Introduction
The mission of the Department of Nursing is to prepare within a scholarly environment ethical, knowledgeable, competent and caring nurses who value professional development. The Department provides opportunities for those seeking nursing careers, lifelong learning and career enhancement. The Department assists in meeting the region's need for nurses by providing a variety of educational pathways.
The Department of Nursing supports the following College values:
¨ Excellence and innovation in education
¨ Integration of contemporary technologies
¨ Community-campus partnerships
¨ Diversity of person and thought
¨ Integrity in personal and professional life
¨ Personal, professional and scholarly development
¨ Commitment to life-long learning
The purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is to prepare nurses for leadership roles in academic and health care organizations; to influence the provision of high quality health care; initiate and manage change and contribute to improving nursing knowledge and practice.
The graduate program is built upon the foundation of baccalaureate education. Graduate nursing education provides an opportunity for professional nurses to develop specialty practice in the areas of education or management to meet the needs of an evolving healthcare delivery system. A common core of knowledge provides a foundation for nurses in education and management roles. This core includes the Essentials of Master's Education for Advanced Practice Nursing and the Institute of Medicine reports on health professions education. The MSN program at JCHS has two tracks: Education and Management.
In the Nursing Education Track students analyze and apply theories of learning, engage in educational assessment and evaluation, develop innovations in curriculum and instruction, and apply educational technology. Students will develop expertise in health education and promotion, patient education, professional development and/or college teaching.
In the Nursing Management Track students develop knowledge and skills needed in an evolving healthcare environment. Students analyze and apply theories of leadership, develop expertise in the areas of personnel and financial management, quality improvement, evidence-based practice and implementation of change in collaborative, interdisciplinary complex healthcare environments.
Students contribute to nursing knowledge through the analysis, evaluation and new application of relevant nursing and healthcare literature in a capstone scholarly project related to their role development track. These contributions are communicated to the nursing and healthcare communities through the development of presentations of publishable quality. Throughout the program, students develop a level of scholarship that is consistent with preparation for professional role development and doctoral education.
Through their role development in either the Education or Management track, graduates will be able to impact the delivery of care by nurses, both through clinical practice and by influencing the preparation of new nurses.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036. Phone: 202-887-6791).
MSN Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the MSN program, the graduate will:
1. Analyze and integrate theories of education, leadership, nursing, and other disciplines to guide professional role development and nursing practice.
2. Devise, implement, and evaluate policies, strategies, and models to promote health, prevent disease, and provide quality care.
3. Model the use of ethical and legal principles to guide decision making in nursing practice and policy development.
4. Integrate teaching and learning theories and research to design learning experiences that promote health, enhance practice, and foster role development.
5. Provide leadership that ensures healthcare that reflects caring and regard for the dignity and diversity of others.
6. Formulate and promote effective collaboration and communication strategies.
7. Synthesize principles of leadership and management to improve healthcare, incorporating systems level planning and quality improvement practices.
8. Integrate appropriate technology to improve practice, education, and management in healthcare systems.
9. Contribute to nursing knowledge through the integration and application of research findings from nursing and related fields.
10. Synthesize social, cultural, financial, legal, and political influences to identify opportunities to improve nursing practice, healthcare, and education.
11. Attain a level of scholarship congruent with professional role development and preparation for doctoral study.
Admission Requirements
RN with BSN from NLNAC or CCNE accredited program:
· Completion of college level statistics course with a C or higher
· Copy of current licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States
· Professional resume that provides evidence of one year of recent practice as a registered nurse
RN with a BS or BA from a regionally accredited university:
· Completion of college level statistics course with a C or higher
· Copy of current licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States
· Professional resume that provides evidence of one year of recent practice as a registered nurse
· Completion of NSG 490, Contemporary Nursing Issues and Theory, with a B or better.
· Completion of a college level research course with a C or better.
Graduate Student Handbook
Policies (progression and retention. suspension, dismissal, re-admission, graduation) pertaining to students enrolled in the MSN Program are published in the Graduate Student Handbook. Students have access to the handbook in the MSN Student Blackboard site. A copy is available in the LRC. Copies may also be requested by contacting the Nursing Department Secretary.
MSN Program of Study
The MSN Program of Study is designed so that most courses are offered in an intensive 6 week time frame. This allows the student to complete three courses a semester, but only focus on one course at a time. There are typically four class meetings a semester, the rest of the course work is accomplished via distance education. Exceptions to this are the practicum and the master's project. The student will work with assigned faculty throughout the entire semester to complete these requirements. |
