The goal is to effectively link classroom and clinical experiences with expectations for competence, compassion, and justice in health care within the context of the highest academic standards.

Congruent with the core values of the university, the values of the School of Nursing and Health Professions are to create and maintain an environment the promotes excellence in the nursing academic endeavor based on:

• Mutual respect
• Transparency
• Collaboration
• Professionalism
• Creativity
• Diversity
• Cultural sensitivity
• Spirituality

Demonstrate the personal values of:

• Integrity
• Academic excellence
• Respect for self and others
• Compassion and caring
• Personal growth, responsibility, and accountability
• Professionalism
• A passion for justice
• Personal health and well-being

Positively influence nursing practice and health care environments by promoting

• Health and wellness
• Holistic, patient-centered care
• Patient advocacy
• A spirit of inquiry and evidence-based practice
• Safety and quality improvement
• Cost effective care
• Emerging technologies balanced with a humanistic approach
• Professional and ethical decision-making
• Increased access to care, especially for vulnerable populations
• Lifelong learning

Degrees

The School of Nursing and Health Professions offers three graduate degrees:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Master of Public Health (MPH)

The nursing programs are accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing and by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).The public health program is currently undergoing the accreditation process with the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Roles of the Professional Nurse

• Professional nurses make informed and responsible choices that help shape the future of the nursing profession and the future of society (leader); they are the advocates for their clients and for their right to self-determination (advocate); at the baccalaureate level, they are first-level managers who supervise direct providers of patient care (manager).
• Research is the basis of and the process for validating and improving care; the professional nurse evaluates and uses research findings and the research process to plan and provide care (consumer of research).
• Professional nurses provide, coordinate, and/or direct the care of individuals, groups, families, and other aggregates of the community (case manager); they provide a unique service that takes the form of a helping relationship whereby the helper and the helped evolve through a facilitative process of self-exploration, better understanding, commitment to change, and appropriate action (communicator).
• Caring, compassion, responsiveness to human and system needs, and adherence to legal and ethical principles are essential elements of professional nursing practice (caregiver).
• Teaching is a major role of the professional nurse (teacher).
• The nurse engages in joint decision-making regarding actions towards the prevention and/or resolution of client health problems and promotion of optimum health. The collaboration always includes the client and significant others as well as all appropriate health care providers (collaborator).
• The nurse engages in actions toward limiting the incapacitation caused by health problems and toward the prevention of recurrences of health problems (rehabilitator).

Admission

For admission to the MSN Program, the School of Nursing and Health Professions requires the following:

3.0 GPA in the last 58 credits of undergraduate (or graduate) study
A written goal statement
Two signed letters of recommendation
A resume
One official transcript from all colleges and universities attended
GRE (Graduate Record Examination - General Test) scores
A completed application form and fee
For international students, an official TOEFL score (600 minimum score on the paper test or 250 CBT is required) and a Certificate of Finance
For nurse applicants, a valid R.N. license in California

Progression

Any graduate student who earns a B- in any course will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation who fail to raise their cumulative grade point average to 3.0 by the time they have completed the next six (6) semester hours of graduate work are subject to disqualification from the program. Students who earn two failures (grade B- or below in theory courses) or one unsatisfactory (grade of U in clinical or practicum courses) are disqualified from the nursing program.

The University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions reserves the right to add, amend, or cancel any of its programs, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures, in whole or in part, at such time as it may choose and for any reason. None shall be construed as, operate as, or have the effect of an abridgment or limitation of any rights, powers, or privileges of the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in the publications. Students are advised, however, that such information is subject to change without notice and they should consult with the Office of the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions for current information. Information in this Publication does not constitute a contract between the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions and a student or an applicant for submission.