The Master of Science in Nursing degree prepares nurse educators for academic communities and/or health care organizations. At the completion of the 30-credit program, the graduate will be able to:
- Synthesize the roles of the nurse educator in academic communities and/or health care organizations
- Facilitate and evaluate learner achievement of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor outcomes in diverse settings
- Design curricula and create program outcomes that reflect the dynamic health environment
- Develop and implement strategies to address the environmental influences of culture, economics, ethics, law, policy, politics, society, and technology on teaching and learning
- Integrate the processes of scholarship, critical thinking, communication, change, and lifelong learning into the nurse educator role
- Contribute to the academic community or health care organization, profession, and community as an innovative nurse educator
Admission
In addition to completing the graduate admission requirements (page 94), students applying to the MSN program (MSN, RN-MSN, and MSN/MHA dual degree) must submit the following materials:
- Transcripts from an accredited baccalaureate nursing program, reflecting a 3.000 grade point average
- Evidence of an unencumbered Registered Nurse license in the state in which clinical coursework hours will be completed
- Evidence of having completed an undergraduate research course and statistics course
- Letters of recommendation from three clinical peers/supervisors who attest to communication and clinical competence (Valpo alumni need only submit two)
- A 2-page reflective essay relating graduate study to professional goals
Policy for Readmission for All MSN Programs
MSN students who leave in good academic standing may resume enrollment in the program within three years after taking their first course by enrolling in courses required to complete the degree requirements. If an MSN student is on leave from the program from 3-5 years, the completed coursework will be reviewed and an individualized program for completion will be determined by the assistant dean of graduate nursing based on the courses taken, the current information needed for advanced nursing practice, and student experience. Student remediation may be part of this individualized program. Students who have left the MSN program in good academic standing and wish to re-enroll in the program five years or more after taking their first course in the graduate program will have their transcripts reviewed on an individual basis. Readmission to the program may require retaking courses and/or remediation.
In addition to the College of Nursing and Health Professions policy for readmission, all MSN students must follow the graduate readmission procedures. All academic policies beginning on page 100 apply to the MSN program.
Advising
Advising in the Master of Science in Nursing program is done by an appointed faculty advisor. Students must be admitted to a graduate nursing program or be a non-degree seeking student declaring intent for the nurse educator certificate prior to enrolling in nurse educator courses.
Nursing Liability Insurance
In connection with the clinical practice component of the nursing program, all students in the MSN program, beginning with their first clinical course (NUR 505 ), must secure professional liability insurance provided by the University.
Master’s Thesis Option
The College of Nursing and Health Professions provides a thesis option for qualifying MSN students, which requires an additional six credits of coursework for a total of 36 credits. Thesis work comprises six credits. Three credits of course work are first completed as NUR 692 Research Project and are intended for the development of a thesis proposal. NUR 670 is required as a pre- or co-requisite to NUR 692. With satisfactory completion of NUR 692 and approval for thesis candidacy, the student may enroll in NUR 699 Master’s Thesis . Thesis completion requires adherence to the guidelines outlined in the Thesis Manual, available on the Graduate Office academic forms website.
Admission to Thesis Candidacy
Students meeting the following criteria may be accepted as candidates for the MSN thesis option. Prospects must demonstrate that they have met the qualifications for thesis work through an application for Thesis Candidacy. This form requires the approval of Valparaiso University CONHP faculty (one who agrees to serve as thesis chair), the assistant dean of graduate nursing, and the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Thesis prospects must have completed 21 credits of MSN program prior to enrolling in NUR 699 .
Thesis Implementation
A thesis may involve academic or applied research, or creative work. Research projects may be primarily analytical, critical and synthetic in nature, or they may be primarily empirical (data based). Prospects should not assume that any or all faculty can or will agree to serve on their thesis committee. Rather, they will need to demonstrate through the quality of their graduate coursework as well as the alignment of their topic with faculty interest and expertise that faculty mentoring is both deserving and possible. Thesis work is generally carried out in two phases. NUR 692 is intended for the development of the thesis proposal and should result in a preliminary review of the field and a detailed proposal of study or of the project. The course work should be carried out under the supervision of the faculty thesis chair. The thesis itself should represent a significant contribution to the field and be of publishable or exhibition/exposition quality. Upon completion, the thesis is reviewed by the faculty and the CONHP dean or assistant dean of graduate nursing. Copies of the final approved thesis should be filed with the thesis chair, and the University library for archival records. The approved thesis should be deposited to ValpoScholar in accordance with Thesis Manual guidelines.
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