Dean of Nursing
PH 402.552.6118 TF 800.647.5500
orduna@clarksoncollege.edu
Director of Master of Science in 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 Health Care Administration, Nursing Education,
- Design educational strategies to improve culturally appropriate caring practices for clients, families, communities, and populations. (Diversity, Communication, Technology)**
- Synthesize complex knowledge of nursing to advocate for holistic
client centered care for individuals, families, communities and populations. (Diversity, Critical Thinking)** - Generate policies through teamwork and collaboration in the complex roles of educator, administrator or advanced clinician. (Diversity, Communication, Professionalism)**
- Construct health care strategies using evidence-based theoretical, scientific and contemporary knowledge. (Critical Thinking, Technology)**
- Demonstrate leadership skills to improve client health outcomes, facilitate change in health care systems and appraise ethical-legal dilemmas. (Diversity, Critical Thinking, Technology, Professionalism)**
- Create systems to promote safety and minimize risks of harm to clients and providers. (Communication)**
- Use information technology to interpret data, communicate and evaluate decision making. (Critical Thinking, Technology)**
- Advocate for professional behaviors that advance the profession and improve health care. (Communication, Professionalism)**
**Categories denoted in the parentheses represent relationship to Clarkson College’s student success skills, which are our institutional student learning outcomes, and include Communication, Technology, Critical Thinking, Diversity, and Professionalism
Admission Policies
Enrollment in Clarkson College degree programs is limited through a selective admissions process. Admission policies and procedures are available from: the Admissions office, the College website, or in the Academic Policies & Procedures section (AD-1).
Curriculum Requirements
The RN to MSN program at Clarkson College is designed to meet the needs of Registered Nurses (RNs) who wish to complete an accelerated bachelor of science and master’s degrees in nursing. Students who are admitted into the RN to MSN program 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 Health Care Science Update course can 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
(12-14 semester hours)
| Courses | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| IC HU EA - Health Care Core Course | 3 |
| IC HU EA - Health Care Core Course | 3 |
| IC HU EA - Health Care Core Course | 3 |
| IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education | 0 |
| ST 310 - Statistics OR GR 847 - Applied Statistics AND NS 800 - Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles |
3 3 2 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 |
Undergraduate Support Courses
| Courses | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| HC 206 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology: Current Practices | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 3 |
**Note: Upon successful completion of HC 205 Health Care 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
(seven 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.
Required undergraduate nursing courses to be taken prior to entering MSN program
(15-17 semester hours) RN to MSN students with two or more years of work experience and expertise in leadership and management, home health or public health nursing may test for validation credit in one 400-level nursing theory and clinical course. If the challenge is successful, the student may seek validation of the corresponding clinical nursing course.
Total Semester Hours Required Prior to Transitioning into the MSN Program: 130-131
Nursing courses are offered through online education for the undergraduate courses. Graduate level courses are only offered in the online format. Clinical applications for the undergraduate courses may be completed at the student’s workplace with faculty approval and if clinical competencies can be met. Graduate level clinical placement must be discussed with and approved by the MSN program director or designee.
MSN Core Requirement Courses
(eight to 16 semester hours)
Specialty option courses
Nursing Health Care Administration
(32-43 total hours = eight to 17 hours core + four hours evidence-based practice research project + 21 hours option)
Nursing Education
(29-40 total hours = eight to 17 hours core + four hours evidence-based practice research project + 18 hours option)
Family Nurse Practitioner*
(35-46 total hours = eight to 17 hours core + four hours evidence-based practice research project + 26 hours option)
*The Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through clinical courses. Though the program may be completed online, students are required to attend on-campus weekends for specified clinical courses. Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.
Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner**
(35-46 total hours = eight to 17 hours core + four hours evidence-based practice research project + 26 hours option)
**The Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through clinical courses. Though the program may be completed online, students are required to attend on-campus weekends for specified clinical courses. Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.
Evidence-Based Practice Research Project
(three semester hours)
| Courses | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| NS 910 - Evidence-Based Practice Research Project I | 1 |
| NS 911 - Evidence-Based Practice Research Project II | 2 |
| NS 912 - Evidence-Based Practice Research Project III | 1 |
| Total Semester Hours | 4 |
Total Semester Hours in the MSN Program 39-46