Tuesday, April 22, 2008
by: Anthony Singer and Christine Yzaguirre

Seton Hall University has won approval from New Jersey’s board of nursing to offer a new path into the profession for students – becoming the first institution in the state to do so.

The Clinical Nurse Leader program allows students with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree to fast-track straight in to an intensive, master’s-level nursing program.

There is increasing demand from such well-qualified non-nursing students to enter the nursing profession. By offering the chance to access a rigorous master’s program, without needing to take another baccalaureate-level degree in nursing, the College aims to increase the number of highly-educated and highly-motivated nurses entering the profession.

Against the background of an increasingly complex healthcare environment, the degree prepares nurses to effectively coordinate care across the range of professional disciplines, ensuring that patients’ interests are always paramount. Courses include patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, resource management and utilization of informatics.

The first classes begin in Fall 2008, with the full-time course taking 22 months to complete. After graduation, students will be required to pass their state board of nursing licensing exam.

The go-ahead is the latest in a series of nursing firsts for the South Orange university. In 1937, it was the first university in the state to offer a baccalaureate program in nursing.

"I’m delighted that we are continuing our track record of academic leadership with the development of the Clinical Nurse Leader program," said College of Nursing Dean Phyllis Shanley Hansell.

"The approval to offer this important qualification will help us in our task of preparing nurses to operate effectively in an increasingly challenging and complex healthcare environment."

Contact Anthony Singer, director of marketing, at (973) 761-9285 to learn how to apply for the Fall 2008 program. The application deadline is June 15, 2008.

For more information please contact:
Anthony Singer
9973) 761-9285
singeran@shu.edu