individuals and groups, incorporated throughout the two years, emphasize use of a management process for providing health care. Relevant research and concepts from nursing, midwifery, medicine, and the sciences are studied to provide a base of theory and rationale for clinical practice and primary care. Students are expected to examine their nurse-midwifery practice critically and to develop beginning skill in the use and evaluation of research methods and statistics. Leadership capabilities are emphasized. Course and clinical work focus on the independent management of primary care; care for women and newborns during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods; and family planning and gynecological care. Students learn collaborative management of the care of women and newborns with complications. Clinical practice takes place within health care systems that provide for medical consultation, collaborative management, and referral and is in accord with the Standards for Nurse-Midwifery Practice of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Electives and independent study offer opportunities for students to pursue individual educational and professional goals. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the Certification Examination of the American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council. The Nurse-Midwifery program of study is fully accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives, Division of Accreditation, 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1550, Silver Spring MD 20910-6374; telephone, 240.485.1800; Web site, www.acnm.org.
The course plan for scheduled part-time study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. Nursing Management, Policy, and Leadership Specialty The Nursing Management, Policy, and Leadership (NMPL) specialty prepares nurses for leadership positions in health care delivery and health policy that are essential for transforming health care systems and improving population health. The specialty features innovative Web-based methods combined with intensive monthly campus sessions, both of which are designed to be responsive to students’ busy personal and professional lives. The curriculum includes courses in management, policy, leadership, organizational behavior, ethics, evidence-based management, health care finance, uses of data in decision making, and patient safety. Clinical placements are tailored to students’ individual academic goals. A three-year program of study is available. The program satisfies the academic criteria for certification in nursing administration by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialty The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) specialty prepares graduates for expanded roles in the provision of primary care to children and adolescents. The first-year experience includes theory and clinical practice in primary health care. Courses focus on health and developmental assessment, child development, interviewing, parent counseling, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and management of common child and adolescent problems. There is an emphasis, as well, on the development of requisite research skills fundamental to advanced practice. Each student, throughout the two years, provides primary health care for children in several clinical settings, including school-based health centers. During the second year, students complete an advanced management course, a pediatric pharmacology course, and courses in family systems, health policy, and advanced practice ethical and legal issues. In addition, students elect either a concentration in chronic illness care or a one-term pediatric specialty rotation. On completion of the specialty, students are eligible for PNP Certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center.
Chronic Illness Care Concentration
The course plans for scheduled part-time study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office or the specialty director. A Post Master’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate option is also available and described below. Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing Specialty The aim of the Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing (PMH) curriculum is to prepare psychiatric nurse practitioners/ clinical nurse specialists to provide a wide range of services to adults, children, adolescents, and their families. It includes the study and application of theories of practice. Students are taught to examine and formulate behavior using a model of multiple explanations: cultural/ethnic, intrapsychic, developmental, neurobiologic, familial, and social. Extensive supervised clinical study focuses on various types of assessment and psychotherapeutic interventions. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the changing health care environment. It focuses on developing skills that allow for flexibility in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of populations defined as high-risk consumers of psychiatric care. Students may specialize in one of three concentrations: Adult, Child/Adolescent, Primary Care. As of September 2008 YSN will not be admitting students to the Primary Care concentration. On completion of the required course work students are eligible for certification as clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners in psychiatric–mental health nursing through the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center. Those taking the primary care concentration are also eligible for certification as adult primary care nurse practitioners. In the first year of study, all students take course work and have clinical practica in human development and psychiatric phenomena in settings designed to treat multiple mental health problems. In the second year of study, students select a setting where advanced practice interventions can be utilized within the concentration of study. The settings include children and families; the medically ill client; adults with psychiatric disabilities; the gerontological client; and clients with substance abuse disorders. Course work and clinical practice focus on the development of advanced practice nursing skills with these special populations.
Primary Care Concentration Students who specialize in the care of adults with psychiatric disabilities may choose the Primary Care concentration that prepares them to provide comprehensive management to psychiatric clients, including physical and psychiatric care. In addition, students in this concentration are prepared to provide consultation to primary care providers. Upon completion of the concentration, students are eligible for certification in advanced psychiatric–mental health nursing (psychiatric nurse practitioner and/or clinical nurse specialist) through the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center and are also eligible for adult nurse practitioner certification. The plan of study includes:
The course plans for scheduled part-time study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. A Post Master’s Psychiatric–Mental Health Certificate option is also available and is described below. A concentration consists of a series of courses that focus on advanced preparation in a subspecialty and is designed for students seeking advanced preparation in a specific area. Students who are enrolled in a concentration are expected to complete the designated seminars and clinical practica, as well as a scholarly praxis in an area relevant to the concentration. Diabetes Care Concentration The Diabetes Care concentration is designed for students in their final year of study and emphasizes diabetes care practice and management. The concentration is open to students in the Adult Advanced Practice Nursing; Adult, Family, Gerontological, and Women’s Health; Nurse-Midwifery; and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specialties. The concentration is designed to prepare specialists in these fields for practice in diabetes care and management. All students in the concentration are required to take 768a/b, Clinical Practice in Diabetes Care and Management, which requires four hours per week of clinical practice. Additionally, students must take 769a, Advanced Concepts and Principles of Diabetes Care. A diabetes-related praxis is recommended. Enrollment in the concentration is limited. Faculty permission is required. Health Care Ethics Concentration The Health Care Ethics concentration is designed for students seeking advanced preparation in clinical ethics and is open to all master’s and doctoral-level students. Students are prepared to analyze and address clinical situations and policy implications from an ethical perspective through classroom instruction and guided clinical experience. All students in the concentration are required to take 725b, Health Care Ethics; 726, Practicum in Clinical Ethics; and 727a, Analysis of Issues in Health Care Ethics. A comparable independent study approved by the concentration coordinator may be substituted for 726. Admission Requirements and Application Procedures Requirements for admission include current Connecticut R.N. licensure, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, a master’s degree in nursing in a clinical specialty area, and at least one year of post master’s clinical nursing experience (preferred). For the Post Master’s Adult Nurse Practitioner and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner options, applicants must have access to a clinical site and preceptor(s) for primary care clinical courses. The following materials are required:
Following initial review of written credentials, qualified applicants are invited to the School for an interview with a member of the specialty faculty. Application deadlines are the same as for registered nurse applicants, found above. Tuition is figured at a rate of $1,055 per credit. Students are not charged for courses that are waived by either transcript or challenge examination. Post master’s students are not eligible for scholarship aid, but may be eligible for loan assistance based on individual need. For more information, contact the financial aid officer at the School. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner The Post Master’s Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Certificate option is designed to meet the needs of the master’s-prepared clinical nurse specialist who desires formal education and clinical training in acute care in order to become eligible for certification and advanced practice licensure as an acute care nurse practitioner. The Post Master’s Certificate option builds on the existing curriculum of the ACNP track. The plan of study includes all the clinically related courses currently taken by ACNP master’s students. For purposes of student eligibility for certification, all ACNP required courses must be taken at the Yale School of Nursing or challenged by either examination or demonstration of similar course content in the student’s previous master’s program. Research courses are not included in this plan of study. A plan of study is available and can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. Required courses for all post master’s acute care nurse practitioner students are: 533a, 554a, 607b, 609a, 610a, 612b, 802a/b, 807a, 817b, 819b, 895b, and 897b. Adult Nurse Practitioner The Post Master’s Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) Certificate option is designed to meet the needs of the master’s-prepared clinical nurse specialist who desires formal education and clinical training in adult primary care in order to become eligible for certification and advanced practice licensure as an adult nurse practitioner. This Post Master’s Certificate option encompasses selected courses in the existing curriculum of the Adult Nurse Practitioner track to educate post master’s students for new roles in adult primary care. The plan of study includes all the clinically related courses currently taken by ANP master’s students. For purposes of student eligibility for certification, all required courses must be taken at the Yale School of Nursing or challenged by either examination or demonstration of similar course content in the student’s previous master’s program. Research courses are not included in this plan of study. A plan of study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. Clinical courses are supervised by the ANP faculty; however, candidates must enter the program having independently arranged for clinical sites and preceptors. Required courses for all post master’s adult nurse practitioner students are: 533a, 550a, 554a, 556b, 557a, 557b, 559b, 641b, 756a, 756b, 757a, 757b, 895b, and 897a. Gerontological Nurse Practitioner The Post Master’s Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) Certificate option is designed to meet the needs of the master’s-prepared clinical nurse specialist who desires formal education and clinical training in primary gerontological care in order to become eligible for certification and advanced practice licensure as a gerontological nurse practitioner. This Post Master’s Certificate option encompasses selected courses in the existing curriculum of the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner track. The plan of study includes all the clinically related courses currently taken by GNP master’s students. For purposes of student eligibility for certification, all GNP required courses must be taken at the Yale School of Nursing or challenged by either examination or demonstration of similar course content in the student’s previous master’s program. Research courses are not included in this plan of study. Plans of study are available and may be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. Clinical courses are supervised by the GNP faculty; however, candidates must enter the program having independently arranged for clinical sites and preceptors. Required courses for all post master’s gerontological nurse practitioner students are: 533a, 550a, 554a, 555b, 557a, 557b, 723a, 757a, 757b, 853b, 895b, and 897a. Oncology Nurse Practitioner The Post Master’s Oncology Nurse Practitioner (ONP) Certificate option is designed to meet the needs of the master’s-prepared oncology clinical nurse specialist who desires formal education and clinical training in order to become eligible for certification and advanced practice licensure as an adult nurse practitioner. This Post Master’s Certificate option builds on the existing Oncology Nurse Practitioner track curriculum. The plan of study includes all the clinically related courses currently taken by the ONP master’s students. For purposes of student eligibility for certification, all ONP required courses must be taken at the Yale School of Nursing or challenged by either examination or demonstration of similar course content in the student’s previous master’s program. If a student enters with a master’s degree in a specialty other than oncology, the first-year oncology specialty course (615a/b) is also required. Research courses are not included in this plan of study. A plan of study may be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. Required courses for all post master’s oncology nurse practitioner students are: 533a, 554a, 556b, 557a, 557b, 610a, 803a/b, 804a/b, 805a, and 895b. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner The Post Master’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Certificate option is designed to meet the needs of the master’s-prepared pediatric clinical nurse specialist desiring formal education and clinical training in pediatric primary care in order to become eligible for certification and advanced practice licensure as a pediatric nurse practitioner. This Post Master’s Certificate option builds on the existing curriculum of the PNP specialty and assumes that the entering student has a master’s degree in nursing and a specialty in some aspect of pediatric or parent-child nursing. The plan of study includes all the required courses currently offered in the PNP specialty, except for the research courses and the scholarly inquiry praxis. For purposes of eligibility for certification all courses required in this curriculum must be taken, or challenged by either examination or demonstration of similar course content in the student’s previous master’s program. A plan of study may be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. Required courses for all post master’s pediatric nurse practitioner students are: 533a, 625b, 630a, 632a/b, 633a, 635b, 637a, 640a or b, 641b, 717, 825a, 826a/b, 827a, 830a/b, 833a/b, 834a or b, 845a, and 849b. Psychiatric–Mental Health The Post Master’s Psychiatric–Mental Health (PMH) Certificate option is designed for individuals who have a master’s degree in nursing and have found a high rate of psychiatric problems in their practice that are difficult to assess and manage. Just as medical problems go unrecognized in psychiatric settings, psychiatric problems are also unrecognized in nonpsychiatric settings. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the general population is on the increase and constitutes a major public health problem. An estimated ten to twenty percent of primary health care clients suffer from a well-defined and chronic psychiatric disorder. Despite previous assumptions that these problems were self-limiting and benign, more recent studies show that a considerable proportion are chronic and associated with significant disability and increased utilization of costly health care services. Most people with treatable psychiatric conditions are underdiagnosed, undertreated, or entirely untreated. Research courses are not included in this plan of study. A plan of study may be obtained from the Student Affairs Office or the Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing specialty director. Upon completion of the required courses in the option, graduates have the educational preparation necessary for certification in advanced psychiatric–mental health nursing by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center. Required courses for all post master’s psychiatric–mental health certificate students are: 533a, 554a, 656a, 657a, 659a, 659b, 661b, 850a/b or b/c, 851b, 855b, 859b, and 865a. Students entering the child/adolescent track must also take 637a and 663a.
Joint Degree in Nursing and Divinity In recognition of the relationship between nursing and religious studies, the Yale School of Nursing and the Divinity School offer a joint-degree program in nursing and divinity. This option is especially oriented to individuals who wish to combine careers in advanced nursing practice and social ministry that might involve direct practice, planning, and policy making and religious ministry in a variety of health care systems. There are two joint-degree options between the Divinity School and the School of Nursing. The first option, a joint degree leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) and the Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.), requires three years of study (four years for students in the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing [GEPN]). The second option, a joint degree leading to the M.S.N. and Master of Divinity (M.Div.), requires four years of study (five years for GEPN students) and is designed for those students who wish to prepare for the lay or ordained ministries of Christian churches. All students must meet with the associate dean or assistant dean for academic affairs and the specialty director prior to applying to discuss the feasibility of the program of study. Joint Degree in Nursing and Public Health Recognizing the relation between nursing and public health, the Yale School of Nursing and the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health offer a joint-degree opportunity in nursing and public health. This option is especially oriented to individuals who wish to combine careers in advanced nursing practice and public health that might involve direct practice, planning, and policy making in a variety of health care systems in the public health sector. The joint-degree option requires three years (four years for students in the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing) and awards a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.). For GEPN students, application is made either simultaneously to both schools or after enrollment in the School of Nursing during the GEPN year. For R.N. students applying directly to a specialty, applicants apply simultaneously to both schools. All students must meet with the associate dean or assistant dean for academic affairs and the specialty director prior to applying to discuss the feasibility of the program of study.
Doctor of Philosophy ProgramAims and AssumptionsYale University’s strength among doctoral programs in nursing is our focus on clinical research and health systems and policy research. The experience gleaned from that focus has produced a solid foundation for scholarship. At the Yale School of Nursing our scholarship has emphasized the interchange between practice and knowledge, based on the belief that theory develops from practice and, in turn, influences it. From the early 1960s when the Yale School of Nursing faculty reaffirmed their commitment to clinical practice and clinical research, we have made significant progress in support of these priorities. Yale’s commitment to the preparation of the next generation of scholars, educators, and clinical scientists is reflected in its commitment to strong research preparation within the Ph.D. program. The Ph.D. program is administered by the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. For more information about the program, or to receive admissions information, please contact the Office of Admissions at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at 203.432.2771 or at www.yale.edu/graduateschool/academics/nursing.
Fields include chronic illness (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS); self- and family management; maternal and child health; policy and politics of nursing organizations; health services; health disparities and care of vulnerable populations; acute and critical care; children with mental health disorders; nursing history; end-of-life and palliative care; global health; health promotion; environmental health; gerontology and long-term care; and school and community-based interventions.
Applicants should have a master’s degree in nursing, or the equivalent, including previous course work in statistics and graduate-level course work in research methods, with grades of at least High Pass, B, 3.0, or equivalent. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test taken no more than five years prior to application is required. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam is required of all applicants for whom English is a second language. This requirement may be waived if the applicant has completed a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or another English-speaking country. Samples of written work (e.g., published article, thesis, literature review) and a curriculum vitae are required. Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview with a member of the doctoral faculty.
Completion of ten required core courses and six cognates is required. The grading system includes Honors, High Pass, Pass, and Fail. Students must maintain a High Pass average and achieve a grade of Honors in at least two core courses to remain in good standing. If a student does not achieve these grade standards, the student will receive additional academic advisement and will be placed on academic probation for one term before being withdrawn from the program. Graduate Research Assistant and Teaching Fellow Experience During the first two years of the program, students are Graduate Research Assistants with faculty mentors and participate in the mentor’s ongoing research. The research mentor is usually, but not always, the student’s academic adviser. Students meet with their research mentor/adviser every one to two weeks for research mentoring, supervision of the Graduate Research Assistant experience, and advising about possible dissertation topics and cognates. Students are expected to devote approximately 15 hours per week to their Graduate Research Assistant activities. This experience is synthesized and evaluated within the seminar 911a/b, Doctoral Research Practicum, which students take for four terms. In year three, participation in the Teaching Fellowship Program will begin. Two terms are required. Typically, Teaching Fellows assist with the teaching of larger master’s-level courses during their third and/or fourth year of doctoral study after they have completed their required courses. The faculty member responsible for courses with Teaching Fellows closely monitors their teaching experiences, meeting with the student weekly to discuss the teaching activities and ensure that the student participates in all relevant aspects of the teaching experience and has the help required to engage in new teaching activities. If the student gives a lecture in the course, the faculty member will attend and evaluate the student’s performance. Dissertation The dissertation entails an original research project that demonstrates the student’s mastery of relevant knowledge and methods. Given the diverse nature of nursing research, dissertations may address a wide range of topics and draw on a variety of research designs and methods. The value of the dissertation depends on the significance of the problem, quality of the design, rigor of execution, and clarity of exposition. During their core courses, students are encouraged to start to think about their dissertation research and focus course papers on topics relevant to their proposed dissertation. Second-year students are required to take 907, Dissertation Seminar. This two-term course provides students with advanced study and direction in research leading to the dissertation proposal and completion of the dissertation. Students are guided in the application of fundamentals of scientific writing and criticism. Students are required to produce a written proposal and give a formal oral presentation addressing their current thinking about their dissertation twice during this course. They are also required to write a formal critique of fellow students’ beginning dissertation proposals. Although the course is required only in the second year of study, first-year students are encouraged to attend to observe the process of developing a dissertation. Advanced students also attend and present their dissertation work in progress. The student should give serious thought to the scale of the proposed study. It is expected that the project can be completed in approximately two years. The dissertation is meant to set the stage for a lifetime program of research. Publication of findings in refereed scholarly journals is expected. Examinations Successful completion of three examinations is required.
Master’s Degree M.Phil. (en route to the Ph.D.). This degree will be granted to Ph.D. students who successfully complete two years of course work, but do not progress to the dissertation stage. To be awarded the M.Phil. degree, students need to complete all core courses, six cognates (may include independent study with faculty), and two years of Graduate Research Assistant experience, and pass the Preliminary Examination. This degree is normally granted only to students who are withdrawing from the Ph.D. program. Courses 529a, Statistics for Clinical Nursing Research
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| 704a/b/c | Master’s Independent Study |
| 713b (EMD 557b) | Public Health Issues in HIV/AIDS |
| 715a | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program |
| 723a (HPA 592a) | Concepts and Principles of Aging |
| 725b | Health Care Ethics |
| 726 | Practicum in Clinical Ethics |
| 727a | Analysis of Issues in Health Care Ethics |
| 733b (REL 977b) | Living with Dying. |
| [735b] | Environment and Health. (Not offered spring term 2008.) |
| 737a | Nursing, Health, and Social Welfare in American History |
In addition to electives listed above, the following courses are open to degree-seeking students or nonmatriculated students with the permission of the instructor. See the following section for course descriptions. |
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Adult Advanced Practice Nursing Specialty |
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| 607b | Pathophysiology and Management of Common Adult Clinical Problems I |
| 609a | Assessment of the Acutely and Critically Ill Client |
| 611b | Conceptual Basis of Nursing Practice |
| 615a/b | Principles and Practice of Oncology |
| 803a/b | Oncology Symptom Management |
| 805a | Cancer Pharmacology |
| 807a | Pathophysiology and Management of Common Adult Clinical Problems II |
| 817b | Professional Practice Issues for Adult Advanced Practice Nurses |
| 819b | Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in the Adult Continuum |
Adult, Family, Gerontological, and Women’s Health Primary Care Specialty |
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| 559b | Adult Development: A Life Span Perspective |
| 723a (HPA 592a) | Concepts and Principles of Aging |
| 895b | Clinical Pharmacology |
Doctor of Philosophy Program |
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| 911a/b | Doctoral Research Practicum |
| [921b] | Seminar on Research in Care of Patients with Diabetes (Not offered spring term 2008.) |
| [923a] | Current Issues in Cardiovascular Nursing Research (Not offered fall term 2007.) |
| 925b | Qualitative Research in Nursing |
| [927b] | Seminar on Research in Care of People with Cancer or at Risk for Cancer and Their Families (Not offered spring term 2008.) |
| 929b | Ethical Conduct of Clinical Research |
| [961a] | Contemporary Issues in Health Policy and Politics (Not offered fall term 2007.) |
Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing |
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| 501b | Issues in Nursing |