San Jose State University
School of Nursing
Graduate Programs: Meeting
Health Care System Needs
September 19, 2008
Phyllis M. Connolly, PhD, PMHCNS-BC
Professor
Graduate Coordinator
408-924-3144
connollyDR@son.sjsu.edu
Questions to Consider
How will you prepare yourself to ensure patient
safety and quality care?
 IOM Report Demand for Changes
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Safe
Effective
Patient-centered
Timely
Efficient
equitable
Graduate Education optional or mandatory?
AACN: Role New Clinical Nurse
Leader
Leadership in care of sick across all
environments
 Design and provision of health promotion and
risk reduction services for diverse populations
 Provision of evidence-based practice
 Population-based health care to individuals,
clinical populations & communities

Clinical Nurse Leader Role Cont.
Clinical decision-making
 Design and implementation of plans of
care
 Risk anticipation
 Participation in identification and
collection of care outcomes
 Accountability for evaluation and
improvement of point of care outcomes

Thinking About
Master’s Program?
You may take, on space available, and
with the approval of the Graduate
Coordinator, a graduate course during
Semester 8 of your undergraduate
Program
YES, there is a form!!
http://www.sjsu.edu/gradstudies/forms/in
ternalxfercredit.pdf
Be careful that you do not enroll in a course
that is in a time conflict with your
undergraduate courses

Mission Statement
Provided innovative education in
the art and science of
professional nursing while
empowering our baccalaureate
and masters graduates to be
socially and ethically responsible
and knowledgeable clinicians,
leaders, and scholars who will
meet the changing healthcare
needs of a global community.
Requirements for enrollment
Undergraduate
No more than 14 units to finish BSN
 No graduate course is required for your BSN
 Have a 2.5 (C+) average on all upper-division
standing completed at SJSU
 Enroll in no more than 15 units
 Completed graduation check list
 Take only letter grade for course
 Only 6 units will be transferred into graduate
program; submit form after you are admitted to
the Graduate Program
 Obtain approval from Graduate Coordinator
prior to enrollment

Ultimate Goal
Meet your
personal and
professional
goals
Application Process Graduate
Program, SJSU Graduates
University Application
On-line
GPA 3.0
Last 60 units
Writing Requirement
WST & HPRF 100W
School of Nursing
Application: RN, BSN; Goal Statement;
health statement; immunization hx
2 References
Copy of Transcripts
Statistics
within 3 yrs
Renewal Options
Stat 95, SJSU or
Community College
Econ
1A
Application Deadline
Fall 2009
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Application materials for Fall 2009 are due to
Graduate Studies by May 15, 2009 may close
sooner.
If you are requesting transcripts request 2 sets one
directly one to School of Nursing, and yourself,
keep it sealed
Nursing Application is sent to Graduate
Coordinator in the School of Nursing by May 15,
2009; Yes you must complete two applications
Forms for Nursing application are available at the
Nursing website www.sjsu.edu/nursing click on
Academic Programs MS
Conditions
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You may be admitted with
“Conditions”
You need to provide the Graduate
Coordinator with documentation that
you met those conditions ASAP
You cannot progress to “Candidacy”
until all conditions are met and
Graduate Studies has the form
stating that you have met all
conditions.
Conditions:
Statistic Renewal
Economics
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Update statistics at community college, equivalency
MATH 10 or SJSU STAT 95;
Principles of Economics (Econ1A) must have a B or
better
Check articulation website for courses in community
colleges http://artic.sjsu.edu
On-line courses, are available in some colleges
Option to request “credit” rather than a “grade” for
statistics renewal only
Must meet within the 1st semester of the program
Other Conditions: Submit
Immediately
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Copy of current RN license
Health Statement
Immunization Status
Letters of reference; make
sure person completes the
rating scale and the letter
Various transcripts
GPA below 3.0
Program Outcomes
Incorporating systems theory concepts, ANA Social Policy Statement (1995),
relevant ANA Standards of Care, AACN Essentials for Master’s
Education for Advanced Practice Nursing (1996),National Organization of
Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF); and the California Board of
Nursing, the master’s nursing graduate will:

apply critical thinking and ethical decision-making including the use of
the nursing and research processes;
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provide theory and research-based culturally competent, safe therapeutic
nursing interventions for clients in advanced nursing practice;
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employ advanced interpersonal skills in professional relationships with
clients, families/caregivers, and multidisciplinary health care team
members;

support health promotion and disease prevention activities in developing
and monitoring holistic plans of care for well and at-risk clients,
considering access, quality and cost;
Program Outcomes Cont.

demonstrate the collaborative and leadership skills required in advanced
nursing practice within a multidisciplinary and multicultural (community)
health care context;

plan, implement, and evaluate advanced nursing practice that promotes and
preserves health and healthy lifestyles of individual clients and aggregates;

plan, implement, and evaluate advanced therapeutic nursing practice in a
rapidly changing, multicultural health care environment;

implement care management, including but not limited to case management,
resource management, advocacy, and outcome evaluation;

employ information technology in advanced nursing practice to evaluate and
improve heath care delivery and outcomes;

actualize the advanced nursing practice role by incorporating professional
standards, ethical guidelines, legal mandates, and professional activities.
Exit Survey of December 2007 and May 2008
N = 22
Quality of Faculty Instruction Exit Survey, Dec 07
& May 08 N = 22
Learning Outcomes Core Courses
N = 22, Dec 07 & May 08 Exit Survey
Graduate Publications

Amaro, D., Abriam-Yago, K., Yoder, M. (2006).
Perceived barriers of ethnically diverse students in
nursing programs. Journal of Nursing Education,
45(7), 247 -254.
 Hong, S., Murphy, S. O. & Connolly, P. M. (2008).
Parental satisfaction with nurses’ communication and
pain management in a pediatric unit. Pediatric
Nursing, 34(4), 289-293.
 Kavanagh, D., Connolly, P., & Cohen, J. (2006).
Promoting evidence-based practice: Implementing the
American stroke association’s acute stroke program.
Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 21(2), 135-142.
 Twoy, R., Connolly, P. M., & Novak, J. M. (2007).
Coping strategies used by parents of children with
autisum. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners, 19, 1-10.
Spring 2008 Students by Enrollment Status
Full Time
51
Part Time
94
Total Number of Students
145
Spring 2008 Students by Options
CNS in SCH
18
Administrator
27
Educator
36
FNP with MS
17
Post MS-FNP
4
SNC POST
1
Moore Fellow M/S
15
Moore Fellow Post M/S
6
Post MS School of Nursing Credential
3
Undecided
1
Spring 2008 Students by Gender
Male
Female
9
136
Spring 2008 Students by Ethnicity
African American/ Black/NonHispanic
6
American Indian/Alaskan Native
1
Asian Indian
6
Other Asian
5
South American
1
Chinese
7
Filipino
14
Other Pacific Islander
2
Latino
4
Mexican/Chicano
5
Others
3
Vietnamese
6
White
64
Hawaiian
2
Central American
3
Black, Non -Hispanic, Including African American
1
Other Latino
2
Other South East Asian
3
Korean
1
Decline to State
2
Unknown
3
Total
145
Innovative Learning
Environment
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Blackboard
Webpage: internet
Blended; on campus &
online
Home computer
E-mail
Elluminate
Blended Courses
On campus, Blackboard
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Structured number of must attend on campus classes
with in person assignments
Blackboard Shell and tools to use
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Email
Discussion Board
Assignment area
Modules
Course materials
Chat Room
Use Online Chat Room Faculty Office for questions &
Office hours
 Elluminate online voice and video
Highlights☺
36 units: Full and part-time approaches
 Traineeship financial awards
 Some core courses televised and/or
webcasted (view on your home
computer); blended courses
 Some Online courses
 High satisfaction of graduates
 NO GREs required
 Many classes are in the evening
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Highlights

Ethnically diverse student body
 100% Pass Rate, FNP Certification Exam May 06
 Doctorally prepared faculty active in professional
and scholarly activities

Admissions accepted Fall and Spring

Research Project
– Approximately 35-40% of the manuscripts are
published in scholarly journals
Faculty Supported Research
Opportunities
Outcome Omaha Documentation System
Study on-going (Dr. Yoder, 924-1324;
myoder@son.sjsu.edu)
SIMS Study (Dr. Colleen O’Leary-Kelley, 9241319, colear@son.sjsu.edu)
Evaluation Study Accelerated BSN Program
(Dr. Coleen Saylor, 924-1321;
csaylor@son.sjsu.edu)
Fees Regular University,
Fall 2008
$2, 350.00 per
semester, full time
6.1 units and above
 $1,561.00 per
semester, 1-6 units
 Parking permit
additional

http://www.sjsu.edu/bursar/fees/regfees/fall/index.html
Administrator, Educator Options
Courses: Special Sessions Fees
22 units for specialty courses for
 Nurse Administrator
 Nurse Educator

– $400/unit for 22 units Total $8,800
– $400 fee may increase in near future
Financial Aid
University
http://scholarships.sjsu.edu/dep
t/nursing.html
 Scholarships: College, School of
Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau, Int.
Private

http://www.sjsu.edu/nursing/finassist
.htm
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Professional Nurse Traineeship
Professional Nurse Traineeships
Federal Grants
Funds available if you are:
 US citizen and
 Full time, 7 units or more, or
 Enrolled in NURS 297/299, or
 Part time in the last year of program
 Not receiving Moore Grant funds
 Applications available at School of
Nursing Graduate web site
 Limit $2,500 total awards; If VA
employee check with your administrator
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have on-line courses?
ANSWER
We have several courses:
NURS 266 Health Care Informatics offered
NURS 236A Nursing Administration Theory,
Concepts and Practicum I.
Nurs 236B Nursing Admin Theory & Practicum II
Blended courses Nurs 246; Bus 285; Bus 286;
EDIT 186; EDIT 272
Webcasted Courses:
NURS 200 and NURS 204 sometimes & some
School Nursing Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
If my GPA in the last 60 units of
undergraduate work is less than a 3.0 can I
be accepted?
ANSWER
You may be admitted conditionally to take one
graduate course after review of your
undergraduate transcript and with a
consultation interview with the Graduate
Coordinator. After successful completion
with a B or better, you will be evaluated
again and expected to maintain a minimum
of a B average throughout program.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have conditions when can I start
the graduate courses?
ANSWER
Generally you can meet conditions while you
are enrolled in the core courses with the
approval of the Graduate Coordinator. The
first condition which needs to be met is
completion of BSN & passing NCLEX.
Statistics renewal and Econ1A should be
done within the first semester.
Curriculum Design: Core
Courses 14 Units
NURS 200 Health
Care Systems, 3
Units
 NURS 202
Theoretical
Foundations, 2
units
 NURS 204 Diverse
Populations and
Health Care, 3
units
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NURS 295
Research Design, 3
units
 NURS 297 Seminar
Project or Thesis, 1
unit
 NURS 297 Project
or Thesis, 2 units
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Nurse Administrator
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NURS 246 Modern
Organizations &
Health Care, 3
units
NURS 236A
Nursing Adm.
Theories, &
Practicum I, 3
units
NURS 236B,
Nursing Adm.
Theories, &
Practicum, II, 4
units
NURS 266 Health
Care Informatics
 BUS 220
Accounting
Principles, 3 units
 BUS 285 Total
Quality
Management, 3
units
 BUS 286 Project
Management, 3
units
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Nurse Educator Option
22 Units
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NURS 212 Curriculum Design,
3 units
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NURS 214 Nursing Education
Theory & Practicum I, 5 units
(240 hrs clinical)
NURS 266 Health Care
Informatics on-line
course, 3 units*

EDIT 186 Instructional
Media/ 3 units; blended
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NURS 216 Nursing Education
Theory & Practicum II, 5 units
(240 hrs. clinical)
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NURS 208 Special Topics (20
clinical hrs.) or EDIT 272,
Distance Education
online and in person
School Nurse Clinical
Specialist & Credential
NURS 206, 3 units,
Advance Health
Assessment
 NURS 272, 5 units,
 NURS 270, 3 units,
School Nursing I:
School Nursing
Clinical Nurse
Pathophysiology & Specialist (CNS)
Pharmacology
 NURS 274, 5 units,
School Nursing II: CNS
 2 Education supporting
courses, 3 units each

School Audiometrist Courses
Academic Credit or Contact Hours OK
 SJSU: EdAu 115, Introductory Hearing
Science &
 SJSU: EdAu 170, Audiology, or
 Equivalent Courses offered at:

– other CSU, campuses
– University of California
– University of The Pacific
What if I have more questions
about School Nursing
Call or email
 Dr. Daryl Canham at:

– canham@son.sjsu.edu
– (408) 924-1323
Completion of Degree MS
Culminating Experience  Convocation
– Student event
(form submitted by
– Each Dec. & May
Graduate Coordinator
 Commencement
 Orals Presentation
– SJSU Spartan
 Completion of NURS
Stadium, May each
297 Project
year
 Submission of
 Details in Graduate
manuscript to
Newsletter each
scholarly journal
semester
Planning Your Program
Select your option
All core courses
Review planned
schedule for
offerings
Meet all conditions
early
Make arrangements
with family & work
Helpful Hints

Stress Management
– Time Management
Ask for help
 Healthy life style
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Nutrition
Exercise
Sleep
Rest & leisure
Practice what you preach
Contacts & Resources

School of Nursing, 408-924-3131
 Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Connolly
– 408-924-3144

Graduate Studies, 408-924-2480
 School Nurse Coordinator, Dr. Canham,
– 408-924-1323
Resources
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Advising
Graduate Newsletter
– http://www.sjsu.edu/nursing/PDF/newsletter.pdf
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Schedule of Classes
University Catalogue
Graduate Studies Office
Student Organizations
Library www.sjlibrary.org
Peers
Family
Scholarships
Web Sites
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San Jose State University website http://www.sjsu.edu
School of Nursing Graduate Program
http://www.sjsu.edu/nursing/ms.htm
University catalog on line http://info.sjsu.edu
Articulation agreements; course equivalency
http://artic.sjsu.edu
Graduate forms
http://www2.sjsu.edu/gradstudies/Current/Forms.html
Dr. Connolly Faculty Web Page
http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty_and_staff/faculty_detail.jsp?id=
213
Special Sessions Registration Form
http://galaxy.sjsu.edu/specialSession/pdfs/rdform.pdf
Nursing’s responsibility is
awesome—in patient
care and also in creating
a new society (Nyberg,
1998, p. 209)
The End: Looking Forward to
Seeing You Soon