Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)

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 advanced generalists or for advanced practice in a nursing specialty area.

The clinical nurse leader is prepared through graduate nursing education as an advanced generalist nurse who provides and leads 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. Registered nurses with a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area may apply for Clinical Nurse Leader MSN. Non-nurse applicants with baccalaureate degrees in fields other than nursing apply for the Master’s-Entry Clinical Nurse Leader track.

Master’s- Entry MSN: Applicants are offered admission to the Master’s 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 Generalist and 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. NOTE: Registered with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area may apply for Clinincal Nurse Leader MSN.
• 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 application deadline for the Master’s-Entry Clinical Nurse Leader MSN is October 1 for entry the follow May. For all other MSN tracks 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 Admissions and Financial Aid, 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 Master’s-entry MSN; 34-41 credits for the 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 adult-gerontology 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 38 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.