Crystal M. Lange College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Master of Science in Nursing
Mastering the dynamic world of health care, practice and leadership
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares registered professional nurses for leadership roles in advanced nursing practice. The core courses focus on concepts and processes related to nursing science, organizational change, leadership and research.
Role specialization occurs in one of two concentrations, which include opportunities for application of learning in practice. The research and organizational change processes studied in core courses are actualized at the end of the program as student complete a scholarly project reflecting individual interests and goals.
Two concentration options are available:
- The Health System Nurse Specialist concentration prepares nurses for a variety of leadership positions in nursing. Role options include the Clinical Nurse Leader, manager, educator, and informaticist. Most of these roles are enacted in health systems to promote and support quality care, with educators working in both clinical and academic settings. This concentration prepares nurse leaders to work with teams and transform systems in clinical and academic settings, as well as in the communities served by those organizations.
- The Advanced Clinical Practice concentration prepares nurses to be Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP), with additional Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist preparation available in partnership with another university. These individuals meet the health care needs of the family by providing health assessments, direct care and guidance, teaching, or counseling. The FNP typically works collaboratively with family primary care physicians and other professionals within the healthcare system. The FNP may care for families within the school, home, workplace or hospital setting.
The Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing program provides the opportunity to be admitted to the Master of Science in Nursing program without a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. (Some Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses required.)
Post Master's Certificates are available for current MSN who choose to expand their knowledge in the area of Family Nurse Practitioner or Health System Nurse Specialist.
ACCREDITATION
The Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education which is affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.