Nursing Education

The MSN – Nursing Education program began at Ramapo in 2001. Almost two-thirds of the nursing schools responding to an AACN survey pointed to faculty shortages as a reason for not accepting all qualified applicants into baccalaureate programs. The demand is higher than ever for Nurse Educators, especially in the Metro NJ/NY region.

Graduates of the Nursing Education track are prepared to effectively assume faculty roles in institutions of higher education and/or educator roles in health care delivery agencies. In addition, graduates are provided with an educational and research foundation needed to pursue doctoral education. Graduates are also eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) certification of the NLN.

The MSN curriculum reflects use of the NLN Core Competencies for Nurse Educators.

Nursing Administration

The MSN – Nursing Administration track, a 34 credit degree which includes 135 hr Role Practicum, prepares students for leadership and managerial positions in healthcare; and may sit for the Advanced Nurse Administrator (NEA-BC) certification of the ANCC upon completion of the program.

As evidenced in a 2010 position statement published by the AACN, hospital administration and nursing leaders are being called upon to lead and “implement specific strategies to retain experienced nurses in the provision of direct patient care, such as:

• Introducing greater flexibility into work environment structure and scheduling programs;
• Rewarding experienced nurses for serving as mentors and/or preceptors for new registered nurses;
• Implementing appropriate salary and benefit programs.”

The AACN also calls for nurses and nurse leaders “to create a partnership environment that advances the practice of nursing by:

• Establishing appropriate management structures within the health care system;
• Ensuring adequate nurse staffing; and
• Providing nurses with sufficient autonomy over their practice in all settings.”

The Ramapo College MSN – Nursing Administration program addresses the needs above through its curriculum and experiences; and offers nurses the knowledge and expertise necessary to achieve the goals of addressing the management of nursing teams, staff, and other duties as outlined by the AACN and hospital leadership in the region.

Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

The MSN- Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program is a 48 credit degree, part-time program, with 750 role practicum hours required. Graduates are prepared to serve in Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner positions and will be eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Centers’ (ANCC) Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Exam and (American Association of Nurse Practitioners AANP). Passage of the exam qualifies the practitioner for an Advanced Practice License.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners provide primary and acute care for adolescents and adults.The most common workplace settings include outpatient hospitals, inpatient hospitals and private group practice. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the profession to grow by 52% from 2019-2029, creating more job opportunities for Nurse Practitioners.

The MSN- Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program is being offered to meet the demand for Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) as over 15% of the US population is 65 or older. According to IHS Markit Ltd, the demand for nurse practitioners is high and compounded by a number of factors, including the nationwide physician shortage, the 2010 recommendations released by the Institute of Medicine, the aging of the U.S. population, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.

Family Nurse Practitioner

The Ramapo College MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner program is a 51 credit degree, part-time program, with 750 total role practicum hours required. Graduates are prepared to serve in Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner positions in hospital and independent care settings; and upon program completion. Eligible to sit for FNP certification exam of  the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the  American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), which then qualify the practitioner for an Advanced Practice License.

According to Projections Central, NJ will experience Nurse Practitioner growth of more than 30 percent between 2016 and 2026.

The 2020 National NP Sample Survey also found an increase in median base salaries of NPs in 2019. For full-time NPs, the median base salary was $110,000;

The Ramapo College MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner is being offered to meet the demand for family and primary care practitioners in the region. The program is offered in a flexible format and allows practicing Nurses to achieve their career goals and take on new roles in the changing way family and primary care is provided now and in the future.