2017-2018 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Science in Nursing, M.S.N.


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Deborah Kuhn Bruley, Ph.D., R.N., MSN Program Director
Suzanne Herrera Phipps, Ed.D., APN, CNP, FNP Program Director

The MSN program provides education and experience in three specific areas: education, management/leadership, and family nurse practitioner. All learners are provided the opportunity to learn the theoretical base of nursing science while participating in practicum experiences that will heighten their professional readiness for their career. In addition, various healthcare settings are utilized for practicums in the three areas.

36-48 hours

Plus completion of one of the following specialty tracks:


Note:


Program Outcomes

In the MSN program, learners and faculty establish the teaching-learning process. Learners are encouraged throughout the program to plan their own learning opportunities. Learners, with the assistance of faculty members, are expected to identify personal goals consistent with the program goals, plan experiences, and evaluate the achievement of goals. Program evaluation is a continuous process shared between and among students, faculty, and consumers. The program objectives and indicators (outcomes) are:

  • Serve God and humanity in advanced nursing roles and in various settings.
  • Integrate faith and life-long learning as they evaluate concepts inherent in personal, professional, and spiritual growth, within the setting of a Christian liberal arts university.
  • Evaluate the concepts of leadership skills and an understanding of the dynamic health care environment to create constructive change.
  • Systematize ethical, moral, spiritual, and professional concepts into advanced nursing roles.

Expected Outcomes of the Graduate

Graduates are prepared to continue in the profession of nursing as contributing members of the discipline, to promote, maintain, and restore the health of clients in a variety of settings.

The goals of the MSN nursing major are to prepare graduates to:

  • An ethical, moral, and spiritual professional.
  • A life-long learner committed to personal, professional, and spiritual growth.
  • An individual capable of providing leadership through service to God and humanity in advanced nursing roles and settings.
  • A leader and change agent.

Key Program Policies

All MSN students will submit to a criminal background check, and urine drug screen during their first course and prior to starting their practicums.  Additional health requirements will be clearly outlined upon admission and must be passed before starting practicum. In the MSN program (Education, Leadership/Management, and FNP tracks), no more than one C (including C+) is permitted in the coursework.  A second C or C+ requires the learner to repeat one of the two courses.  Only ONE repeat of any course due to withdrawal, failure, or a second C is allowed during any of the tracks of the MSN program.  A 3.0 Cumulative GPA must be maintained throughout the MSN program and for graduation. 

All MSN students in the Education track complete at least 180 practicum hours scored “Satisfactory” by the end of their track specialty and hours must be with a School of High Education focus.  This can be accomplished either through an ADN or a BSN program with a master’s prepared preceptor. Practicum courses will be graded as Pass/Fail. Some individual assignments will receive a letter grade. In order to pass the practicum course, graded assignments must receive a B- average or higher and all practicum hours, with related documentation, must be completed as satisfactory.

All MSN students in the Leadership track complete at least 180 practicum hours by the end of their track specialty, and hours must have a focus in leadership with a master’s prepared preceptor. Practicum courses will be graded as Pass/Fail. Some individual assignments will receive a letter grade. In order to pass the practicum course, graded assignments must receive a B- average or higher and all practicum hours, with related documentation, must be completed as satisfactory.

 All FNP students are to complete a total of 720 clinical/practicum hours by the conclusion of the program.  Practicum courses will be graded as Pass/Fail. Some individual assignments will receive a letter grade. In order to pass the practicum course, graded assignments must receive a B- average or higher and all practicum hours, with related documentation, must be completed as satisfactory.   All FNP students must earn no lower than a B- (83%) in the didactic portion of all FNP specialty track courses. (NRSG 667 , NRSG 668 , NRSG 669 , NRSG 670 , NRSG 671 , and NRSG 672 ).   

Failure to demonstrate meeting any of the standards listed in this section will result in student withdrawal from the MSN program.

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