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Graduate Record 2011-2012 [ARCHIVED RECORD]
Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)
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 Return to: School of Graduate Nursing
Characteristics of Graduates
The disciplinary and professional domains of nursing give direction to current and evolving nursing practice. The Masters of Science in Nursing degree prepares nurses for practice as either nurse generalists or for advanced practice in a nursing specialty area.
The clinical nurse leader is prepared through graduate nursing education as a nurse generalist who provides and manages care at the point of care to individuals and groups or populations in all settings in which health care is delivered. The clinical nurse leader designs, implements, and evaluates client care by coordinating, delegating and supervising care provided by the health care team. Nurses implementing these roles are prepared to provide leadership and assume accountability for client care outcomes through assimilation and application of evidence-based information to design, implement, and evaluate client plans of care.
Advanced practice nurses demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills in nursing and health care systems with diverse populations. Components of their roles are expert clinical practice, assessment of outcomes, research, teaching, collaboration, and consultation within health care systems. Nurses prepared through graduate nursing programs with advanced practice knowledge, critical thinking, and decision-making skills can function in a variety of nursing roles. Examples of such roles include clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse administrator. Nurses implementing these roles demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills. For example, nurses engaged in advanced clinical practice conduct in-depth assessments and demonstrate expertise in judgment and decision-making for purposes of health promotion/disease prevention, intervention, and follow-up in specified populations. Implementation of a particular role may emphasize some role attributes more than others and reflect the advanced practice nurse’s area of expertise.
Graduates of the M.S.N. program are expected to:
- Integrate theoretical and research based knowledge as a generalist leader or in an advanced nursing practice specialty.
- Provide care and comfort to individuals, families and groups experiencing complex health care needs.
- Provide care that reflects sensitivity to differences among culturally and ethnically diverse populations.
- Assume a leadership role in establishing and monitoring standards of practice to improve patient care in collaboration with other nursing experts.
- Use ethical principles to guide decision-making in nursing practice.
- Evaluate clinical practice in relation to professional practice standards and relevant statutes and regulations.
- Apply the research process to improve evidence based clinical practice and contribute to knowledge development.
- Engage in self-directed and purposeful activities in seeking necessary knowledge and skills to enhance career goals.
- Examine economic, political, and social forces affecting nursing care delivery in complex health care systems.
- Promote multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure quality, cost effective care.
- Contribute to the development of peers, colleagues, and others to improve patient care and foster the growth of professional nursing.
- Act as change agents to create environments that promote effective nursing practice and patient outcomes.
These core characteristics are in accordance with national guidelines for the Clinical Nurse Leader and professional standards of advanced practice nursing specialties.
Admission
Individuals with BSN degrees apply for the Master of Science in Nursing tracks leading to preparation in advanced practice or in leadership and management roles. Applicants with baccalaureate degrees in fields other than nursing apply for the Direct Entry MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader track. RN’s with a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area may apply for Clinical Nurse Leader MSN.
Direct Entry MSN: Applicants are offered admission to the Direct Entry MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader track on the basis of intellectual capacity, healthcare experience, academic performance, maturity, clarity of goals, and other qualities appropriate to graduate study in nursing. Not all of these qualities are measured in absolute terms, and the decision to make an offer of admission is based on a balanced appraisal of the total application record.
The applicant must:
- Have completed a baccalaureate degree from a nationally accredited school;
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study;
- Demonstrate satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination if the undergraduate GPA is 3.25 or lower.
- Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations.
- Submit essays on educational/professional goals, and on a diversity statement.
- Be available for a personal interview with a member of the faculty if requested.
- Have completed courses in human anatomy and physiology, an undergraduate statistics course, and a course in human development across the lifespan.
Advanced Specialty Practice Preparation Applicants are offered admission to the Master of Science in Nursing Program on the basis of intellectual capacity, clinical and academic performance, maturity, clarity of goals, and other qualities appropriate to graduate study in nursing. Not all of these qualities are measured in absolute terms, and the decision to make an offer of admission is based on a balanced appraisal of the total application record. Applicants to advanced practice specialties who have limited relevant clinical experience may be admitted and gain that experience while enrolled in Core/preclinical courses.
The applicant must:
- Have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study.
- Provide validation of health assessment skills.
- Possess an unencumbered RN license in Virginia.
- Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations.
- Submit essays on educational/professional goals, and on a diversity statement.
- Be available for a personal interview with a member of the faculty if requested.
- Have completed an undergraduate statistics course within the past 5 years.
Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must demonstrate a strong ability in academic English from the TOEFL or IELTS examination.
Note: Relevant experience (determined by the specialty track to which the applicant is applying) is a prerequisite to enrolling in GNUR 6020 and 6025. Qualified applicants who have not passed the NCLEX may be considered as visiting students pending licensure.
Admission Procedures Applications for admission are obtained online from the School of Nursing website. In addition to submitting the completed application, the applicant must:
- Request that official transcripts of all academic work be forwarded by the institutions to the Office of Admissions and Student Services, Master’s Program, School of Nursing;
- Obtain three statements of recommendation from persons who can speak directly to the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate study. The statements of recommendation are to be sent by their authors to the Office of Admissions and Student Services, Master’s Program, School of Nursing. Forms to be used are available in the online application.
Application Deadlines The School utilizes a rolling admissions process. The completed application and the $60 application fee must be received by March 1 for fall admission. Applications received after the deadlines will be considered only if space is available.
All correspondence concerning admission should be addressed to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services, Office of Admissions and Student Services, School of Nursing, P.O. Box 800826, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
Matriculation After admission into the Master of Science in Nursing Program a student has one calendar year in which to matriculate. A student who fails to begin classes within one year must re-apply for admission.
Degree Requirements
Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 75 credits of approved graduate courses for students in the Direct Entry MSN; 34-41 credits for the RN-Clinical Nurse Leader track; 47-50 credits for students in the primary care nurse practitioner tracks; 46 credits for course work for students in the acute care nurse practitioner track; 49 credits for students in the psychiatric-mental health track; and up to 60 credits of course work for students in the combined nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist tracks. The Health Systems Management track requires a minimum of 38 credits, and Public Health Nursing Leadership track requires a minimum of 383 credits. Course requirements are specified under the Program Description section.
Satisfactory completion of all course work as specified in the policy on grades, with a final cumulative grade point average of at least 3.000 (B).
MSN students have a maximum of 10 semesters from the date of matriculation in which to complete all graduation requirements while Certificate specialty students have 6. Exceptions must be approved by the advisor, department chair, and the Program Director, and are granted only under extenuating circumstances.
Enrollment and payment of tuition and fees for no fewer than two regular semesters or the equivalent are required.
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Generalist Practice
This track prepares students for generalist nursing practice to provide and manage care at the point of care to individuals and cohorts or populations in all settings in which health care is delivered. Emphasis is placed on providing students with the advanced theoretical knowledge and practice skills needed to design, implement, and evaluate client care by coordinating, delegating and supervising the care provided by the health care team. Students are prepared to provide leadership and assume accountability for client care outcomes through assimilation and application of research-based information to design, implement, and evaluate client plans of care. Evidence based practice, outcomes management, clinical research, and clinical decision-making are emphasized. At the completion of this track, students are qualified to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination to become licensed as a registered nurse (RN). This track admits students at three points of entry;
Direct Entry for people with a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in non-nursing areas.
BSN entry for BSN prepared nurses.
RN entry for RN’s who have a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in a non-nursing area. Clinical Nurse Leader Track
75 credits, 1000 clinical hours Clinical Nurse Leader - BSN Entry
Specialty Practice
The curriculum leading to the degree of Master of Science in Nursing for specialty practice is designed to prepare nurses with BSN degrees for advanced practice or leadership roles in nursing specialty areas. All students complete master’s core courses in nursing theory, research, epidemiology, and health policy. Opportunities for concentration include five specialty areas: acute and specialty care, public health nursing, primary care, psychiatric mental health, or health systems management. Program Course Work
Some core courses are offered online, and three specialty areas, health systems management, public health nursing, and psychiatric mental health may be completed totally online. The ratio of clinical hours to credits is 4:1. Courses are taught only if there are a sufficient number of students registering for them. Semester schedules published by the Office of the Registrar must be consulted for courses to be offered during a given semester and for those offered online.
Following are descriptions and required courses for each clinical specialty concentration. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Tracks
Clinical Nurse Specialist: Acute and Specialty Care Track
46 credits, 560 clinical hours
This track prepares nurses for advanced practices roles in the care of adults with acute and chronic conditions and allows students to determine the focus of their specialization (i.e.: cardiology, wound/ostomy/continence*, neurology or neurosurgery, general surgery, ER/trauma, pulmonary, transplant, diabetes, geriatrics, etc.) and the areas of practice in which they would like to focus their clinical experiences (critical care, acute care, chronic care). Emphasis is placed on providing students with the advanced theoretical knowledge and practice skills needed to care for patients with complex health needs across the care continuum. The roles of clinician, educator and researcher, as well as clinical consultant and leader are key aspects of this track. Evidence based practice, outcomes management, clinical research, and advanced clinical decision-making are emphasized. The required 560 hours of preceptorship exceeds the recommendation of the National Association of CNS’s for 500 hours. At the completion of this track, students are qualified to sit for the American Nursing Credentialing Center certification examination for either the Adult Health CNS or the Critical Care CNS.
* The school offers wound/ostomy/continence courses with two seminars: GNUR 6381 and 6382. Practicum experience is obtained through GNUR 6381 and 6382.
Clinical Nurse Specialist: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Track
49 credits, 560 clinical hours
This area of concentration prepares nurses for advanced practice in the field of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Students complete core nursing courses, core advanced practice courses, and specialty specific courses. A major emphasis is placed on critical consideration, neurostructural, neurochemical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and cultural correlates of psychiatric illness in the context of the advanced practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Supervised clinical practice is directed toward applying this emerging scientific knowledge to patient care through psychiatric-mental health nursing interventions with the persistently mentally ill, geriatric, and other specialty populations. Faculty work closely with students to develop individualized clinical experiences in appropriate settings. Graduates are prepared to practice in CNS role, and are qualified to sit for American Nursing Credentialing Center CNS certification. Nurse Practitioner Tracks (NP)
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track (ACNP)
46 credits, 560 clinical hours
This track prepares nurses for an advanced practice role providing direct patient care in medical/nursing subspecialty areas in collaboration with other members of the health care team. ACNPs deliver care along the continuum of critical, acute, and chronic care. Students determine the focus of their specialization (i.e.: cardiology, nephrology, wound/ostomy/continence, neurology or neuro-surgery, digestive health, general surgery, ER/trauma, pulmonary, transplant, etc.). In this track, students gain the advanced theoretical knowledge and practice skills needed to manage acutely and chronically ill patients through all phases of their hospitalization and clinical follow-up. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic and clinical decision-making, preparation for prescriptive authority, collaboration with physicians, and outcomes management, as well as evidence-based practice and clinical research. Upon completion of this track, students are qualified to take the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification examination for the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Primary Care: Family or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Track
48-50 credits, 672 hours
The curriculum leading to the degree of Master of Science in Nursing prepares nurses for advanced practice as family nurse practitioners or pediatric nurse practitioners. Students in the track complete core courses in nursing theory, research, epidemiology/population-based assessment, and health policy. Courses in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, nutrition, and advanced health assessment are also required of all students in the primary care nurse practitioner tracks. Clinical seminars and 672-hour clinical preceptorships are designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to practice as nurse practitioners in primary care settings. Due to the track’s rural, underserved focus, one of the two preceptorship rotations occurs outside of Albemarle County.
Combined tracks are available with public health nursing leadership. Nearly all of the tracks may be completed in four semesters and one summer of full-time study. At the completion of the Family or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track, students are eligible to sit for certification exam by the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
Following are required courses for the specific areas of concentration in the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Tracks. Primary Care: Public Health Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner Track
60 credits, 672 clinical hours Primary Care: Public Health Nursing/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Track
58 credits, 672 clinical hours Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track (PMHNP)
49 credits, 560 clinical hours
This area of concentration prepares nurses for advanced practice in the field of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Students complete core nursing courses, core advanced practice courses, and specialty specific courses. Major emphasis include the neurostructural, neurochemical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and cultural correlates of psychiatric illness in the context of the advanced practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Supervised clinical practice is directed toward applying this emerging scientific knowledge to patient care through psychiatric-mental health nursing interventions including prescriptive practice. Faculty work closely with students to develop individualized clinical experiences in appropriate settings. Graduates are prepared to practice in the PMHNP role, and are qualified to sit for American Nursing Credentialing Center PMHNP certification. Leadership Specialty Tracks
Public Health Nursing Leadership Track
38 credits, 504 clinical hours
New opportunities for nursing leadership are abundant as health care shifts from hospital-based to community-oriented systems. The Public Health Nursing Leadership concentration prepares nurses for specialized practice in promoting the health of individuals, families, groups, and populations. Emphasis is on the development of knowledge and expertise to assess the health status and health delivery systems of populations and to design nursing interventions to better manage care in complex settings. Courses provide the required knowledge and expertise needed to plan, implement, and evaluate care in population settings, including public health departments, schools, home health agencies, and nursing clinics. Care management strategies to assure continuity of health service delivery for individuals and groups at the local and global level are emphasized. International learning experiences are available.
The MSN in Public Health Nursing Leadership is also offered for students who do not live in Central Virginia. In this option, students enroll in 2-4 courses per term and complete most of the course requirements via the internet. Classes meet ‘live’ at the University twice per term (at the beginning and end of the semester). Upon completion of this track, students are qualified to take the American Nursing Credentialing Center certification examination in Community Health Nursing. Health Systems Management Track
38 Credits
The Health Systems Management concentration prepares nurse leaders at the MSN level for management and executive level positions in complex health care organizations including public and private sector hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, and long-term care facilities as well as for positions in quality improvement, information systems, and policy. This program emphasizes competencies in (1) communication and relationship building, (2) knowledge of the healthcare environment, (3) transformational leadership, (4) professionalism, and (5) business skills. Innovative learning experiences are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to perform effectively at the business and clinical interface of health care delivery organizations.
Distance Education Option: The MSN in Health Systems Management is offered in an online, web-based format. In this option, students enroll in 2-4 courses per term and complete most of the course requirements via the internet. Classes meet ‘live’ at the University twice per term (first and last days). Active-duty military nurses and their dependents are exempt from the requirement to attend classes in Charlottesville, and may access these class meetings via a web-camera.
Students completing the health systems management track will have completed course work necessary for Certification in Nursing Administration, Advanced or Certification in Nursing Administration. The practice requirements for this Certification are met through paid employment as a nurse manager or nurse executive for 24 months of the last 5 years. Thus graduates will need to gain this experience prior to certification. Clinical Nurse Leader - RN Entry
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