Nursing Master’s Program Mission and Design
Philosophy of the Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing Master's Program
The nursing faculty in accord with Molloy University, believes that every person, as a biological, psychological, sociological, spiritual, cultural being, has an innate potential for self-actualization in a dynamic universe. We believe that human beings are entitled to an environment which fosters individual self-esteem and mutual positive regard. We hold in high esteem the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals. It is the concept of valuing, in relation to humanity-environment-health, which gives meaning to humanistic nursing practice.
Each human being is an integrated whole evolving through time. The uniqueness of humanity is reflected through individuals, families and communities continuously interacting with their environment. Since environment influences the health and well-being of humanity, we recognize our collective responsibility to strive toward an environmentally better world.
Health is a dynamic state of bio-psycho-socio-spiritual-cultural well-being. A responsible society provides a health care system that enables individuals to function at their highest level. Nursing meets the actual and potential needs of humanity by assisting a diverse, multicultural population to attain, maintain, and retain optimum health.
Nursing is both a science and an art which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of human responses. Humanistic nursing integrates theory and practice within a framework of ethical decision-making. Nursing provides health care for individuals, families, and communities. Central to professional practice are caring, interpersonal communication, and nursing therapeutics. We believe that nursing is a social contract grounded in the profession’s code of ethics and requires a life-long professional commitment.
Baccalaureate nursing education is based on liberal arts and sciences. This foundation distinguishes baccalaureate nurses by preparing them to communicate, evaluate, and provide humanistic health care. Professional nursing education includes nursing’s scientific body of knowledge which is augmented by the findings of multidisciplinary research. Baccalaureate education prepares the nurse generalist in a beginning leadership role as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team who is able to practice in a variety of settings.
The faculty believes that learning is an ongoing process that fosters intellectual inquisitiveness, critical thinking and decision-making, a creative approach to life situations, and an appreciation of ethical and aesthetic values. We believe learning occurs best in a humanistic environment that values students and supports them in becoming increasingly self-aware and self-directed.
A Master of Science degree builds on a foundation of baccalaureate nursing education and integrates nursing theory, research and knowledge from other disciplines. Students, through scholarly activities, acquire the necessary knowledge, understanding and values that lay the groundwork for advanced humanistic nursing practice. It is the integration of theory and practice, grounded in ethical decision-making that distinguishes humanistic practice. Graduate education assists students to perceive new relationships among variables that affect professional nursing in an evolving health care system.
The faculty believes that graduate education provides an opportunity for professional nurses to develop advanced competencies in nursing therapeutics, in areas of clinical concentration and role function, congruent with an expanding theoretical knowledge and authority base. Master’s education prepares nurses to manage care in complex situations and meet intensified health care demands. The faculty recognizes the importance of collaboration among health care professionals, and the uniqueness of nursing’s contribution.
Additional information: Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Statement of Purpose of the Nursing Master's Program
The purpose of the Graduate Program in Nursing at Molloy University is to prepare nurses as practitioners and leaders for advanced roles within an increasingly complex health care environment. The program is designed to foster personal and professional growth, translate evidence and advanced knowledge into practice, and provide a foundation for doctoral study. Through the Humanistic Nursing Framework, the graduate program reflects the uniqueness of Molloy's Judeo-Christian traditions, contributing to the goal of educating nurses for excellence in caring, scholarship, and collaboration.
Characteristics of the Molloy University Master's Prepared Nurse
The prepared nurse will:
• Demonstrates and transmits a belief in the inherent worth and dignity of individuals, families and communities, through role modeling of professional nursing.
• Demonstrates advance competencies and ethical decision-making.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for advanced professional practice in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
• Assumes a leadership role based on theory, research and expert practice.
• Designs and implements research.
• Advocates for an environment of health in a global society.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for professional nursing practice.
Additional information: Graduate Nursing
Program Mission and Design
The mission of graduate study is to provide the opportunity for the attainment of advanced theoretical knowledge and its application in a selected area of nursing practice. The Molloy University program combines academic, clinical and research activities which enable the student to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to practice at a high level of expertise—a distinguishing feature of graduate education.
The Master’s program in Nursing has received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through September 2028.
There are nine programs in the Master of Science Degree Programs in Nursing. Students choose from Nurse Practitioner programs in: Adult-Gerontology Primary or Acute Care; Pediatrics; Family Psychiatric Mental Health; Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist; Nursing Education; Nursing Administration with Informatics; or Dual Degree MS Nursing Administration with Informatics/MBA Healthcare Administration or Healthcare Management. The number of credits required for graduation ranges from 33-48 credits. These programs are part-time, and are held during both the day and evening sessions.
The core courses, germane to the philosophy of the program, provide the foundation for the Humanistic Professional Nursing curriculum. These courses consist of 9 credits and are required for all master’s students. These courses provide the link between theory, education and evidence-based practice. All core requirements and advance practice core courses must be completed prior to starting specialty courses. (NUR 5051, NUR 5052, NUR 5053 must be completed before registering for NUR 5240, NUR 5730, NUR 5721, NUR 5722, NUR 5723 and NUR 5831.)
The nurse practitioner programs are designed to prepare advanced practice nurses in the primary or acute care of the adult patient, pediatric patient, psychiatric mental health patient or family health patient. The curriculum assists students in the development of the skills necessary to foster high levels of patient wellness through the practice of promotion, prevention and self-care. Educational experiences include the assessment of physical and psycho-social conditions, diagnosis of illnesses and the performance of therapeutic and corrective measures, patient and family education, health maintenance, and follow-up care.
Nurse practitioner students fulfill their clinical concentration with 15 or 18 credits in areas of their specialty, and their nurse practitioner role function includes 12 credits of advanced practice core courses. The CNS student is prepared through classroom and clinical activities to provide comprehensive care to individuals with health problems in a particular area. Research education, collaboration, coordination, consultation and referral are roles for the Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Graduates are eligible for national certification in New York State, which grants prescriptive privileges. Graduates are also eligible to take the certification examinations offered by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (a subsidiary of the American Nurses’ Association), the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Nursing Administration with Informatics, and Nursing Education programs fulfill their specialty clinical concentration and role function with 12–26 credits in courses that provide foundation for each of these advanced study areas. All core requirements (NUR 5051, NUR 5052 and NUR 5053) must be completed prior to starting specialty courses. The specialty area courses are planned to develop the student’s expertise and expand opportunities for the graduate to meet career goals. The total number of credits required for graduation ranges from 33-42. Graduates are eligible to take the certification examinations offered by The American Nurses' Credentialing Center and The National League of Nursing.
Curriculum for Master's Nursing Programs
The Master’s Program entitled “Humanistic Nursing Practice in an Evolving Health Care System’’ has nine programs which include: Nursing Education; Nursing Administration with Informatics; Graduate Dual Degree MS Nursing Administration with Informatics/MBA Healthcare Administration; Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist; Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner; Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner; and Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner.
The Nursing Education program provides the skills necessary to teach in a formal academic setting, in a patient education situation or in a staff development role.
The Nursing Administration with Informatics program is focused on the skills needed by the nurse administrator and/or manager. Nursing Administration, in combination with informatics and business concepts, provide a strong foundation in the current and evolving health care environment. Graduates who fulfill the required credits and experiential hours are eligible to take the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center certification exam for Nurse Informatics.
The Graduate Dual Degree MS Nursing Administration with Informatics/MBA Healthcare Administration degrees are a synthesis of the MS in Nursing Administration with Informatics degree and the MBA in Healthcare Administration or Healthcare Management degree. Upon completion of the MS in Nursing Administration with Informatics (42 credits), students have the opportunity to be admitted to the Business Division in the MBA Healthcare Administration or Healthcare Management and will complete an additional 18 credits (6 courses) to earn a second degree - the MBA in Healthcare Administration or Healthcare Management program. The Graduate Dual Degree MS Nursing Administration with Informatics/MBA Healthcare Administration degrees provide students with advanced knowledge necessary for nurse managers and executives to meet the complex demands of management and leadership roles in health facilities and related organizations.