CUNY Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing Program Review
The Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing is a flagship nursing school of the City University of New York (CUNY) offering various undergraduate and graduate nursing programs that combine professional education and liberal arts with a comprehensive and humanistic approach to health care, leading a degree in nursing. The undergraduate programs of the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing provide a solid foundation for graduate study, particularly at the Master and Doctoral levels. Students who complete any part of the programs will graduate with competence and preparedness to take the licensing exam and work as Registered Nurses in various healthcare facilities throughout the New York City metropolitan area.
Undergraduate Programs: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)/Generic Program
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a generic program that runs for four years designed for students to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Upon completing the program, students become eligible for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), the licensing examination for Registered Nurses.
The traditional BSN program is divided into two parts. During the first year of the program, students go through general education and prerequisite courses in the liberal arts and sciences. In the second year of the BSN course until the fourth year of study, they take professional nursing courses. The traditional BSN program of the Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing requires a full-time commitment.
Admission Requirements
Students will only gain admission to the nursing program once they have completed the prerequisite coursework in the spring semester of their first year. They must be admitted first to Hunter College (lower division) as a transfer student or an undergraduate freshman. They need to earn a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher by the end of the fall semester before their nursing application. Grades in some prerequisite courses like science and math must have a minimum grade of B or higher. Transfer students who wish to gain entry to the School of Nursing must have their prerequisite courses evaluated and transferred to Hunter College with appropriate course equivalencies.
RN to BS Nursing Program
The RN to BS Nursing program is designed specifically for Registered Nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing and a New York state RN license, who want to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. It can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis, depending on the student’s availability. The RN to BSN program is available online except for the NURS 480 coursework which is a “Promotion of Wellness in the Community.” This is because the NURS 480 has a clinical practice requirement in a community agency of New York City. Non-nursing courses are held at the 68th Street Hunter campus and are delivered in a hybrid format, face to face and online.
Admission Requirements
Students who have earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited college or university are welcome to apply to the RN to BSN program. They must first complete the prerequisite courses in the liberal arts and sciences to be qualified for a baccalaureate degree at Hunter College. These courses should be completed before the second semester of the RN to BSN program.
Applicants of the program must have finished a minimum of 36 credits of prerequisite courses, with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. They have to provide a copy of their RN license in New York State together with a CPR certification, health insurance, and liability insurance. Individuals who have an Associate Degree in Nursing from a non-accredited college or university are still welcome to apply, but they must take the Regents College Examinations (RCEs).
Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program
The Accelerated Second-Degree in Nursing program is offered to students with a bachelor’s degree from a non-nursing field who are interested in obtaining a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The program has 51 credits and is based on the traditional BSN course; learners can complete the entire program with 18 months of full-time study. Once completed, graduates will be eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Admission Requirements
Applicants of the Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing program should have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with the successful completion of prerequisite courses in liberal arts and sciences. They should have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and a minimum of B or greater in all prerequisites.
Graduate Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (MS)
Registered Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree can advance their education and pursue a graduate programs at Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can be taken in various specializations, namely Gerontological/Adult Nurse Practitioner, Community/Public Health Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nursing Administration or Public Administration.
Gerontological or Adult Nurse Practitioner (MS)
The Master of Science in Nursing – Gerontological or Adult Nurse Practitioner is a 42-credit program that prepares graduates to provide primary care to adults and seniors in the community and various healthcare settings. Students will learn to use the expert knowledge and research investigation acquired from the coursework and 735 hours of guided clinical experience. Once they complete the program, they will be eligible for the New York State NP certification, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Clinical Experience
Students are required to complete 735 hours of clinical experience with supervision from a preceptor. Before the start of the clinical preceptorship, must submit documentation for health clearance including drug screening and criminal background check.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MS)
The Master of Science in Nursing – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is a 48-credit program that prepares students for a role in advanced practice for Registered Nurses in psychiatric and mental health services. Psychiatric or psychological heal nurses provide mental health treatment, consultation, preventive services, and leadership roles in hospitals, clinics, private practice, and community settings. Through the 630 hours of supervised clinical training and corresponding coursework, students will be able to provide healthcare services with autonomy and in collaboration with other health professionals. Graduates of this MS program will become qualified for the New York State NP certification.
Community/Public Health Nursing (MS)
The MS – Community/Public Health Nursing is a 42-credit program that equips advanced public health nurses capable of assuming leadership roles in the community, particularly in various public health agencies, clinics, and community-based programs. Students will be able to advance their knowledge and research skills through the coursework and 500 hours of guided clinical experience. Graduates of the MS – Community/Public Health Nursing who meet the educational requirements can apply for board certification as an Advanced Public Health Nurse through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (MS)
The Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program accredited by the CCNE. The program prepares Registered Nurses to assume roles in advanced practice nursing in various healthcare facilities from acute to home care. The Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (MS) consists of 42 credits including 500 hours of clinical practicum. Students can complete the program in four years if taken in full-time study, or five years if taken part-time.
Nursing Administration / Public Administration (MS/MPA)
The Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing and the Baruch College School of Public Affairs are offering a 57-credit program that leads to the Master of Science (MS) degree in Nursing Administration / Public Administration. This kind of dual degree program allows nurses to assume positions of leadership in different healthcare settings. It emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches to policy and management in nursing and healthcare. The MS – Nursing Administration / Public Administration includes 500 hours of guided clinical experience.
Post-Master’s Certificate
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Advanced Certificate
The Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing also offers a post-master’s advanced certificate program that entitles graduates to receive 36 credits. This program is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Advanced Certificate that prepares Registered Nurses for roles in psychiatric and mental health nursing. Students will also go through classwork and 630 hours of guided clinical experience. Once they finish the program, they will be eligible for New York State NP certification.
Doctoral Programs
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares nurse practitioners to meet the increasingly complex healthcare needs of urban populations in various medical settings. The program curriculum builds to the traditional clinical Master’s program through evidence-based practice, systems leadership, and quality improvement.
The Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing is currently offering three specialization tracks in the DNP program: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The Doctor of Nursing Practice will provide a specialization in Community/Public Health Nursing (CPHN) but is not available at the moment.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is open to nurses with a baccalaureate or Master’s in nursing. It can be completed on a full- or part-time basis, as long as students complete 48 to 90 credits of study and 1000 hours of supervised clinical training. Graduates of the program will be able to meet the requirements for national certification in their chosen specialty area.
Ph.D. in Nursing
A Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science Program is available at Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing through the CUNY Graduate Center. It aims to prepare students for a role as a nurse scientist, leader, and educator who capable of conducting research that will improve the healthcare quality of New York City. Graduates will develop analytical and innovative skills, which will allows them to respond to the complex healthcare needs of the NYC population.