Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Nursing Specialization in Nurse Educator

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Program
Nursing

Procedure for Admission to Master of Science in Nursing Programs

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

The criteria to determine admission to the Master of Science in Nursing degree program include: 

  • Completion of the application for admission
  • A bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution.
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
  • Submission of official transcripts from every college or university attended within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance).
  • A valid and unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in all US states or territory in which the student is licensed, including the state in which the student completes all assignments and clinical rotations, for entry and maintenance of admission to the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet their state/territory requirement for nursing licensure).

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing degree program (MSN) is designed to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of registered nurses. It is also designed for those nurses who want to pursue advanced positions in today's challenging healthcare environment. The program, based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master's Essentials, blends nursing theory with advanced practice concepts that prepare students to work within a healthcare organization or educational setting.

All applicants to the MSN program must hold a valid and unencumbered license as a registered nurse in all US states or territory in which the student is licensed, including the state in which the student completes all assignments for the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet this state requirement for nursing licensure).  An unencumbered license(s) must be maintained throughout the program.  Additionally, all applicants must successfully complete a criminal background check and a drug screening. Clinical affiliation agencies may require additional personal testing.

The program consists of five core courses and courses in an area of specialization in education, administration, informatics, and various nurse practitioner programs. Program includes practica and experiences in areas of specialization.

Courses may be waived if the individual's master's transcript indicates that s/he has successfully completed the required course or its equivalent. Waivers and exceptions will be determined on the written request of individual students through a transcript analysis as determined by the Program Director, Chair, or College Dean.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will: 

  1. Synthesize current scientific research, theories, and concepts from nursing and other disciplines for application in advanced nursing roles.
  2. Collaborates directly with other healthcare professionals using various resources and technologies in various aspects of the advanced nursing leadership role.
  3. Model a professional leadership role to formulate comprehensive plans of action for ongoing contributions to healthcare systems improvement.
  4. Formulate a plan for ongoing contributions to improvement of healthcare delivery and development of health policy in a cost-effective manner.
  5. Demonstrate ethical and legal standards of practice in the decision-making process to assist with delivery of quality care associated with a specialty area of advanced nursing practice.

Master of Science in Nursing (Specialization in Nurse Educator)

Offered at Online Programs and Tampa.

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

Nurse educators combine clinical expertise and a passion for teaching into rich and rewarding careers. These professionals, who work in the classroom and the practice setting, are responsible for preparing and mentoring current and future generations of nurses. Nurse educators play a pivotal role in strengthening the nursing workforce, serving as role models and providing the leadership needed to implement evidence-based practice.

Nurse educators are responsible for designing, implementing, evaluating and revising academic and continuing education programs for nurses. These include formal academic programs that lead to a degree or certificate, or more informal continuing education programs designed to meet individual learning needs. Students will complete 300 practicum hours during progression through the program.

Specialization Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will: 

  1. Contribute too all phases of the curriculum development for a variety of educational and healthcare settings.
  2. Develop quality healthcare contributions through the development of evidence-based policies for creating change and advancing the profession.
  3. Develop educational quality improvement plans which contribute to the creation of evidence that underlies best practices in teaching and learning.

Master of Science in Nursing (Specialization in Nurse Educator): 54 Credits

MSN Core 20 Credits

Course Code
Title
Quarter Credits
This course examines the role of the advanced practice nurse in the clinical, primary care, education, administration, research, healthcare specialty, health policy, and political arenas. The historical role of the nurse, nursing theory and leadership models within a variety of healthcare regulatory models provide the basis for self-reflection, self-mastery, professional integrity, and ethical decision making to help the student transition from clinical expert to the advanced practice role. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course explores theories related to nursing, health care and learning. Students will have the opportunity to analyze and critique various theories. Students will demonstrate how theory is applied to research. A minimum grade of a B is necessary to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course builds on and applies concepts from the humanities, behavioral sciences, biological sciences and nursing science in an examination of pathophysiologic principles and common pathological conditions. The topics of cellular biology, genes and gene-environment interactions, mechanisms of self-defense, cellular proliferation, and pathophysiologic alterations related to organs and body systems, are addressed. The focus is on pathological conditions encountered in clinical practice across the life span of patients, including but not limited to geriatric, adult, and pediatric considerations. Emphasis is placed on regulatory and compensatory mechanisms as they relate to commonly occurring diseases. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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In this course, the learner cultivates an understanding of health care policy formation and evaluation, while examining the nursing role in public policy, finance and politics. The organization and delivery of healthcare is explored, applying the most current knowledge available in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention. Guidelines, initiatives, mandates and recommendations from a wide range of agencies and organizations provide a solid foundation from which nurses in advanced practice roles can plan, implement and evaluate care designed to promote health and prevent disease.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course prepares the graduate student to develop and refine essential skills necessary to strengthen critique of selected research studies. The student will identify a topic or problem using consideration of national/ international research imitates and priorities. The student will complete a NIH learning module which emphases ethical guidelines to protect the rights of human subjects. Both quantitative and qualitative research designs will be assessed for essential understanding of research elements. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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Sub-Total Quarter Credits
20

Specialization in Nurse Educator: 34 Credits

Course Code
Title
Quarter Credits

Students in this course will examine learning theories, learning styles, and factors which influence motivation and learning in students, while applying evidenced-based teaching practices to create learning environments and teaching plans for both didactic and clinical settings to optimize student outcomes. Methods of evaluation will be examined and utilized to determine student outcomes. The emphasis is on innovative teaching strategies, utilizing technology, and collaboration of nurse educators in the in the didactic, simulation, and clinical settings. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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In this course the student reviews and comprehends the principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics of drugs commonly used in the management of acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan. Emphasis is on the therapeutic decision-making in drug selection and monitoring therapeutic response for culturally diverse patients. Patient education, legal, ethical and economic issues are reviewed. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course is designed to apply holistic health concepts by performing culturally sensitive comprehensive history taking, physical and psychological assessment of client’s signs and symptoms, pathophysiologic changes, and psychosocial variations of the client including the individual, family, and community. The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is for the student to develop a thorough understanding of the client’s health status in order to determine appropriate and effective health care strategies that include health promotion and illness prevention across the life span.  Taking into consideration client’s diverse needs, a major focus is on symptom/health problem assessment, client teaching using a culturally appropriate approach and the selection and interpretation of screening and diagnostic tests in order to formulate and effectively communicate differential diagnoses. A minimum grade of B is required to successfully complete this course. Learners must successfully complete all aspects of the practicum, or they must repeat all components of the course.

Quarter Credits : 6

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This course focuses on the development of teaching and learning strategies designed to measure learner acquisition of nursing knowledge and achievement of performance standards for use in classroom, laboratory, and clinical practice settings. Content includes formative and summative assessment methodologies. Students will develop and analyze measurable assessments based upon program outcomes, accreditation and regulatory requirements. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course prepares the learner to design nursing curriculum and create program mission and philosophy statements. Students will explore the process for course design based upon current health care needs, nursing organizational standards, and evidence-based practices. Course organizational models will be analyzed. Students will develop course objectives and learning activities, and include interdisciplinary collaboration, technology, service learning, and global health. Methods to evaluate and revise curriculums will be examined. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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In this course, the student participates in the direct care role, under the supervision of a clinical preceptor, to integrate direct care knowledge.  The practicum area should be in an area where the student gains new, advanced knowledge to enhance their professional role.

A minimum grade of B is required to successfully complete this course. Learners must successfully complete all aspects of the practicum, or they must repeat all components of the course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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Under the supervision of a local mentor, the student will apply knowledge of learning theories, learning styles, and evidenced based teaching practices to design lessons for didactic and clinical settings.  The student will engage in evaluation of educational outcomes for both didactic and clinical performance, ensuring the safe practice of patient care. The student will further engage in various roles of the nurse educator, such as facilitator of learning, scholarship, and service.

A minimum grade of B is required to successfully complete this course. Learners must successfully complete all aspects of the practicum, or they must repeat all components of the course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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The capstone project is a synthesis and application of advanced nursing knowledge, scholarship, and research to initiate change and to improve practice. The student’s inquiry is focused in the area of their advanced nursing knowledge and on evidenced-based nursing practice issues to develop solutions using available evidence. The student develops a scholarly capstone that will either demonstrate an application of evidence to practice for a substantive change or of a quality improvement initiative to advance the practice of nursing. Emphasis is placed on application of evidence-based research methodology, scholarly writing, and critical thinking. The scholarly capstone is presented in both written and oral forms. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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Sub-Total Quarter Credits
34
Total Credits
54