Master of Science in Nursing

Acting Director of the MSN program, J. Yoder
Professor R. Stoltzfus, J. Yoder
Associate Professor S. Setiawan
Assistant Professor K. Schramm, D. Brissett

Introduction

The master of science in nursing program is designed for the registered nurse who is a graduate of a baccalaureate program in nursing. Courses meet once per week during late afternoon and evening hours. The program is built on a tradition of excellence in nursing education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A distinctive feature of the program is an emphasis on nursing care in a culturally diverse society. We believe in providing care that values understanding the stories of patients, including those who are marginalized in our society.

The graduate nursing program offers one track of study: Family Nurse Practitioner. The program prepares students for the certification exam through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Admission Information

Admission requirements include the following:

• GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for the last degree earned
• Curriculum vitae
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a school accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
• An active RN license in the state where clinical work will be completed
• One professional reference that attest to academic and professional achievements
• An introductory statistics course with a grade of ‘C’ or higher within the last seven years
• At least one year of clinical experience working as a registered nurse in the United States
• A personal interview with the director of the graduate program in nursing

If applicant’s first language is not English, a TOEFL score of at least 100 on the Internet-based or 600 on written-based test or IELTS score of 6.5 is required.

The nursing department reserves the right to adjust the current admission criteria when outcome assessment data demonstrate the need for such changes.

A maximum of 9 credit hours of comparable graduate-level coursework from an accredited college or university may be transferred, with the consent of the program director. Comparable is defined as courses that fulfill the requirements for the program to which the student will be enrolled. Courses considered for transfer must have a grade of B (not B-) or higher.

Tuition and Fees

Career Opportunities

The family nurse practitioner is a provider of direct healthcare services. Within this role, the family nurse practitioner synthesizes theoretical, scientific, and contemporary clinical knowledge for the assessment and management of both health and illness states.

Clinical Information

Family nurse practitioner students are required to complete a minimum of 750 clock hours of clinical work with an approved preceptor.

Master of Science in Nursing

Family Nurse Practitioner – 48 credit hours

Core curriculum (24 credit hours)

Family Nurse Practitioner courses (24 credit hours)

Planning and Advising Notes

Programs follow a cohort model, with students taking core courses together. The FNP program requires eight semesters of study.

MSN Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MSN program, graduates will demonstrate:

1. A faith that is active, reflective, sensitive, and responsive to the spiritual needs of self and others. (MSN Essential #9)
2. An understanding of ethical and moral issues that expand the advocacy role of the advanced practice nurse or clinical nurse leader. (MSN Essential #1; DNP Essential #2)
3. Utilization of knowledge from nursing, natural and social science and the arts in the management of patient health/illness status or management of microsystems of care. (MSN Essential #1; DNP Essential #1)
4. Interpretation and evaluation of research for the initiation of change, improvement of nursing practice, management of health outcomes, and provision of high-quality health care. (MSN Essential #4; DNP Essential #3)
5. Utilization of the research process for addressing clinical problems. (MSN Essential #4; DNP Essential #3)
6. Synthesis of knowledge into a personal leadership style that contributes to health for individual, family, and community. (MSN Essential #8; DNP Essential #6)
7. Promotion of policy development related to the emerging roles within nursing. (MSN Essential #6; DNP Essential #5)
8. Assimilation of knowledge and principles of teaching/learning in providing health education and health promotion activities. (MSN Essential #7 & #8; DNP Essential #7)
9. Contribution to health outcomes through advocacy within the profession, interdisciplinary healthcare teamwork, and the care of individuals, families, and communities. (MSN Essentials #3, #6, & #8; DNP Essential #3)
10. Application of information and communication technologies and resources in evidence-based care and health education. (MSN Essential #5 & #8; DNP Essential #4)
11. Taking initiative in providing culturally sensitive care. (MSN Essential #8; DNP Essentials #5, 7, & 8)
12. Exploration of personal and professional values in light of growing health disparities in the community and world. (MSN Essential #2; DNP Essential #2)
13. Assimilation of conflict transformation and social justice knowledge that is responsive to diverse needs of the individual, family, and community. (MSN Essential #3 & #8)
14. Application of advanced knowledge in the discipline to specific and vulnerable populations. (MSN Essential #9; DNP Essential #8)