The goal of the Master of Science in Nursing program is to prepare skilled, competent nurses to serve as leaders and collaborative partners of the health care team, lead change to improve quality outcomes and safety, apply evidence-based practice recommendations to improve health in a global society, and continue to pursue excellence and professional growth. The Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program will offer two concentrations: Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership and Management. Students are required to complete the core courses before moving on to the major specialty courses. Some courses are sequential, building on knowledge acquired in previous courses. The length of time required to complete the MSN curriculum depends mainly on the number of courses the student elects to take each term.
Credit Hours: 54 (12 courses at 4.5 credits each; 8 Core and 4 Specialization)
Duration: 60 weeks (6 Terms) 18-24 months
Online vs. On-Campus: Program will start out as on-campus (can take online courses as hybrid) but will apply after program approval for 100% distance education in 2021.
Internship Hours: Capstone Practicum (120 Hours)
- Completion of BSN degree from accredited institution also include verification completion of undergraduate statistics course.
- Copy of current RN License. (Progression in the practicum course will require an active RN license that allows student to practice in the state where they perform the final practicum)
- AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers card and health requirements, including immunizations, will be required once you are ready to enter into the practicum course.
- Two letters of recommendation from academic, employer, professional.
- Written essay to support why student wants to pursue a master’s degree with support for either specialization.
At the completion of the program the student will be able to:
- Integrate advanced theoretical, research-based knowledge from the sciences and humanities in teaching, management, and clinical nursing (E-1)
- Implement organizational and systems leadership changes that will improve quality and safety outcomes of healthcare organizations (E-2)
- Synthesize knowledge from the organizational sciences, humanities, and informatics to improve the safety, quality, and delivery of patient care in complex educational or health care systems (E-3)
- Apply research findings and evidence-based practice recommendations to improve health in a global society (E-4)
- Design health care management systems and/or education programs for patients, students, families, communities, and populations using evidence-based practice, informatics, and health care technologies (E-5)
- Analyze the political, social, organizational, cultural, and economic systems that impact health policy and health care delivery (E-6)
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate, collaborate, and consult with others as a team leader and role model in order to improve patient and population health outcomes (E-7)
- Apply knowledge of epidemiology, genetics, culture, and evidence-based practice recommendations of health promotion, disease and injury prevention and management in order to improve individual, family, community, and population health in a global society (E-8)
- Demonstrate responsibility for advancing excellence in practice, personal values, and own professional development (E-9)
- Provide humanistic, collaborative care as a leader in an advanced nursing practice which addresses sociocultural, spiritual, ethnic, and gender diversity within an increasingly global, multicultural society. (E-10)
The Essentials of Naster’s Education in Nursing (AACN, 2011) standards provide the foundation for the nursing graduate program. The AACN standards guide program development, implementation, and evaluation.
The MSN program student learning outcomes are congruent with the mission of the University, which is to prepare students for rewarding careers through quality educational programs that meet the changing needs of employers and the community. A new MSN program will provide an educational opportunity for our local students and those throughout the world to become nursing professors and nursing administrators. Currently there is a shortage of such advanced practice nurses in our community so these new programs will be serving the needs of local employers and the community.
Our University strives to serve a quite diverse student body and also our patient population in the Northern Virginia area is very diverse. Our MSN program prepares students to provide humanistic, collaborative care as a leader in an advanced nursing practice which addresses sociocultural, spiritual, ethnic, and gender diversity within an increasingly global, multicultural society. Our graduates will be prepared to enter the world of nursing practice with extensive knowledge of how to work in our diverse community.
The MSN degree in Nursing Leadership and Management prepares students for advanced nursing practice leadership roles by developing expertise in the critical analysis and evidence-based practice of complex problems associated with health care organizations and systems. This MSN program emphasizes evidence-based management and patient-care practices to achieve quality outcomes, innovation in the integration of healthcare services, strategic financial planning, and expertise in leading collaborative inter-professional teams. The courses provide foundational knowledge that meets the objectives of the essentials of master’s education as required by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Graduates are prepared to work in management positions in hospitals, long-term care facilities, governmental agencies, community health organizations, and corporations. This program of student also prepares graduates to later transition directly into a post-masters advanced practice nursing specialty certificate, PhD in Nursing, or a DNP program.
Our University strives to serve a quite diverse student body and also our patient population in the Northern Virginia area is very diverse. Our MSN program prepares students to provide humanistic, collaborative care as a leader in an advanced nursing practice which addresses sociocultural, spiritual, ethnic, and gender diversity within an increasingly global, multicultural society. Our graduates will be prepared to enter the world of nursing practice with extensive knowledge of how to work in our diverse community.