Mission
Aligned with Neumann University’s Mission and Vision, our nursing programs are dedicated to advancing the practice of nursing within the Franciscan tradition, offering high-quality education that allows our graduates to care for persons from diverse backgrounds across various settings. Rooted in Franciscan values and a robust liberal arts and professional education, our undergraduate and graduate programs aim to equip graduates with the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes for competent and ethical nursing practice. We are committed to nurturing lifelong professional growth, preparing our graduates for clinical practice and advanced nursing studies, and empowering them to meet both professional and societal obligations with integrity and compassion.
Philosophy
Rooted in the core values of reverence, integrity, service, excellence, and stewardship, Neumann University’s Nursing Programs embody a holistic approach to nursing education, blending the art and science of nursing within a supportive academic community. Our nursing curriculum, grounded in the Neumann University core experiences and sciences, cultivates clinical judgment, ethical practice, professionalism, and a deep respect for human dignity.
At the heart of our philosophy is a commitment to Franciscan values, guiding our students to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care across many diverse, multicultural contexts which may occur on a local, regional, national, or global level. We recognize the multifaceted nature of persons, acknowledging their physical, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual needs in our pursuit of equitable care. Our programs are responsive to advancements in nursing, inter-professional practices, and technology, aiming to promote health, prevent disease, and provide care across varied settings and stages of life.
Nursing education at Neumann University equips students with the foundation for clinical judgment, effective communication, advocacy, and leadership. Our undergraduate program lays the groundwork for professional practice, while our graduate programs prepare nurses with the advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes to be successful healthcare providers and nursing leaders.
Graduates of the Neumann University Nursing programs are prepared to practice to the full extent of their educational preparation. They have the tools to lead and advance the nursing profession and to influence health care practices in increasingly complex and diverse environments.
Accreditation
Neumann University’s Nursing Programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326; Telephone: 404-975-5000; Fax: 1-404-975-5020; or, www.acenursing.org. The University’s Nursing Programs are also approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105; Telephone: 717-783-7142; Fax: 717-783-0822.
Admission Requirements
Applicants with a baccalaureate degree with a major in Nursing from a regionally accredited, degree-granting institution, and a nationally accredited agency in Nursing Education who have successfully completed all prerequisite courses are eligible for entrance to the Master of Science in Nursing program, subject to the approval of the Program Director. Acceptance is on a competitive basis after submission of all credentials and an interview. All applicants must submit the following:
- A completed Graduate Student Application, in print or online through www.neumann.edu/apply.
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended.
- Candidates must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. If minimum GPA is not met, applicants will be reviewed by the Program Director and Dean for an admission decision.
- Letter of intent which outlines why you wish to pursue the degree.
- Two official, professional letters of reference.
- Current professional resume.
- A copy of Nursing License
Once all admission materials have been received and processed through the Office of Admissions, the graduate Program Director will arrange for an interview, if appropriate, following a review of all candidate credentials.
Funds from public and private resources (as available) are also awarded to selected graduate students. For additional information about resources call the Office of Financial Aid at 610-558-5521.
Non-Matriculated Students
A maximum of nine Nursing graduate credits may be taken at Neumann University as a nonmatriculated student. Students who wish to pursue this option must first submit official undergraduate transcripts to the Office of Admissions. For additional information, please refer to the Non-Matriculated Status section of this catalog.
Progression/Retention/Graduation Requirements
Progression in the Master of Science or Graduate Certificate Programs in Nursing is based on academic achievement, clinical performance, and professional behavior.
The Code of Ethics for Nurses (American Nurses Association, 2015) articulates the values, duties, and commitments of professional nurses. The Neumann University Nursing Faculty believes that all students and faculty members must adhere to this Code of Ethics for Nurses. Any violation of the Code of Ethics for Nurses constitutes inappropriate professional behavior and may result in course failure or dismissal from the graduate Nursing Program.
Upon acceptance into the Master of Science Degree Program in Nursing, students must be continuously enrolled during the academic year, i.e., Fall and Spring semesters. Students not pursuing course work during either the Fall and/or Spring semesters need to apply for a Leave of Absence (please refer to the Leave of Absence section of this catalog).
To progress toward earning the Master of Science Degree in Nursing, the student must:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
- Receive no more than one grade less than a “B” in any program course.*
- Earn a minimum grade of “B” in all courses. If a student earns a grade less than “B” in any course, the course must be repeated and a minimum grade of “B” must be earned:
* A course may be repeated only one time, whether repetition is due to student withdrawal, institutional withdrawal, or a course grade less than a “B.” Students seeking to repeat a course will only be enrolled after all students registering for the first time are accommodated. Enrollment of students repeating the course is dependent upon availability of clinical facilities, preceptors, and/or faculty availability, and cannot be guaranteed.
If more than one course grade less than “B” is earned, the student will be dismissed from the program. Failure to earn a minimum grade of “B” in a repeated nursing course, or failure to earn a minimum grade of “B” in any other graduate nursing course, will result in the student’s dismissal from the Graduate Nursing Program.
- Understand that the application of theory to practice is integral to learning in all graduate nursing clinical courses. The course grade in any course with clinical or lab experiences is based upon the assessment of two areas:
- Theory component: the student’s knowledge of theory.
- Laboratory and/or clinical practicum component: the student’s ability to apply theory in practice.
The student must successfully meet the requirements of these two components in each course with clinical and/or lab experiences; that is, earn a minimum grade of “B” in theory and a “satisfactory” rating in the laboratory and/or clinical practicum components.
An “unsatisfactory” rating in any given laboratory or clinical practicum, and a theory grade of “A” to “C,” results in a grade of “F” for the course.
A “satisfactory” rating in a laboratory and/or clinical practicum, with a grade of “F” in the theory components, results in an “F” for the course.
Any course in which a grade of “C” or “F” is earned must be repeated.
Process for Exception to Policy
The Nursing Program adheres to the grievance procedure of the University (please refer to the Academic Grievance Procedure Section of this catalog). There may be unique situations in the Nursing Program for which a student may request review and/or exception to policy. Students are directed to meet with their nursing academic advisor to discuss the procedure for submitting his/her request for a hearing by the Nursing Admissions and Progression Committee. The Committee meets regularly during the academic year.
Maximum Period of Candidacy/Graduation Application Process
The maximum period of candidacy spent in pursuit of the Master of Science Degree in Nursing is five years. Exception to this time limitation must be applied for in a written request to the Division Dean. Graduation from the program is contingent upon submitting an Application for Graduation form to the Registrar on or before the date specified in the Academic Calendar and completing all program requirements while maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
Clinical Practice Requirements
All graduate students are advised that agency and preceptor availability may require clinical attendance during weekdays, weekends, and/or evenings to assure that all who are registered for a specific course meet the course/clinical objectives during the semester of enrollment.
Professional License
RNs must provide evidence of a current RN license for practicum states.
Professional Liability Insurance
The nurse practitioner student must provide evidence of nurse practitioner student liability insurance before and during all clinical practicum courses.
Basic Life Support Certification
At the time of admission, each graduate Nursing student is required to present proof of certification in Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider (American Heart Association). Thereafter, evidence of current recertification must be presented annually.
Health Standards
Health evaluations must be completed and reports submitted to the Dean’s Office at the time of admission to the graduate Nursing Program and, thereafter, be annually updated. Students are to obtain the appropriate health forms from the University Health Services Office.
The student is responsible for providing evidence of current health insurance on an annual basis, and for notifying the Dean’s Office immediately of any changes in his/her status of medical insurance coverage.
These Health Standards policies apply to all students, both full-time and part-time, who have been accepted into the graduate Nursing Program.
Clearances
Students will be required to submit to substance abuse screening prior to clinical placement, during clinical experiences in selected health care agencies, or if there are behaviors of concern associated with substance abuse. Students testing positive will be referred to Counseling and Health Services for assistance with their substance abuse. Such referral, however, will not preclude the University from taking other disciplinary actions, up to, and including, removal from the clinical placement (which may result in failure to meet degree requirements), course failure, and/or expulsion from the program/University, depending upon the circumstances. RN students with a positive substance abuse screening will be reported to the State Board of Nursing, as required by state law. Students are responsible for costs incurred from these screenings. For additional information, please contact the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Students are also required to apply for, obtain, and present to the Dean of the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences a current FBI fingerprinting and background investigation, a Pennsylvania child abuse clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police criminal background investigation at the time of admission. Child Abuse Clearance, Elder Abuse Clearance and Criminal Background Checks are also required in practicum states. A criminal record and/or a history of child or elder abuse may prohibit clinical placement and, subsequently, result in failure to meet degree requirements.
State Boards of Nursing may deny or revoke licensure when the applicant “has been convicted, has pleaded guilty, has entered a plea of nolo contendere, or has been found guilty by a judge or jury of a felony or crime of moral turpitude; or received probation without verdict, disposition in lieu of trial or an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in the settlement of felony charge.” Similarly, “possession, use, acquisition, or distribution of a controlled substance or caution legend drug for other than an acceptable medical purpose” may be cause for denying application for professional licensure (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Professional Nursing Law, Act 69, Section 14).
Transportation
Each graduate Nursing student is responsible for transportation to and from clinical practice sites through the entire program. Transportation requires that each student has personal access to a car.
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