2009-2010 Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2009-2010 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 or clinical nurse specialist. Additional credit hours are required if students choose a dual clinical role. Students choose a major in adult/geri or family. The MSN has three distinct bodies of knowledge: graduate core, advanced practice core, and specialty courses related to the selected clinical specialty. All graduate courses are offered online. A post-masters certificate completion option is available upon approval.

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: 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

Graduate Academic Policies

Advising

All admitted students are provided a standardized degree plan of study. Students are 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 six years

Online Options


All courses in the graduate program are offered online. For further information contact the Department at (719) 255-4424.

MSN Degree Curriculum


Credits: 13-15


Credits: 13-14


MSN—Nurse Practitioner Option Specialty Courses


(Nurse Practitioner Students select from the following options)

MSN—Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Option


Credits: 43-45

Note:


Courses related to the selected clinical specialty provide the student an opportunity to use empirical, ethical, esthetic, personal, and socio-political knowledge in the clinical setting specific to the student’s chosen advanced practice role.

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.

Post Master’s Degree Certificates in Nursing


 Students with master’s degrees in nursing may apply for these certificate programs: adult/geri and family. If the student’s initial master’s degree did not require a course in advanced pathophysiology, the student is required to take Advanced Pathophysiology. Please request information from the College.

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