2005 - 2006 Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Mission | Family Nurse Practitioner | Admission | Progression in the Program | Probation and Suspension | Graduation Requirements | Program Requirements | MSN Plan of Study | FNP Certificate | Course Descriptions

Jean Dyer, Dean
Marilyn Chan, Program Director

Mission

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Westminster College offers an education to prepare nursing professionals for the advanced practice role of family nurse practitioner (FNP) or Nurse Educator. Both MSN programs are grounded in a philosophy that identifies an excellent practitioner as one who thinks critically, communicates effectively, understands personal values and respects the values of others, and incorporates ethical principles into practice. The program enhances students' understanding of theoretical, empirical, and practical knowledge related to advanced practice nursing and nursing education.

The Master of Science in Nursing builds on baccalaureate nursing preparation to enable students to provide primary health care services to clients across the life span or to teach nursing in the areas of staff development or higher education. These services are provided in a variety of settings, including medically under-served communities and nurse shortage areas, and in collaboration with multi-disciplinary health care professionals. Students in the FNP track will be prepared to provide a holistic, caring, health-promoting focus and to address concerns in today's health care systems. Students in the Nurse Educator track will be prepared to teach nurses in health care, community, and educational organizations.

After graduation, MSN students in the FNP track are eligible to take the American Nurse Credential Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) certification exam and apply for Utah licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) with prescriptive authority. Students in the Nurse Educator track will qualify to take the Nurse Educator Certification Examination offered by the National League for Nursing.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Program Goals

The graduate of the FNP program will be prepared to:

1. Establish therapeutic nurse/client relationships while providing primary care.
2. Use a holistic approach to assess, diagnose, prescribe therapies, and consider ethical issues in managing the client's health and alterations in health over a period of time.
3. Provide culturally sensitive care through the synthesis of a liberal education with advanced practice nursing knowledge.
4. Articulate, integrate, evaluate and promote the advanced nurse practitioner role in the changing health care system.
5. Collaborate in research projects and provide clinical expertise for research and theory development.
6. Apply critical thinking skills in personal and professional transitional situations.
7. Apply teaching skills in the area of health promotion and disease or injury prevention when in the teaching/coaching domains of practice.

Admission to the FNP Program

Admission to the program is based on an evaluation of demonstrated academic ability and professional experience. Successful completion of undergraduate courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, statistics, and research will be evaluated during the review of applications. Students enter the program at the beginning of fall semester and may complete the 42 credit requirements within five semesters, including one summer.

A candidate for admission must submit the following materials to the Office of Admissions:

1. A completed application for Graduate Admission with a $40 application fee.
2. Evidence of a completed BSN from an accredited school of nursing (CCNE or NLN Accreditation) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
3. Official copies of transcripts sent by the registrar of each college or university attended.
4. Personal résumé or vita (including current position) detailing professional and educational history.
5. Three letters of recommendation from professional colleagues who can describe your nursing/clinical practice.
6. Personal statement which addresses:
   a. career goals encompassing Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) role;
   b. selection of Westminster College for graduate education;
   c. potential area of interest for project; and
   d. interest in working in a medically under-served community.
7. Copy of current unrestricted license to practice professional nursing in Utah (must be in good standing).

Upon completion of these steps, the individual's application materials are submitted to the MSN Admissions Commi ttee. A personal interview with nursing faculty will be arranged. The student will be asked to provide a writing sample at the time of the interview. Once accepted to the MSN Program, applicants must submit a $250 tuition deposit, which guarantees a place in the entering class.

Progression in the FNP Program

The student must:

1. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
2. Receive a grade of B- or higher in all courses.
3. Maintain current Utah RN license in good standing.
4. Complete the program within four years.

Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy

Students in the Master of Science in Nursing Program are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. Students whose GPA falls below a 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students placed on academic probation must earn a semester GPA of at least 3.0 the next semester in which they enroll. Probationary students who fail to earn a semester GPA of at least 3.0 that semester will be dismissed from the Master of Science in Nursing Program.

Probationary students whose semester GPA is 3.0 or higher but whose cumulative GPA still remains below 3.0 will be continued on academic probation. Probationary students whose cumulative GPA reaches 3.0 or higher will be returned to good academic standing. To qualify for graduation, students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

A student may receive a practicum/classroom warning of probationary status at any time during a field or classroom experience if the instructor determines that the student's performance is unsatisfactory. The written warning will outline what the student must do to meet the course requirements. Students who have been placed on probation will be formally evaluated at the end of that course. Probation will be removed if the student is able to successfully meet the objectives by the end of the course. Students must be removed from probation to progress to the next course. However, any probationary status will be documented in the student record.

A student will be dismissed from the nursing program for any of the following reasons:

1. Violations of the academic honesty policies.
2. Violation of the American Nurses Association "Code for Nurses" guidelines for ethical practice, or the National Student Nurses' Association "Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct."
3. Failure to maintain a grade point average (GPA) appropriate to the program.
4. A documented pattern of unprofessional behavior in the classroom or clinical setting.
5. Unsafe practice during the field experience.
6. Failure of a nursing course for the second time.

Students dismissed from the nursing program related to field/classroom deficiencies must petition the Admission and Progression Committee for readmission if they wish to reenter the program. Matters of personal concern to the student will be considered at this time. The Admission and Progression Committee will make a recommendation to the Dean of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences regarding readmission to the nursing program.

Students have the right to appeal decisions of academic evaluation or dismissal through the Academic Grievance Process of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences. The procedure for appeal is outlined in the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for graduation should apply to the Registrar's Office approximately two regular semesters prior to planned completion of graduation requirements. Applications for December graduation are due in September and applications for May and August graduation are due in October. Please see the Academic Calendar for more specific dates. Candidates are notified of remaining degree requirements within four weeks after applying for graduation.

To be eligible for a master's degree, students must satisfy the following conditions:

• Meet all credit hour and other course requirements.
• Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above.
• Be enrolled at Westminster College during the semester in which they wish to graduate.
• Maintain good academic standing.
• Earn a grade of B or higher in all graduate courses.

Note: Only graduate-level coursework may be applied toward degree or certificate requirements.

The final responsibility for being informed about, and adhering to, graduation requirements rests with the student.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 42 semester hours is required for graduation. The acceptance of transfer credit, up to 9 hours, is individually evaluated. The total clinical practice hours for the program are 504 hours.

Generic MSN Program Plan of Study

A full-time student may complete the program within 5 semesters, including one summer. Many courses are taught in the evening and as weekend seminars. A part-time plan of study may be available on request.

Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Option

Student wishing to complete an FNP Certificate must make an appointment with the MSN Director to develop a plan of study. The graduates are prepared to provide primary health care services to clients across the life span in a variety of settings, including medically under-served communities and nurse shortage areas, and in collaboration with multi-disciplinary health care teams.