Director of Graduate Nursing
Jessica Fitzgerald, DNP, RN, CCRN
PH 402.552.6089
[email protected]
Introduction
Clarkson College offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree that provides five specialties to meet specific professional goals of graduate students. These online options include: Nursing Healthcare Administration, Nursing Education, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Nurse practitioner students must pass a certification examiniation in order to practice. At present, there are two (2) certifying bodies: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).
ANCC certifies Family NPs, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NPs, and Psychiatric-Mental Health NPs. AANP certifies Family NPs.
In order to complete
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)**
**Categories denoted in the parentheses represent relationship to the Clarkson College 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 Enrollment and Advising office, College website or Academic Policies & Procedures section (AD-1).
Curriculum Requirements
The Clarkson College MSN program requires completion of:
- Major Courses All Options= 19 semester hours
- Major Specialty-Option Courses (selecting one of the concentrations) = 20 to 32 semester hours
Specialty Option Courses
Each of the five specialty options has a set of courses required for completion of the MSN. All courses identified for each of the options must be completed.
Multiple Degree Option
The multiple degree option is for students completing multiple degrees at Clarkson College. This option allows credits earned while completing a degree to be used directly toward a Master of Science in Nursing. Students must apply and be properly admitted to multiple degrees. Admission into one major does not guarantee later admission into a second major. The option includes:
- Multiple degree: Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Healthcare Administration + Master of Healthcare Administrtation
Required Courses for Master of Science in Nursing
Major Courses for All Options
Major Courses in 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.
Major Courses in Nursing Education
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.
Major Courses in 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.
*The Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through the clinical courses. Though the program may be completed online, students are required to attend an on-campus weekend for the specified clinical course (NS 830). Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.
Major Courses in 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.
*The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progession through the clinical courses. Though the program may be completed online, students are required to attend an on-campus weekend for the specified clinical course (NS 830). Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.
Major Courses for 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.
*The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through the clinical courses. Though the program may be completed online, students are required to attend an on-campus weekend for the specified clinical course (NS 830). Only one clinical course maybe be taken at a time.