Master of Science in Nursing
Director: Dr. Kayla Carr
The Master of Science in Nursing program offers an educational pathway to practice as a Registered Nurse for those who have earned at least a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field of study. The education sequence consists of 58-semester credit hours offered over an accelerated, three term format. The competency-based program is face-to-face and consists of lecture, laboratory, and clinical practicum courses. Graduates of the program meet entry-to-practice competencies for the role of Registered Nurse and upon graduation are eligible for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.
The program was granted Phase II approval in February 2024. Active recruitment began immediately after. MSU-SON intends to seat its inaugural class in the 2024-2025 academic year. MSU-SON submitted application for initial national accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in November 2023. MSU-SON will seek Phase III: Full State Accreditation by IHL while concurrently pursuing national accreditation by CCNE in November 2024.
Program of Study
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021) and the AACN Essentials of Master's Education (2011) serve as the framework for the curriculum. Other professional standards, guidelines, and competencies incorporated in the curriculum include the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Core Competencies (2023), the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) NCLEX Test Plan (2022), and the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Competencies (2022).
Students can expect purposeful didactic, simulation, and/or clinical practice experiences that enable students to provide care to individuals and populations with diverse life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. Likewise, planned experiences foster interprofessional collaborative practice.
2. Provide, coordinate, and manage person-centered care for individuals, families, populations, and communities across the four spheres of care.
3. Communicate, collaborate, and apply leadership skills to participate in and lead interprofessional health care teams to improve health outcomes.
| Fall Term 1 (21 Credits) | ||
| NSG 6002 | Professionalism I: Socialization into Nursing | 2 |
| NSG 6015 | Person-Centered Care I: Fundamental Concepts for Nursing Practice | 5 |
| NSG 6025 | Person-Centered Care I: Practicum | 5 |
| NSG 6033 | Health Assessment and Physical Examination | 3 |
| NSG 6043 | Principles of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 6053 | Nursing Science: Translation and Application to Practice | 3 |
| Spring Term 2 (24 Credits) | ||
| NSG 6103 | Professionalism II: Leadership in Health Systems | 3 |
| NSG 6116 | Person-Centered Care II: Applied Clinical Judgment in Nursing Practice | 6 |
| NSG 6125 | Person-Centered Care II: Practicum | 5 |
| NSG 6134 | Applied Clinical Judgment in Specialty Populations | 4 |
| NSG 6141 | Specialty Populations Practicum | 1 |
| NSG 6152 | Population Health and Policy | 2 |
| NSG 6163 | Patient Safety and Quality Improvement | 3 |
| Summer Term 3 (13 Credits) | ||
| NSG 8204 | Professionalism III: Transition to Nursing Practice | 4 |
| NSG 8213 | Person-Centered Care III: Advancing Clinical Judgment in Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NSG 8224 | Person-Centered Care III: Practicum | 4 |
| NSG 8232 | Clinical Synthesis Practicum | 2 |
| Total Hours | 58 | |
*Note: In addition to the introductory course NSG 6043 Principles of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, advanced, graduate-level concepts of pharmacology and pathophysiology are incorporated across the curriculum.