Admission and Financial Aid

While many programs charge by the number of credits enrolled per term, the School of Nursing spreads out the tuition costs over the course of five terms.

Total Program Cost: $52,000

• $10,400 per term for five terms

Non-Refundable Tuition Deposit: $200

• A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your seat in the program.
• The deposit will be applied to your fall tuition bill.

Students will incur the following fees each semester for five semesters. These figures are estimates; actual costs once enrolled may vary slightly.

• NCLEX prep - MSN*: $300 per semester ($1,500 total)
• School of Nursing eBooks^†: $235 per semester ($1,176 total)
• SON MSN fee‡: $600 per semester ($3,000 total)

Estimated total: $1,135 per semester ($5,676 total for five semesters)

^{*Includes licensure (NCLEX-RN), prep, and testing software
†Not all books will be uploaded/available on iPad; students may need to purchase hard copies from St. Thomas Bookstore
‡Includes lab and clinical costs related to simulation}

The following includes one-time fees for students. These figures are estimates; actual costs once enrolled may vary slightly. Students are also responsible for covering the travel, lodging and accommodation costs associated with traveling to their clinicals, which will vary by location.

• Electronic Health Record: $348
• Start-up supplies*: $200
• Uniform†: $300
• Patch/pin: $150

Estimated total: $998

^{*Cost is dependent on student selection. Includes stethoscope, pen light, and optional watch
†Cost is dependent on student selection. Includes scrub top, pants, jacket and polo shirt, and shoes}

Financial Aid may be available to assist you with your direct costs (i.e. tuition and fees) and other indirect costs (off campus housing, food, books, supplies, course materials, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, etc.).

Find information on the Estimated Financial Aid Cost of Attendance Budget Components for Master of Science in Nursing.

Established in December 2021, the Dan and Ruth Haggerty Nursing Scholars Fund provides financial assistance for students in the BSN or MSN programs in the Susan S. Morrison School of Nursing. Scholarships are awarded annually and may be renewed for up to three years for those in the BSN program or up to two years for those in the MSN program. The scholarship program is intended for students with financial need to help remove barriers to enrollment and completion of nursing programs at St. Thomas.

The Ann and Pat Ryan Scholars program was established to improve workforce diversity in the field of nursing. The program will seek to provide assistance to students from backgrounds underrepresented in nursing. The scholarship is available to students pursuing a BSN or MSN in the Susan S. Morrison School of Nursing.

About the Program

• Scholarships of up to $10,000 per MSN student per year (2 years) and $20,000 per BSN student per year (3 years) may be awarded to nursing students.
• Scholarships will be split evenly for each semester in a relevant year.
• Scholars will enjoy the opportunity to meet with Ann and Pat Ryan to discuss their goals, aspirations, and challenges as they pursue a career in nursing.

Eligibility and How to Be Considered

• Students must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average in high school and after their first year at St. Thomas (for BSN students).
• Recipients in both the BSN and MSN must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in required nursing courses (excluding the core curriculum for all St. Thomas students).
• Students will be considered based on the same holistic admissions process used to evaluate program applications.
• Recipients will be automatically notified of their award after acceptance into a nursing program at St. Thomas.

The MSN Pathways Scholarship aims to support students who have experienced less-than-typical pathways to graduate school. At the Susan S. Morrison School of Nursing, we recognize that many applicants to our MSN program may have taken a less direct route to graduate school than others, due to family obligations, dedication to public, volunteer, or military service, career change, financial challenges, or for some other reason. We value students with these diverse educational, professional, and lived experiences, and believe that they can be an asset to our program and profession.

Guidelines:

• The scholarship is equivalent to 20% of tuition discount.
• The scholarship will be deducted from each semester's tuition for the duration of the student's enrollment.
• Students will not need to reapply or notify the program again once it has been awarded.
• Students will need to maintain in good academic standing.
• All qualifying students are eligible for other grants and scholarships for which they are eligible.

Eligibility and how to be considered:

Applicants will be automatically reviewed based on a holistic review of their application. We will consider applications that have demonstrated a less than typical pathway to graduate school and will consider applicants who present the strongest overall application. The number of recipients of the MSN Pathways Scholarship varies annually, based on eligibility and budgetary considerations.

Applicants will be notified if they have been awarded the MSN Pathways Scholarship by April.

*Students eligible for both the MSN Pathways Program and the MSN Diversity Scholarship cannot receive both; they will be awarded one of the two scholarships.

Purpose

The purpose of the MSN Diversity Scholarship is to recruit, train, educate, and retain nursing students who represent the communities where nurses serve; meet the community’s and profession’s need for a more diverse workforce; and create inclusive and equitable learning environments that will assist in building cultural competence and awareness among the student body as a whole. In creating a diverse community, students will be able to share and learn from multiple perspectives, enhance the cultural competency of the overall program, and be prepared to practice at the highest professional standards.

• The MSN Diversity Scholarship is equivalent to a 20% discount
• The MSN Diversity Scholarship will be deducted from each semester’s tuition for the duration of the student’s enrollment.
• Students will not need to reapply or notify the program again once it has been awarded.
• Students will need to maintain in good academic standing.
• All qualifying students are eligible for other grants and scholarships for which they are eligible.

Eligibility and how to be considered

Applicants will be automatically reviewed based on their application. We will consider applications that demonstrates unique background or experiences that will contribute to the diversity and cultural competence of the student body or nursing profession and how it contributes to the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and reimagining a future for the communities we live in. We will also consider applicants who present the strongest overall application. The number of recipients of the MSN Diversity Scholarship varies annually, based on eligibility and budgetary considerations.

Applicants will be notified if they have been awarded the MSN Diversity Scholarship by April.

*Students eligible for both the MSN Pathways Program and the MSN Diversity Scholarship cannot receive both; they will be awarded one of the two scholarships.

St. Thomas Equivalent: EXSC 213 Human Anatomy with Lab

This course is a study of human anatomical structure using a body systems approach from the microscopic to gross levels of organization. Of particular emphasis are unifying themes including the complementarity of human anatomy form and function, interrelationships between organ systems and the application of knowledge to homeostatic disruptions observed in human disease and other clinical conditions.

Note: Some institutions offer a combined Human AP I and II with lab components. If you are unsure whether that will transfer in, please send an email to nursing@stthomas.edu with course description (and syllabus, if possible).

St. Thomas Equivalent: EXSC 214 Human Physiology with Lab

This is a course designed to provide students with an understanding of the regulation and function of the human body and physiological integration for the maintenance of homeostasis. Areas of study include muscular, neural, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine and reproductive systems.

Note: Some institutions offer a combined Human AP I and II with lab components. If you are unsure whether that will transfer in, please send an email to nursing@stthomas.edu with course description (and syllabus, if possible).

St. Thomas Equivalent: BIOL 356 Microbiology with Lab

The in-depth study of microorganismal biology is directed at gaining an understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the functions of bacteria. The importance of microorganisms as they relate to human disease, industry and the environment will be explored through lectures, readings from the literature and discussions.

St. Thomas Equivalent: PSYC 102 / 202 Lifespan Development

An introduction to developmental principles and theories throughout the life span. The course also includes research, application and the interplay among the physical, emotional, social and intellectual variables in the process of growth and development.

St. Thomas Equivalent: CHEM 108 / 109 / 111 Chemistry

This course provides an introduction to chemistry. Topics include atomic structure, molecular structure, chemical bonding, the periodic table, states of matter, reaction types, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, intermolecular forces, and properties of the common elements and their ions in aqueous solution.

St. Thomas Equivalent: DASC 120 or STAT 220 Statistics

This course is composed of an in-depth study of the processes through which statistics can be used to learn about environments and events. There will be an intensive focus on the application, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of both descriptive and inferential statistics in a variety of real-world contexts.

• Observe and assess a patient accurately, through visual, auditory and tactile abilities
• Ability to monitor and assess health needs
  • Examples (not all inclusive):
    • Interpret and respond to monitors, alarms, emergency signals and cries for help
    • Interpret and differentiate heart, lung and bowel sounds
• Observation and assessment necessary in nursing care, both at a distance and close at hand.

• Observe patient responses
• Observe small calibration markings and numbers (e.g., on syringes)
• Assess color change in skin and fluids

• Possess psychomotor skills necessary to provide holistic and safe nursing care and perform or assist with procedures, treatments, and medication administration
• Operate equipment typically found in the health care environment (IV pumps, cardiac monitor, and electric blood pressure equipment, safe patient handling equipment, etc.)
• Practice in a safe manner and appropriately provide care in emergencies and life support procedures and perform universal precautions against contamination

• Maintain sterile technique
• Transfer and position patients
• Position and re-position self around patients in their room or other workspaces
• Perform assessment and therapeutic procedures such as inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation, and other diagnostic maneuvers and procedures

• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families
• Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors, and all members of the healthcare team during practicum and other learning experiences
• Accurately elicit information including a medical history and other information to adequately and effectively evaluate a client or patient’s condition

• Concisely and accurately explains treatments and procedures as well as other health education
• Documents clearly and concisely, within legal guidelines

• Use and apply information acquired from various sources, including written documents and computer systems (e.g., lectures, demonstrations, written documents, literature searches and data retrieval)
• Identify and interpret information presented in images from paper, slides, videos, and screens that are presented in various formats
• Recognize and assess client changes in mood, activity, cognition, verbal, and non-verbal communication
• Use and interpret information from assessment techniques/maneuvers
• Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize data related to patient diagnosis and treatment of patients
• Exercise proper judgment and complete nursing responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner.
  Synthesize information, problem solve, and think critically to judge the most appropriate theory or assessment strategy
• Ask for help when needed and make proper judgments of when a nursing task can or cannot be carried out alone
• Exhibit a level of consciousness and attentiveness that guarantees patient safety
• Expeditiously incorporate data from multiple patient sources (e.g., physical assessment, vital signs, lab values, interdisciplinary documentation) in providing appropriate, safe patient care

• Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations
• Recognize and respond rapidly and safely to changes in patient status based on a variety of sources such as physical assessment and pertinent laboratory findings
• Revise care to promote appropriate patient outcomes
• Access electronic health records using health agency-approved device
• Safely monitor and respond to alarms, emergency signals, cries for help, heart, lung, and bowel sounds
• Assess respiratory and cardiac function, blood pressure, blood sugar, neurological status, etc.

• Behave professionally and maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances
• Exercise skills of diplomacy to advocate for patients in need
• Able to function under stress and adapt to classroom and practice setting environments
• Must be able to meet University of St. Thomas School of Nursing attendance requirements, including timeliness

• Arrives on time, prepared to fully participate
• Manages work to meet deadlines
• Student must be able and willing to examine their behavior when it interferes with productive individual or team relationships

• Concern for others, integrity, accountability, interest, and motivation are necessary personal qualities
• Demonstrate intent and desire to follow the ANA Standards of Care and Nursing Code of Ethics

• Is honest in all communications with others
• Has a positive attitude to ensure teamwork
• Maintains confidentiality