Nursing 83
PART-TIME OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM
Opportunities for part-time study are available to students in two of the three program options. Courses are scheduled three semesters per year (fall, spring, and summer) and are offered in the evening to accommodate students who are working full-time. NOTE: Course offerings in any graduate nursing option are contingent on sufficient enrollment.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Registered nurses who have a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing from an accredited program are eligible to apply for admission to graduate study. Applicants must: • • • • • • •
Submit an application for admission. Provide transcripts of all academic work. Complete an introductory statistics course and an undergraduate research course with a grade of at least a B in both courses. Submit competitive scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE scores are not required for the Nurse Administrator track). Provide three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the candidate’s academic and professional expertise. Give evidence of the fulfillment of legal requirements for the practice of nursing in the United States. Interview with an admissions committee for the Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia program.
NOTE: Specific MSN program options may require additional admission criteria.
RESEARCH REQUIREMENT
Each graduate student in nursing is required to conduct a research study or evidence based practice project and submit a formal research report prior to graduation. This requirement includes nine credits of study - three credits of GNURS 650 Research Methods, three credits of GNURS 651 Research Seminar, and three credits of GNURS 721 Thesis/Project Guidance. Students are guided through the process by a doctorally-prepared nursing faculty member. A student may need more than the 3 credits required for Thesis Guidance to complete their thesis. If additional credits are needed, the student will be directed to take GNURS 684 or GNURS 685 Independent Study credits—one credit at a time until thesis is completed.
THE CURRICULUM PLAN
The graduate nursing program requires students to complete from 42 to 48 credits. Credit requirements are specific to the advanced practice nursing option selected by the student. Regardless of the area of concentration, all students are required to complete six credits
of core nursing knowledge courses—three credits of GNURS 525 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing and three credits of GNURS 526 Role Theory and Professional Issues in Nursing.
Master of Science in Nursing Options COURSE OF STUDY FOR FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER
The Family Nurse Practitioner option offers students a focus on development and implementation of the nurse practitioner role with families and individuals across the lifespan. Ethical dilemmas and legal issues resulting from the advanced practice role are addressed. Primary care provider and leadership roles in community practice are learned from a theoretical knowledge base in the classroom and a clinical practice base in a variety of settings. Students learn needs assessment approaches for a community-wide system of health care services.
CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
The planned course sequence that follows is for part-time study. FIRST YEAR Fall Semester GNURS 525 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing GNURS 587 Advanced Pathophysiology 1* 6 credits
3 3
Spring Semester GNURS 526 Role Theory and Professional Issues in Nursing 3 GNURS 588 Advanced Pathophysiology 2 * 3 6 credits SECOND YEAR Fall Semester GNURS 650 Research Methods GNURS 590 Advanced Physical Assessment* 6 credits
3 3
Spring Semester GNURS 651 Research Seminar GNURS 589 Pharmacotherapeutics * 6 credits
3 3
Summer Session GNURS 660 Family Nurse Practitioner Theory 1 * GNURS 663 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum 1 * GNURS 721 Thesis Guidance 7 credits
3 3 1