Nursing
Program Director: Pamela Hudson DM, RN
Master of Science in Nursing
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed to prepare professional nurses as leaders in administration and education in a variety of organizations. The competencies acquired through an interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary model of education prepares the MSN graduate to practice in a complex and dynamic professional milieu.
MSN Program Goals:
- Promote critical analysis of theory, research, policy and organizational systems
- Develop leaders and change agents
- Enhance collaboration skills
- Provide the foundation for doctoral studies
- Prepare for successful passage of certification examinations
- Promote a commitment to lifelong learning
Graduate Learning Outcomes:
- Critically seek, evaluate, and develop expanding nursing knowledge.
- Use leadership abilities, moral and ethical principles, and professional standards to guide practice of self and others.
- Impact nursing practice through scientific inquiry and the dissemination of research findings.
- Integrate concepts, models, and theories from nursing science and related disciplines into advanced nursing practice.
Specialization Tracks:
Students may choose one of three areas of specialization:
- Nursing Administration
- Nursing Education
Program of Study
This 33-credit hour MSN program consists of the following:
| General Core | (3) |
| Nursing Concentration | (15) |
| Specialization Core | (15) |
PREREQUISITE
Professional Portfolio (3)
(for non-nursing bachelor’s admits)
GENERAL CORE
Interpersonal Relations (3)
NURSING CONCENTRATION (15 credits)
| Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice | (3) |
| Healthcare Policy and Politics | (3) |
| Advanced Health Assessment | (3) |
| Nursing Research OR | |
| Interprofessional Health Care Research | (3) |
| * MSN Capstone | (3) |
SPECIALIZATION CORE (15 credits)
NURSING ADMINISTRATION
| Strategic & Critical Problem Solving | (3) |
| Nursing Administration | (3) |
| Financial Management of Health Care Organizations | (3) |
| * Clinical Practicum | (3) |
| * Administration Practicum | (3) |
NURSING EDUCATION
| Advanced Pathopharmacology | (3) |
| Seminar for Nurse Educators I | (3) |
| * Seminar for Nurse Educators II | (3) |
| * Clinical Practicum | (3) |
| * Education Practicum | (3) |
*Indicates prerequisite course(s) needed
Post–Master’s Certificate Programs: Nursing Administration & Nursing Education
The division offers a 12-credit graduate certificate in both nursing administration and nursing education. The certificate programs provide an excellent opportunity for master’s prepared nurses who wish to assume leadership roles, administrative positions, or educational positions in health care or academic settings for career advancement and a broader foundation for doctoral studies. Applicants must already have an earned Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree to enroll in this certificate program.
Certificate in Nursing Administration (12 Credits)
REQUIRED COURSES:
| Strategic & Critical Problem Solving | (3) |
| Nursing Administration | (3) |
| Financial Management of Health Care Organizations | (3) |
| * Administration Practicum | (3) |
Certificate in Nursing Education (12 Credits)
REQUIRED COURSES:
| Seminar for Nurse Educators I | (3) |
| * Seminar for Nurse Educators II | (3) |
| * Education Practicum | (3) |
| Elective One elective+ | (3) |
+The elective must be taken at the graduate level with the approval of academic advisor.
*Indicates prerequisite course(s) needed.
Applicants who have completed an MSN degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 may apply. The following materials must be submitted: an application form; a copy of current RN license; a copy of current professional resume; an official copy of graduate school transcript; two recommendations; and one-page goals statement. An advising session after acceptance with the Director of the MSN program and/or faculty member must be completed after admission to the program. For information on completing the required application, contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 484-323-3219.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Family Nurse Practitioner
Immaculata University’s Family Nurse Practitioner program is designed for bachelor’s prepared Registered Nurses seeking to advance their clinical practice as a nurse practitioner.
The 44-credit FNP program at Immaculata University is offered in a hybrid format to support working professionals to complete their degree in as little as 2.5 years while studying part-time. Nurses with an earned Master of Science in Nursing may be considered for the post-master’s certificate program.
Program Goals
- Promote critical analysis of theory, research, policy, and organizational systems
- Develop leaders and change agents
- Enhance collaboration skills
- Provide the foundation for doctoral studies
- Prepare for successful passage of certification examinations
- Promote a commitment to lifelong learning
Learning Outcomes
- Critically seek, evaluate, and develop expanding nursing knowledge.
- Use leadership abilities, moral and ethical principles, and professional standards to guide practice of self and others.
- Impact nursing practice through scientific inquiry and the dissemination of research findings.
- Integrate concepts, models, and theories from nursing science and related disciplines into advanced nursing practice.
- Demonstrate competence in management of health/illness status of patients in primary care across the life span.
- Integrate social determinants of health to improve the health outcomes of diverse populations across the life span.
- Employ current technologies to deliver and coordinate care.
- Integrate clinical reasoning, critical analysis of literature, evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes and quality care in a safe and effective manner.
Curriculum (44 Credits)
PREREQUISITE
Professional Portfolio (3)
(for non-nursing bachelor’s admits)
CORE (9 credits)
| Role Development for the Nurse Practitioner | (3) |
| Healthcare Policy and Politics | (3) |
| Nursing Research OR | (3) |
| Interprofessional Health Care Research | (3) |
NP FOUNDATIONAL ADVANCED PRACTICE CORE (12 credits)
| Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning | (3) |
| Advanced Pathophysiology | (3) |
| Advanced Pharmacology | (3) |
| Population Health and Epidemiology | (3) |
SPECIALTY COURSES
| Primary Care across the Adult Lifespan I | (6 credits, 225 clinical hours) |
| Primary Care of Women and Children | (6 credits, 225 clinical hours) |
| Primary Care across the Adult Lifespan II | (6 credits, 225 clinical hours) |
| Integrated Care across the Lifespan | (5 credits, 150 clinical hours) |
Post–Master’s Certificate Programs: Family (Individual across the Lifespan) FNP
The post master’s certificate FNP student is expected to meet all the competencies for the family (Individual across the Lifespan) NP student. A Gap Analysis will be performed to assure the post master’s FNP student has met the requisite coursework and competencies to apply for a national certification exam for the Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
Program of Study
Pending Gap Analysis this 35- credit hour MSN certificate program consists of the following:
FNP Core (3 credits)
Role Development for the Nurse Practitioner (3)
NP Foundational Advanced Practice Core (9 credits)
| Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning | (3) |
| Advanced Pathophysiology | (3) |
| Advanced Pharmacology | (3) |
Specialty Courses (23 credits)
| Primary Care across the Adult Lifespan I | (6) |
| Primary Care of Women and Children | (6) |
| Primary Care across the Adult Lifespan II | (6) |
| Integrated Care across the Lifespan | (5) |
Division of Nursing Academic Policies
- MSN graduate students must have a minimum grade of “B” in required courses and a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall.
- A student who receives a course grade below “B” in any required course must repeat the course.
- Only one course may be repeated once (1).
- MSN graduate students must successfully pass the practicum course prerequisites and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall before progression to all practicum courses.
- Health /background clearance is required prior to the beginning of any practicum courses.
- Violation of the Nursing Practice Act in any state will result in dismissal from the MSN Program.