RN Students

1.       Courses from other colleges will be accepted for transfer credit to units if the grade is "C" or better upon approval by the Wagner College Registrar.  (The last 9 units of any degree must be earned at Wagner College).  Credits earned through proficiency examinations, life experience, etc. cannot be counted as part of the required units.  Regent’s External exams, NLNAC Achievement exams, and New York State Nursing CLEP exams are also considered for acceptance, if passing scores are achieved.  The Bachelor of Science degree is awarded at the completion of the Nursing and Liberal Arts/Sciences requirements.  Registered Nurse students complete 21 units in Arts and Sciences (inclusive of transfer credits); 9 units through validation exams or transfer credits and 6 units required in Nursing for a total of 36 units.  The last 9 units of any degree must be earned at Wagner College. Units are used in place of credits with no loss to student’s transfer credits; 1 unit is equal to 1 course.  If the student has no transferable credits in the above areas, proficiency examinations are available in:

Anatomy and Physiology                     for                         2 Units

Microbiology                                        for                         1 Unit

These exams are Achievement Examinations and students must earn the required passing percentile score in the baccalaureate degree category to receive credit.  The cost of each of the exams will be incurred by the student.  Please call the Nursing Resource Center for further information (718) 390-3291.

The required nursing courses that may NOT be challenged and need to be taken at The Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing at Wagner College are the following:

2.       RN Completion Exams:

In order to receive 9 units from Wagner College for previous nursing knowledge and competencies, the RN will take the Educational Resources Inc. exam unless they are currently employed at least in a part-time capacity.  Each RN student will be individually assessed.  (You must achieve a standard score equivalent to the National Score of the exam.  These exams are on computer in the Nursing Resource Center, Campus Hall). Exams are in the following areas:

A)      Nursing Care of Adults I and II (180 questions, 3hrs.)

B)       Mental Health Nursing (100 questions, 1hr. 30 min.)              

C)      Maternity & Children (180 questions, 3hrs.)                         

If you do not pass each examination, you are responsible for scheduling a re-take with the Nursing Resource Center Director.  A failure in the examination does not reflect on your overall nursing knowledge.  It merely demonstrates that you did not present evidence of mastery of the specific content being challenged.  To obtain sufficient knowledge and competency, the RN would then take the appropriate nursing course at, the School of Nursing as deemed necessary by the RN advisor.

1.  To schedule study practices for the examinations and to schedule the exams, please call the Nursing Resource Center Director at (718) 390-3291.

2.  The student will see the analysis at the completion of the test.

3.  No letter grade will be given.  The appropriate unit will appear on the student’s transcript when you have successfully passed all the exams.

4.  A clinical competency exam (written) will be given after successful passing   on previous exams.  The clinical examination is designed to validate clinical performance.  You will be given a simulated clinical situation and asked to respond to the information given with a comprehensive plan of care.  This clinical situation will be in the form of a situation in which you are given a report on a select patient. The information given about the patient will be very similar to what you would expect in an actual clinical situation.  You may choose the area in which you desire to take the examination, for example: adult health, maternal-child nursing or mental health nursing. Information about the specific client will not be given prior to the actual examination.  In addition, you will not be permitted to use any books or other references during the examination.  This clinical examination may be repeated only once. If after two attempts and the student has not passed, the faculty will plan to conduct a clinical practicum in the field with a pass/fail criteria and the student will be charged the unit fee equivalent. All tests must be paid for at the Cashier’s Window Business Office, Cunard Hall, your receipt is your entrance to the exam. 

               If an RN has NOT been actively involved in clinical practice for two (2) or more years, they will be required to demonstrate clinical competency in either a clinical agency, the Nursing Resource Center, or by taking a clinical competency exam, at the discretion of the faculty.  RN students may not need to take a clinical competency exam if they have been actively employed full-time in nursing for the past two (2) years (with documentation).  Dr. O’Hare will review the status for a possible waiver.  All others will be individually assessed as to whether or not they will be required to take this exam. 

5.    Call the R.N. advisor if you have any questions regarding validation   exams: Dr. Lauren O’Hare, (718) 390-3445, Campus Hall Room 303.

To complete their baccalaureate requirements, RN students need a total of 36 units (inclusive of nursing and liberal arts).  A unit is equivalent to a course.  RN’s can test out of or receive 9 units for previous nursing theory and practice (A.A.S./Diploma).  These transfer students need to take a minimum of 9 units at Wagner College to receive their degree from Wagner College. 6 units must be taken in the School of Nursing to complete their nursing degree.  Liberal arts units can be transferred in on an individual basis.

Suggested Nursing Electives:

Students entering Fall must take two (2) intercultural courses in the core curriculum.  One course in International (I) and one course in American Diversity (D).

NR212-D      Human Sexuality                                  1 Unit          Offered in the Spring Semester

SP/NR 511-I Spanish for Healthcare Professionals      1 Unit          Offered Periodically