Programs
Graduate Master of Science Program
What is it?
What is the purpose of the MSN program?
Who should apply for this program?
What are criteria for admission?
Admissions Process
Why enroll?
Who are the faculty?
How can I receive further information on the MSN program?
Philosophy of the WMU Bronson School of Nursing
MSN Program Outcomes
Program Design
MSN Sample Plan for Study, 2012-2014
A GRADUATE PROGRAM IN NURSING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY! The faculty of the Bronson School of Nursing have been working hard to upgrade the relatively new Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program in response to requests from past, current and potential graduate students. These upgrades began in fall 2009 with streamlining the course offerings so that all students can complete the program in two and one-half years by eliminating the 6 credits of electives. Another upgrade beginning fall 2009 involves reinforcing the links between the two research courses and the final capstone course. In addition, faculty are increasing their use of the web platform to create more hybrid courses. As of fall 2011, we will require both pre-requisite courses in statistics and research that are taken within a short time before beginning the MSN program, facilitated by course offerings on the WMU campus and online. We also offer transition courses for those who have baccalaureate degrees not in nursing or who have been out of formal university study for many years.
The MSN program design is based on the needs outlined by individuals, community nurse leaders, employers, faculty, and groups surveyed. The program is congruent with current documents of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Institute of Medicine, and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The MSN program received the full five years’ accreditation by CCNE in 2008.
What is the purpose of the MSN program?
The purpose of the graduate nursing program is to prepare nurses with advanced education in the discipline of nursing, in scholarship and in a selected area of study. Two areas of study are particularly timely in our local social context: 1) the preparation of nurse educators who are able to serve as faculty, practice preceptors, and teachers of other health professionals in a variety of settings, and 2) the preparation of nurse leaders/managers who function in complex health care systems. Consideration of other areas of study to be offered in the future, such as health care informatics, will address emerging community and professional needs.
Who should apply for this program?
Any nurse with a baccalaureate degree in nursing who is interested in moving the profession forward. Have you ever considered leadership in the clinical setting or in the education setting? If so, this is the program for you! Individual consideration will be given to nurses with an undergraduate or graduate degree in another health-related field.
What are criteria for admission?
Admission is competitive; therefore, the listed criteria for admission should be considered as minimum standards.
- Earned BSN or BS with a major in nursing from an accredited baccalaureate program in nursing (nurses with a baccalaureate degree in another field will be considered on individual basis)
- Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 in past academic work
- Completion of recent statistics, research and informatics courses
- Current license to practice nursing
- Minimum TOEFL score of 600 for applicants who speak English as a second language
- Curriculum vitae or resume with evidence of proficient nursing practice
- Completion of WMU graduate application form (www.wmich.edu/apply/graduate)
- Three (3) letters of reference from individuals who can speak to your current proficiency in nursing practice, your academic and your leadership potential
- Written essay addressing specific questions available from the School of Nursing
- Personal Interview
*RN ‘s with a baccalaureate degree in another field:
Individuals who are registered nurses with a B.S. in another field will be considered on an individual basis, based on an evaluation of:
- General education courses completed
- Science courses
- Nursing courses
- Research course
An additional pre-requisite course in Transitions to Professional Nursing is required prior to entering the MSN courses.
Each accepted applicant will be assigned a nursing faculty advisor. The student will maintain a portfolio throughout the program. The portfolio will serve as a major mechanism in assessing attainment of the program outcomes.
Each applicant needs to complete the Graduate School application, and follow requirements for official transcripts and letters of reference. The Graduate School application can be completed online at: www.wmich.edu/apply/graduate. The applicant also needs to fill out the Bronson School of Nursing application form. To obtain this application contact the BSON Office Associate at 269-387-8152 or email kimberly.hunt@wmich.edu.
The Bronson School of Nursing Application requires that you send in (3) letters of reference. Letters of reference must include one from an individual best able to comment on your most recent nursing employment, one from an individual who can speak to your prior academic achievements and potential, and one from an individual who will speak to your potential for success in advanced professional nursing. In addition, the application requires a personal narrative statement, a current resume, and a copy of your current license to practice nursing. All these materials need to be submitted together as explained in the Nursing application.
At the time of application, the individual must declare the selected area of study – either leadership/management or teaching. Once all your School of Nursing materials are received, you will be contacted to schedule a time for a personal interview and an onsite essay. The interview will be conducted by a minimum of 2 nursing faculty.
Note: Individuals are admitted for study beginning in Fall semester only. Admissions decisions are on a continuous basis beginning March 15 each year, though applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Not every applicant who meets minimum admission requirements can be admitted. The nursing faculty reserve discretion in admitting the most highly qualified applicants.
Approved applicants who need to complete pre-requisites courses will fill out the Graduate College application for fall 2012 admission. They will complete prerequisites during the 2011-2012 academic year and start nursing courses in fall 2012. The next cohort of graduate students will begin the MSN courses in fall 2012.
This program was designed with you in mind. It is geographically accessible for candidates living in Southwest Michigan. It has a plan of study to accommodate requests for flexibility from nurses who need to balance their home and work responsibilities. And the program meets the urgent demand for nurse faculty and nurse leaders/managers so that future employment opportunities are many. In addition, the program will offer wonderful opportunities to work with other health professional students who can take many of the nursing courses. Such interactions will form the basis of life-long collaboration in promoting health within our communities.
Who are the faculty?
Nationally and internationally renowned nursing faculty led by Dr. Linda H. Zoeller, Director of the WMU Bronson School of Nursing.
How can I receive further information on the MSN program?
The current MSN Coordinator is Dr. Linda H. Zoeller, PhD, RN. Her contact email address is linda.zoeller@wmich.edu. You may also contact the Office Associate, for application information at MSNnursing@wmich.edu or call at 1-269-387-8152.
Philosophy of the WMU Bronson School of Nursing 2003 (rev. 4/2008, 1/2010)
Beliefs about Teaching and Learning
We believe that nursing students are adult learners, responsible for assessing their own learning needs, for seeking and using educational opportunities, and for preparing themselves to engage in a lifelong pursuit of learning and self-development.
We believe that faculty are responsible for facilitating learning through creation of an environment that fosters thoughtful exchange of ideas, critical thinking, guided experience with new concepts and skills, and opportunities for self-development.
Beliefs about the Practice of Nursing
We believe that the practice of nursing includes a broad range of activities, including direct patient care, research, administration, education, and setting the health policy agenda.
We believe that nursing practice is evidenced based (standards of practice) in order to provide the highest quality of care possible.
We believe that nursing care is holistic, respecting the spiritual, cultural, physiological, and psychosocial dimensions of each client.
We believe that nursing services should add value to the lives of clients without unnecessary cost.
We believe that nursing care is relationship-centered and values diversity.
Beliefs about the Profession of Nursing
We believe that nursing is grounded in the ethical codes of the profession.
We value the autonomy of nursing as a discipline, including setting standards of practice, codes of moral behavior, and guidelines for educational programs.
We believe that nursing has a social contract with the community that is responsive to the needs of the community and based on partnerships that work together to make the community healthier.
Beliefs about Graduate Education in Nursing
Faculty in the WMU Bronson School of Nursing believe that graduate education builds upon the foundation provided at the undergraduate level. Graduate education is characterized by increased depth and breadth of knowledge necessary for the practice of advanced professional nursing.
Faculty believe that advanced professional nursing involves the integration of knowledge of systems, roles, culture, ethics, health care policy, health care finance, research methods, and leadership to promote health and well-being of populations of interest. Faculty conceptualize advanced professional nursing as a role in which the nurse either designs/manages health care services or the educational processes that prepare future nurses within varying contexts and cultures.
Faculty further believe that advanced professional nurses analyze and synthesize knowledge for expert decision-making, leadership, and the advancement of the profession of nursing. Additionally, the advanced professional nurse comprehends the historical, ethical, and theoretical foundations of the profession and the discipline of nursing.
Faculty believe that the graduate student must be exposed to faculty who will stimulate professional development and leadership qualities using a variety of teaching and learning strategies. We further believe that an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and relationship-based interactions facilitates the development of the advanced professional nurse.
The WMU Nursing Faculty believe that the masters level of education for advanced professional nursing should result in the degree, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The MSN reflects nursing as a discipline with substantive content and knowledge.
At the end of this program, the graduate will be able to:
- Analyze the historical and conceptual patterns that have shaped current health and illness care contexts and systems;
- Integrate advanced concepts of human behavior, cultural competencies, and ethical reasoning into the evolving role of nurse leadership for the 21st century;
- Employ methods of inquiry that provide evidence for the practice of nursing and promote the role of the nurse in inquiry and evaluation;
- Use an interdisciplinary approach to promote health and well-being of selected populations within health care systems and communities;
- Describe how the organization and financing of health care services sculpt health care policies; and
- Demonstrate competency in teaching or nurse management/leadership with selected populations.
Program Design
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program requires a minimum of thirty-six (36) graduate credit hours taken within 12 courses of 3 credit hours each. There are eight (8) core courses required of every student and four (4) courses within the selected area of study. The program is designed for study of 2-3 courses per semester. Practicum experiences with an assigned faculty or community mentor will be chosen to best meet the needs of individual learners’ career plans. The thesis option is available, but not required. An additional 3 graduate credits will be required if the thesis option is selected, resulting in a total program requirements of 39 credits.
A brief overview of core and area of study courses follows, along with a suggested part-time plan of study.
Core Courses
The eight core courses listed below meet the current AACN, IOM, and CCNE competency requirements for graduate education in nursing. They are as follows:
NUR 5300* Historical & Theoretical Foundations of Nursing and Health Care
NUR 5310 Advanced Professional Nursing
NUR 6300* Ethics and Culture: Foundations for Leadership
NUR 6310* Community Focused Care: An Interdisciplinary Approach
NUR 6320* Health Care Policy, Organization, & Financing
NUR 6400* Professional Inquiry: Qualitative & Quantitative Methods
NUR 6410* Methods for Measuring Quality in Health & Educational Systems
NUR 6990 Research Project in Selected Area of Study***
***If the thesis option is selected, the graduate student must complete 6 credits of thesis advisement per requirements of the Graduate College and will not take NUR 6990. These credits of NUR7000 can be spread across the last four semesters of the plan of study.
Area of Study : Nurse Leadership/Management
NUR 6500* Health Care Information Systems and Technology
NUR 6510* Interdisciplinary Leadership in Organizations & Systems
NUR 6520* Health Care Financing and Reimbursement
NUR 6530 Nurse Leader/Manager Practicum
Area of Study: Nurse Educator
NUR 6600* Curriculum & Teaching of Theory in Health Disciplines
NUR 6610* Clinical Teaching & Evaluation in Health Disciplines
NUR 6620* The Scholarship of Teaching in a Clinical Discipline
NUR 6630* Practicum in Teaching
Legend: Courses with an asterix (*) are open to graduate students in other health disciplines.
MSN Sample Plan for Study, 2012 – 2014
Semester I – Fall 2012 |
Semester II – Spring 2013 |
||
NUR 5300: Historical & Theoretical Foundations of Nursing & Health Care |
3 |
NUR 6300: Ethics and Culture Foundations for Leadership |
3 |
NUR 5310: Advanced Professional Nursing |
3 |
NUR 6320: Health Care Policy, Organization, & Financing |
3 |
Summer I 2013 |
|
||
NUR 6310: Community Focused Care: An Interdisciplinary Approach |
3 |
|
|
Semester III - Fall 2013 |
Semester IV - Spring 2014 |
||
NUR 6400: Professional Inquiry: NUR 6500: Health Care Information Systems & Tech. |
3
3 |
NUR 6410: Methods for Measuring Quality in Health & Educational Systems NUR 6510: Interdisciplinary Leadership in Organizations & Systems (Nurse Managers)
|
3
3 |
Semester V – Summer I 2014 |
Semester VI – Fall 2014 |
||
NUR 6520: Health Care Financing & Reimbursement |
3 |
NUR 6530: Nurse Leadership Management Practicum (Nurse Managers) OR NUR 6990: Research Project |
3
3 |
|
|
TOTAL CREDITS = 36 |
|