Advanced practice nurses have opportunities to serve as innovative leaders and skilled practitioners, and contribute to the improvement of nursing and health care practice. The demand for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse leaders/specialists, nurse educators, and nurse administrators/executives continues to grow in the rapidly changing and expanding systems of healthcare environment.

Graduate study provides the opportunity to examine existing theory and practice by the combined use of academic, clinical, and research activities, to contribute to the developing body of theory relevant to the knowledge and skills necessary to practice at a high level of expertise, and the opportunity of specialization in advanced practice.

Students enter graduate study with considerable diversity in background; their growth is facilitated by program planning to meet individual needs. Students assume responsibility for self-growth through individual planning, continued learning, self-direction, and self-evaluation.

The Mission Statement of the Department of Nursing is to provide and promote baccalaureate, graduate, and doctoral nursing education in an environment which emphasizes the development of individuals as professional nurses with a vision of their own power, and a clear sense of self and their professional role. The department endeavors to prepare graduates who are critical thinkers, who utilize, transmit, and develop new knowledge through systematic models of scholarly inquiry, and who demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning. Preparation for excellence in nursing practice is achieved through the integration of arts and sciences, humanistic concern for the health and well-being of others, and an awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity in a pluralistic society. The Sage Colleges strives to prepare graduates who are assertive and practice client advocates, enabling clients to maximize their own potential. The global and technological context in which the nursing profession continues to evolve is emphasized, with the expectation that our graduates will assume leadership roles as professionals, and citizens in organizations to influence health care delivery, nursing education, and the welfare of society.

The Sage Graduate Program in Nursing

1. Provides advanced study in a specialized area of clinical nursing.
2. Prepares graduates for the role of educator, clinical specialist, nurse practitioner, or administrator/executive in nursing.
3. Educates nurses for leadership roles in the advancement of nursing theory and science.

The Department of Nursing has earned a reputation for excellence among its graduates, and one of the strengths of the program is faculty advisement and guidance.

Accreditation and Certification

The Sage Colleges is accredited by the Middle States Association Commission on Higher Education.

The Department of Nursing is a member agency of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, the National League for Nursing, and the Council of Deans of Nursing in Senior Colleges and Universities in New York State.

The Baccalaureate and Masters Degree Programs in Nursing at The Sage Colleges are accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C., 20036, (202) 887-6791. All nursing programs are registered with the New York State Education Department.

The Nursing Department has also been a participant in the John A. Hartford Foundation Baccalaureate Program Partner for disseminating Best Nursing Practices in Care for Older Adults

Graduates with the required number of clinical hours are eligible to take the advanced level certification examinations offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for clinical nurse leaders/specialists, administrators/executives, or nurse practitioners.

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Sage is one of the top programs in the United States for percentage of graduates passing the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam.

Sage's curriculum prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in a changing health care system, and in their own clinical area of interest. Clinical experience is available in local, regional, and national health care agencies. Courses are offered day, evenings, or in an institute format with alternate week course scheduling. Clinical areas (follow links to complete descriptions) include:

• Community Health
• Adult Gerontology Advanced Practice Nursing
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (Program on hold)
  • Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner

Within the Adult-Gerontology Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) program, the following tracks for functional role preparation are available:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Educator
• Administrative/Executive

Within the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Across the Lifespan program, the following tracks for functional role preparation are available:

• Educator
• Administrator/Executive

Master's Degree Requirements

The Master's of Science Degree in nursing requires 39-49 credit hours and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis from 2 years to 7 years depending on the program and student interest.

Students with a prior Master's degree may complete a second Master's with less credits. A minimum of 30 credits at Sage is required and a student must complete the equivalent of the Sage's Master's degree curriculum including a Master's project. An individualized program plan is completed for every student in consultation with graduate faculty.

General Information

Students may attend the Master of Science Degree Program with a major in nursing on a full-time or part-time basis. The program is a minimum of three to four terms for full-time students. Selected required courses and electives are available during the summer sessions.

Students taking clinical courses need to submit evidence of the following, one month prior to each clinical course:

1. Current licensure as a registered professional nurse
2. Professional liability insurance (as a student nurse practitioner for NPs)
3. Required immunizations, titers, and tuberculin test
4. Recent physical exam
5. Current CPR preparation

Admission Requirements

• Deadline for Fall Admission is March 1st
  Decisions will be made by April 15th. All applicants will be notified by mail.
• Deadline for Spring Admission is October 1st
  Decisions will be made by November 15th. All applicants will be notified by mail.

All application materials including transcripts, letters of recommendation, applicant essay and resume must be submitted by the deadline dates (March 1st for Fall, October 1st for Spring).

Admissions to The Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Program are on hold. Please continue to check this website for any updates or change in the application status.

Applicants to the Department of Nursing must meet Sage Graduate School admission requirements:

1. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program or its international equivalent (see below for additional requirements for Foreign Educated Students).
2. A Registered Nurse with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing and an associate degree in nursing. This is a provisional admission with additional requirements.
3. A GPA in a baccalaureate nursing program of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (for those who have not achieved a GPA of 3.0, a small percentage of candidates may be admitted on a provisional basis).
4. Official transcripts of ALL previous undergraduate/graduate study
5. Two letters of reference from an academically qualified individual and/or a professional who is master's or doctorally prepared. Letters should identify the professional relationship and reference ethical and professional behavior, clinical competency, and the ability to complete the program successfully.
6. 1-2 page statement of professional goals
7. Resume or curriculum vitae.
8. Successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course within three years of admission, or demonstrated competency by a portfolio or upon advisement.

International Students

Foreign educated students applying to the Graduate Nursing Program (ALL TRACKS)  must meet all the above requirements for admission and the additional following requirements:

1. Minimum TOEFL score of 100
2. Evidence of NCLEX- RN Pass PRIOR to acceptance to the Graduate Program and a currently registered unencumbered NYS RN license
3. In addition, please check for requirements for international students through the Sage Graduate School Admissions Office.

Post-Master's Certificate Requirements: (in addition to Graduate Admission Requirements)

1. Master's Degree in Nursing
2. Interview with Graduate Program Director

Transfer Credit

A maximum of nine graduate credits or 25 percent of the degree program, whichever is greater, may be transferred from another accredited institution toward the master's degree at Sage Graduate Schools if such work was taken within five years of the first course counted toward the degree at Sage. Transfer credit is granted at the discretion of the Graduate Progam Director and the Dean of School of Health Sciences. Transferred courses must be a "B" or better ("B-", "S", and "P" grades may not be transferred). The student should initiate a request for transfer of credit by making a written request to the program director.

Application Procedure

Sage Graduate School uses a self-managed application process. With this process the student accumulates all of the admissions materials required, including a completed application, all academic transcripts, two letters of recommendation (sealed), a resume, and a goals statement. The package is sent to the Graduate Admissions office with the application fee. Applications are accepted year round.

Facilities

The Department of Nursing is located in Ackerman Hall on the Troy Campus. There are two college nursing facilities, one for Health Assessment, and one for practice in an acute care environment. Most of the clinical experiences in nursing are in the health care agencies in the Capital District. RNs from outside the Capital District may choose to arrange some of their clinical placements in their home community.