ORIENTATION TO
DECKER SCHOOL OF NURSING
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Spring 2014
WELCOME
Welcome to the beginning of your graduate
education at the Decker School of Nursing. We
hope that you will find this power point to be
informative. Please know that we are here in the
Graduate Program office to assist you in
navigating through your program.
There are some key people that you should know
in the school, and I will begin by introducing you
to them.
JOYCE FERRARIO
Joyce Ferrario is the Dean of the
School of Nursing. Her office is in the
Dean’s Suite, Academic Building B,
Room 108A.
Students may make an appointment
to meet with the Dean through her
secretary, Sharon Stiner
(sstiner@binghamton.edu).
Dean Ferrario is a clinical nurse
specialist with interests is in
Gerontology and Psychiatric Nursing.
She received her Ph.D. in
Gerontological Nursing from Case
Western Reserve University.
ASSISTANT TO THE DEAN
Tracie Conklin is the Assistant to the Dean
at the Decker School of Nursing. Ms.
Conklin is the correct person to contact if
you have questions about funding, or if you
wish to request funding outside of the
application cycle. Ms. Conklin’s office is
located in the Decker School of Nursing
Dean’s Office Suite, Academic Building B,
Room 108. Students may make an
appointment to see Ms. Conklin by e-mail at
tconklin@binghamton.edu.
Mary Ann Swain
Dr. Mary Ann Swain has many years of
experience in higher education administration
including having served as Binghamton
University's Provost and Vice President for
Academic Affairs for almost 20 years. Dr. Swain
serves as Chair of the Department of Student
Affairs Administration and holds a tenured
appointment in the Decker School of Nursing
where she is Director of the Doctoral (PhD in
Nursing) Program.
Her research interests focus on health
development across the entire life-cycle and the
interrelationships among life stressors, healthy
development, and illness. In addition, she looks
at how to characterize and foster effective
leadership in higher education. Dr. Swain
possesses degrees from DePauw University (BS)
and the University of Michigan where she
received her PhD in Psychology.
Nicole Rouhana
Nicole Rouhana, PhD, CNM, FNP-BC is the
Director of Graduate Nursing Programs at the
Decker School of Nursing. Dr. Rouhana is
available by appointment to assist with
program planning and is here to help you with
any issues that occur during your program.
Students may make an appointment to meet
with Dr. Rouhana by sending an e-mail to
Graduate Program Secretary, Almina
Truesdale at atruesd@binghamton.edu. Dr.
Rouhana’s office is in Academic Building B,
Room 110B.
Dr. Rouhana’s area(s) of Scholarly Interest
(practice, education, and research) are
Midwifery Care of Vulnerable Populations,
Rural Health Care, International Health of
Women and Children, Post-Menopausal
Sexuality, HPV and HPV Vaccine
Acceptability.
JENNIE ORTON
Ms. Jennie Orton is the Assistant to the
Director of Graduate Programs.
Ms. Orton assists students with
program planning, registration issues,
general advisement, questions about
correspondence students’ receive from
Binghamton University, and can help to
explain or facilitate compliance with
policies and procedures of the
University, the Graduate School, and
the Decker School. She is often students’
first point of contact in problem solving.
Students may make an appointment to
meet with Ms. Orton via e-mail at
jorton@binghamton.edu. Her office is in
Academic Building B, Room 110A.
REBECCA CHRISTOPHERSEN
Rebecca (Becky) Christophersen is the Clinical
Site Coordinator for the Decker School. She is
the person you will work with to complete all
Decker School Health requirements as well as
to secure your clinical placements for any
course that has a clinical component.
Any questions regarding health requirements
or clinical placements should be directed to
Ms. Christophersen via e-mail at
christop@binghamton.edu. Her office is in
Academic Building B, Room 116.
SCOTT PIONTECK
Scott Pionteck is the Decker School of
Nursing’s resident Informational
Technologies staff member. He is
available to assist students with
computer issues they may be
experiencing in the DSON computer
pod and also helps students to secure
a sign on for the Decker School’s
computer pod. Mr. Pionteck’s office is
in Academic Building B, Room 118.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
IMPORTANT: Right-click on any link that appears on the slides
that follow, and then select “open hyperlink” from the drop-down
menu that appears to jump to the designated web page.
Subscribe to the Listserv
Students are required to subscribe to the graduate student listserv(s), and expected to regularly check their Binghamton e-mail
account for messages. Students are held accountable for information and instructions distributed via listserv(s).
HOW TO SELF SUBSCRIBE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Compose an e-mail message from your BU e-mail account addressed to: Listserv@listserv.binghamton.edu.
Leave the subject field of the message blank.
ALL graduate students subscribe to the listserv “GRADNURSE-L” by typing the following text in the body of an e-mail
message:
1. SUBSCRIBE GRADNURSE-L First name Last name (E.g., Subscribe GRADNURSE-L Louise Smith)
Only PhD students subscribe to “PHDNURSE-L” by typing the following text in the body of an e-mail message:
1. SUBSCRIBE PHDNURSE-L First name Last name (E.g., Subscribe PHDNURSE-L Louise Smith)
Last step: Send the message.
Notes:
If you wish to forward your B-Mail (BU e-mail) account to your personal, preferred e-mail account, you may do so by following
directions found online at: http://its.binghamton.edu/email/forwarding. This way you only need to check one account for
electronic messages (the account you prefer).
Note: Electronic mailboxes fill to capacity, if left unchecked. This causes message delivery failure—until the mailbox is emptied by
deleting old messages. Missed/rejected messages due to your mailbox being over capacity are not resent.
For more information on listservs, please see the BU Computer and Network Usage Policy at:
http://its.binghamton.edu/email/listservs.
GRADUATE SCHOOL STUDENT MANUAL
&
DECKER’S GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK

As a Graduate Student you are required to adhere to all policies found
online in the Graduate School Manual.


As a Decker School of Nursing student, you are also responsible for the
policies specific to the Decker School. DSON’s Graduate Student Handbook
is also available on the web.


It is strongly recommended that students take time out to review the policies and procedures
in the Graduate School Manual—especially when they have policy or procedure questions.
The Manual is a necessary resource for graduate students to be referenced throughout
graduate nursing education at Binghamton University.
Again, it is strongly recommended that students take time out to review the content and use
the Handbook as a resource throughout their tenure as graduate nursing students.
Remember to bookmark these sites in your browser for future
reference.
ACADEMIC HONESTY





Academic Honesty is a critical element of graduate education at Binghamton
University and the Decker School of Nursing.
Students are responsible for maintaining the integrity of and hold individual
responsibility for their course assignments. Failure to do so is a violation of the
Academic Honesty Policies of both the University and the Decker School of Nursing.
See the University policies on Academic Integrity and the Student Academic Honesty
Code. These links will also allow students to review violation category definitions per
the University's Academic Honesty policies.
See DSON Academic Honesty Policy for department specific procedures re: Academic
Honesty. For more information on Academic Honesty at the University level
including forms, please see the Provost's web site.
Students will be receiving a document in the first two weeks of class that they will be
required to sign and submit acknowledging that they have received and aware of the
Academic Honesty policies to which they must adhere.
COMPUTER &TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

Graduate Students need to have the appropriate
technology and computer equipment to be
successful. Please take some time to review the
Decker School’s mandated technology and
computer requirements posted to the Decker
School’s web site.
NAME AND/OR ADDRESS CHANGE
Please make sure that any changes to your
personal data get changed through the
Registrar’s web site. Forms for changes are
available online at:.
http://www2.binghamton.edu/registrar/students/
manage-contact-info.html

Also notify Jennie Orton via e-mail of any
personal data changes so that she may update
the DSON database.
REQUIRED HEALTH FORMS
The Decker School of Nursing has more stringent health requirements to
which students are held than is required of the general student body of the
University. DSON’s health forms and information regarding the
requirements are available by clicking here.
Decker Student Health Services (DSHS) accepts the Decker School of
Nursing’s (DSON’s) health form. DSON does not accept DSHS forms, as it
does not meet DSON requirements.
Complete all DSON health requirements, and submit to Certified
Background; send a copy of the health form to Decker Student Health
Services; and keep a copy for yourself.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
In order to comply with agency regulations, all students
are required to complete a criminal background check.
Specifics on how to complete the background check are
found here.
To read the complete policy on Criminal Background
Check, click here.
STUDENT “MAILBOXES”
All graduate nursing students are provided with a student mail
file (“mailbox”). Graduate mail files are housed in the Student
Services office suite, AB 114, in the bottom two drawers of the
tall, wide file cabinets directly in front of you when entering the
office suite.
Faculty return papers and other important documents to students
via the mail file drawer. Staff distribute important information
via the mail files that cannot otherwise be sent via E-mail.
Students should check their DSON mail file at least once per
week.
GRADUATE SCHOOL ORIENTATION
Please be sure you have completed the required virtual Graduate
School Orientation which is only available online. Note that it
provides comprehensive information on life as a graduate student,
including information on how to register for courses using BU
Brain, getting an ID card and a parking permit, etc. Be sure you
complete all modules including the Registration Module,
Professional Ethics, and Graduate Level Writing.
GRADUATE SCHOOL LINKS TO
FORMS AND INFORMATION



Attending Graduate School often requires that graduate students complete
and submit Graduate School forms (E.g., Late Add/Drop Course; Petition for
Extension of Incomplete Grade, etc.). Check out the full list of Graduate
School forms that are only available online and by visiting the Graduate
School web site.
Also check out the New Student home page that is located on the Graduate
School web site linking you to a wealth of resources. The content on this web
page is invaluable when starting your program and throughout your
educational journey as a graduate student.
Remember to bookmark these sites in your browser for future
reference.
HELPFUL LINKS

Dates and Deadlines for the Semester
 http://www2.binghamton.edu/registrar/deadlines.html

Graduate Student Forms:
 http://www2.binghamton.edu/grad-school/new-and-current-students/currentstudents/forms.html

The Graduate School Manual
 http://www2.binghamton.edu/grad-school/manual/index.html

DSON Graduate Student Handbook
 http://www2.binghamton.edu/dson/graduate-students/graduate-handbooks/index.html

Registrar’s Web Page
 http://www2.binghamton.edu/registrar/

Schedule of Classes
 http://www2.binghamton.edu/registrar/students/course-registration/schedule-ofclasses/index.html

How to Register (step-by-step instructions)
 http://www2.binghamton.edu/registrar/students/course-registration/how-to-register.html

Confirmation of Enrollment
 http://www2.binghamton.edu/registrar/students/course-registration/confirmationenrollment.html

Student Accounts
 http://www2.binghamton.edu/student-accounts/
Continuous Registration
All graduate students must ensure continuous registration every
semester.
Graduate Students who fail to register each fall and spring semester for
at least one credit and who have not been granted a leave of absence or
officially withdrawn from the program will have to reapply to The
Graduate School if they wish to return for study as a graduate student.
See the Graduate School Manual for full details on this policy.
Course Add/Drop
•
•
•
•
•
Courses may be added or dropped through the add/drop deadline on Friday,
February 7, 2014—per the University’s Academic Calendar. Note that tuition
refund penalties apply when courses are dropped after the add/drop deadline.
See the Student Accounts Tuition/Refund Adjustment schedule for full
details.
The University’s Academic Calendar (online) lists all registration and academic
related deadlines.
After the add/drop deadline has passed, students are required to complete a
Late Add/Drop form to add or drop a class, and a late-drop fee is assessed by
Student Accounts for each late-add/drop transaction that is processed. The
Late Add/Drop form is only found on the Graduate School’s web site.
Students who drop a course after the add/drop date receive a grade of “W”
(Withdrawn) that appears on the official, final academic transcript. It is not
possible to have a withdrawn course grade removed from the
transcript after the add/drop deadline has passed.
The number of credits you are registered to take may affect tuition, billing,
financial aid and academic progress.
Billing
Student Accounts sends semester E-Bill notifications via
email to the student’s BU email address. The E-bill
notification includes the balance due, the due date, and a
link to access the E-bill statement on-line via QuikPAY.
ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT

Students are assigned to a faculty advisor based on clinical specialization
and functional role
o E.g., Family, Community, Adult-Geri, or Psych
o E.g, Administrator, Educator, NP, or CNS*
o

*CNS is not available as a functional role under Family Health or Family Psychiatric Mental Health.
Each student is expected to meet with their assigned academic advisor at
least once per semester to ensure they are on track to meet degree and/or
certificate requirements. Keeping a record of advisement sessions and
information received/discussed is recommended.
INDEPENDENT STUDY






Students are strongly encouraged to take existing classes for electives.
If a student wishes to study something other than what is offered, they can seek a
faculty member to do an Independent Study.
Faculty must agree to the Independent Study and complete the Independent
Study form. Forms are available by e-mail request sent to Jennie Orton.
If there is a CLINICAL COMPONENT to the Independent Study, the Clinical Site
Coordinator (Becky Christophersen) needs to be made aware of the clinical
component and all placements need to be made through the Clinical Site
Coordinator’s office.
Independent Study is variable credit w/deadlines set accordingly for registration.
The Registrar’s web site posts the deadlines for IS courses.
Students cannot self-register for Independent Study. Jennie Orton assists with
registration for Independent Study courses. A completed, faculty-of-record-signed
IS form is needed in order for Ms. Orton to register a student for an IS.
GRADE OF INCOMPLETE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A student must request an Incomplete grade option from their instructor.
Assignment of a grade of Incomplete is solely at the instructor's discretion.
Requests for consideration of Incompletes will only be considered due to
uncontrollable or unforeseen circumstances (E.g., Flood of 2011; Illness).
Students may have up to six months from the last day of classes in a semester to
make up incomplete work—including faculty grade submission to the Registrar.
Incomplete grades change to a grade of Withdrawn (W), if a letter grade is never
assigned—no matter the reason.
A petition for Extension of Incomplete can be filed with the Graduate School for
consideration. Per Graduate School policy, this process must be initiated
by the student. Forms are online.
Once an Incomplete has changed to a W, the student has no further
opportunity to complete the course, and the course will appear on the
final transcript as a grade of Withdrawn.
See the Graduate School Manual to review the full policy.
DECKER SCHOOL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES.
THE APPLICATION FOR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE DSON IS
AVAILABLE ON THE DSON WEB SITE. YOU WILL PRINT, COMPLETE, AND SUBMIT
PER INSTRUCTIONS ON THE APPLICATION.


Teaching or Graduate Assistantship:
 Provides full tuition and stipend from Graduate School
 Amounts awarded vary based on program of study
 Student must be registered FT; cannot have Incomplete grades on transcript
 There is a 20 hour per week work requirement
 Student must complete FAFSA to be eligible
Other funding opportunities can be found and should be pursued:
 Sigma Theta Tau has scholarships
 Nurses Educational Funds out of NYC also offers substantial graduate funding
 Do some local searching in your county for funding opportunities
I-9 FORM FOR FUNDED STUDENTS
[HTTP://WWW.USCIS.GOV/I-9]


All funded students considered to be employees of the School are required to complete the I-9
form—employment authorization form. The I-9 must be signed in person at a Human Resources
location prior to employment. Appropriate documentation is required. The following are acceptable
forms of documentation:

a US Passport

a Permanent Resident Card

a Driver’s License and a Social Security card or Birth Certificate.

Other acceptable documents are listed on the back of the I-9 form.
You can complete an I-9 and other new employee forms on campus:

Human Resources Main Office, Couper Administration Building, 2nd Floor, Room 244

Payroll Distribution Center, Couper Administration Building, 2nd Floor, Room 240

Research Foundation, Human Resources, and Payroll, ITC, B1, Room 1213

TAs and GAs go to Couper Administration Building

RAs go to the Research Foundation in the Innovative Technologies Center
Decker School Scholarship Opportunities
Application links are available on DSON web site. Print, complete, submit per the
instructions on the application.




Both full-time and part-time students can apply for scholarship funds
Most scholarships available have specific criteria which must be met (E.g.,
Geographical, Need based, County of residence, etc.)
Scholarships range from $500 to $1000 per academic year
List of scholarships with basic information and criteria is available on Decker School
web site

Students must have completed a FAFSA

All funding is for one year only

Funding or scholarships granted in one year are not guaranteed in subsequent years

Students must request scholarships/funding each year to be eligible

Requests for scholarships/ funding are accepted in the spring term for the next
academic year
JOSE REICHEL FUND
Jose was a staff member who worked in the Research Center at
DSON. When she passed away, she left money to fund students
who had to use their own money to complete research. If in the
course of writing a MS thesis, DNP project, or dissertation for
PhD, you incur small expenses such as mailing, mileage, cost of a
survey, etc. you can apply for reimbursement for these costs
through the Dean’s Office. (Typical awards are around $200 $300)
GRADUATION PAPERWORK



Master’s degree students must file a Graduate Application For Degree (GAFD)
form online at the beginning of the semester in which they plan to complete all
degree requirements and graduate.
One GAFD submission is required for each degree and/or certificate(s) being
completed. Full information on this process if found online in the
Graduate School Manual.
 Example: If a student receives a MS degree with NP certificate, an Educator
certificate, and a Forensics certificate, then three (3) separate GAFD forms
are submitted to the Graduate School (online) by the student.
 DSON Graduate Student listserve announcements are sent to remind you of
this requirement.
 Note: Per our assistant dean, this policy is under review, and changes may
occur.
Prior to all students completing a program(s) of study, the Department and the
Graduate School review the student’s academic transcript (graduation check)
confirming degree and/or certificate requirements have been met. The Graduate
Program Office then prepares Recommendation of Award of Degree and Award of
Certificate forms for each student.
MAJOR CODES
All graduate students must verify that the Graduate School has their intended,
correct major code(s) of study properly listed in Banner to ensure:
1. The official transcript is correct;
2. The diploma–when printed after graduation—is correct;
3. Certification by New York for NP licensure is not delayed.
All students can view current their major/curriculum of study on the unofficial
academic transcript via BU Brain:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Log onto BU Brain
Click the “Student Tab”
Click the “Student Record” link
View the transcript
Verify that your clinical specialization and functional role—plus any other
certificate codes you are pursuing are present and accurate.
If the transcript incorrectly lists your major and/or certificate codes—or any
are missing—send an e-mail directly to Mike Hathaway
(Hathaway@binghamton.edu) of the Graduate School to request changes as
necessary. You may contact Jennie Orton with questions at
jorton@binghamton.edu.
CLASSES AND REGISTRATION
Spring 2014 classes begin on Monday, January
27, 2014.
The Schedule of Classes for spring 2014 course
offerings is available by logging into BU Brain.
Newly admitted students will have access to
register for classes through BU Brain beginning
Monday, January 20th. Registration will remain
open through Friday, February 7th (the
add/drop-delete deadline) for all students.
BU BRAIN
http://bubrain.binghamton.edu/
Students will use BU BRAIN Self Service to:
Register for classes
View grades
View unofficial academic transcripts
Request official transcripts
Print class schedules
View student accounts
View holds
View and update personal information
View and accept financial aid awards, and more.
COURSE REGISTRATION &
CONFIRMATION OF ENROLLMENT
If you have specific questions about course registration after you have completed the
Graduate School Orientation Course Registration Module via the required Virtual
Orientation, please e-mail Jennie Orton.
“How to Register” using BU Brain (step-by-step) instructions are also available online
via the Registrar’s web site.
Each semester after you have successfully registered for courses, periodically check
BU Brain for your bill to be paid.
Students are required to Confirm Enrollment as part of paying their bill. A link to
confirm course enrollment will appear under the “Home” tab in BU Brain only after
the semester bill is issued. If you skip Enrollment Confirmation, you will be
subsequently de-registered (dropped) from all courses in that particular semester by
the University Registrar.
CLASSES TO REGISTER FOR...

Post MS Certificate students should contact Jennie Orton in the Graduate Program office to determine
what courses are appropriate in a spring semester—if they have questions –and based on previous MS
coursework completed.

All Master’s degree students may register for the following courses in the spring 2014 semester:

NURS 600 Advanced Quantitative Analysis (3 credits)—Lecture only /required


NURS 532 Healthcare Delivery Systems (3 credits)—Lecture only /required


Dis (01) – CRN 14642
Dis (01) CRN 14615
Elective Course Credit (see chart on next slide)
 There are several nursing elective courses being offered in the spring 2014 semester that can be counted towards
fulfilling the credits of elective coursework required in the MS degree track and which you can review on the next slide,
but be sure to go online and review the Schedule of Classes for the most recent information (as a rule of thumb) for
course meeting patterns (days/times).
 Some students also consider taking a post MS DNP course to fulfill the nursing elective requirement(s) of the MS
degree. DNP curriculum classes are available to MS students for that purpose—if the DNP course being offered does
not have a prerequisite. Post MS DNP courses when taken as a traditional MS student to count as elective credit are
limited to a maximum of two courses completed during the entire MS progression. Taking a post MS DNP course or
courses not only fulfills elective credit requirements of the MS degree but also completes a post MS DNP course
requirement (or two), and is recommended if you are considering the DNP program for post MS study.
 Lastly, note that elective course requirements can be taken from any discipline on campus as long as they are at the
graduate level. Most students choose to take a nursing elective or other course to enhance their nursing studies or
area of interest.
Decker School of Nursing Electives Available in Spring 2014
COURSE
Course
Reference
Number Faculty
Sec
Day
Beg Date
End Date
Begin Time End Time
Room
Max
Enroll
N. 547 Community
Disaster
Preparedness
21851
Terriquez-Kasey
01
DI
1/27/2014
5/11/2014
DI Learn
DI Learn
DI Learn
20
N. 549
Response to
Chemical and
Radiation Incidents 21863
Terriquez-Kasey
01
DI
1/27/2014
5/11/2014
DI Learn
DI Learn
DI Learn
20
N. 556 Role I:
Educator
21902
Fronczek
A0
T
1/27/2014
5/11/2014
8:30 AM
11:30 AM
AB 347
15
21904
Fronczek
A50
F
1/27/2014
5/11/2014
7:00 AM
11:00 AM
OFCAMP
15
N.568 (X), Human
Nutrition and
Metabolism
27095
Begdache, L.
01
T
1/27/2014
5/11/2014
5:00 PM
8:00 PM
S2 140
25
N. 581F Forensics
Health of Offender
20059
Muscari
01
DI
1/27/2014
5/11/2014
DI Learn
DI Learn
DI Learn
30 /
160
25372
Muscari
02
DI
1/27/2014
5/11/2014
DI Learn
DI Learn
DI Learn
20 /
160
DNP--N.615,
Information
Systems and
Technology in
Healthcare
27020
Sloat
01
DI
LEARN
1/27/2014
5/11/2014
DI Learn
DI Learn
DI Learn
20
DNP--N. 634
Health Policy
Formulation
22021
Atav
01
T
1/27/2014
5/11/2014
10:00 AM
1:00 PM
AB 317
10/ 5
NON-DEGREE STUDENT REGISTRATION
Non-degree (non-matriculated) students will find
they are not able to self-register for courses due
to system restrictions in place. Contact Jennie
Orton via e-mail for registration assistance after
getting the required instructor permission.
Instructor assignments are listed on all courses
found via the Schedule of Classes, accessible via
BU Brain.
BLACKBOARD
Nursing School professors administrate their courses
using the teaching/learning application, Blackboard.
Course syllabi, assignments, interactive discussion
boards, etc., are all incorporated for the student via this
application. Faculty use Blackboard as a primary
means of communication in re: class objectives and
requirements for the majority of courses offered in the
Decker School, regardless of the lecture being campusbased or online.
There is information available on the Blackboard site to
help you sign in the first time.
SNOW OR INCLEMENT WEATHER
The University Emergency number is
607-777-SNOW. Campus emergency information is
updated via this phone service to announce events like
University closings, etc.
Individual faculty may “postpone/ reschedule” classes due
to poor weather conditions. Faculty post this information
on Blackboard, and Jennie Orton will send a notice through
the graduate listserv as she is available and informed to do
so.
PROGRAM SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Please review the following slides if you are not
sure which clinical specialization you wish to
pursue.
ADULT-GERONTOLOGY

Adult-Gerontological nursing provides students with an in-depth
understanding of health and illness in the adult and older adult
populations. They are prepared to provide advanced nursing care
to well adults/elders, acutely and chronically ill adults/elders, and
frail older persons in community or institutional settings.
Students choose functional preparation in one of four functional
roles:
• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

All students entering to earn a MS in Adult-Gerontological degree
will follow the traditional MS curriculum. The program plan for
MS students is available by clicking here. Part-time plans may be
acquired from Jennie Orton.
COMMUNITY HEALTH


The Community Health program is designed to look at the
expanding and contracting family as well as examining the
community as a whole. Students look at epidemics, community
interventions, and population based care.
Students choose functional preparation in one of four functional
roles:
• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

All students entering to earn a MS in Community Health degree
will follow the traditional MS curriculum. The program plan for
MS students is available by clicking here. Part-time plans may be
acquired from Jennie Orton.
FAMILY HEALTH


This program is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to provide
health care to the expanding and contracting family. They provide
comprehensive, age-appropriate, age-specific quality primary health care that
addresses the multiple needs of individuals across the life span and their
families.
Students choose functional preparation in one of the following functional
roles:
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

All students entering to earn a MS in Family Health degree will follow the
traditional MS curriculum. The program plan for MS students is available by
clicking here. Part-time plans may be acquired from Jennie Orton.
FAMILY PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH
This program is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses for
providing mental health care to families and groups. Family Psychiatric
Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are prepared to provide assessment
and intervention for patients of all ages within the mental health
system.

Students choose functional preparation in one of the following
functional roles:
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

All students entering to earn a MS in Family Psychiatric Mental Health
degree will follow the traditional MS curriculum. The program plan for
MS students is available by clicking here. Part-time plans may be
acquired from Jennie Orton.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE
DECKER SCHOOL OF NURSING!
We hope you will enjoy your educational
endeavors at the Decker School of
Nursing. Please feel free to contact us to
touch base or to ask questions about your
program of study. We are here to help
you.