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

Note:  This program is being phased out and is not currently accepting any incoming students.

Upon completion of the MSN requirements for Nursing Healthcare Administration, Nursing Education, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, the graduate will be able to demonstrate: 

  • 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 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 in Pharmacology and Pathophysiology. Students with two or more years of work experience and expertise in leadership, population health or evidence-based nursing may portfolio for validation credit in one 400-level nursing course. Students can enroll in up to seven credit hours of graduate-level nursing courses while completing requirements for their BSN. Exiting at the BSN level upon completion of all requirements is an option for students deciding not to pursue the MSN at that time.

Service Requirements

Service reflects a holistic view that focuses on how individuals provide high quality, ethical and compassionate service in the field of health care and the community at large. Students will become familiar with service agencies, connect learning with practice and engage in civic service activities to live and demonstrate the Clarkson College Values of Learning, Caring, Commitment, Integrity and Excellence.

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 Safety – View Health and Safety Information

Required Courses for Master of Science in Nursing: RN to MSN Option (Not accepting incoming students)

General Education Courses

(12 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
IC HU EA (ICC HUM EEA) - Healthcare Core Courses 3
IC HU EA (ICC HUM EEA) - Healthcare Core Courses 3
IC HU EA (ICC HUM EEA) - Healthcare Core Courses 3
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
ST 310 (MAT 310) - Statistics OR
GR 847 - Applied Statistics
3
3
Total Semester Hours 12
Major Courses

(12 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
NS 352 (NRS 352) - Evidence-Based Inquiry in Healthcare for the RN to BSN/MSN Student 2
NS 475 (NRS 475) - Principles of Leadership and Management for the RN to BSN/MSN 3
NS 481 (NRS 481) - Population Health for the RN to BSN/MSN 3
NS 482 (NRS 482) - Capstone/Practicum for the RN to BSN/MSN 4
Total Semester Hours 12
Undergraduate Support Courses
Courses Semester Hours
NS 205 (NRS 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 

84 semester hours are granted through either previous completion of direct coursework in an associate or diploma RN program or by validation credits (credit is granted after demonstration of equivalent knowledge).

Transition Courses

(7 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
NS 349 (NRS 349) - Pathways for Success 1
NS 356 (NRS 356) - Concepts of Professional Practice for the RN to BSN/MSN 3
NS 357 (NRS 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 (BSN) courses.

MSN Core Requirement Courses
Courses Semester Hours
GR 798 - Essentials of Scholarly Writing 1
GR 847 - Applied Statistics 3
NS 807 (NRS 807) - Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles 3
◊ NS 803 (NRS 803) - Healthcare Delivery Systems and Managed Care 2
NS 805 (NRS 805) - Application and Evaluation of Theory in Nursing 2
◊ NS 808 (NRS 808) - Nursing Law and Ethics 3
NS 812 (NRS 812) - Research Design and Methods 3
NS 813 (NRS 813) - Research Design and Methods II 2
Total Semester Hours 19

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.

Courses Semester Hours
MB 800 (HCA 800) - Ethics in Leadership 2
MB 808 (HCA 808) - Healthcare Leadership 3
MB 826 (HCA 826) - Healthcare Strategic Management 3
MB 828 (HCA 828) - Financial Management in Healthcare 3
MB 833 (HCA 833) - Healthcare Quality and Risk Management 3
MB 836 (HCA 836) - Healthcare Project Management 3
NS 898 (NRS 898) - Nursing Healthcare Leadership Practicum 3
MB 837 (HCA 837) - Leading Change OR
MB 846 (HCA 846) - Fundamentals of Informatics
3
3
Total Semester Hours 23
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.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 806 (NRS 806) - Theories of Learning for the Nurse Educator 3
◊ NS 822 (NRS 822) - Curriculum Development for the Nurse Educator 3
NS 823 (NRS 823) - Evaluation Strategies for the Nurse Educator 3
NS 826 (NRS 826) - Pharmacology, Pathophysiology and Health Assessment Overview for Nurse Educators 3
NS 827 (NRS 827) - Teaching and Learning Strategies for the Nurse Educator 3
NS 894 (NRS 894) - Nursing Education Practicum 3
NS 890 (NRS 890) - Nurse Educator Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 20
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.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 830 (NRS 830) - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NS 832 (NRS 832) - Primary Healthcare I 3
NS 833 (NRS 833) - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NS 834 (NRS 834) - Advanced Nutrition 3
NS 835 (NRS 835) - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NS 836 (NRS 836) - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NS 838 (NRS 838) - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NS 840 (NRS 840) - Primary Care of Children and Adolescent 3
NS 842 (NRS 842) - Primary Care of Women 3
NS 844 (NRS 844) - Primary Healthcare II 3
NS 852 (NRS 852) - Family Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 30
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.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 830 (NRS 830) - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NS 833 (NRS 833) - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NS 834 (NRS 834) - Advanced Nutrition 3
NS 835 (NRS 835) - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NS 836 (NRS 836) - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NS 838 (NRS 838) - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NS 861 (NRS 861) - Introduction to Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 862 (NRS 862) - Applying Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 863 (NRS 863) - Complex Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 864 (NRS 864) - Advanced Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 854 (NRS 854) - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 30
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.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 830 (NRS 830) - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NS 833 (NRS 833) - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NS 834 (NRS 834) - Advanced Nutrition 3
NS 835 (NRS 835) - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NS 836 (NRS 836) - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NS 838 (NRS 838) - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NS 855 (NRS 855) - Pharmacology for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 2
NS 856 (NRS 856) - Introduction to Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 857 (NRS 857) - Application of Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 858 (NRS 858) - Complex Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 859 (NRS 859) - Advanced Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 860 (NRS 860) - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 32
Last updated: 09/14/2023