The start of the fall semester of the school year also marks the beginning of college application season for high school seniors. Those interested in a career in the nursing field can find their niche at St. Joseph’s College of Nursing in Syracuse.
Established in 1898, St. Joseph’s College of Nursing has set a high standard for its applicants, requiring that they have four to five years of science and math with a strong “B” grade point average. Enrolled students are required to take a critical thinking entrance exam and be CPR certified.
Like many other nursing programs, St. Joseph’s uses the clinical teaching setting; however, St. Joseph’s nursing students help care for patients in St. Joseph’s Hospital after just six weeks of study.
Essential skills that are required to complete the nursing coursework include good communication skills, the ability to work well with others, the ability to apply knowledge learned in courses to clinical work, the ability to make proper assessments on patients and handle strong emotions under stressful situations.
St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center also offers a Nursing Educational Contract in which a portion of a student’s tuition is paid, if he or she agrees to work for St. Joseph’s Hospital for three years upon graduation. The number of contracts offered by the hospital is limited, but it is a good opportunity for students to begin their professional career in nursing immediately after their graduation as well as save money in the process.
For those who have wanted to be a registered nurse, but do not have time during the week to take courses, St. Joseph’s also offers a weekend nursing option. The weekend option, which begins in January, offers courses and clinical every other weekend.
St. Joseph’s College of Nursing and Le Moyne College (also in Syracuse) offer a Dual Degree Program in Nursing. Students earn both the associate’s and bachelor’s degree in four years. Students are eligible to sit for the national nursing licensing exam and work at St. Joseph’s after year three.
St. Joseph’s College offers intensive education in cardiac services, orthopedic services (Health in Motion), vascular services, nursing, family-centered obstetrics services, wound care and hyperbaric treatment , home care services and dialysis services.
As a teaching facility, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center keeps on top of the latest advancements in medicine as well as the newest technology in order to attract “the best and the brightest.”
There is always a need for nurses, who enjoy 100 percent job placement after graduation. Many of St. Joseph’s College of Nursing graduates also chose to continue their education upon graduation, earning advanced degrees.
Information sessions about St. Joseph’s College of Nursing program begin on Oct. 25 and run through March. For more information, call 315-448-5040, or send questions to [email protected].