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RN to BSN Program for Catholic Health Nurses

First group of Registered Nurses to participate in the program; graduated May 2012

The Catholic Health and Niagara University RN to BSN program is a series of credit courses held primarily at Catholic Health over 30 months and results in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Catholic Health covers tuition costs, books, and fees and provides laptop computers. See "Costs" for details.

Applications for the January 2014 session are due by July 19, 2013.

News

Nurses prepare for expanded roles – Buffalo News, February 2012

Course Schedule

The program is divided into fall, spring and summer terms. The schedule of courses may be revised to accommodate the needs of the students enrolled.

The program is intended as a cohort group (all participants go through the program together) starting in January 2014 and completing in May 2016. The maximum number in the cohort group is 35.

Eligibility

The program is open to Registered Nurses actively employed at Catholic Health working a minimum of 15 hours per week (30 hours per pay period), who have successfully completed orientation and have no corrective actions.

Associates must meet an admission GPA of 2.5 for Niagara University.

Costs

Catholic Health covers tuition, books, and applicable fees. Catholic Health will also provide laptop computers.

Scholarship Reimbursement Agreement

Each student in the program will be required to sign a scholarship reimbursement agreement with Catholic Health.

Payback will be through a work obligation as an RN for the equivalent of three years full-time (5,850 hours) beginning at the completion of the program. Individuals may work part-time or full-time to meet the 5,850 hour obligation. If the employee leaves the hospital before working off the obligation, then the remaining amount owed will be prorated against the time worked.

Leaving the Program Prior to Completion

Students who drop out of the program and remain employed at Catholic Health will be responsible for paying back monies owed on the scholarship, without interest. Students who drop out but do not remain employed at Catholic Health will be responsible for paying back monies owed, with interest.

Application Process

Prospective students will be required to complete all appropriate Catholic Health and Niagara University application forms and must meet admission criteria to be approved for admission to the program.

Applications for the January 2014 session are due by July 19, 2013.

Students need to submit:

Associate Application Form (pdf)
Manager Reference/Recommendation (pdf)
Niagara University Application Form
Official transcripts for all courses / programs taken post high school
Official high school transcripts
University health service forms and immunization history

Application Checklist

1. Complete the associate application

Download and complete the Associate Application Form (pdf). Return to the Clinical Education department.

2. Ask your manager to complete the recommendation form

Ask your manager to complete the Manager Reference/Recommendation form (pdf) and return to the form to the Clinical Education department.

3. File an application with the Niagara University Admissions Office

Paper Application: Your paper application can be mailed to:

Niagara University
Office of Admissions
Bailo Hall
Niagara University, NY 14109

You can also complete your application and hand it in on-site on admission day.

Online Application: Complete an online application at the Niagara University website.

4. Request high school and college transcripts

High School Transcripts: Call your high school and request official transcripts be sent to the NU admissions department.

College Transcripts: Call the records office of all of the colleges you may have attended or graduated from and request official transcripts to be sent to the NU admissions department.

5. Complete the Niagara University Physical Examination and Immunization Form

Hand in this form on NU Orientation day or return it to:

Niagara University
Student Health Center
PO Box 1923
Niagara University, NY 14109-1923

5. Attend orientation

An orientation day will be set up at the Catholic Health site in early January, at which you will receive your course schedule, books, student id number and IT password.

At this meeting, your health form and a copy of your nurse license can be handed in.