Graduates of the Nursing Management and Quality Leadership program will be academically prepared to assure that inpatient, outpatient, and community settings consider safety in every decision. They will be uniquely qualified to understand the demands of a primary care environment and balance administrative and staff decisions while ensuring patients receive superior care. Graduates of this program will work in integrated primary care and organizational settings as administrators, managers, and supervisors.

Graduates may also pursue entrepreneurial venues that blend their healthcare experience with safety and leadership strategies. This program has 180 practicum hours.

Please refer to the general Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog for health, C.P.R., and malpractice insurance requirements. Students must register with CastleBranch for their document repository. Students must also read and acknowledge the Criminal History and Background Check policy.

Course Requirements

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate programs at D’Youville, applicants for the master of science degree in nursing management and quality leadership must present the following:

1. Completed online graduate application for admission (no application fee).

2. Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC (ACEN) accredited program at a college or university in the US (or by the CNO in Ontario).

3. Evidence of capability to succeed in a graduate program based on an overall undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

4. An undergraduate course in applied statistics of at least 3 credits, with a grade of C or better. 

5. Official transcripts from all college/ universities attended. Non - U.S. students must submit ‘course-by-course’ evaluation (or equivalent) of all college and/or university transcripts through the World Education Services (WES) or other approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies.

6. An overall G.P.A. of at least 3.0. Applicants with a baccalaureate degree in nursing, earned more than five years ago, with an overall G.P.A. less than 3.0 but more than or equal to 2.7, who have achieved significant professional success as documented on curricula vitae, may submit an application for consideration. Preferential admissions will be given to applicants with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher.

7. Active unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in New York or in Ontario for Canadian students.

8.  A current CPR certification with a psychomotor component.

9. One year of practice as a registered nurse is recommended.

10. Two references on clinical performance with one reference from a professional with an advanced degree attesting to clinical knowledge, skills, leadership and the ability to be a good applicant. Other acceptable references include supervisors, managers or a former professor.

11. Writing assignment on your philosophy of nursing, 2 pages in length, double space and 12-point font that includes philosophy of nursing focused on past experience, what influencing nursing has had on your career, why you chose to pursue this degree, how you see this degree enhancing your career and how you will utilize this degree to advance patient care and health care outcomes.

12. A student who meets the entry requirements and is currently or previously enrolled in a graduate nursing program at another college or university must obtain a letter from that School of Nursing stating the student is in good standing, not on probation, and able to register for classes. Students who were dismissed from a graduate nursing program will not be considered for admission.

Academic Regulations

In addition to the general academic regulations, all matriculated students in the nurse practitioner program must fulfill these requirements:

1. Completion of 30 credit-hours (Master of Science).
2. Students on academic probation are limited to six credits per semester while on probation.
   1. Students in Graduate Nursing Programs are expected to maintain a cumulative and semester GPA of 3.0. Students who do not maintain this GPA will be reviewed by the Progression and Retention Committee for academic consequences. A student who has less than a 3.0 GPA in either semester or cumulative, at any time will be placed on academic probation for the next semester or summer session. At the end of the probation period, the student’s file will be reviewed by the program Graduate Progression and Retention committee. If the student’s cumulative or semester GPA is a minimum of 3.0, the student will be removed from probation.
   2.  If the student does not achieve the 3.0 cumulative or semester GPA after a first probation, the graduate progression and retention committee may consider a second semester of probation. If a minimum of 3.0 GPA (cumulative or semester) is not achieved after a second probation, the student will automatically be ineligible to continue in their program.
   3. A student will be allowed probationary status for no more than two semesters during the entire graduate program. The student will automatically be ineligible to continue in their program if in excess of two semesters.
3. Students cannot register for clinical courses until formally accepted into the program.
4. Nursing Management and Quality Leadership students are required to receive at least a B in all clinical/practicum courses required for the degree. Students who receive less than a B, including a B-, C+, C or lower in these courses, will have to repeat that course, will be placed on probation and cannot take any of the clinical practicum courses until they raise their grade in the applicable course to at least a B. They are also limited to six credits while on probation.
5. Student responsibilities: The graduate program is a demanding program in coursework, time, commitment and financial obligation. Due to these responsibilities for the program, students should seriously evaluate the impact that employment may have on their clinical performance and academic progress.