Graduate nursing classes proposed

SUNY Upstate Medical University will bring two of its graduate nursing programs to the Watertown area next fall, but only if enough people show interest.

Elvira Szigeti, College of Nursing dean at Upstate Medical, said the Syracuse college will bring the proposed family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner graduate programs to Watertown if at least 20 people sign up.

"What we are trying to do is get the word out so if people are interested, they can contact us," she said.

A location for the classes is to be determined.

SUNY Upstate is working with the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization to recruit interested students.

Erika Flint, the planning organization's regional recruitment project manager, said Jefferson Community College could be considered a site for classes for SUNY Upstate's programs, but if the college's facilities master plan is not approved, SUNY Upstate may have to look elsewhere for a place to hold the classes.

JCC President Carole A. McCoy previously told the Watertown Daily Times that if the plan isn't approved by the county Legislature, all pending partnerships could be at risk.

Neither Ms. Flint nor Ms. Szigeti would hint at any possible site that's being considered for the master's degree classes.

Those interested in applying must have a bachelor's degree in nursing, an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher, a current state registered nurse license, cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification and basic health assessment and basic statistics credits taken within the past five years.

Nurses with a master's degree who wish to enroll in the post-master's program should have a clinical master's degree in nursing, health assessment skills and CPR certification.

Registered nurses with an associate degree also may apply through SUNY Upstate Medical's RN-to-MS program, but will be required to take courses in Syracuse to start.

For more information, call SUNY Upstate Medical at 464-4570.