Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing program offers an advanced nurse generalist focus which provides contemporary professional skills and knowledge for leadership in the healthcare system. The program encourages nurses to develop scholarly practice to deliver health care that is caring, holistic, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. Opportunities are offered for working professionals to concurrently integrate educational principles into direct practice. The program vision is to inspire nurses to develop a lifelong commitment to nursing scholarship and leadership advancing nursing into the future. This program aims to fulfill the recommendations of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) guidelines as prescribed in the Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing for professional Nursing practice (AACN, 2011).

Philosophy
The Keiser University Master of Science in Nursing degree program has adopted the theory of human caring as a foundation for the curriculum; to develop leaders who strive to advance the profession of nursing, grounded in caring holistically for self, others, and the profession.

Program Objectives
Keiser University’s Master in Nursing program enables students to contribute to the nursing profession through independent learning, scholarship, and research.  At the conclusion of the program, master’s students will:

• Develop critical thinkers who creatively engage in rational inquiry using nursing processes and current research to improve healthcare outcomes
• Develop caring culturally responsive communicators capable of effectively leading interdisciplinary healthcare teams
• Develop nursing professionals dedicated towards advancing a culture of professional excellence and achievement through lifelong learning
• Develop nursing leaders prepared to assume leadership roles in health care systems
• Develop ethically responsive nursing leaders who advocate to influence policy decisions to improve health care that is effective, timely, efficient, and equitable for all members of society
• Develop effective collaborators of healthcare committed to improving best practices in health promotion, disease prevention, quality, safety and equality

Prerequisites for Core Courses

• Bachelors degree in nursing from an accredited college
• Current Professional Registered Nurse License from Resident State Board of Nursing
• Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher

NOTE: Courses in the MSN program are eight-weeks in length and students are scheduled for one or two courses concurrently. Capstone course is eight-weeks in length. Clinical practice hours will be required for academic synthesis of course content and will be threaded throughout the program.  Practicum site and hours may include community agencies, conferences approved by instructor, work site capstone development, approved volunteer activities, interagency site visits, technological field trips, simulation labs, preceptor training, leadership activities, professional meetings, and interdepartmental study in current employment system.  Practicum hours will not be awarded for current salaried employment.

Program Outline
Students take eleven core courses totaling 33 credit hours, which include 3 credit hours for evidenced based capstone outcomes project.

To receive a Master of Science in Nursing degree must earn 33 graduate semester credit hours.  Transfer of graduate credits will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Twenty eight program hours must be completed through Keiser University. Program requirements are as follows:

Master of Science in Nursing Major Core Courses (33.0 credit hours)
Leadership and Professional Development in Nursing	3.0 credit hours
Nursing Theory for Research and Practice	3.0 credit hours
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	3.0 credit hours
Health Systems, Policy, and Resource Management	3.0 credit hours
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety	3.0 credit hours
Human Diversity, Global Health, and Social Issues	3.0 credit hours
Advanced Pathophysiology for Practice	3.0 credit hours
Principals of Pharmacology for Advanced Practice	3.0 credit hours
Advanced Health Assessment for Best Practice	3.0 credit hours
Research for Evidenced-Based Practice and Outcome Management	3.0 credit hours
Translating Research into Practice: Outcomes Management	3.0 credit hours