Master of Science in Nursing
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree program is designed for students who have a Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing degree and a current, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States. The program is built upon The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The MSN program concentrations include Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, and the Advanced Practice Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
Nursing Program Mission
Committed to the mission and values of the University, the mission of the nursing program is to educate students to become, and grow as, professional nurses who value excellence, provide leadership, and show caring attitudes in all endeavors, foster community, and embrace lifelong learning. Graduates are prepared to provide outcome-focused, client-centered, evidence-based, holistic nursing care to individuals, groups, and communities of diverse backgrounds.
MSN Program Mission
Committed to the mission and values of the University and building upon the knowledge and skills of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse, the mission of the MSN program is to prepare students for advanced nursing practice as leaders, change agents, and innovators in the areas of administration, education, and practitioner.
Accreditation
The Master of Science of Nursing program at the University of Saint Mary is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Information related to this accreditation may be obtained by contacting CCNE at One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036 Phone: (202)-887-6791 Fax: (202)-887-8476.
MSN Program Outcomes
Graduates of the MSN program in all concentrations will:
- Integrate comprehensive assessment, theory, evidence, clinical judgment, research, patient values, and inter-professional perspectives in advance nursing practice for diverse populations.
- Utilize information and technology to communicate, educate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making.
- Synthesize ethical, economic, legal, and political factors that influence health care to influence the organization and financing of health care delivery and educational delivery systems.
- Collaborate to design, coordinate, and evaluate patient-centered health care as a leader or member of an inter-professional team.
- Contribute to nursing practice to improve health care outcomes by translating evidence into practice.
- Integrate evidence based findings for patient-centered and culturally responsive strategies for clinical prevention and health promotion for diverse populations and environments.
- Advocate for policies to improve population health, access to quality care and the profession of nursing.
- Provide evidence of professional and personal goal development and activities.
- Integrate the 5 C’s of caring – commitment, conscience, competence, compassion, and confidence – in advance nursing practice. (Roach, M.S. (1992). The human act of caring: A blueprint for the health professions. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Hospital Association Press.)
Minimum Admission Requirements for all MSN Students
Admission to the MSN program is competitive and based upon the following criteria. Specific MSN concentrations may have additional requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a CCNE or NLNAC/ACEN/CNEA accredited nursing program from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
- Verification of current unrestricted RN licensure in the United States.
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale either cumulatively or for the last 60 credit hours of coursework.
- Three letters of reference from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s potential ability to practice at an advanced nursing practice level, to engage in scholarly activity, and to fulfill a leadership role. This is not required for students who already hold an undergraduate Nursing degree from the University of Saint Mary.
- Official transcripts for all academic work beyond high school.
- Application to the University of Saint Mary and payment of applicable fees.
- Academic Honesty Statement.
- A 300 to 500 word statement of the candidate’s personal and professional goals and motivation for earning an MSN.
- Current resume or curriculum vitae.
Achievement of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. All application data are considered. Background checks, health insurance, and immunizations may be part of a practicum site’s requirements. It is the students’ responsibility to verify and meet these requirements prior to beginning their practicum experience.
Admission to the MSN-FNP concentration has the following admission requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a CCNE or NLNAC/ACEN/CNEA accredited nursing program.
- Verification of current unrestricted RN license in the state of Kansas and state of intended clinical practicum.
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 or a GPA of at least 3.00 in the last two years of undergraduate nursing study.
- Official transcript(s) from undergraduate/professional school submitted through the NursingCAS system.
- Two professional or academic letters of recommendation. The letter should attest to the applicant’s potential to successfully complete a graduate program of study, with emphasis on professional nursing competency, relationship with team members, leadership skills, and personal responsibility/accountability.
- Current curriculum vitae.
- A 300 word statement describing the applicant’s professional goals and reasons for seeking graduate education.
- It is highly recommended that students have 1 year of clinical experience prior to enrollment in the FNP practicum courses. Students may seek admission prior to the completion of this requirement, but must have completed the full year of RN clinical practice prior to enrollment in FNP practicum courses.
- Students may be invited for a personal interview with FNP Program Admissions Committee.
- Applicants must meet the requirement for USM’s Graduate Programs Admission.
If admitted, FNP students are expected to purchase and maintain health insurance during their enrollment in the program.
Progression and Graduation
- Maintain cumulative graduate GPA of 3.00 on 4.00 scale.
- One course grade of “C” is allowed in the MSN Nurse Educator and Nurse Administrator programs if cumulative GPA does not fall below 3.00. A course grade of “F” or a second course grade of “C” will result in dismissal from the program. A student may appeal this dismissal, but readmission is at the discretion of the program director. The course in which an “F” grade was received must be retaken and passed with a grade of “B” or higher. Students reinstated into the program should take the course in question prior to other coursework, but this may be addressed on a case by-case basis.
- One course grade of "C" is allowed within the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program in the common core courses only and only if the cumulative GPA does not fall below 3.00. A course grade of "F" or a second course grade of "C" will result in dismissal from the program. A student may appeal this dismissal, but readmission is at the discretion of the program director. The course in which an "F" grade was received must be retaken and passed with a grade of "B" or higher. Students reinstated in the program should take the course in question prior to other coursework, but this may be addressed on a case-by-case basis. No "C" grades or below will be allowed in the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program for the FNP concentration courses. If a "C" is earned in one of these courses, the student will be dismissed from the program.
- There is a University policy of no "D" grades for graduate level courses. Probationary status is possible for GPAs less than 3.00, with approval of the program director. This must be removed within 6 credit hours or may result in dismissal from the program.
- Students who are dismissed, or withdraw from the program, may apply for readmission one time only. Applications for readmission will be considered on a case by case basis, and all will require a statement by the student explaining the previous difficulties and plan of action to ensure success with the readmission.
- Fulfill all graduation requirements.
- Students who have already completed one or more concentrations in the USM Master of Science in Nursing can elect to take the FNP concentration. Core MSN courses taken at USM will count toward the FNP requirements. Students who wish to do this, or wish to transition from the MSN program to the FNP program, must apply for the FNP program through NursingCAS. If the student already has a MSN degree, after completion of the additional FNP coursework and clinical experiences, the student will not receive another diploma or degree. The completed FNP concentration will, however, be noted on the official transcript.
Curriculum
The non-practitioner MSN degree requires a total of 35 credits. There are five (5) common core courses (12 credits) and eight (8) courses (23 credits) in each of the concentrations – nurse educator and nurse administrator. Two nurse administrator courses are from the Master of Business Administration curriculum (HCMGT 721 and one of the following: MGT 701 or MGT 750).
The MSN-FNP degree requires a total of 50 credits. There are five (5) core courses from the MSN degree (12 credits) and eight (8) courses (38 credits) for the FNP concentration.
Courses are taught year round.
Required Common Core (12 crs):
| NU 611 | Informatics in Nursing | 2 |
| NU 641 | Statistics for Health Care | 1 |
| NU 701 | Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NU 703 | Analysis and Utilization of Research | 3 |
| NU 705 | Health Care Policy and Ethics | 3 |
Nurse Educator Concentration (23 crs):
| NU 607 | Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion | 3 |
| NU 610 | Advanced Patho-Pharm for the Nurse Educator | 4 |
| NU 725 | Foundations of Learning and Teaching | 3 |
| NU 727 | Curriculum Design and Evaluation | 3 |
| NU 731 | Teaching with Technology | 3 |
| NU 745 | Nursing Practicum I | 2 |
| NU 747 | Nursing Practicum II | 2 |
| NU 749 | Capstone Synthesis | 3 |
Health Administrator Concentration (23 crs):
| HCMGT 721 | Leadership and Business Operations in Healthcare | 3 |
| NU 710 | Human Resource and Fiscal Management | 4 |
| NU 712 | Quality and Safety | 3 |
| NU 718 | Delivery of Care in the Healthcare Enviroment | 3 |
| NU 745 | Nursing Practicum I | 2 |
| NU 747 | Nursing Practicum II | 2 |
| NU 749 | Capstone Synthesis | 3 |
Choose one of the following:
Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration (38 crs):
| NU 712 | Quality and Safety | 3 |
| NUFP 770 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUFP 771 | Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning | 5 |
| NUFP 772 | Pharmacotherapeutics for the APRN Prescriber | 3 |
| NUFP 780 | Primary Care I - Management of the Adult/Geriatric Population | 6 |
| NUFP 782 | Primary Care II - Management of Childbearing Families | 6 |
| NUFP 784 | Primary Care III - Management of Children, Families, and Populations | 6 |
| NUFP 786 | Clinical Capstone and Practicum for FNP Students | 6 |
Elective Courses:
Transfer Credits
Up to nine (9) graduate credit hours may be transferred into the MSN program provided the courses with which the credits are associated are substantially equivalent to University of Saint Mary graduate courses. The program director reserves the right to determine if the courses are substantially equivalent. Requests for transfer credit are subject to the requirements described in the Transfer of Credit Guidelines of this catalog and Post-Licensure Program Director approval. University of Saint Mary students in the RN-BSN program may have the option of applying up to 9 graduate credit hours from NU 607, NU 641, or NU 701 under the following conditions:
- Continuous enrollment toward the fulfillment of MSN requirements
- NU 607 is successfully completed in lieu of NURN 321
- NU 701 is successfully completed in lieu of NURN 302, or as an elective to fulfill the requirements of the BSN
- NU 611 is successfully completed in lieu of NURN 311, or as an elective to fulfill the requirements of the BSN
- NU 641 is successfully completed as an elective to fulfill the requirements of the RN-BSN
- Upon continuous enrollment toward the fulfillment of MSN requirements if these courses were taken in lieu of NU 302, NU 311, and NU 321 or an elective to fulfill the requirements of the BSN
Post-Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Program and Admission Requirements
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Post-Masters certification program prepares Advanced Practice Nurses for the roles as an Advanced Practice Clinician. The certification program prepares the practitioner through a series of theory, practice-focused clinical courses and an intense preceptorship. Courses are structured to prepare the clinician to provide evidence based primary health care to clients and families throughout the lifespan while encouraging collaboration with all members of the care team. The program is built upon the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Masters Essentials. Courses are offered in an on-ground format with preceptor experiences in a variety of primary health care roles in community-based settings.
Students who seek the post-masters Family Nurse Practitioner certification will have a graduate degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing. All post-masters FNP certification students must meet the University standards for admission into the graduate program and requirements for the post-masters FNP certification program. Additionally, students will have had to complete courses or their equivalent from another accredited institution. These courses will need to be satisfactorily completed prior to enrollment in the post-masters FNP certification courses:
Required
| NU 712 | Quality and Safety | 3 |
| NUFP 770 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUFP 771 | Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning | 5 |
| NUFP 772 | Pharmacotherapeutics for the APRN Prescriber | 3 |
Remaining degree requirements (24 crs):
| NUFP 780 | Primary Care I - Management of the Adult/Geriatric Population | 6 |
| NUFP 782 | Primary Care II - Management of Childbearing Families | 6 |
| NUFP 784 | Primary Care III - Management of Children, Families, and Populations | 6 |
| NUFP 786 | Clinical Capstone and Practicum for FNP Students | 6 |
Requirements
The post-master’s certification program provides APRN students the opportunity to advance their skill and knowledge within the population role of the Family Nurse Practitioner and provides the opportunity to sit for national certification. Those who currently hold a Master of Science in Nursing who seek post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification will have a graduate degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing. All post-master’s FNP certification students must meet the University standards for admission into the graduate program and requirements for the FNP program. Additionally, students will have had to complete the following courses or their equivalent from another accredited institution. These courses will need to be satisfactorily completed prior to enrollment in the post-master’s FNP certification program courses and are offered by the University of Saint Mary.
MSN-FNP Practice Core
| NU 712 | Quality and Safety | 3 |
| NUFP 770 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUFP 771 | Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning | 5 |
| NUFP 772 | Pharmacotherapeutics for the APRN Prescriber | 3 |
Note: Those who currently hold an MSN from an accredited school of nursing with an APRN focus who seek post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification and have successfully completed the FNP practice core listed above may progress into the four practicum courses to meet program certification requirement.
Program Certification Requirements
| NUFP 780 | Primary Care I - Management of the Adult/Geriatric Population | 6 |
| NUFP 782 | Primary Care II - Management of Childbearing Families | 6 |
| NUFP 784 | Primary Care III - Management of Children, Families, and Populations | 6 |
| NUFP 786 | Clinical Capstone and Practicum for FNP Students | 6 |