Primeros religiosos en Marcos Paz

Program Coordinator:

Dr. Cynthia Bechtel

Program Advisor:

Dr. Cynthia Bechtel

The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) with a concentration in Nursing Education is designed for graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing who wish to expand their careers into education or leadership. Two concentrations are offered: Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership. All courses are offered in hybrid format, combining online with traditional on campus classroom experiences. The program prepares nurses with a strong theoretical foundation in research, nursing and related theories, healthcare policy, ethics, cultural competency, and informatics/technology as well as practice expertise as a nurse educator or nurse leader.

The master’s degree in nursing at Framingham State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE),(http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne- accreditation).

Admission Requirements

Note: Applications are accepted only for enrollment in the fall semester every year. The following admission and degree requirements will be effective for Fall 2013 MSN students.

1. Applicants must have a current unrestricted Massachusetts RN license.

2. Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited college or university which is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and/or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA); and must submit an official transcript from each college or university attended as an undergraduate or graduate student.

3. Applicants are required to possess an overall undergraduate quality point average (QPA) or at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a minimum of a 3.25 QPA in undergraduate nursing courses.

4. Applicants who do not meet the above criteria for undergraduate QPA may be asked to take the Miller Analogies Test.

5. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate, introductory course in statistics with a minimum grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale).

6. Applicants must have a personal interview with the Nursing Chairperson or Graduate Program Coordinator.

7. Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from nurses with an MSN who can attest to the applicant’s ability to succeed in a master’s program, submitted on the Framingham State University Letter of Recommendation form and sent directly to the University by the recommender.

8. Applicants must submit a typed, 300-word personal statement discussing their motivation for seeking a master’s degree in view of prior formal education, current job responsibilities and career plans.

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Courses before Admission and Transfer Credit

Students may take up to three (3) Framingham State University Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education courses before being formally admitted into the program. All three of the certificate courses will be applied toward the MSN in the nursing education concentration with a minimum grade of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale). Other coursework will not generally be accepted for transfer credit.

Program Requirements

This program consists of ten (10) course-credits or 40 semester hours. Students take a Common Core of six (6) courses, and then select a four (4) course concentration in either Nursing Education or Nursing Leadership. A thesis, an evidence-based research project/paper, will be completed as part of the requirements for the Common Core courses.

Common Core (6)

NURC 905 Health and Education Resources and Policies NURC 915 Advanced Technology and Nursing Informatics NURC 925 Ethical, Social and Cultural Competencies NURC 935 Essential Preparation for Advanced Nursing Role NURC 971 Nursing Theory and Research I

NURC 972 Nursing Theory and Research II

Nursing Leadership Concentration (4)

NURL 943 Strategic Planning for Nursing’s Future NURL 953 Role in Health Care Systems

NURL 983 Practicum in Organizational Management NURL 993 Internship in Independent Leadership Skills

in Nursing Concentrations in Education and Leadership

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

NURC 905 Health and Education Resources and Policies

An exploration of the state of nursing today, as well as the role of the nurse leader and nurse educator in policy and politics within government, workplace, organizations and community in determining policies and effectively utilizing resources to improve the culture of safety, quality care, and the working environment in practice and educational settings. The role of the nurse leader and nurse educator in healthcare delivery and financing is examined.

NURC 915 Advanced Technology and Nursing Informatics

A foundation for the synthesis of technology and informatics into advanced nursing roles. The focus is on the computer competencies, informatics competencies, informational literacy and technology required for the nurse leader and nurse educator. Evidence-based practice is explored to support the utilization of technology within the confines of system resources to meet identified patient and learner needs.

NURC 925 Ethical, Social and Cultural Competencies

An investigation of the ethical, social and cultural competencies necessary for decision making in evidence-based practice by nurses in advanced roles. Principles of ethics, moral development and diversity are explored in order to obtain the knowledge and skills to provide individualized care and protect the personal integrity of patients with diverse health, social, economic and cultural issues.

NURC 935 Essential Preparation for Advanced Nursing Role

An examination of the knowledge and skills required for direct care practice for the nurse in an advanced practice role. Building upon knowledge acquired at the baccalaureate level, students focus on three main areas: pathophysiology, health assessment, and pharmacology. NURC 971 Nursing Theory and Research I

A focus on the utilization of nursing related theories and the research process to promote evidence-based change in nursing practice and education settings. Critical thinking is used to evaluate nursing research studies. Students incorporate previously learned material on policy, social, cultural, ethical and technological issues into a clinical, health systems and outcomes, and/or nursing education research proposal.

Prerequisites: NURC 905 Health and Education Resources and Policies, NURC 915 Advanced Technology and Nursing Informatics, NURC 925 Ethical, Social and Cultural Competencies.

NURC 972 Nursing Theory and Research II

The application of theory and the research process focusing on implementation and evaluation to enhance health and healthcare. Students conduct an evidence-based project related to topics such as safety, quality of care, systems, ethics, healthy lifestyles, health promotion/prevention of illness and/or teaching strategies in academic and practice settings. Students provide evidence for developing guidelines to advance nursing practice as nurse educators and leaders.

Prerequisite: NURC971Nursing Theory and Research I.

NURL 943 Strategic Planning for Nursing’s Future

A foundation for the aspiring nurse leader in shaping change directed to the priorities of quality and safety in the nursing work environment. Students explore the synthesis of principles, theories, and concepts of effective leadership and analyze the individual, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills needed to assist people and organizations in creating and achieving a vision. Primary themes include models of leadership, effective professional communication, collaboration, team building, affirmation of personal and professional values, motivation, mediation, mentoring, empowerment, and risk-taking to effect innovative change.

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NURL 953 Role in Health Care Systems

A basis for understanding how the business of health care affects the nurse’s role in management or administration, along with the legal, ethical, and regulatory dimensions of organizational leadership. The focus is on the nurse’s role as a leader in health and health care using communication and relationship management, knowledge of healthcare environment, business skills, and professionalism to achieve established goals and improve quality of care.

Prerequisite: NURL 943 Strategic Planning for Nursing’s Future.

NURL 983 Practicum in Organizational Management (Practicum I)

An application of concepts of CQI organizational dynamics and outcome measures, informatics, and financial management in a variety of health care settings. Students work closely with a leader on organization-designated projects and experience role modeling while contributing to the functioning of the healthcare organization.

Prerequisite: NURL 953 Role in Health Care Systems.

NURL 993 Internship in Independent Leadership Skills (Practicum II)

An opportunity to practice independent leadership skills in an ever-changing healthcare organization. The student completes a selected leadership project to address safety, quality, and/or nursing work environment issues in health care. Acute care agencies, community settings, municipal and state agencies, public and private institutions and/or professional organizations are possible sites for the practicum, thus offering the student a wide range of opportunities to achieve individualized leadership goals.

concentration in

Biotechnology – Quality Assurance

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