BSN to MSN

Program Description

The BSN to MSN program offers a seamless learning experience for those seeking advanced nursing knowledge and expanded professional skills appropriate for a global and increasingly complex healthcare system. Designed to expand competencies in practice, evidence-based decision making, informatics and technological communication skills, and innovative thinking, the degree promotes professional expertise in patient-centered care among diverse and vulnerable populations. The dynamic connection between research, theory and practice prepares students to engage in problem-solving in micro and macro systems and to ensure quality care and patient safety. As leaders, graduates are expected to become change agents to improve people’s health.

Department of Nursing Mission, Vision, Core Values

Program Outcomes

Adapt and expand lifelong learning skills into broad areas of practice expertise across interdisciplinary healthcare settings, organizational systems, policy, and advocacy.
Lead evidence-based practice initiatives to promote quality, safety, and improve health outcomes across diverse populations and systems.
Utilize theories, models, and guidelines to evaluate existing processes and to design innovative and effective practices in nursing and healthcare delivery.
Engage in imaginative, holistic, transformational thinking designed to support innovative research and practice in nursing.
Apply ethical decision making and principles of social justice to guide nursing care delivery and organizational leadership.
Demonstrate therapeutic and effective communication, including the use of technology, to facilitate patient engagement, enhance patient knowledge of health and wellness, and promote satisfaction.
Engage with collaborative, interprofessional healthcare teams to provide quality care across settings.
Utilize political competence and attributes of advocacy to improve health outcomes across diverse populations and improve quality of healthcare delivery systems.
Integrate patient-centered and culturally responsive concepts into the design and delivery of evidencebased clinical prevention and population care in healthcare services regionally, nationally, and globally.
Promote a culture of quality, safety, and health literacy through competency in health information technology, clinical judgement, and creative thinking.
Exhibit organizational and systems leadership skills to integrate care across complex and global healthcare systems.
Demonstrate competencies in leadership and health information technology to transform evidence into quality practice.
Analyze contributing financial and human resources related to the development, delivery, reimbursement, and evaluation of patient-centered care including professional development, understanding of systems thinking, and continuous improvement.

Focus of Study Options

Nurse Administration

The Nurse Administration focus of study will prepare the nurse leader to model organizational and systems leadership skills that asserts ethical and critical decision making, collaborative inter-professional relationships, responsible fiscal stewardship, and principles of quality improvement. The nurse leader will be prepared to impact health policy at the micro and macro systems levels. The program will foster competencies in leadership and the use of technology and information systems to support quality improvement and outcomes. (200 Hour Practicum Experience Required)

Nurse Educator

The Nurse Educator focus of study will prepare the nurse to model leadership in the role of nurse educator while implementing quality improvement and change in academic and clinical education practice settings. The nurse educator will be prepared to design, implement and evaluate teaching strategies appropriate to the learner, setting, and achievement of desired outcomes. The program will foster competencies in leadership, role of the educator, and use of technology to support optimal learner outcomes and quality improvement in educational systems. (200 Hour Practicum Experience Required).

Course List (31 Semester Credits)

Nursing Courses (15 semester credits)

Choose a 5-course Focus of Study (16 semester credits)

Nurse Administration Focus Study

Nurse Educator Focus of Study

NUR5203 - Advanced Pathophysiology and Health Assessment
NUR5213 - Advanced Pharmacology for Health Educators
NUR5223 - Theoretical Foundations in Teaching and Learning
NUR5233 - Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Evaluation in Nursing
NUR5194 - Capstone Practicum for Role of the Nurse Educator (Last Course) (10-week course)
A 200 hour practicum is embedded in the program and required for program completion. To avoid disruption in course sequence the following must be completed before enrollment in subsequent term(s) or enrollment in the capstone/practicum course can occur:
1. Clinical practice site and preceptor approval must occur three (3) terms prior to beginning the practicum experience; and
2. Any required documents which may include, but are not limited to liability insurance, background check, drug screening, immunizations, proof of health insurance, evidence of HIPAA training, and current CPR certification must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to beginning the practicum experience.

Note

The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing offered by American College of Education are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
This program is neither designed nor approved (as of the publication date of this Catalog) to prepare students for advanced licensure in any state.
Check availability in your state on the Programs by State section of the ACE website.