2008-2009 Catalog 
    
    Apr 18, 2024  
2008-2009 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, MSN


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Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a program of advanced study leading to a Master of Science in Nursing degree, building upon and expanding the knowledge, values and skills of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse. In addition to taking courses which prepare for expanded clinical roles, the student gains experience with research, health care policy, nursing theory, clinical problem solving/critical thinking, and creativity.

Students choose a specialty of nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or nursing administration. Additional credit hours are required if students choose a dual clinical role. Students choose a major in adult, family, community health, or gerontological nursing. A nonclinical major in nursing administration is also available.

The MSN has three distinct bodies of knowledge: graduate core, advanced practice core and specialty courses related to the selected clinical specialty. All graduate core and advanced practice core courses are offered on line as well as on site. The Adult Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner options may be taken entirely on line. Other specialty courses may be blocked to facilitate part-time residency (CNS, minor courses). Nursing Administration courses offer on line/blocked method.

A post certificate masters completion option is available upon approval. Postmasters certificates are available in selected specialties.

MSN Application and Admission

MSN Admission Criteria

  • GPA of 3.0 in all previous course work
  • Completion of an accredited baccalaureate degree in nursing
  • Prerequisite undergraduate courses include: Introduction to Statistics, Nursing Research & Health Assessment
  • Vita documenting current work experience (Family 2 years, all other options one year)
  • Current unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the state where clinical practice will take place
  • Passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if native language is not English
  • Computer technology skills

MSN Graduate Application

If a student does not meet eligibility requirements for admission, petitioning of the Graduate Committee for provisional status is possible.

Graduate Academic Policies

Advising

Graduate Students are responsible for an initial meeting with the Director of the Graduate Program to establish a degree plan of study. Students are then assigned an advisor to assist in any academic issues. All changes to academic degree plan of study must be approved by the academic advisor. New student orientation is provided each semester.

Transfer Students

A transfer student is a student who is seeking the MSN degree, has attended another institution, and meets a MSN admission requirements. Articulation course work may be required of a transfer student. The student must petition the Graduate Department for acceptance of transfer credits. No more than 12 credit hours can be accepted from a non-CU campus.

RN to MSN Program

The RN to MSN program is designed for registered nurses with baccalaureate degrees in majors other than nursing. Specific nursing courses provide students knowledge to facilitate their transition to graduate level nursing courses.

Students apply for admission to the MSN and must meet all MSN admission requirements except graduation from an accredited BSN program.

Post Certificate MSN Option

For students with a Nurse Practitioner National Certificate in neonatal, women’s health, adult or geriatric nursing seeking the MSN,masters core courses and advanced practice courses are required. Individual certificate program materials are evaluated for transfer credit. Specialty courses needed will be determined individually after transcript evaluation.

MSN Degree Requirements


  • 39-47 graduate level credits
  • 3.0 or better in all required nursing courses
  • Completion of degree requirements within seven years

Online Options


Core courses in the graduate program are offered online. For further information contact the Department (719) 262-4424. The Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing Administration Specialty courses are offered totally online. The CNS core is offered online, with many of the specialty courses offered in one-week blocks.

MSN Degree Curriculum


Credits: 13-15


Advanced Practice Nursing Core


(Required of all MSN Students—*courses and hours are dependent on degree specialty)

Credits: 13-14


MSN—Nurse Practitioner Option Specialty Courses


(Nurse Practitioner Students select from the following options)

MSN—Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Option


MSN—Nursing Administration Option


The Nursing Administration option is designed to prepare qualified individuals for management careers in hospitals, health maintenance organizations, long-term care facilities, health departments and other health care organizations.

Course Curriculum


The Nursing Administration Option curriculum includes graduate nursing core courses (13-15 credits) plus 27 credits in specialty administration courses.

  • Electives (6 credits)

Credits: 40-42


Course Requirements for Prescriptive Authority


Specific courses may differ for the selected specialty but must include Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Assessment, and Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics. State requirements differ in various state jurisdictions; currency of course work and practice hours as an APN may be required.

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