Accreditation
Russell Sage College 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 master’s degree programs in nursing at Russell Sage College 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 program has been a participant in the John A. Hartford Foundation Baccalaureate Program Partner for dissemination of Best Nursing Practices in Care for Older Adults.
Mission
The Mission Statement of the Department of Nursing is to provide and promote baccalaureate, graduate, and doctoral nursing education in an environment that 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. Russell Sage College strives to prepare graduates who are assertive and practice client advocacy, 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 both professionals and citizens striving to influence health care delivery, nursing education, and the welfare of society.
Program Characteristics
The program emphasizes faculty advisement and program planning. The nursing program leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree may be completed by full- or part-time study. Transfer students may complete the program in 5 semesters (minimum of 21 months), depending on the number of prerequisites that they have completed. Nursing student scholarships and loans are available. Professional courses start in the freshman or sophomore year and continue through the senior year. Clinical experiences are available at Capital District agencies such as Albany Medical Center; St. Peter’s Health Care; Albany Stratton VA Health Center; Visiting Nurses Associations; Albany, Schenectady and Rensselaer County Health Departments; the Capital District Psychiatric Center; Bellevue Women’s Center; Seton Health System; Ellis Hospital; Northeast Health; and a variety of other health agencies.
Academic Standards
The Nursing Department requires the following academic standards:
- For all students, the overall cumulative gradepoint average (GPA) must meet the college standards.
- Admission to the Nursing program, either as a new student to the College or as a continuing student declaring Nursing as a new major, requires a cumulative GPA of 3.000 for all coursework required for the Nursing program.
- Students must maintain a major GPA of 3.000 to progress in the Nursing Program.*
- * Nursing GPA includes all nursing and required support courses.
- Student progress in the Nursing program is reviewed at the end of each semester by the program’s undergraduate Academic Standards Committee.
- A student whose nursing cumulative GPA is below a 3.000 may be put on probation in the Nursing major for the next semester and will not be permitted to progress in the Nursing course sequence.
- Students may only be on probation once while in the Nursing program and may only repeat one Nursing course.
- Students will not be permitted to begin any NSG courses without a major GPA of 3.000 in the required supporting courses.
- A withdrawal after the end of the Add/Drop period is considered an attempt of a course. Students are only allowed to repeat (second attempt) any Nursing course once or at the discretion of the program director.
Failure to meet academic standards and/or probation requirements may result in dismissal from the Nursing program (i.e., students will be required to select a different major if they wish to continue at Sage).
Students must receive a grade of “C” or higher (2.000) in all nursing courses.
Policies related to Academic Standards such as probation, dismissal, and readmission and the Code of Conduct can be found, in detail, in the Nursing Department Student Handbook. Appeals of decisions by the Academic Standards Committee may be made by submitting a written petition to the coordinator of the BS program.
Clinical Laboratory Requirements
Students are responsible for providing their own transportation for clinical experiences. Students are required to carry liability insurance and have a current physical examination including immunizations and titers. Hepatitis B immunization is required prior to clinical experience. This health clearance is required for each clinical semester. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is required of all students before entering sophomore clinical courses and must be current for all clinical courses. Students may not attend clinical unless cleared and are responsible for costs incurred for clinical make-up related to not meeting these requirements. A $40.00 fine will be assessed to students whose health clearance information is not received in the Nursing Department in a timely manner. Students are financially responsible for costs associated with learning modules, standardized tests, and certain laboratory experiences/equipment. ATI (Assessment Technology Institute) is a company that provides audio and video remediation materials. Fees for ATI will be assessed on tuition bills at three levels; when registered for NSG 201, NSG 323, and NSG 405.
Current Sage Students Who Wish to Request a Major Change to Nursing
Admission to the Nursing program as a continuing student declaring Nursing as a new major requires a cumulative GPA of 3.000 for all coursework required for the Nursing program. Requests for major changes to Nursing are only reviewed twice a year, at the end of the fall and spring terms. Sage students must contact the Offices of Academic Advising for more details on this process. Note: qualified candidates may be denied admission to the program if space is not available.
Graduates of Baccalaureate or Associate Degree Programs or Transfer Students
A person with an earned baccalaureate or associate degree - in a discipline outside of nursing - may enroll in the Nursing program, transferring in up to a maximum total of 66 credits.
Graduates of Registered Nurse Programs
A Registered Nurse (RN) who has matriculated at Russell Sage College prior to Spring 2003 may complete the Bachelor of Science degree, with advanced standing. Advanced standing is granted for the successful completion of examinations or by validation from approved courses taken at other colleges. Registered nurses earn a BS degree on a full-time or part-time basis. The program features scheduling so that the students may continue employment. Registered nurses interested in beginning baccalaureate coursework should apply to the Russell Sage College RN/BS program in Sage’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE). A nursing student works closely with a nursing advisor to plan the program of study.