Master of Science in Nursing

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Overview

The Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing is a 33 credit program designed to provide registered nurses with a knowledge base about nursing theory, research, education and leadership.  The student will acquire advanced knowledge of the scope of practice for academic nurse educators or nursing administrators; develop collaborative relationships with other discipline professionals in the role of an advanced master’s prepared educator or administrator; achieve competencies in education or administration, and research contribute to the educational environment or nursing practice; and acquire a foundation for doctoral studies.  The courses emphasize individual and group learning.  The curriculum will highlight the current trends in evidence-based practice, utilize the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Nurse of the Future eleven core competencies for nurses, integrate the NLN (2005) Core Competencies for Nurse Educators and the American Nursing Association (ANA, 2004) Scope and Standards for Nurse Administrator, and the essential core content for all master’s educated nurses (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 1996).  In addition students will learn how to implement new technologies as i>clicker (personal response systems) and the new Simulation High Fidelity Mannequins in education or practice.

 The Master of Science in nursing program consists of 10 courses for a total of 33 credits. Students take six core courses, and then select a concentration consisting of four courses in either education or administration. Students must complete the program prerequisite requirements, if applicable, before enrolling in a graduate-level course. A graduate who enters the proposed program with the prerequisites completed is expected to be able to complete the MSN core and concentration courses in less than 18 months if taking two-three 6 week courses per semester as well as one course during the first January and summer session.

Courses are offered as hybrid courses, a mix of in class and online learning.  The classroom instruction component will be offered in the evening on Saturdays at the Beverly campus. 
The sequence of nursing courses is based on an arrangement to build from existing knowledge to move students through the core courses and nursing education or administration requirements. Within this framework students will be assessed on their individual knowledge through tests, papers and projects, as well as through collaborative small and large group class efforts. Students are required to maintain a cumulative grade average of 3.0 during their program of study. Students will be required to pass an internship in their selected field of choice and submit at the completion of this program an electronic portfolio to assess their comprehensive understanding of program course and practicum work. Program evaluations will be conducted by students at the completion of their coursework.

Nurse Educator Concentration
The Nurse Educator concentration is designed to prepare nurses to assume the advanced nursing role of educator in academic settings and in health care organizations, in staff development, continuous education, or community based education. The curriculum content and processes are consistent with the National League for Nursing (2005) Core Competencies for Nurse Educators. The six core courses have content based on the Essentials of Master’s Education (AACN, 1996).  The courses focus on evidence-based principles of the education process and accreditation issues, assessment of various learning styles, needs and characteristics of diverse learners, competency-based instruction, and inclusive of new trends innovative, creative instructional technology strategies and techniques. Emphasis is on designing dynamic curricula and programs that are relevant in a changing and challenging health care environment. The ethical, legal and leadership dimensions of the nurse educator are integrated in the curriculum. The component of an education internship course provides the teaching opportunity to integrate knowledge and experience with a single portfolio requirement. The internship placements are arranged individually through the School of Nursing. The students complete a research thesis and a capstone project which is an electronic portfolio requirement where students reflect on the essence, evidence, and excellence of the NLN competencies drawing from the student’s completion of selected course materials accumulated in mastering the knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrating the integration and synthesis of competencies in the domains required for the degree. 

Nurse Administration Concentration
The Nurse Administration concentration is designed to prepare nurses to assume managerial roles in diverse settings; hospitals, long term care facilities, community service agencies, ambulatory care facilities, governmental agencies and corporations. The curriculum content and processes are consistent with the American Nurses Association (2004) Scope and Standards for Nurse Administrators. The six core courses have content based on the essentials of Master’s Education (AACN, 1996).  The courses focus on developing core knowledge related to the domains of practice such as: delivery of care; legal, regulatory and ethical issues; healthcare economics; health care environment; and professional practice. Graduates will use their organizational, analytic, strategic planning, financial, human resources, and evaluation skills in the role of a nurse leader in diverse nursing and healthcare settings. The nurse leadership/management focuses on organizational and leadership theories, regulatory standards, risk management, quality assurance, strategic planning and concepts of human resource management. The component of a leadership and management internship course provides the experiential opportunity to integrate knowledge and experience with a single portfolio requirement. The internship placements are arranged individually through the School of Nursing. The students complete a research thesis and a capstone project which is an electronic portfolio requirement where students reflect on the essence, evidence and excellence of the ANA competencies drawing from the student’s completion of selected course materials accumulated in mastering the knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrating the integration and synthesis of competencies in the domains required for the degree. 
 
Student Outcomes
Upon completion of the MSN program, the graduate will be able to: 

1.    Demonstrate a repertoire of skills and strategies for a nurse’s role as an effective leader within an organization.
2.    Synthesize nursing knowledge and experience with a conceptual framework for advanced nursing practice.
3.    Function as a nurse leader in the conduct and application of research.
4.    Collaborate and communicate to establish and maintain a professional work environment.
5.    Engage in continuous life-long learning and scholarship.
6.    Foster sensitivity to the individual’s interconnectedness to the human and global community that will enhance provision of care among diverse  
       ethnic and cultural populations.

Tuition
The tuition for the Master of Science in Nursing program for the 2010-11 academic year is $550 per credit.  Additional fees are listed in the Graduate School Catalogue.

Admission Criteria for Master of Science in Nursing
Admission to a graduate program requires a Bachelor degree from an accredited college. To be considered for admissions, a candidate must submit the following credentials:

•  Application form and a $50 application fee
• Statement of professional goals
• Official transcripts of all academic work
• Two letters of recommendation
• A copy of Registered Nurse License (Massachusetts)
• Official score on either the Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record
• A basic Statistics course is required of all students
• An admission interview with the program coordinator of Nursing
• TOEFL required for all students for whom English is not a first language; 79 is minimum score for iBT and 550 for the pen and pencil test.

The Traditional Master’s Pathway is designed for registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree in nursing.  The common course of study for each specialty includes graduate core courses in theories, research process and design, and contemporary issues and trends that influence nursing practice.  The courses follow a detailed sequence needed to develop expertise in each concentration.

The Pre-Master’s Pathway is designed for applicants who are registered nurses with an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing who have a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in a field other than nursing.  This option offers alternative methods of qualifying for admission to the Graduate School based on transfer of academic courses and course enrollment.  In order to be admitted to the Pre-master’s Pathway, students are required to have completed undergraduate professional nursing courses in nursing leadership, nursing research and concepts/practice in community health.  Students may have to submit the course syllabi from other nursing schools for evaluation or enroll in courses at Endicott College to meet these requirements.

Although the Pre-Master’s Pathway does not grant a bachelor’s degree in nursing, it can enable the student to meet the criteria for admission into the graduate program in nursing.  The Pre-Master’s Pathway grants exemptions for the specific graduate program admission requirement of a nursing baccalaureate degree.

Once students have been accepted into the program and completed the necessary prerequisites they will follow the Traditional Master’s course work.

If applicable to applicant, the four additional courses are:

MTH 126     Applied Statistics                         3 cr.

NU 411       Community Health Nursing          4 cr.

NU 408       Leadership and Management      3 cr.

NU 306       Nursing Research*                       3 cr.

  *Designated writing Course             

Return to: Master of Science in Nursing Programs