Program Outline

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares professional nurses to function in advanced roles in order to provide holistic, comprehensive nursing care to individuals, families, and communities, and to assume leadership responsibilities in a variety of settings. Graduate education builds upon knowledge and competencies gained in baccalaureate education.  Students use critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving skills that require in-depth nursing knowledge and are prepared to coordinate health care programs within complex systems in an era of health care reform. The curriculum is based upon nursing and related theories and the application of research findings to clinical and administrative nursing issues.  Students are also prepared for doctoral study in nursing and continued personal and professional development.

There are two tracks in the MSN program:

The Family Nurse Practitioner Track prepares graduates to function in an advanced practice capacity. Courses emphasize health promotion, health protection, and diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic illnesses of individuals, families, and the community. This track consists of 36 - 48 semester credits and 600 hours of clinical (sufficient for certification eligibility).

The Community and Health Education prepares advanced practice nurses who are able to provide health care to aggregates, work in specific nursing arenas (Education, Acute Care, Administration, Community Health, Parish Nursing, Occupational Health, etc.).  The need has grown in response to community-based care and increased public awareness of health promotion efforts.

The Nursing in Health Systems Track also has a conversion option for students with a master’s degree in a field other than Nursing.  The curriculum consists of a minimum of 35 credit hours and 96 hours of clinical experience.  A maximum of 15 semester credit hours will transfer from the institution in which the initial master’s degree was obtained.  There are 13 credits in the core nursing courses which focus on major themes that are consistent with the philosophy of USF and graduate Nursing Core Curriculum identified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).  The remainder of the hours includes theory and clinical in courses which focus on development of knowledge and clinical skills as an advanced role nurse. 

The program is designed for part-time or full time study.  Part-time students typically take 2-3 classes each semester, but can take less.  They complete their degree requirements in 3 – 5 years.  Full time students complete degree requirements in 2 years.  All students must complete degree requirements in 5 years. 

Classes are offered in the late afternoon and evenings on campus or other centrally selected sites. Core classes and Nursing in Health System courses are web-based. Students and faculty negotiate clinical sites with experienced mentors.

The curriculum is organized into two distinct groups of courses. The first group consists of core graduate courses which all graduate students complete. The core courses include nursing theories, nursing research, community nursing, and issues and trends in advanced nursing.

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Core Curriculum

Theoretical Bases of Nursing - 3 cr.
Advanced Nursing Roles and Issues - 3 cr.
Advanced Nursing Inquiry - 4 cr.
Community Nursing - 3 cr.
Clinical: Community Nursing - 1 cr.
Health in Midlife & Beyond - 2 cr.
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16 credit hours

Family Nurse Practitioner Track Curriculum
Advanced Pharmacology - 3 cr.
Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology - 3 cr.
Advanced Health Assessment - 3 cr.
Clinical: Advanced Health Assessment - 1 cr.
Primary Care of Children - 3 cr.
Clinical: FNP – Pediatrics - 2 cr.
Primary Care of Adults - 3 cr.
Clinical: Family Nurse Practitioner - 1 cr.
Primary Care of Women - 3 cr.
Clinical: FNP – Women’s Health - 2 cr.
Clinical: Family Nurse Practitioner - 6 cr.
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30 credit hours

Community and Health Education Track Curriculum
Epidemiology & Health Promotion - 2 cr.

Health, Culture & Community - 3 cr.

Clinical: Advanced Community Health Nursing - 3 cr.

Scholarship of Teaching I - 3 cr.

Scholarship of Teaching II  - 3 cr.

Clinical: Educational Role Practicum I - 2 cr.

Clinical: Educational Role Practicum II - 2 cr.

Writing Grant Proposals - 2 cr.

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25 credit hours

NURSING IN HEALTH SYSTEMS CONVERSION OPTION
Theory of Leadership Roles II - 3 cr.
Clinical: Role Practicum II - 2 cr.

CAPSTONE SYNTHESIS COURSE
Theory, Practice & Research Synthesis - 2 cr.

TOTAL CREDITS FOR DEGREE
Family Nurse Practitioner Track (600 Total Clinical Hours) - 48 cr.
Nurse in Health Systems Track (333 Total Clinical Hours) - 43 cr.
Nurse in Health Systems Conversion Track (96 Total Clinical Hours) - 36 cr.

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Accreditation

The Masters of Science in Nursing Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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Admission Requirements

1.  Meet general admission standards for graduate education at the University of Saint Francis

2.  Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing or other discipline

3.  Hold a current Indiana license as a registered nurse

4.  Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.20 on a four-point scale

5.  Satisfactorily complete a graduate or undergraduate statistics course within the last 5 years.

6.  Submit a resume or curriculum vitae

7.  Submit three (3) letters of reference

8.  Complete and submit the USF MSN Essay (Written Goals)

9.  Complete MSN Admission Interview (Personal Interview)

Prospective students who do not meet all of the above criteria may be admitted “provisionally.”  These graduate students must earn a GPA of 3.20 in the first 6 hours of graduate nursing core courses at USF in order to be fully admitted to the MSN program.

Transfer Policies
1. One to nine (1-9) credits of graduate level coursework may be transferred from an accredited college or university.

2. Post-Master’s FNP students complete 36 credits of coursework to obtain a post-MSN Family Nurse Practitioner certificate.

3. Nurse Practitioners who desire to expand their area of practice to the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty will be granted credit for comparable coursework completed at an accredited college or university and eligible to obtain a post-MSN Family Nurse Practitioner certificate.

Alternate Entry in the USF MSN Program for ASN or Diploma RNs

ASN or Diploma RNs who have baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing majors may progress directly into the MSN Program after completing the USF Nursing Bridge Course, NURS 500 Professional Nursing Development.

Clinical Placement

The University of Saint Francis Department of Nursing maintains contracts with a variety of clinical agencies and health care providers to give the MSN students the experience needed to develop clinical expertise and/or management skills.  Once admitted, clinical placement for students is guaranteed.

Students who enter the MSN program with no pre-arranged clinical preceptor will be assisted in finding appropriate clinical placement.  On the other hand, if a student has negotiated an agreement with a clinical agency or health care provider to serve as a clinical preceptor, the MSN Program Director will assist the student to obtain a contract with USF and facilitate the clinical placement.  Clinical hours are negotiated between the student and the clinical preceptor. 

Certification

The MSN Program curriculum is designed to facilitate the eligibility of the advanced practice nurse to take the certification exam in the chosen clinical field.  Criteria for eligibility from professional credentialing organizations were used to design graduate nursing courses to assure that appropriate didactic and clinical experiences are provided.

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Courses

MSN Course Descriptions

NURS 501
THEORETICAL BASES OF NURSING
3 credit hours
This course focuses on advanced knowledge of nursing and non-nursing models, concepts, and theories as the supporting framework for professional nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on the process of analysis, evaluation, and application to various client populations and nursing practice settings.

NURS 510
ADVANCED NURSING ROLES AND ISSUES
3 credit hours
Role development of the professional nurse emphasizing the implications of legal, ethical, cultural, and social issues in advanced nursing. Critical analysis of health care delivery systems, policy formation, and trend data at the local, regional, national and global level. Examines current issues of health promotion, disease prevention, informatics, and healthcare economics related to advanced nursing.

NURS 528
ADVANCED NURSING INQUIRY
4 credit hours
Students will compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative methods of nursing research. The course will emphasize the integration of nursing research with nursing theory, knowledge and practice. Students will examine numerous examples of actual clinical nursing research and analyze the research process including design, sampling, data collection, interpretation, analysis and reporting of findings. The course will focus on preparing students to critically evaluate select, published research literature in order to become research consumers and participants. Ethical considerations and IRB policies and procedures will be reviewed.

NURS 529
HEALTH IN MIDLIFE AND BEYOND

2 credit hours
This course focuses on issues of holistic primary nursing care of midlife and aging populations with an emphasis on health promotion and concepts of normal aging, including end of life issues. Other areas considered in this course include health care policy, ethical problem solving, and economics related to aging and its social impact. Theories of aging are explored and applied to the design, delivery, and evaluation of health care specific to the mature and aging population. This course is web-based and basic computer skills are necessary.

NURS 530
ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
3 credit hours
Explores knowledge of the principles of pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics, diagnostic test interferences, drug interactions, incompatibilities, pathophysiologic impact, client issues and advanced nursing implications relevant to the complex decisions to be made in the pharmacologic management of common acute and chronic illnesses. Students learn how to write prescriptions for prototype drugs that are used to manage common acute and chronic conditions treated in the primary care setting.

NURS 532
ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY/PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
3 credit hours
Begins with an in-depth study of cell structure and function as a foundation to understanding physiologic as well as pathophysiologic processes. A systems perspective is used to examine normal human physiology followed by the pathophysiology of common diseases, including the incidence, etiology, manifestation, and prognosis. The physiologic basis for selected complimentary/alternative therapeutic interventions is addressed. Throughout the course, great emphasis is placed on students’ ability to analyze and articulate the changes in normal physiologic function that occur with disease as a basis for advanced practice assessment and intervention in primary health care settings. Application is stressed through use of critical thinking questions and case studies.

NURS 535
ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT
3 credit hours
Examines interviewing skills with a variety of clients that elicits a comprehensive health history and information pertaining to symptomatology. Students build on existing skills in interviewing and assessment, using a variety of independent and faculty-directed activities. Analysis of lab assessments and the theoretical foundation for technical skills that are adjuncts to physical examination are accomplished. Students demonstrate critical thinking skills as they learn to summarize and record assessment findings according to the Problem-Oriented method.
Corequisite: NURS 537


NURS 537
CLINICIAL: ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT
1 credit hour
Provides a simulated experience in the nursing laboratory for students to learn and develop competency of physical assessment skills. Physical assessment demonstrations are done using a systems perspective that follows the theory format from NURS 535. Students have the opportunity to see these skills demonstrated, and then practice and demonstrate mastery of physical assessment skills utilizing one another as partners.
Corequisite: NURS 535

NURS 555
PRIMARY CARE OF CHILDREN
3 credit hours
Primary Care of Children provides the knowledge and skill base necessary for the advanced practice nurse to deliver services to the pediatric population. History taking and physical exam skills tailored to the pediatric client are taught. The developmental frameworks of Erikson, Piaget, and Kohlberg are utilized with emphasis on normal growth and development including the influences of temperament and environment with this population. Both well-child management, with emphasis on anticipatory guidance, as well as management of common acute and chronic health problems in the pediatric ambulatory setting are studied.
Prerequisites: NURS 510, NURS 535, NURS 537, NURS 532
Corequisite: NURS 530, NURS 556


NURS 556
CLINICAL: FNP PRIMARY CARE OF CHILDREN

2 credit hours

Guided preceptorship in the clinical role of the advanced family nurse practitioner. Incorporates theory of NURS 555 into all aspects of advanced nursing practice with emphasis on the pediatric population. The student develops a knowledge base that focuses on health assessment, health promotion and disease prevention and the diagnosis and advanced management of congenital, acute and stable chronic conditions in the pediatric population.
Prerequisites: NURS 510, NURS 535, NURS 537, NURS 532
Corequisite: NURS 530, NURS 555


NURS 562
COMMUNITY NURSING
1-3 credit hours
Community Nursing encompasses analysis of community-based and community-focused models of advanced nursing from both a practice and administrative perspective. Health promotion, protection and restoration for individuals, families, groups/aggregates, and communities are examined to identify population needs, community resources and programmatic interventions. Current research is analyzed and integrated into development of culturally sensitive therapeutic nursing intervention frameworks to enhance the health of the community.
Corequisite: NURS 564

NURS 564
CLINICAL: COMMUNITY NURSING
1 credit hour
Advanced practice or advanced administrative roles within the community setting are practiced with guided clinical preceptorship. Application of theory from NURS 562 is used to effectively identify health promotion, health protection and health restoration needs of a target population. Emphasis on community assessment and design of programmatic interventions with a focus on grant proposal development.
Corequisite: NURS 562

NURS 570
PRIMARY CARE OF ADULTS
3 credit hours
This course provides an in-depth study of the healthcare management of adults within the framework of advanced nursing. Focus is placed on wellness, and the pathophysiology and epidemiology underlying acute and chronic adult health problems in primary health care settings. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic reasoning and decision making/critical thinking in primary health care.
Prerequisites: NURS 535, NURS 537
Corequisite: NURS 529, NURS 532, NURS 572


NURS 572
CLINICAL: FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER
1 credit hour
Guided preceptorship in the clinical role of advanced family nurse practitioners. Synthesizes clinical knowledge from the natural/behavioral sciences and nursing science as a foundation for managing physical and emotional health and illness states. Application of physiology, pathophysiology and psychosocial theories for beginning development of diagnostic reasoning in primary health care. Incorporates strategies of health promotion, risk analysis and reduction, non-traditional therapies, lifestyle change, disease detection and prevention and health restoration into all aspects of advanced therapeutic nursing practice. Analyzes the interaction of individual, illness and family dynamics as they affect health status. Emphasis is on primary adult care.
Prerequisites: NURS 535, NURS 537
Corequisite: NURS 529, NURS 532, NURS 570

NURS 574
MARKETING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
3 credit hours
Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Planning 3
Social, legal, global, and environmental aspects of strategic planning and marketing are analyzed. Impact of micro-and macroeconomic theory on an organization’s service offerings are examined. Emphasis on the changing health care arena, especially within the context of health care reform on entrepreneurial endeavors and the management thereof.

NURS 575
PRIMARY CARE OF WOMEN
3 credit hours
Focus is on the advanced health assessment, health promotion and disease prevention from a holistic perspective covering the life span of women. Course content covers physical and environmental assessment, non-traditional therapies, risk analysis and reduction and the health restoration in the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic health conditions specific to women. Emphasizes the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive, genitourinary and endocrine systems as a basis for the comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and advanced management of women during the childbearing years in the primary care setting. Family, nursing and developmental theories are incorporated into the advanced practice over the life span of women.
Prerequisites: NURS 510, NURS 535, NURS 537, NURS 532
Corequisite: NURS 530, NURS 578

NURS 578
FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER – PRIMARY CARE OF WOMEN

2 credit hours
Guided preceptorship in the clinical role of the advanced family nurse practitioner. Incorporates theory of NURS 575 into all aspects of advanced nursing practice with emphasis on the primary care of women. Application of comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and advanced management of women during the childbearing years is incorporated into the primary care setting. The student develops a knowledge base for clinical decision making in the advanced health assessment, health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of acute and stable chronic illnesses of women during the lifespan.
Pre: NURS 510, NURS 532, NURS 535, NURS 537
Corequisite: NURS 575

NURS 595
CLINICAL: FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER
6 credit hours
Capstone clinical course in which students demonstrate competency in their professional roles as beginning Family Nurse Practitioners. Students provide advanced therapeutic nursing interventions to clients through the synthesis of nursing theory, nursing research application, and commitment to community and global service. The student demonstrates skills in comprehensive assessment, management, and evaluation of health and illness states. Students utilize effective collaboration and communication with health team members, individual clients, families and communities in order to provide assistance with health promotion, maintenance and restoration. Self-actualization principles guide this clinical course as students assimilate the FNP role, use research to validate and improve the delivery of holistic nursing care and integrate nursing theory into their advanced practice.
Prerequisites: All MSN Courses in the FNP Track
Corequisite: NURS 694


NURS 640
THEORY OF LEADERSHIP ROLES I
4 credit hours
This course consists of modules that are individually negotiated with each student in order to provide direction for specific nursing activities in various health systems. Overall topics include historical perspectives, leadership roles, focused health system assessment, teaching-learning theory, case management, community nursing, problem management, and aggregate change management.
Prerequisite: NURS 510
Corequisite: NURS 641

NURS 641
CLINICAL: ROLE PRACTICUM I
2 credit hours (96 clinical hours)
This practicum varies depending upon individual students’ selection of focused modules in NURS 640. Students are paired with expert nurse managers in their respective fields of practice in the health care arena.

Prerequisite: NURS 510
Corequisite: NURS 640

NURS 650
THEORY OF LEADERSHP ROLES II
3 credit hours
This course consists of modules that are individually negotiated with each student in order to provide direction for specific nursing activities in various health systems. Overall topics include effective communication skills, information technology, personal and career management, and change in dynamic health care systems.
Corequisite: NURS 651

NURS 651
CLINICAL: ROLE PRACTICUM II
2-4 credit hours (96-192 clinical hours)
This practicum varies depending upon individual students’ selection of focused modules in NURS 650. Students are paired with expert nurse managers in their respective fields of practice in the health care arena.
Corequisite: NURS 650

NURS 694
THEORY, PRACTICE AND RESEARCH SYNTHESIS
2 credit hours
Capstone theory course designed to provide a synthesis of all learning experiences in the MSN program. Students synthesize nursing theory, research, and clinical practice into their advanced nursing roles.
(To be taken in the final semester.)

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