Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 Graduate Catalog 
    
2014-2015 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, MSN


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The master of science in nursing program prepares graduates for advanced practice nursing and for leadership roles in a variety of community based or acute care provider agencies. The MSN program offers eight concentrations:

  • adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (online)
  • adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist (online)
  • family nurse practitioner (online)
  • neonatal nurse practitioner (online)
  • nurse anesthesia
  • nurse midwifery (online)
  • nursing education (online)
  • nursing leadership (online)

Part-time study is available. Certificate programs are available for post-master’s study in selected areas. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036; phone 202-887-6791.

The MSN nurse midwifery concentration is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) c/o American College of Nurse-Midwives, Suite 1230, 8403 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

The nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, 222 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068; telephone 847-692-7050.

A RN/MSN option is available for registered nurses who do not have a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

The alternate entry (AE) MSN option* is a plan of study leading to the MSN degree for individuals who have earned a baccalaureate degree in another field. The program is divided into 2 phases: Phase I (Pre licensure) includes graduate courses that include content and experiences that are required to take the Registered Nurse Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and preparation for advanced study in nursing. Phase I only begins in fall semesters and full-time enrollment is required. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN and licensure as a registered nurse is required prior to entering Phase II clinical concentration courses. Students may enroll in core classes during the first semester of Phase II, while obtaining credentials. Phase II will include courses in a selected clinical concentration.

Admission


Admission to the master of science in nursing degree program requires the student to meet the minimum admission requirements for graduate study as established by the university and the following requirements established by the College of Nursing.

  • a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited program
  • a minimum GPA of 2.7 in undergraduate studies and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in nursing major
  • acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) within the past five years (GRE score required for nurse anesthesia and nurse midwifery concentration applicants.)
  • currently hold a nonrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in North Carolina or a NCSBN compact state (The out-of-state student must procure a North Carolina RN license before enrolling in clinical courses.)
  • a statement describing the applicant’s interest in graduate study, career goals, and the MSN degree’s relationship to those goals
  • three professional references
  • a personal interview with a member of the graduate faculty

Due to the high demand of courses by our enrolled MSN students, the College of Nursing will not enroll nondegree graduate students at this time. Prospective students are encouraged to apply for full admission as soon as possible in order to be eligible for all College of Nursing course offerings.

Applicants for the nurse midwifery concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must have one year RN experience (labor and delivery preferred), demonstrate a commitment to practice with under-served populations, and one of the references should be from a health care provider knowledgeable about the applicant’s nursing practice.

Applicants for the family nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology nurse practitioner concentrations, in addition to the general admission criteria, must have one year RN experience and provide a third reference from a health care provider knowledgeable about the applicant’s nursing practice. The application deadline for both concentrations is January 2.

Applicants for the nurse anesthesia concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must have one-year adult critical care experience, completion of a supplemental nurse anesthesia admissions packet, a total of five professional references (two on forms provided in nurse anesthesia admissions packet), and an interview with the Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee. The application deadline for the nurse anesthesia concentration is May 31.

Applicants for the adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must have one year of current practice experience and provide a third reference from a health care provider knowledgeable about the applicant’s nursing practice.

Completed applications for the adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist concentration will be considered for fall and spring admission. Applications must be received by October 1 for spring, June 1 for fall.

Applicants for the neonatal nurse practitioner concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must have the equivalent of 2 years of full-time clinical practice experience (within the last 5 years) as a registered nurse (RN) in the care of critically ill neonates or infants in critical care inpatient settings is required before a student begins clinical courses. Students may enroll in preclinical courses while obtaining the necessary practice experience and provide a third reference from a health care provider knowledgeable about the applicant’s nursing practice.

Applicants may take core courses while gaining the required RN experience for admission into selected concentrations.

Applicants for admission to the (AE) MSN option must meet general admission requirements with the exception of a valid RN license and baccalaureate degree in nursing. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in another field. Additional requirements include:

  • Completion of prerequisite courses – chemistry, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, human growth and development, nutrition, ethics, and statistics.
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate major
  • Current nonrestricted license to practice as a RN in NC or a NCSBN compact state prior to entering Phase II clinical concentration courses.

Application deadline for the (AE) MSN option is December 1.

Completed applications will be considered as they are received, with the exception of nurse anesthesia, family nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, and the alternate entry master of science in nursing option.

Applicants for the nursing education, nursing leadership, and adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist concentrations must have a minimum of one year RN experience prior to enrolling in specialty courses.

Applicants for the nursing leadership concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must provide a third reference from a health care provider knowledgeable about the applicant’s nursing practice.

Applicants for admission to the RN/MSN option will be evaluated using the following criteria.

  • a minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate studies and a minimum 3.0 GPA in the nursing major in the previous nursing program
  • one year RN experience
  • an acceptable score on the GRE or the MAT within the past five years
  • current nonrestricted license to practice as a RN in North Carolina or a NCSBN compact state
  • a statement describing the applicant’s interest in graduate study, career goals, and the MSN degree’s relationship to those goals
  • three professional references
  • a personal interview with the director of RN/BSN studies and a member of the College of Nursing graduate faculty

Note:


Note: Students are no longer being accepted into the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner concentrations or in the alternate entry (AE) MSN option.

Program Prerequisites


A course in statistics with a grade of C or higher and basic computer skills with both applications software and the Internet are prerequisites for all concentrations. A course in basic accounting is a prerequisite for the nursing leadership concentration.

Students in the (AE) MSN option must complete all cognate requirements prior to beginning the program. Admission to the (AE) MSN option does not guarantee entry into a specific graduate concentration.

Students in the RN/MSN option must complete all general education and cognate requirements prior to beginning undergraduate nursing courses. Separate application is made to the graduate program in the first or second semester of study in the RN/MSN option. Students enrolled in the RN/MSN option must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the 15 s.h. of undergraduate nursing courses to be eligible to continue in this option. Admission to the RN/MSN option does not guarantee entry into a specific graduate concentration.

Graduate Student Progression Procedure


Students are required to earn a grade of “B” or above in the courses listed below. A student earning a grade below a “B” in any of these courses will have his/her program of study terminated.

Clinical Nurse Specialist


NURS 6959 , NURS 6960 , NURS 6961 , NURS 6962 , NURS 6993 

Family Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner


NURS 6618 , NURS 6619 , NURS 6620 , NURS 6622 , NURS 6623 

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner


NURS 6417 , NURS 6418 , NURS 6419 , NURS 6420 , NURS 6421 , NURS 6422 , NURS 6423 , NURS 6424 , NURS 6425 , NURS 6993 

Nursing Education


NURS 6903 , NURS 6904 , NURS 6905 , NURS 6908 , NURS 6909 , NURS 6993 

Nursing Leadership


NURS 6977 , NURS 6978 , NURS 6993 

Degree Requirements


Depending upon the concentration area chosen within the degree program, the master of science in nursing requires 37-69 s.h. as follows. Concentrations are clustered as administrative, clinical, and education.

Administrative:


  • Nursing Leadership – Acute Care Health Systems - 42 s.h.
  • Nursing Leadership – Community Based Health Systems - 42 s.h.
  • Nursing Leadership – Educational Systems - 42 s.h.

Clinical:


  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - 47 s.h.
  • Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - 43 s.h.
  • Family Nurse Practitioner - 51 s.h.
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - 42 s.h.
  • Nurse Anesthesia - 69 s.h.
  • Nurse Midwifery - 51 s.h.

Education:


  • Nursing Education - 37 s.h.

Requirements:


2. Cluster core - 9-20 s.h.


(Choose appropriate cluster for concentration.)

3. Concentration area - 15-36 s.h.


(Choose one area.)

Administrative - 19 s.h.:

Clinical - 18-36 s.h.:

4. Students in the nursing education concentration who have limited teaching experience may be required to take


5. Students in the nursing leadership concentration who have limited finance experience may be required to take


Note:


Enrollment is necessary for continued research advisement. A comprehensive assessment is required for graduation for all MSN degree-seeking students.

Students in the RN/MSN option must complete the following undergraduate courses prior to enrolling in any graduate nursing courses–NURS 3020, 3021, 3510, 3900, 4210, 4211.

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