Dec 11, 2024  
2013-2014 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2013-2014 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

Nursing, M.S.N.


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Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Julie Smith Taylor

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) prepares advanced practice nurses who possess the knowledge, skill, attitudes, and values to meet the challenges of the 21st Century Health Care Delivery System in the following areas (1) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and (2) Nurse Educator (NE). The two-year (NE) and two and one-half year (FNP) full-time MSN Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The graduate of the UNCW School of Nursing master‘s program in nursing will be able to practice in the role for which prepared.

Admission Requirements


Students desiring admission into the graduate program in nursing at UNCW must seek admission to the UNCW Graduate School. Admission to the UNCW Graduate School requires a completed Graduate School application; official transcripts of all college work; official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and three letters of recommendation (one each from a former nurse faculty member and a current or former employer, preferred). Standardized test scores more than five years old at the time of application will not be considered. In addition, students who are taking, or have taken, graduate work elsewhere must be in good standing at that institution to be eligible to take graduate work at UNCW. Additional admission requirements include:

  1. Current unrestricted North Carolina registered nurse license or registered nurse license from one of the affiliated Compact states.
  2. One year professional experience as a baccalaureate prepared registered nurse (FNP option only).
  3. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program.
  4. Strong academic record with a “B” average or better in basic courses prerequisite to graduate study in nursing.
  5. Academic credits in undergraduate nursing research, statistics, leadership, community health, and health assessment
  6. Computer competency
  7. Six semester hours of graduate level transferred credit may be accepted upon approval.
  8. A comprehensive invited interview may be requested.
  9. Additional items as needed.

Students entering the graduate program must have completed successfully the following undergraduate courses: health and physical assessment, community health, statistics, and nursing research. Applicants must have access to a computer capable of supporting electronic mail, a web browser, a word processing program and multi-media presentations. In addition, applicants must demonstrate ability to use these computer applications.

Applications completed online by March 1 will receive first consideration for the following fall semester admission. Applications completed after March 1 may be reviewed on a space-available basis. Admission decisions are based on several factors, including a strong overall undergraduate academic record and satisfactory scores on either the GRE or MAT; however, other indicators of success may be considered for admission. Admission decisions will be finalized and students will be notified of admission by May 1.

Program Student Learning Outcomes


Upon completion of the Master’s curriculum, the new graduate will be able to:

  1. Design client-centered care through advanced practice and education with an altruistic concern for the welfare of others while supporting autonomy and respecting human dignity.
  2. Demonstrate integrity through accountability and responsibility for clinical decisions and lifelong learning.
  3. Manage quality improvement measures that support legal/ethical standards through the use of evidence-based practice.
  4. Impact the health of underserved populations through support and promotion of culturally competent care.
  5. Evaluate domestic and global health integrating the knowledge of healthcare delivery systems, healthcare policies, epidemiology, and the environment.
  6. Promote the health of clients/patients through education and multidisciplinary management of risk reduction, disease prevention and the management of illness.
  7. Demonstrate professional role competence in education and advanced nursing practice.

Degree Requirements


  1. A total of forty-six (46) to forty-seven (47) graduate semester hours is required for the family nurse practitioner option or thirty-five (35) to thirty-six (36) graduate semester hours is required for the nurse educator option. No minor is required.
  2. All courses required in the program are open only to graduate students.
  3. A total of six semester hours of transfer credit may be accepted with approval from the graduate coordinator.
  4. With the exception of six approved transfer credits, all graduate study must be completed in residence depending upon the degree option pursued.
  5. An MSN student must have a “B” or better in each required course. If a student earns a “C”, he/she must repeat the course and must earn a “B” or better to progress. A student will only be allowed to repeat one course. A student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  6. The program has no language requirement; however, one graduate language course, Spanish for Health Care Professionals, may be available as an elective.
  7. Faculty-supervised research activity consisting of successful completion of NSG 500 - Theory and Research for Evidence-Based Practice  (4 credits) and either a master‘s research thesis (3 credits) or a master‘s evidence-based project (2 credits), is required. The master‘s project emphasizes methods of implementing research findings to solve identified clinical or educational problems that an advanced practice nurse might encounter using appropriate research methods. A scholarly presentation is required to disseminate findings from the research activity.
  8. The Oral Comprehensive Examination will be the formal defense of the thesis or research project.
  9. Each student must complete an approved course of study within five years of the date of the first registration for graduate study to be eligible for graduation.

Nurse Educator Option


Purpose:
The Master of Science Nurse Educator (MSN-NE) option prepares a professional who uses educational theory in instructional situations. The program is designed to produce a professional with the values, knowledge and skills to prepare nurses for the current and future health care delivery systems. The 35-36 credit hour nurse educator option prepares the graduate for full-time faculty roles in the community college, part-time or non-tenure-track positions in universities, and helps advanced clinicians make the transition to the role of educator.

The two year full-time program includes foundational course work and a faculty-guided nursing education residency. The curriculum core focuses on research, nursing and educational theory, health policy, and advanced practice roles, issues and trends. The educational cognate focuses on design and delivery of nursing curricula, incorporation of information technology into teaching-learning strategies, evaluation of education outcomes, and nursing education pedagogies. The practicum hours include theoretical instruction, clinical instruction and a nurse educator residency.

MSN Educator Option Full-Time Course Sequence


(35-36 Hours)

Total: 35-36 Hours


Core Courses - 9
Instructional Practicum - 9
Educational Cognate - 17-18

Family Nurse Practitioner Option


Purpose:
The purpose of the UNCW Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) option is to prepare an advanced practice generalist who possesses knowledge, skills, and attitudes to provide community focused primary care for culturally diverse families in rural or medically underserved areas. The 46 to 47 credit-hour, primarily online, Family Nurse Practitioner option provides advanced theory and clinical education emphasizing:

  • Primary health across the life span for underserved rural or urban populations.
  • High quality, cost-effective, unique health care that results in a high level of patient satisfaction.

A graduate of the program will be eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioner (AANP) certification exam for Family Nurse Practitioners and seek approval to practice as an FNP in North Carolina or other state of choice. The family nurse practitioner, as a primary care provider, implements community focused health care and education for culturally diverse families in rural and/or medically underserved, as well as urban areas.

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