Director of Graduate Nursing
Layna Himmelberg, Ed.D., MSN, CNE
PH 402.552.2776 TF 800.647.5500
himmelberg@clarksoncollege.edu
Program Specific Competency Goals
Upon completion of the MSN requirements for Nursing Healthcare Administration, Nursing Education,
- Demonstrate the ability to engage in effective and caring communication with diverse individuals and groups to educate, inform, collaborate and reflect. (Communication)**
- Apply complex and evidence-based nursing knowledge and experience to analyze and evaluate strategies and outcomes in health care and educational settings to inform decision making and/or problem solving. (Critical Thinking)**
- Promote the nursing profession by recognizing and engaging in competent, accountable, ethical and holistic practice; caring and collaborative relationships; respectful interactions with diverse individuals and groups; and quality- and safety-based decision making. (Professionalism)**
- Utilize and evaluate health care information technology systems and processes for communication, decision making, management and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance health care delivery. (Technology)**
- Demonstrate the awareness of the unique characteristics inherent in all individuals, by appreciating similarities and differences and advocating for caring holistic nursing approaches. (Diversity)**
Council on Accreditation (COA) Graduate Standards
Upon completion of the MSN requirements, graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- Support patient safety through vigilance and protection from complications. (Critical thinking, Technology)**
- Demonstrate competence in the perianesthesia management of patients by delivering individualized, culturally competent care across the life span. (Diversity, Technology)**
- Demonstrate critical thinking, responsibility and accountability by applying evidenced-based concepts to decision making and problem solving when assessing, diagnosing, managing and evaluating perianesthesia care. (Critical Thinking, Technology)**
- Develop interpersonal communication skills promoting the effective exchange of information and collaboration while respecting patient privacy and maintaining confidentiality. (Communication, Technology)**
- Develop a leadership style integrating critical thinking and facilitating professional collaboration. (Professionalism, Critical Thinking)**
- Demonstrate professionalism, including a commitment to academic and personal integrity. (Professionalism)**
Admission Policies
Enrollment in Clarkson College degree programs is limited through a selective admissions process. Admission policies and procedures are available from: the Enrollment and Advising office, College website or Academic Policies & Procedures section (AD-1).
Curriculum Requirements
The RN to MSN program option at Clarkson College is designed to meet the needs of Registered Nurses (RNs) who wish to complete accelerated Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Nursing. Students who are admitted into the RN to MSN program option are initially listed as RN to BSN students; however, upon completion of the BSN requirements and RN to MSN progression requirements, students will automatically transition into the MSN program. A Healthcare Science Update course will be taken to validate knowledge
Service Requirements
Service reflects a holistic view that focuses on how individuals provide high quality, ethical and compassionate service in the field of
All students are required to complete designated service courses as a component of their program of study. Successful completion of service experiences is required to pass the designated service courses. Core and designated service courses are identified using the following symbol: ◊
Program requires Health and
Required Courses for Master of Science in Nursing: RN to MSN Option
General Education Courses
(12 semester hours)
| Courses | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| IC HU EA - Healthcare Core Courses | 3 |
| IC HU EA - Healthcare Core Courses | 3 |
| IC HU EA - Healthcare Core Courses | 3 |
| IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education | 0 |
| ST 310 - Statistics OR GR 847 - Applied Statistics |
3 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 |
Major Courses
(12 semester hours)
Undergraduate Support Courses
| Courses | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| NS 205 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology: Current Practices | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 3 |
**Note: Upon successful completion of HC 205 Healthcare Science Update II, the student will receive three hours of earned semester hours and three hours of validation credit.
Major Courses (70 semester hours)
A direct transfer package of 93 semester hours of nursing courses will be granted to students. Students are required to take a minimum of 27 semester hours of classes at Clarkson College. Other courses may be transferred or challenged according to individual course policies.
Transition Courses
(7 semester hours)
| Courses | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| NS 349 - Pathways for Success | 1 |
| NS 356 - Concepts of Professional Practice for the RN to BSN/MSN | 3 |
| NS 357 - Physical Assessment | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 7 |
Upon successful completion of the transition courses, the student is eligible to take the remaining Undergraduate Nursing courses.
MSN Core Requirement Courses
Specialty Option Courses
Nursing Healthcare Administration
The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become nursing health care administrators (i.e., executives or managers). The curriculum encompasses systems, leadership and organization information, including theoretical models and concepts that are relevant to the role of nursing health care administrator. Learners will review and evaluate several health care settings and identify strategies to manage those areas. This program option prepares the learner to engage in evidence-based, data-driven decision making while pursuing high quality health care that is safe, affordable and results in positive outcomes.
Nurse Educator
The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become academic or clinical nurse educators. The evidence-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to acquire information about teaching and learning theories and strategies, curriculum or program development, and evaluation or assessment strategies while fostering an ethical perspective. These learners will also encounter technologies being used to deliver nursing education content and experiences, from classroom technologies to skills lab and simulation technologies. The nurse educator assumes the role of mentor, coach, guide and expert, nurturing student nurses and/or providing continuing professional development to registered or licensed practical nurses.
Family Nurse Practitioner
The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care of the individual and family in primary care settings. Throughout this program option, the learner will develop an advanced nursing practice that encompasses concepts and theories related to nursing and health care, as well as recognized and evidence-based care standards to deliver family-centered care. The family nurse practitioner (FNP) assumes the role of educator, referral agent and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care to adult and gerontological patients in acute care settings. Throughout this program option, the learner will develop an advanced nursing practice that encompasses concepts and theories related to nursing and health care, and will assume the role of educator, referral agent and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care for patients in mental and/or behavioral health settings. The learner will engage in identifying key concepts and theories related to psychiatric-mental health nursing, strategies for communicating clearly with patients, and evidence-based treatment options or plans that meet the unique needs of each patient. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner takes on the roles of educator, communicator and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.