Nov 02, 2024  
2023-2024 Online College Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Online College Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Master of Science in Nursing


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Saint Joseph’s College’s MSN curriculum includes core courses in nursing informatics, organizational and systems leadership, policy, quality, and safety, and interprofessional collaboration which support the specialty tracks, where you will acquire in-depth knowledge and advanced skills. 

Mastery of critical thinking skills will prepare you for leadership roles within a patient-centered health care delivery setting or educational setting.  Upon completing this online graduate nursing program, you will have the knowledge and skills in leadership and management to influence nursing practice and health care policy, educate the next generation of RNs, and/or enter a fulfilling career as an advanced practice RN.

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares graduates in advanced practice, education and leadership roles. Graduates will leave the program having met the following outcomes:

  • Integrate nursing science with knowledge from ethics, biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences into clinical reasoning and decision making. (MSN Essential I, V)
  • Uses advanced communication skills and leadership in quality, ethical, and safety healthcare initiatives that incorporate interprofessional collaboration for current and future needs of patient populations. (MSN Essential II, III)
  • Uses information systems and technology to evaluate patient care and outcomes. (MSN Essential V)
  • Uses communication and leadership skills as a member of the interprofessional team to manage and coordinate patient care to achieve outcomes. (MSN Essential VII)
  • Analyze biostatistical and environmental data in the development, implementation and evaluation of culturally humble care directed toward health promotion and disease prevention in individuals and communities. (MSN Essential VIII)
  • Demonstrate advanced levels of critical reasoning and decision making in designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence based care to improve patient outcomes in primary care environments. (MSN Essential IV)
  • Analyze health care policy for application in regards to access, safety, quality, and efficacy in advanced level nursing practice. (MSN Essential VI)
  • Analyze methods for critical appraisal of evidence and application of evidence in advanced level nursing practice. (MSN Essential IV, IX)

Note: Students who have already completed their MSN with Saint Joseph’s College are not eligible for admittance into the MSN/MHA or the MSN/MBA dual degree program.

Admission Requirements


  1. BSN from an accredited institution
  2. Active unrestricted, unencumbered RN license in the US
  3. Cumulative GPA 3.0
  4. Submission of all official transcripts
  5. Must have statistics and health assessment as an undergrad with a B or better and courses must be current.
    *Students may apply without having met this requirement, however, any acceptance offered to such a student will be conditional upon completion of the appropriate preparatory courses with a B or better.
  6. Submission of a current Resume or CV
  7. Submission of a Career statement following the prompt provided in the application

** NP Applicants:   Describe the NP role in the context of advanced practice. How does obtaining a graduate nursing degree fit into your professional development goals?
*** Administration / Education Applicants:  In 750 words or less, please describe how a nurse with an advanced degree impacts practice and how you plan to use your advanced degree after graduation.

  1. 3 references- from a peer, a supervisor and prior faculty
  2. TOEFL if needed

Note:  Applicants who have had license sanctions must be without restrictions during the two years prior to Saint Joseph’s application.

Curriculum


A common core of knowledge at the master’s level provides a foundation for nurses in advanced nursing roles. The theoretical base specific to each specialization is included in the course of study and accompanied by practical experience, thus providing students the opportunity to apply theory in a variety of settings.

Six Program Tracks are offered:

  • Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP),
  • Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP),
  • Family/ Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner (FNP),  
  • Nursing Administration,
  • Nursing Education, and
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). 

The Nurse Practitioner specializations prepare nurses for a career in the AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP or PMHNP specialization. Students in all specializations are required to take the common core curriculum prior to starting the specialty courses.

Students in the NP tracks are required to complete a mandatory on campus skills session during the program track courses.  This mandatory skills session will account for 24 hours of clinical time.

A passing grade of 83 (B) is required for successful completion of all graduate level nursing courses.

According to the Department of Nursing policy, students who fail to successfully complete a nursing course on the second attempt at any institution or fail a second nursing course are dismissed from the nursing major.

Matriculated students will have a maximum five (5) years to complete the program.

Program Track Curriculum


Capstone


For AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP and PMHNP:

For Nursing Administration and Nursing Education:

Total Required Credits


  • For AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP and PMHNP: 48 credits
  • For Nursing Administration: 45 credits
  • For Nursing Education: 42 credits

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