nursing prospectus 2011

Higher Education. For Adults with Higher Expectations.®www.tesc.edu

THE W. CARY EDWARDS

SCHOOL OFNURSINGPROSPECTUS2010 - 2011

RN-BSN/MSN Degree Programs� BSN • BSN/MSN • MSN

Nurse Educator Certificate Program

Online

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Thomas Edison State College

contents

Message from the Dean 1

About the W. Cary EdwardsSchool of Nursing 2

RN TO BSN/MSN DEGREE PROGRAM 4

Overview

BSN Degree Program Requirements

BSN Program Credit Distribution

MSN Degree Program Requirements

MSN Credit Distribution Requirements

NURSE EDUCATOR CERTIFICATEPROGRAM 8

Diversity in Nursing 9

Highlighting More Than 25 Yearsof Nursing Education Excellence 10

Admissions Requirements and Process 12

Student Services and Resources 14

Accreditation and Quality Assurance 15

Academic Policies 16

W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing Staff 19

The W. Cary Edwards NursingProspectus provides an overviewof the policies and programsoffered by the School. Theinformation contained in thisProspectus is current as of July 1,2010. While every effort has beenmade to ensure accuracy of theinformation contained in thisProspectus, the College reservesthe right to make changes withoutprior notice.

About Thomas EdisonState CollegeEstablished in 1972, Thomas Edison State College isone of New Jersey's 12 senior public institutions ofhigher education and one of the oldest institutions inthe country designed specifically for adults. TheCollege offers associate, bachelor’s and master'sdegrees in more than 100 areas of study as well asundergraduate, graduate and professional certificates.

The College has pioneered the use of the latesttechnology to develop flexible, high-quality educa-tional programs for self-directed adults and is anational leader in the assessment of adult learning.

The entire academic program at the College revolvesaround the unique needs of adults, removing thebarriers that limit many excellent candidates whojuggle family and career responsibilities. Thosebarriers are largely time and place. Most adultscannot put their lives on hold to sit in a classroom ata specific time and place.

At Thomas Edison State College, they do not have to.

“ ”I find out what

the world needs,

and I invent it.Thomas Edison

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1W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing Prospectus 2010 - 2011

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An early pioneer in distance education for nurses, the W. Cary Edwards School

of Nursing at Thomas Edison State College now has more than 25 years of

experience in the provision of quality, flexible, distance education programs

for RNs who desire an alternative to campus-based education. During these

years the School has grown in many directions, achieved many goals and

faced many challenges.

In 1983, an examination-based BSN degree program for RNs in New Jersey was initiated at Thomas Edison State

College. Nurses were able to study independently, or with others, and take examinations to earn credit for their nursing

knowledge. In 2001, as the College moved to online education, the examination-based program was transitioned to an

online mentored format. In 2004, due to the rapid growth and success of the online format, the program was opened

to nurses across the nation; and, in 2006, it was expanded from an RN-BSN degree program to an RN-BSN/MSN Nurse

Educator degree program and a Nurse Educator Certificate program. Additionally, partnerships with major healthcare

institutions have been developed to further assist in advancing the education of RNs, and a project to promote diversity

in nursing was implemented with a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HSRA).

In 2010, the School of Nursing was named in honor of W. Cary Edwards, a distinguished community leader and

public servant. During his tenure as chief counsel to New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean, Mr. Edwards was

instrumental in securing the initial funding that made it possible to begin nursing education at Thomas Edison State

College. In addition, he has a distinguished record of service to higher education and the State of New Jersey which

includes serving as Attorney General, Chairman of the State Commission on Investigation, and a member of the New

Jersey Assembly. I am honored that our school is named after someone of such distinction.

As we move forward we envision continued growth for the School — two new areas of specialty in the MSN degree

program, Nursing Informatics and Nursing Administration, increased diversity and new partnerships — with a

commitment to quality, the needs of RNs and the nursing profession, and the healthcare of society. In celebration

of our history, we have highlighted some of the milestones that have provided our foundation for the future. We

invite you to review those milestones in the special two page section on Pages 10-11 as you read more about the

W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing at Thomas Edison State College in this Prospectus.

I thank you for your interest. If you are reading this Prospectus as a first step toward advancing your academic

and career goals and you have questions about our programs, you may view the College website at

www.tesc.edu/nursing, contact the College at (888) 442-8372 or by e-mail to [email protected]. We look

forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Susan McMullen O’Brien, EdD, RN

Dean, W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing

Dear Nursing School Prospect:

MESSAGE FROM THEDEAN

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The mission of the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursingat Thomas Edison State College is guided by themission of the College, which is to ”provide flexible,high-quality, collegiate learning opportunities for self-directed adults.” The School offers an online RN-BSN/MSN degree program and a graduate nursingcertificate program designed for experienced RNs. Theprograms are self-paced and flexible, with few courseprerequisites and no time limit for completion.Students are, however, expected to earn a minimum of3 credits per year that apply to degree requirements toremain on active status in the program.

The School has offsite, independent contractors,known at the College as mentors, who serve on an as-needed basis to fulfill many of the roles traditionallyheld by nurse faculty in campus-based programs.Mentors on the W. Cary Edwards School of NursingCommittee are experienced nurse educators frombachelor’s and higher degree nursing programs andnursing service settings who guide the development,implementation and evaluation of the School’sprograms. The online nursing course mentors areexperienced nurse educators from bachelor’s andhigher degree nursing programs and nursing servicesettings from throughout the United States, who areresponsible for facilitating the courses and evaluating

the student’s academic performance. All nursingmentors hold a minimum of a master’s degree;approximately 75 percent are doctorally prepared; andminority representation among mentors isapproximately 21 percent.

The administrative and professional nursing staff atthe W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing is led by thedean, who is a doctorally prepared, experienced nurseeducator (see Page 19).

Students may access the School and its servicesand participate in School and College activities in avariety of ways. They have the opportunity to serve asstudent representatives to the W. Cary Edwards Schoolof Nursing Committee and selected subcommittees aswell as to the College’s Board of Trustees andAcademic Council. Both students and graduates wereactive in the founding of the Upsilon Rho Chapter ofSigma Theta Tau International Honor Society ofNursing and enthusiastically participated in the sitevisit for reaccreditation of the BSN program by theNational League for Nursing Accrediting Commissionin 2003 as well as the site visit with the Commission ofCollegiate Nursing Education in 2008. All students andgraduates are encouraged to participate in ongoingevaluation of the program through end-of-course andend-of-program surveys as well as follow-up graduatesurveys.

In addition, a nursing e-mail address is dedicated tothe ongoing general questions and concerns ofstudents enrolled in the W. Cary Edwards School ofNursing, and a link to the School’s e-mail address,[email protected], is embedded in each nursingcourse for student convenience. A Help Desk systemfor academic advisement services is provided by theCollege for all enrolled students seeking informationon degree requirements or recommendations forcourse registration. Individual advisement sessions areavailable to enrolled students by telephone or in-person appointment and may be scheduled via theonline appointment system.


about the W. Cary Edwardsschool of nursing

Dr. SusanM.O’Brien, dean of theW.Cary Edwards School of Nursing,and Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of Thomas Edison State College.


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• The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degreeprogram was established in 1983 to serve New Jerseyregistered nurses (RNs) and expanded to a national pro-gram in 2004. Today, more than 1,300 students fromthroughout the United States are enrolled in theW. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. Approximately10 percent are male; 17 percent minority.

• The BSN degree program expanded to anRN-BSN/MSN program in 2006

• Two additional areas of specialty, NursingInformatics and Nursing Administration will beoffered in the MSN program in January 2011.

• The BSN degree program is accredited by the NewJersey Board of Nursing and has been continuouslyaccredited by the National League for NursingAccrediting Commission (NLNAC) since 1990.

• The RN to BSN/MSN degree program received itsinitial accreditation from the Commission onCollegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2008.

• There are more than 700 graduates of theW. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. Many servethe profession in leadership positions;approximately 35 percent have continued theireducation following degree completion.

• Upsilon Rho, the School’s chapter of Sigma ThetaTau International, The Honor Society of Nursing, waschartered in 2008.

• The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing is anational leader in the recruitment and prepara-tion of minority nurse educators. Through fundingby the Health Resources and Services Administration(HRSA) in 2005 and renewal of funding in 2008, theSchool is administering a grant project to prepareminority nurse educators in online education.

• All programs offered by the W. Cary EdwardsSchool of Nursing have open and rolling admis-sions and can be completed through online study.

• Online nursing courses are offered viathe Blackboard online learning management plat-form format in 12-week terms on a quarterly basis.The courses include reading assignments, writtenassignments submitted online and asynchronous,highly interactive group discussions. The averagenumber of students in each course section is 12.

• Three graduate courses (9 credits) are includedin the BSN degree without an additional tuitioncharge.

2008 Student/Alumni Inductees, Upsilon Rho Chapter, SigmaTheta TauInternational Honor Society of Nursing

“THIS PROGRAM IS SO WONDERFUL AND THE FACTTHAT EACH STUDENT IS MADE TO FEEL SPECIALSPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS WHOWORK AT THOMAS EDSION STATE COLLEGE. I AMCURRENTLY TAKING GRADUATE NURSING CLASSESAND AM EAGERLY AWAITING THE DAY I CAN WALKACROSS THE STAGE AT COMMENCEMENT FOR ASECOND TIME.”

Mary McDermott, RN, BSN, CCMMSN studentNational Catastrophic Injury ManagerParsippany, N.J.

“”

W. Cary Edwardsschool of nursing

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OverviewWith open and rolling admissions, RNs can enroll anyday of the year; and with a self-paced schedule andno limit on time for degree completion, they can fin-ish degree requirements at their own pace. With max-imum credit for prior learning, no residency require-ment and many credit earningoptions, RNs can achieve theireducational goals in a mannerthat saves both time andmoney. With highly interactive,asynchronous online groupdiscussions, adult independ-ent learners become part of acommunity of learners whereexperiences are shared andlearning is enhanced.

Graduates of associate degreeand diploma programs of nurs-ing may enroll for a BSN degreeonly, or both a BSN and an MSNdegree. To insure enrollment inthe correct program, applicantswill designate on theApplication either the BSNdegree only, or both the BSNand the MSN degree (BSNM).

RNs with a BSN degree will designate MSN degreeonly on the Application.

The BSN degree will be awarded on certification ofcompletion of degree requirements to students inboth the RN-BSN degree and the RN-BSN/MSNdegree. Three courses (9 credits of graduate study) are

included in undergraduatedegree requirements: HealthPolicy, Emerging Trends inHealthcare Technology* andSeminar in Clinical Competence.These graduate credits, earnedas part of the BSN degreeprogram, will be applied towardMSN degree requirements forstudents continuing on for thatdegree at Thomas Edison StateCollege.

On completion of the BSNdegree requirements, graduateswill be prepared to practice asnurse managers and leaders, asproviders of care and for contin-ued study. On completion of theMSN degree, graduates will beprepared to practice as nursemanagers and leaders, asproviders of care, for teaching inschools of nursing and health-care settings, and for advancedstudy.

The BSN degree programrequires a minimum of 120credits. The MSN degree pro-gram requires a minimum of

36 credits. Students in the RN-BSN/MSNdegree program at Thomas Edison StateCollege will need only to complete anadditional 27 credits beyond completionof the BSN degree requirements for the


RN-BSN/MSNdegree program

The general education andlower-division nursing

requirements are the samefor all students in the BSNdegree, whether they pursuethe RN-BSN degree only, orthe RN-BSN/MSN degree.However, as a knowledge ofstatistics is required for

graduate study in nursing atThomas Edison State College

and elsewhere, studentscontinuing on for the MSNdegree are encouraged toinclude a statistics courseamong their general educa-tion courses for the BSN

degree whenever possible. Aknowledge of statistics is

required for Evidence BasedNursing Practice in the MSN

degree program.

*See note on Page 7


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MSN degree. Graduates of the MSN degree programwill be awarded a certificate in the selected area ofspecialty in addition to the MSN degree.

All nursing requirements in the RN-BSN/MSN degreeprogram may be met by the 12-week online nursingcourses offered through the W. Cary Edwards Schoolof Nursing. While the program is flexible in creditearning and degree completion, and all requiredcourses are offered quarterly pending sufficientenrollment, students are advised to follow the rec-ommended path for course scheduling as outlined inenrollment materials to insure prerequisites are met.In the BSN degree program, the Seminar in ClinicalCompetence course must be taken last. In the MSNdegree program the Seminar in Clinical Competencecourse is designed to be taken first and thePracticums last. The Seminar in Clinical Competencecourse offers RNs an opportunity to learn the processof documenting their competence in an area ofnursing specialty through compiling a professionalportfolio. In the MSN degree, the process presentedin the Seminar in Clinical Competence course isfurther developed as the student continues througheach graduate nursing course and synthesized in aformal paper submitted in the final Practicum. Thecompleted portfolio may be used to provide evidenceof qualification to practice in the chosen area ofnursing specialty.

Two Practicums are included in each area of special-ty. To prepare for the Practicums, students mustobtain the Practicum Information Packet six months(24 weeks) prior to the start of the first Practicum;have health and criminal background check clearanceand all other requirements outlined in theInformation Packet completed three months (12weeks) prior to the start of the first Practicum.Enrollment materials for the programs will providefurther information on the courses and prereq-uisites. Course information may also be foundon the College website at www.tesc.edu.

A knowledge of NursingInformatics is requiredfor the graduate courseEmerging Trends in

Healthcare Technology.*Graduates of the Thomas

Edison State College Schoolof Nursing online BSN

degree program will havemet this requirement bycompleting Nursing

Informatics in the BSNdegree program.

THOMAS EDISON STATE COLLLEGE’S NURSINGPROGRAM IS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FORADULT LEARNERS TO ADVANCE THEIR NURSINGCAREER AND OBTAIN AN EXCELLENT NURSINGEDUCATION AT A VERY REASONABLE COST.

Daniel Burfeind, RN, BSN, DNCClinical Education ManagerInnova RehabMt. Laurel, N.J. ”“

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RN-BSN/MSNdegree program requirements

BSN Degree ProgramRequirementsThe BSN degree requires a minimum of 120 credits;60 in general education, 48 in nursing and 12 freeelectives.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTSThe 60-credit requirement in general educationprovides students with a broad background in thehumanities, social sciences, natural sciences/mathe-matics and a foundation for the professional nursingrequirements and graduate study.

PROFESSIONAL NURSING REQUIREMENTSThe 48-credit nursing requirement includes 20credits of lower-division nursing and 28 credits ofupper-division nursing.

LOWER-DIVISION NURSINGThe 20-credit lower-division nursing requirement willbe satisfied by transfer credit from an associatedegree nursing program or by the award of credit fordiploma nursing course work.

UPPER-DIVISION NURSINGThe 28-credit upper-division nursing requirementmay be completed entirely by online courses offeredby the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. Threegraduate courses, Health Policy, Emerging Trends inHealthcare Technology* and Seminar in ClinicalCompetence, will be completed by all BSN degreestudents as part of the upper-division nursingrequirements. These 9 graduate credits will apply toMSN degree requirements at Thomas Edison StateCollege.

FREE ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTSTwelve credits of college-level course work andexaminations that do not duplicate other creditsmay be used, with a maximum of 8 credits fromphysical education activity courses.

*See note on Page 7

BSN Credit DistributionRequirements

CREDITS (Cr)

I. General Education Requirements 60 Cr

A. English Composition 6 CrB. Humanities 12 Cr

Must include at least twosubject areas

C. Social Sciences 15 CrMust include at least twosubject areas

D. Natural Sciences and Mathematics 15 CrMathematics 3Anatomy and Physiology 3Microbiology 3Other Natural Sciences/Mathematics 6

E. General Education Electives 12 Cr

II. Professional Nursing Requirements 48 Cr

A. Lower-Division 20 CrCredit for prior nursing program

B. Upper-Division 28 CrNursing Informatics 3Health Assessment 3Research in Nursing 3Leadership and Managementin Nursing 3

Emerging Trends in HealthcareTechnology* 3

Health Policy 3Community Health Nursing 7Seminar in ClinicalCompetence 3

III. Free Electives 12 Cr

Total 120 Cr

GR: graduate-level course

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MSN Degree ProgramRequirementsThe MSN degree requires a minimum of 36 creditsconsisting of core courses, electives and courses inthe selected area of nursing specialty. Two yearsexperience in nursing is recommended and a BSNdegree from an accredited program is required.

MSN Credit DistributionRequirementsI. Core Courses 15 Cr

Seminar in Clinical Competence 3

Emerging Trends in HealthcareTechnology* 3

Health Policy 3

Evidence Based Nursing Practice 3

Nursing Leadership in a GlobalCommunity 3

II. Electives 6 Cr

III. Area of Specialty 15 Cr

Total 36 Cr

Nurse EducatorThe Nurse Educator program prepares graduates forteaching roles in healthcare and academic settings. ANurse Educator Certificate is awarded in addition tothe degree upon MSN program completion.

Specialty Courses

Theoretical Foundations and InstructionalStrategies in Nursing Education 3

Curriculum Theory and Development inNursing Education 3

Testing, Assessment and Evaluation 3Nursing Education Seminar and Onground Practicum 3Nursing Education Seminar and Online Practicum 3Total 15 Cr

Nursing InformaticsThe Nursing Informatics program (coming in January2011) prepares graduates to function as a nursinginformatics specialist. A Nursing InformaticsCertificate is awarded in addition to the degree uponMSN program completion.

Specialty Courses

Nursing Informatics: Databases and KnowledgeManagement 3

Nursing Informatics: Systems Life Cycle 3Nursing Informatics: Consumer Informaticsand Communication Technologies 3

Nursing Informatics: Seminar and Practicum I 3Nursing Informatics: Seminar and Practicum II 3Total 15 Cr

Nursing AdministrationThe Nursing Administration program (coming inJanuary 2011) prepares graduates for the role ofnurse administrator in healthcare settings. A NursingAdministration Certificate is awarded in addition tothe degree upon MSN program completion.

Specialty Courses

Nursing Administration: Standards and Structures 3Nursing Administration: Executive Managerial Process 3Nursing Administration: Resource Acquisition andManagement 3

Nursing Administration: Seminar and Role Practicum 3Nursing Administration: Seminar and Process Practicum 3Total 15 Cr


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*Nursing Informatics: Concepts and Issues, agraduate-level course, replaces Emerging Trendsin Healthcare Technology in both BSN and MSNdegree requirements as of January 2011.

Returning students who have already completedEmerging Trends in Healthcare Technology willnot be required to taking Nursing Informatics:Concepts and Issues unless they are returning to,or plan to continue on for the MSN/NursingInformatics degree. For the MSN/NursingInformatics degree, students must take the newcore course Nursing Informatics: Concepts andIssues to complete requirements for that degreeand receive the Nursing Informatics certificate.Emerging Trends in Healthcare Technology maybe used as an elective course for these students.

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MY EXPERIENCE AT THOMAS EDISON STATECOLLEGE HAS BEEN AN ENJOYABLE ONE. THANKYOU FOR MAKING MY TRANSITION FROM THECLASSROOM LEARNING ENVIRONMENT TOTHE ONLINE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT APLEASANT ONE.

Kimberly Stroman, RN, BSN studentCharge Nurse, Hampton HospitalHampton, N.J.

“”

The specialty courses build upon thecore courses of the master’s degree.The theory courses must be takenfirst and the Practicum(s) must betaken last in the program. Currentand valid RN licensure in the U.S.,malpractice insurance and clearanceon health and criminal backgroundchecks are required prior to the

start of the Practicums.

nurse educatorcertificate program

Nurse EducatorCertificate ProgramOverviewThe 12- to 15-graduate-credit Nurse Educator Certificateprogram is designed for experienced RNs with a mas-ter’s degree in nursing who want to develop theknowledge and skills needed to teach in schools ofnursing and healthcare settings. The program includesthree theory courses and the student’s choice ofeither an onground education Practicum or an onlineeducation Practicum, or both. The student will select apreceptor and teaching site for the OngroundPracticum. An online learning environment providedby the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing will be thesetting for the Online Practicum and the student willbe precepted by the Practicum course mentor. Thetotal number of credits required for the certificate isdetermined by the student’s choice of one or bothPracticums. A Nurse Educator Certificate is awardedon completion of the final Practicum.

Nurse EducatorCertificate ProgramRequirementsTheoretical Foundations and InstructionalStrategies in Nursing Education 3 Cr

Curriculum Theory andDevelopment in Nursing Education 3 Cr

Testing, Assessment and Evaluation 3 Cr

Nursing Education Seminarand Onground Practicum 3 Cr

and/orNursing Education Seminarand Online Practicum 3 Cr

TOTAL 12-15 Cr

diversity in nursing

The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursingat Thomas Edison State College is anational leader in recruiting andpreparing minority nurse educators inonline teaching. The School'sDiversity in Nursing program, fundedby a grant from the U.S. HealthResources and Services Adminis-tration (HRSA), enables nurseeducators to gain proficiency inonline pedagogy and expandonline education programs attheir local institutions. Throughthe program, the School hasestablished an annual nationallectureship focusing on theimportance of diversity innursing and has created adatabase of nurse educatorsrecruited into the programthat will be made availableto nursing schools through-out the country.

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W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing Prospectus 2010 - 2011

Participants at the 2010 Distinguished Lectureship.

1983Thomas Edison State Collegeestablishes its RN-BSN programfor registered nurses in NewJersey. By December 1984, morethan 230 students are enrolled inthe program.

(right, above) Dr. Dolores Brown Hall, firstassociate dean and director of the Nursing Program.

(right, below) Marian Stone, nursing programadvisor, with a student.

1987Included among the first BSNgraduates are Willy Wallendal andCarol Miller, the first RNs tocomplete the program.(below) The first graduates of the BSN program at aCollege reception.

1990The RN-BSN program receivesits initial accreditation throughThe National League forNursing.

1995The program is reaccreditedthrough The NationalLeague for Nursing.

2001Dr. Susan M. O’Brien is namedassociate dean. The RN-BSNprogram transitions to anonline format.

2003The program is reaccredited by theNational League for NursingAccrediting Commission.

(below) Nursing students and alumni participate inthe NLNAC site visit.

2004The College establishes the School ofNursing. Dr. Susan M. O’Brien isnamed dean of the new school.Out-of-state recruitment begins.

(below) Dr. Susan M. O'Brien, named dean of theSchool of Nursing in 2004.

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In its first 25 years, the nursing program atThomas Edison State College grew to become thelargest RN to BSN program in New Jersey. Today,the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing has morethan 700 graduates and more than 1,300 enrolledstudents, making it one of the largest onlineprograms of its kind in the country.

highlighting morethan 25 years of

nursing educationexcellence


2005� Courses for the RN-BSN/MSNdegree program and post-master’sNurse Educator Certificate programare developed.

� The U.S. Health Resources andServices Administration (HRSA) awardsthe College a $600,000 grant todevelop a minority nurse educatorproject. In its first three years, theprogram recruits and trains nearly 60minority nurse educators from aroundthe country, establishing the School ofNursing as a national leader in thearea of training minority nurseeducators in online pedagogy.

(above) Jovita Solomon-Duarte,

RN,MSN, first diversity coordinator, 2006-2009.

� Thomas Edison State College HonorSociety of Nursing is established.

2006� The School of Nursing develops itsfirst hospital partnership with VirtuaHealth System, based in Marlton, N.J.A second partnership with CapitalHealth System, of Trenton, N.J., isformed later that same year.

(below) Leaders fromThomas Edison State Collegeand Virtua Health System celebrate the College's firsthospital partnership.

� The RN/BSN-MSNand MSN degreeprograms arelaunched. In its firstyear, 59 studentsenroll in the MSNprogram.

� The first annualDistinguishedLectureship on Diversity inNursing is held at Thomas EdisonState College.

2007� The charter for Upsilon Rho chapterof Sigma Theta Tau InternationalNursing Honor Society is approved.

(below) Nursing staff, students and mentorscelebrate the charter ceremony for Upsilon Rho, theThomas Edison State College chapter of SigmaThetaTau International, held in 2008.

2008� Dr. Susan M. O’Brien, dean of theSchool of Nursing, receives the NewJersey State Nurses Association CARESaward for Excellence in Education.

� Ritamarie Giosa, RN, BSN, CPN, isthe first student to complete theMSN degree. Jennifer Monestime,MSN, RN-C, completes the NurseEducator Certificate program.

(below) Ritamarie Giosa

� The RN-BSN/MSN degreeprogram received its initialaccreditation through the Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education.

2009� Online database of minorityeducators launched as part ofHRSA-funded effort.

2010� MSN degree specialities in

Nursing Administration andNursing Informatics launched.

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APPLICANTS TO ALL PROGRAMS OFFERED BYTHE SCHOOL OF NURSING MUST:

� have a current RN license valid in the UnitedStates;

� have proficiency in using a computer, browsingthe Web and sending and receiving e-mail,including attachments;

� have minimum system requirements to access anonline course: access to the Internet and anInternet browser such as Microsoft InternetExplorer 6.0 or newer, or Firefox 1.X or higher.Additional requirements that may apply tonursing courses are specified in the coursedescriptions listed in the College Catalog.Some courses require access to PowerPoint and/orExcel software;

� submit a completed online Application, withnonrefundable fee, and documentation of currentRN license valid in the U.S. to Thomas Edison StateCollege, Office of Admissions, 101 W. State St.,Trenton, NJ 08608-1176. The Application may befound online at www.tesc.edu/nursing; and

� have all official diploma nursing school andcollege transcripts and college-level examinationscore reports sent to Thomas Edison State College,Office of the Registrar, 101 W. State St., Trenton, NJ08608-1176. Applicants to the MSN degreeprogram must have an official transcript sent fromthe institution where the BSN degree was awardedand applicants for the certificate programs musthave an official transcript sent from the institutionwhere the master’s degree in nursing was awardedto Thomas Edison State College, Office ofAdmissions, 101 W. State St., Trenton, NJ08608-1176.

Two years experience in nursing is recommended forthe MSN degree program and the certificate programs.

Note: Students who apply to the BSN degree only andlater wish to apply to the MSN degree program mustsubmit a new Application with Application Fee follow-ing BSN completion.

Following receipt of the required documents, anacademic program evaluation showing how previouslyearned credits apply to degree requirements willbe completed and provided to students enrolled in theBSN degree program. Students in the MSN degreeprogram and the certificate programs will have creditstranscripted as graduate courses are completed andcredits are applied to program requirements.

Transfer Credit Policies� Up to 60 credits, including 20 credits toward

lower-division nursing requirements for BSNdegree, may be awarded for diploma nursingcourse work on the basis of current RN licenseand official transcript

� Up to 80 credits may be accepted from acommunity college for the BSN degree

� There is no age restriction on acceptance ofcredit for general education or lower-divisionnursing requirements

� Previously completed upper-division and graduatenursing courses must be newer than 10 years atthe time of application to the W. Cary EdwardsSchool of Nursing for acceptance toward programrequirements

� Previously completed upper-division nursingcourses must have grade equivalencies of C or betterfor acceptance toward BSN degree requirements

� Previously completed graduate nursing coursesmust have grade equivalencies of B or better foracceptance toward the MSN degree program andcertificate requirements

admissionsrequirements and process


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Sample Award of Credit for Basic Nursing ProgramAssociate Degree

BSN DEGREE REQUIREMENT Diploma in Nursing in NursingCredit Awarded Transfer Credit

English Composition 16 Cr 0 0-6

Humanities 12 Cr 0 0-3

Social Sciences 15 Cr 12 6-9

Natural Sciences/Mathematics 15 Cr

Mathematics 3 Cr 0 0-3

Anatomy and Physiology 3 Cr 6 3-8

Microbiology 3 Cr 3 0-4

Other Natural Sciences/Mathematics 6 Cr 6 0-6

General Education Electives (GEE)* 12 Cr 0 0*Credits earned beyond the minimum required in above categories may be applied to GEE

Lower-Division Nursing 20 Cr 21 20

Upper-Division Nursing** 28 Cr 0 0**Must be bachelor-level credit

Free Electives (FE)*** 12 Cr 12 12***Credits earned beyond the minimum required in all above categories may be applied to FE

Up to 601 Up to 802

1. Diploma Credit- Up to 60 credits may be awarded based on receipt of official transcript from diploma programand current RN license valid in the U.S. (includes RN graduates of foreign diploma nursing programs). Astandard distribution of credit is awarded.

2. Associate Degree Credit- Up to 80 credits may be awarded in transfer based on official transcript fromregionally accredited college. Number of credits awarded, and classification of credit, are directly related tothe transcription of those credits at the institution where the credits were originally awarded and the BSNdegree requirements to be satisfied.

There is no age limit for acceptance of the above credits except for upper-division nursing.

Credits earned at a senior college or university or by college-level examination may be used in addition to theabove credit award.

RN graduates of foreign nursing programs offered by colleges recognized by Thomas Edison State College will beawarded credit in transfer based on transcript review and credit recommendation of an approved evaluation servicesuch as World Education Services, Inc. (WES) or American Association of Collegiate Registrars and AdmissionsOfficers (AACRAO) (see Page 17). A maximum of 90 credits may be awarded from a foreign institution toward abachelor’s degree at Thomas Edison State College.

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Academic AdvisementEnrolled students will have access to academicadvisement services as described in program materi-als provided on enrollment. Prospective students mayseek additional information as needed through theOffice of Admissions at (888) 442-8372 or e-mail [email protected].

Credit Earning MethodsMultiple options are available for earning credits andcompleting program requirements. All nursingrequirements are offered through the School asonline courses, and all degree requirements may bemet through the College by course, examination orPrior Learning Assessment (PLA). Degree-seekingstudents who want to earn credits elsewhere or bymethods other than online courses should consult anacademic advisor prior to registering for the course orexamination to insure credit will meet degree require-ments. All credit earning methods available throughthe College are listed in the Registration Bulletinand are available on the College website atwww.tesc.edu.

Library ServicesAll enrolled students have access to many resourcesprovided through the New Jersey State Library andthrough Web links embedded in each nursing course.Library information is providedwith enrollmentmaterials.

Technical SupportTechnical support is provided by the College and ineach nursing course. Students should familiarizethemselves with the computer requirements listed inthe Admissions Requirements section of this publica-tion and the College’s Registration Bulletin toinsure access to the courses and success in coursecompletion.

Financial AidStudents may request information on financial aidavailable through the College by calling (888) 442-8372or online at www.tesc.edu. Graduate nursingstudents on financial aid must familiarize themselveswith the guidelines and rules for sequence of coursesand use of financial aid in the graduate programs.

Additional ResourcesAll College and W. Cary Edwards School of Nursingpublications are available on the College website atwww.tesc.edu; click on the Publications link in theStudent Services section. Scholarship opportunitiesare posted on the W. Cary Edwards School of NursingWeb page.

student servicesand resources

THIS IS MY FIRST ONLINE EXPERIENCE AND IT HASBEEN A CHALLENGE FOR A COMPUTER-PHOBELIKE ME. THE IN-PERSON SUPPORT FROM THESTAFF AT THOMAS EDISON STATE COLLEGE HASBEEN TERRIFIC. EVERYONE WENT OUT OF THEIRWAY TO BE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. I FEEL LIKEWE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND I AM NEVERALONE.

Patricia McDougall, RN, BSN studentNurse EducatorBayada Nurses, Inc.Lawrenceville, N.J.

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The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing hasaccreditation through:

NEW JERSEY BOARD OF NURSING (NJBON)P.O. Box 45010Newark, NJ 07101Phone: (973) 504-6430www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/medical/nursing.htm

NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR NURSINGACCREDITING COMMISSION (NLNAC)3343 Peachtree Road, N.E.Suite 500Atlanta, GA 30326(404) 975-5000www.nlnac.org

COMMISSION ON COLLEGIATE NURSINGEDUCATION (CCNE)One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530Washington, DC 20036Phone: (202) 887-6791www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation

Thomas Edison State College is regionally accreditedby the Commission on Higher Education of theMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

MIDDLE STATES COMMISSIONON HIGHER EDUCATION3624 Market St.Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680Phone: (267) 284-5000www.msche.org

The mission of Thomas Edison State College and itsW. Cary Edwards School of Nursing is centered on acommitment to the highest standards of quality inAmerican higher education. The College and theSchool are proud of the status they have earned asnational centers of excellence in higher education forself-directed adults. Their accreditations are part of anational system of quality assurance that requirescolleges and universities to reach a common under-standing and agreement regarding standards ofquality for American higher education.

Thomas Edison State College is a member of AlphaSigma Lambda, a national honor society for adultstudents. In addition, the College conducts TheNational Institute on the Assessment of ExperientialLearning, which attracts scholars from colleges anduniversities around the world to study the assess-

accreditation andquality assurance

The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing reserves the right to makechanges in degree requirements of the student enrolled prior to thechange by altering the number of credits and/or courses required innursing, by adding or deleting courses, by revising courses in numberof credits or content, or by offering substitute courses as needed toupdate curriculum and conform to professional accreditation stan-dards and guidelines.


Pictured during the recent CCNE site visit: Front row (left to right) Valerie Sine, SharonM.Winn,Nichelle Hodges, Alice A. Chen, Joan Vetter, Yvonne Richardson, Yekeen Odewale,MaryAnn Kaufmann, Beverly Hale and Geri Sanfillippo. Back Row (left to right) Ritamarie Giosa,Catherine Vieira, Susan Devrous, Valerie Sampson,Mary Ann O’Neill, Elizabeth Correnti,Ulrike Luccarelli,Marie Feiter, Abiola Oyetunde, Susan St. Peter, Patricia Saitta,Theresa Corelloand Deborah Guerrierie.

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ment and distance learning methods that the Collegehas pioneered. This commitment to quality andrecognition for excellence has led to Thomas EdisonState College graduates being sought after by thefinest graduate and professional schools in theUnited States.

As a state college in the New Jersey system of publichigher education, Thomas Edison State College’sprograms are acted upon by the New JerseyPresidents’ Council.

Thomas Edison State College is an Equal OpportunityEmployment/Affirmative Action institution. In theoperation of its programs and activities, includingemployment, admissions, counseling and advise-ment, the College affords equal opportunity toqualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion,sex, gender identity or expression, national origin,nationality, age, disability, ancestry, place of birth,marital status, domestic partner status, atypicalhereditary cellular or blood trait, affectional or sexualorientation, genetic information or liability for mili-tary service. This is in accord with Title VII of the CivilRights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination onthe basis of race, color and/or national origin; Title IXof the Education Amendment of 1972, which prohibitssex discrimination; Section 504 of the RehabilitationAct of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Actof 1990, which prohibits discrimination againstotherwise qualified people with disabilities; and otherapplicable laws and regulations, so as to best accom-modate the needs of all such persons. AffirmativeAction inquiries may be directed to the AffirmativeAction officer. Section 504 Handicap RegulationsCompliance and Section 506 of the Americans withDisabilities Act inquiries may be directed the College’sADA coordinator. Both representatives may be reachedat Thomas Edison State College, 101 W. State St.,Trenton, NJ 08608-1176.

academicpolicies

For Students withPreviously EarnedDegreesIf you already hold an associate, bachelor’s or graduatedegree and wish to apply for a nursing degree orcertificate, please consult the Thomas Edison StateCollege Catalog at www.tesc.edu for importantinformation on second degrees.

Students withDisabilitiesThomas Edison State College adheres to the letterand spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act andSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students andprospective students who wish to discuss reasonableaccommodation for documented disabilities areasked to identify themselves to the College’s ADAcoordinator by calling (609) 984-1141, ext. 3415(voice). The TTY number for the hearing impaired is(609) 341-3109.

Family EducationalRights and Privacy Actof 1974 (FERPA)Federal law governs how colleges and universitiessupervise student educational records. ThomasEdison State College adheres to The FamilyEducational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA),as amended, known as the Buckley Amendment. Thisact is designed to protect the privacy of educationalrecords, to establish the right of students to inspectand review their educational records, to provideguidelines for the correction of inaccurate ormisleading data through informal and formal hear-ings, and to establish the right of students to file


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complaints with the FERPA office concerning allegedfailures by the institution to comply with the act.Thomas Edison State College makes public announce-ment of FERPA in its College Catalog, UndergraduateProspectus and Graduate Prospectus.

Students have the right to inspect and review theireducational records within 45 days from the date theCollege receives a written request for access. ThomasEdison State College does not publish a studentdirectory, but has designated the following categoriesof student information as public information:student name, e-mail address, enrollment status, areaof study and degrees/honors conferred. This informa-tion may be released for any purpose at the discretionof the College. Students have the right to withholdthe disclosure of directory information by writtennotification to the Office of the Registrar.

The College limits disclosure of other personallyidentifiable information from educational recordsunless the student has given prior written consent.Students who request release of their educationalrecords to a third party must provide written author-ization to the Office of the Registrar. Studentinformation may be released to school officialsdesignated by the College who have a valid, legiti-mate educational interest for its review, providedthat the official needs to review an educationalrecord in order to fulfill his/her professionalresponsibility on behalf of the College. Schoolofficials with legitimate educational interest in astudent’s educational record are those officials whoare designated as persons or agents with whomthe College has contracted and who providean education-related service to Thomas EdisonState College.

A copy of this policy is available in the Office of theRegistrar.

International CreditEvaluationsThe College will accept credit recommendations froma required course-by-course evaluation completed byany of the following agencies:

� AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGIATEREGISTRARS AND ADMISSIONS OFFICERS(AACRAO)

International Education ServicesOne DuPont Circle, NWSuite 520Washington, DC 20036-1135Phone: (202) 296-3359www.aacrao.org/international

� EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIAL EVALUATORS,INC. (ECE)

P.O. Box 514070Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470Phone: (414) 289-3400www.ece.org

� WORLD EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.(WES)P.O. Box 5087Bowling Green StationNew York, NY 10274-5087Phone: (212) 966-6311www.wes.org

� EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVES, NFP. (EP)P.O. Box 618056Chicago, IL 60661-8056Phone: (312) 421-9300www.edperspective.org

All costs associated with the international creditevaluation are the responsibility of the student. TheCollege reserves the right to make its owndetermination on the amount and type of credit to beawarded based on the evaluations provide by theseagencies. There will be no mixing or matching ofevaluations. An enrolled student may transfer amaximum of 90 credits from international institutions.Foreign students in the United States on student (F-1)visas can use all methods available to U.S. students forcompleting their degree requirements.

Graduates of foreign RN diploma nursing programswill be awarded up to 60 credits based on current RNlicense valid in the U.S. and official transcript fromthe foreign nursing program.

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Transfer Credit PolicyThomas Edison State College only accepts transfercredits earned at other regionally accredited collegesand universities. Bachelor’s degree candidates maytransfer up to 80 credits from regionally accreditedjunior, community or county colleges or an unlimitednumber of credits from a regionally accredited four-year institution. The maximum number of creditsfrom a single American Council on Education (ACE)recommended source that may be applied to adegree program shall not exceed 90 credits for thebachelor’s degree and 45 credits for the associatedegree. A student may transfer a maximum of 90credits from foreign institutions toward a bachelor’sdegree or 45 credits toward an associate degree.Foreign students in the United States on student(F-1) visas may use all methods available to U.S.students for completing degree requirements.

RegionallyAccredited CollegesThe accreditation status of a college may be found inits academic catalog or by contacting its registrar’soffice. Thomas Edison State College places no limit onthe number of regionally accredited colleges or uni-versities students may attend prior to enrolling inThomas Edison State College. The institution musthave been regionally accredited at the time the cred-its were earned.

Credits earned at U.S. colleges and universitiesaccredited by the following regional associations willtransfer to Thomas Edison State College, if theysatisfy degree requirements and meet other academicpolicies:

� Commission on Higher Education of the MiddleStates Association of Colleges and Schools

� New England Association of Schoolsand Colleges

� North Central Association of Collegesand Schools

� Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges

� Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

� Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Residency for Tuitionand EnrollmentPurposesPursuant to NJAC 9A:5-1.1-1.2, persons who haveresided within the state of New Jersey for a period of12 months prior to enrollment in a public institutionof higher education are presumed to be domiciled inthis state for tuition and enrollment purposes.Persons who have resided within this state for fewerthan 12 months prior to enrollment are presumed tobe nondomiciliaries for tuition and enrollmentpurposes. To determine whether a person is a NewJersey domiciliary, the primary evidence is a NewJersey Resident Income Tax return or, in the case of adependent student, a copy of his/her parent(s)’/legalguardian’s/spouse’s New Jersey Resident IncomeTax return. United States military personnel andtheir dependents, who are attending publicinstitutions of higher education in New Jersey, shallbe regarded as residents of the state for the purposeof determining tuition.


I HAVE BEEN A REGISTERED NURSE FOR MORETHAN 15 YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS BEENINTERESTED IN COMPLETING MY BSN. I FOUNDTHOMAS EDISON STATE COLLEGE VERY EASY TOWORK WITH. THE COLLEGE ASSISTED ME INFINDING THE FASTEST ROUTE TO MEETING MYGOALS. I LOOK FORWARD TO OBTAINING MY BSNAND MSN AT THOMAS EDISON STATE COLLEGE.I PLAN TO GO ON TO TEACH.

Diane Savastano, RN, BSN studentStaff RN: Inpatient ObstetricsCentra State Medical CenterFreehold, N.J.

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W. Cary EdwardsSchool of Nursingstaff

SUSAN MCMULLEN O’BRIEN, EdD, RN, DeanEducation: RN Diploma, Roger Williams General HospitalSchool of Nursing; BSN, MSN, University of Pennsylvania;EdD, Temple University

CATHERINE N. KOTECKI, RN, PhD, APN, BC,Associate DeanEducation: BSN, William Paterson University; MS,University of Arizona; PhD, Widener University

FILOMELA MARSHALL, RN, EdD, CNE, Associate DeanEducation: BSN, Lehman College (CUNY), MSN, Universityof Pennsylvania, EdD, Temple University

LOUISE RILEY, RN, BC, Assistant Dean for DistanceLearningEducation: BSN, Villanova University;MS, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

J. MARIAN STONE, RN, Part-Time Assistant DeanEducation: RN Diploma, Hospital of University ofPennsylvania School of NursingBSN, MSN, University of Pennsylvania

SUSAN COBB, PhD, RN, Senior Program AdvisorEducation: BSN, State University of New York-Binghamton; MSN, University of Pennsylvania;PhD, Duquesne University

KATHLEEN E. GRIFFIS, RN, BC, Distance LearningSpecialistEducation: AAS, Mercer County Community College;BSN, Seton Hall University; MSN, The College of NewJersey

HOLLY LEAHAN, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Nursing Programand Graduate Practicum AdvisorEducation: BSN, MSN, Drexel University

LISA WHITFIELD-HARRIS, MSN, MBA, RN, NursingDiversity CoordinatorEducation: BSN, West Chester University; MSN, MBA,La Salle University

NINA KEATS, RN, BSN, CSN, Graduate ProgramSpecialistEducation: BSN, SUNY at Downstate Medical Center,School Nurse Certificate Program, Monmouth University

JESSICA DOUGHERTY, Administrative AssistantEducation: BA, LaSalle University

GRETA O’KEEFE, Program AssistantEducation: BA, Rutgers, The State University ofNew Jersey

MARY HOUGH, Part-Time Assistant

W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing Prospectus 2010 - 2011

(from left, first row) Greta O’Keefe, Dr. Susan Cobb, Dr. SusanMcMullen O’Brien,Nina Keats,Mary Hough and Dr. Catherine N. Kotecki; (from left, back row)Louise Riley,Marian Stone, Jessica Dougherty, Dr. Filomela Marshall and HollyLeahan; (not pictured) Kathleen E. Griffis, Lisa Whitfield-Harris.

101 West State StreetTrenton, NJ 08608-1176

(888) [email protected]/nursing

nursing prospectus 2011

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