Nov 04, 2024  
Graduate Record 2023-2024 
    
Graduate Record 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Nursing, M.S.N.


Return to: School of Nursing: Degree Programs   


Characteristics of Graduates

The disciplinary and professional domains of nursing give direction to current and evolving nursing practice. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree prepares nurses for practice as advanced generalists as Clinical Nurse Leaders or as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) 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 CNL 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.

MSN-prepared nurses in specialty practice demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills in nursing and health care systems with diverse populations. Components of their roles are expert clinical practice or leadership, assessment of outcomes, research, teaching, collaboration, and consultation within health care systems or in the community. 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 or nurse practitioner. 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.

Purpose

The purpose of the master’s program is to prepare nurses with strong critical thinking and decision-making skills for generalist practice as a clinical nurse leader, or as an advanced practice registered nurse in acute care, primary care, or psychiatric mental health.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the MSN program and APRN certificates 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 a broad range of 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 and/or quality improvement processes 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 interprofessional 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.
  • Graduates of the MSN APRN specialties are further expected to:
    • Demonstrate evidence-based diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making within the scope of practice.
    • Be prepared to function as a licensed practitioner within the role and specialty population focus.

These core characteristics are in accordance with national guidelines for the Clinical Nurse Leader and professional standards of advanced nursing practice specialties.

Admission

Individuals with BSN degrees apply for the MSN tracks leading to preparation in advanced practice. Registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area may apply for the RN-to-CNL track. Non-nurse applicants with baccalaureate degrees in fields other than nursing may apply for the master’s entry to nursing Clinical Nurse Leader track.
 

Master’s Entry to Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader 

Applicants are admitted to the master’s entry to nursing (MSN) Clinical Nurse Leader track based on intellectual capacity, healthcare experience, academic performance, maturity, clarity of goals, and other qualities appropriate to graduate study in nursing. Not all 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 submit a completed application and:

  • Have a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a regionally accredited school
  • Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Successfully complete the following prerequisite courses with a B- or higher before enrolling:
    • Human anatomy & physiology I & II within five years of program start
    • A course in microbiology within five years of program start
    • A course in statistics at the graduate or undergraduate level within five years of program start
    • A course in life span development (conception to death)
  • Submit three satisfactory recommendations; one of which should be from a health care professional with whom you have worked or volunteered.
  • Submit a resume or CV.
  • Be available for an interview, if requested.
  • International applicants have additional admissions requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must demonstrate a strong ability in academic English from the TOEFL or IELTS examination.

Advanced Generalist (excluding Master’s Entry to Nursing CNL) 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.

The applicant must submit a completed application and:

  • Have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school (CCNE or NLN ACEN). NOTE: Registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area may apply for Clinical Nurse Leader MSN.
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study.
  • Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations, including one from an APRN.
  • Submit a current resume or CV.
  • Possess an unencumbered RN license in the state where you intend to do your clinical practica. All matriculating students who are not active-duty military nurses must have a Virginia RN license before the first day of classes.
  • Have at least 1 year of full-time RN experience before entering the program.
  • Applicants to the NNP track must have 2 years of full-time clinical practice experience (within the last five years) as an RN in the care of critically ill neonates or infants in critical care inpatient settings, typically in a NICU.
  • Be available for an interview if requested.
  • International applicants have additional admissions requirements.

Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must demonstrate a strong ability in academic English from the TOEFL or IELTS examination.

Technology requirements

All graduate nursing students are required to have a laptop. Students in the NP and CNS tracks programs are also required to have a smartphone (Apple or Android).

Admission Procedures

Applications for admission are available on the School of Nursing website: https://nursing.virginia.edu/admissions

Application Deadlines

Advanced practice: December 1 is the deadline for application with matriculation the following August.

Master’s entry to nursing CNL (direct entry): October 1 is the deadline for matriculation the following May.

RN-to-CNL (RN-entry): December 1 is the deadline for matriculation the following May or August.

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 or nursing-admissions@virginia.edu.

Degree Requirements

Course requirements are specified under the Program Description section. Satisfactory completion of all course work is specified in the policy on grades, with a final cumulative grade point average of at least 3.000 (B).

Course Load

The University’s full-time minimum is 12 credits and part-time minimum for some financial aid types is 6 credits. Students who must meet the corresponding full-time or part-time status must enroll in elective(s) when the required coursework for the semester is below the minimum threshold. MSN students conducting scholarship or research with a faculty member can seek approval from the program director to take research credits.

Time to Completion

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 semesters. 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.

UVA CNL Graduates

The following three courses fulfill the requirements toward a second MSN in an APRN specialty track: GNUR 6010 Advanced Pathophysiology, GNUR 6056 Health Policy, and GNUR 6054: Research and Biostatistical Processes.  Other UVA MSN graduates with a generalist degree will require a credit gap analysis. 


Public Professional Licensure Disclosure


As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).

Upon completion of the Master of Science in Nursing at the UVA School of Nursing, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).

M.S.N. Curriculum


Nurse Practitioner Tracks


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Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner


43 credits, 560 clinical hours

This track prepares nurses for an advanced practice role providing direct patient care in collaboration with other members of the health care team. AGACNPs manage adolescent and adult gerontology patients with acute or critical illness or injury and/or chronic disease across the trajectory of their care needs. UVA’s program emphasizes the advanced theoretical knowledge, practice and skills, and systems’ leadership needed to manage these patients and their families for optimal outcomes. AGACNP students also develop exceptional diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills, preparation for prescriptive authority, strategies to communicate and collaborate with clinicians and all members of the interdisciplinary team, and the ability to manage and improve clinical outcomes. Upon completion of this track, students are qualified to take the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) certification examination for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Family Nurse Practitioner


46 credits, 616 clinical hours

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track provides student-centered learning opportunities to develop the requisite foundational knowledge and skills for beginning practice as a primary care provider. Clinical and simulation activities prepare students to work with families and individuals across the lifespan in a variety of settings, including rural and underserved areas.

At the completion of the FNP track, students are eligible to write either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Family Nurse Practitioner examination. 

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner


46 credits, 616 clinical hours

As advanced practice nurses, Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs) provide evidence-based quality care for our most vulnerable neonatal patients. The board-certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP-BC) is prepared to practice advanced nursing in a multitude of settings including newborn nurseries, Level II, III, and IV NICUs and pediatric ICUs. 

Upon completion of this track, students are qualified to sit for the National Certification Corporation certification exam for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care


45 credits, 616 clinical hours

As advanced practice nurses, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care (PNP-ACs) provide evidence-based quality care for our most vulnerable pediatric patients. The certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in acute care (CPNP-AC) provides care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with acute, complex, critical, and chronic illness across a variety of care settings.  

Upon completion of this track, students are qualified to sit for the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board certification exam for Pediatric Nursing Practitioner in Acute Care. 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care


43 credits, 616 clinical hours

Students in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care (PNP-PC) track are provided with the necessary knowledge and skills to practice as NPs in primary care settings. Building on the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience of the BSN-prepared nurse, the PNP-PC track emphasizes community-based primary health care for pediatric patients. 

At the completion of the PNP-PC track, students are qualified to sit for the PNP-PC certification exam from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. 

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


42 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 emphases 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 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) role and are qualified to sit for the American Nursing Credentialing Center PMHNP certification. 

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Track


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Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Track


43 credits, 560 clinical hours

This track prepares nurses for advanced practice in the care of young adults, adults, older adults and frail older adult patients across the continuum of illness to wellness.  The AGCNS is an advanced practice nurse fully prepared to manage the care of adult patients in a variety of clinical settings. UVA’s program emphasizes the advanced theoretical knowledge, practice and skills needed to manage adult gerontology patients through all phases of care from preventative to hospitalization and follow-up. AGCNS students also develop exceptional diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills, building expert knowledge and integrative evidence-based practice strategies, with the ability to transform systems to enhance and systematically monitor clinical outcomes in a collaborative interprofessional environment. The required 560 hours of clinical practicum exceeds the recommendation of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists for 500 hours. At the completion of this track, students are qualified to sit for the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) certification examination for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care CNS certification. 

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Practitioner Track


Students in the dual Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist + Nurse Practitioner track complete all requirements of the AGACNP and AGCNS tracks. Students seeking to pursue a dual AGAC CNS + NP are required to talk with the director of advanced practice about suitability and alignment with their personal goals. The dual track plan of study is a demanding curriculum with implications for licensure, certification and credentialing in one’s career as an advanced practice nurse. Successful dual track students typically do not work concurrently.

Clinical Nurse Leader Tracks


Two CNL tracks (direct entry to nursing, RN-entry) prepare students for advanced generalist nursing practice as a registered nurse with Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification.  The CNL provides care to individuals and 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, master’s entry students are qualified to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as a registered nurse (RN). All graduates are eligible to sit for national certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader®. These tracks admit students at three points of entry: 

  • Direct entry to nursing: Entry option for non-nurses with a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in a non-nursing area.
  • RN-entry track
    • Entry option for BSN prepared nurses.
    • Entry option for RNs who have a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in a non-nursing area.

CNL student progress is dependent on successful completion of all required courses in the previous semester.

Clinical Nurse Leader - Direct Entry to Nursing Track


75 credits, 840 clinical hours

 

Undergraduate course:

  • NUIP 4200 - Pathophysiology Credits: 4

Graduate courses:

Clinical Nurse Leader - RN-Entry Track


43 credits for RNs who have a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in a non-nursing area

35 credits for BSN-prepared nurses

224-280 clinical hours in the CNL role depending on the entry option

Students with a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in a non-nursing discipline are required to take: