School of Nursing
Overview
Master of Science in Nursing Program of Study
Curriculum
Course Descriptions
Notre Dame's mission is extended into the Greater Baltimore community through the Master of Science in Nursing, which prepares nurse educators and administrators to excel in their healthcare profession. Graduates of this program are prepared to assist in addressing the national healthcare crisis. The program stresses competencies in administrative and educational praxis, advocacy, scholarship, and technology. Development of leadership skills is a core concern of the curriculum.
Students admitted to the program progress to the degree as members of a cohort.
The accelerated format is designed to meet the needs of busy working nurses who choose part-time study but want to finish in the same amount of time as a full-time student. Classes are taken sequentially, one class at a time, on the same day of the week and the same four-hour period throughout the program. Regular courses range from four to nine weeks in duration, while the required culminating professional practicum is a 12-week experience. During the final semester, students take two courses concurrently throughout the entire semester as well as completing a 90-hour practicum. These final two courses alternate weeks, so students are still attending class one night a week.
Program of Study
Students in the program select a concentration in Leadership in Nursing Education or Leadership in Nursing Administration.
The nursing education concentration is planned for the experienced registered nurse who seeks a career as a nurse educator in service or academic settings. Completion of this concentration gives students the knowledge and skills to meet criteria for nurse educator certification. Students will learn how to plan, implement, and evaluate a variety of teaching strategies based on assessment of learner needs, setting, and advanced evidence-based research and educational theory. They will learn to use leadership skills and ethical and legal principles to implement policies and procedures related to learners, faculty and the educational environment.
The nursing administration concentration challenges students to think critically and strategically to influence and participate in policy and operational decision making. Students completing this concentration will be able to use their research findings, collaboration, and leadership and negotiation skills to influence professional issues and healthcare policy. Graduates will possess the extensive knowledge and advanced skills to succeed in leadership and management positions in a variety of healthcare settings.
The leadership in education concentration requires 38 credits of study and the Leadership in Administration Concentration requires 37 credits of study. Undergraduate RN-BSN students at NDMU will be considered for provisional early admission to the MSN Program during their final semester. NDMU RN to BSN graduates are able to waive the MSN Leadership course, NUR-510, for the BSN course NUR-432 and the MSN Informatics course, NUR-520, for the BSN course NUR-303.
To qualify for unconditional admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program, students must have an active registered nursing license from Maryland or a compact state; a 3.0 GPA in a BSN program; and a clearly-written statement of goals for graduate study.
The nursing graduate programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. (3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-975-5000).
Program Objectives
Leadership in Nursing Education Concentration
Based on the Scope of Practice for Academic Nurse Educators (NLN,
2005)
- Acquire the cognitive and behavioral skills needed to successfully perform in the role of nurse educator in an academic or service setting.
- Participate in curriculum design and evaluation of program outcomes.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate a variety of teaching strategies based on assessment of learner needs, setting, and advanced evidence-based research and educational theory.
- Use leadership skills and ethical and legal principles to implement policies and procedures related to learners, faculty, and the educational environment.
- Effectively use technology, tools, assessment instruments and other resources to improve educational outcomes.
- Contribute to the expansion of knowledge in nursing education through participation in research, scholarly publications and/or presentations.
- Engage in professional behaviors that reflect a commitment to service, lifelong learning and excellence in teaching practice.
Leadership in Nursing Administration Concentration
Based on the Scope and Standards for Nurse Administrators (ANA, 2nd ed.)
- Acquire the cognitive and behavioral skills needed to successfully perform as a manager or administrator in a variety of health-related organizations.
- Think critically and strategically to influence and participate in policy and operational decision making in their organizations.
- Communicate effectively within the organization, community and national forums.
- Implement evidence-based clinical and administrative practices.
- Use research findings, collaboration, leadership and negotiation skills to influence professional issues and healthcare policy.
- Engage in behaviors that reflect a commitment to professional values and practice.
Curriculum (37/38 Credits)
Core Courses (13 Credits)
NUR-501 Theoretical Foundations of
Nursing (3)
NUR-507 Nursing Research II: Proposal (3)
NUR-510 Contemporary Leadership in
Nursing (2)
NUR-520 Nursing Informatics (2)
NUR-543 Nursing Research I: Synthesis of the
Literature (3)
Concentration in Leadership in Nursing Education (25 Credits)
NUR-512 Issues and Trends in Nursing
Education (3)
NUR-513 Curriculum Development and Evaluation in
Nursing (4)
NUR-530 Advanced Pathophysiology for
Nurses (3)
NUR-603 Advanced Nursing Clinical
Practicum (3)
NUR-605 Teaching in Nursing Education
Practicum (6)
EDU-544 Educational Assessment (3)
EDU-556 Technology for Instruction and
Management (3)
Concentration in Leadership in Nursing Administration
(24 Credits)
NUR-515 Issues and Trends in Nursing
Administration (3)
NUR-516 Nursing Administrative Theory and
Practice (4)
NUR-518 Health Policy (3)
NUR-620 Leadership and Administration in Nursing
Seminar and Practicum (6)
BUS-521 Healthcare Economics (3)
BUS-522 Essentials of Healthcare
Finance (2)
BUS-523 The Business of Healthcare (3)
Course Descriptions
NOTE:
Course descriptions for business courses that are part of
the MSN program can be found in the Leadership and Management section of this catalog.
Course descriptions for education courses that are part of the MSN program can be found in the Education section of the catalog.
NUR-501 THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
Focuses on the exploration of nursing knowledge development to
include philosophy, theories, and conceptual models designed to
guide patient care, inform healthcare delivery system
decision making, educational programming and nursing administration.
A first course in the program, grounding learners in nursing
science. [3 credits] (1:9, 28 hours).
NUR-507 NURSING RESEARCH II: PROPOSAL
Guides the learner in using the literature review developed in
NUR-543 to build a strong research study proposal that has potential
for funding. The final course product will reflect a clear
understanding of all stages and steps of the research process and
the content of a credible and convincing research proposal. Prerequisite: NUR-543. [3 credits] [1:8, 2 4-hour seminars
plus individual faculty/student meetings]
NUR-510 CONTEMPORARY LEADERSHIP IN NURSING
Critically examines multiple leadership theories, styles and
approaches in nursing with emphasis on the interrelationships among
leaders, followers and the entire multidisciplinary team. In
addition, excellence in nursing leadership will be explored along
with the implications and responsibilities of the nurse leader for
shaping today's changing educational and healthcare environments.
[2 credits] [1:8, 16 hours]
NUR-512 ISSUES AND TRENDS IN NURSING EDUCATION
Uses a case-study and seminar format to help students explore
contemporary issues and trends in nursing education. Students will
be introduced to fundamental legal and ethical principles which
influence the quality of public and private education. They will
become acquainted with the American legal process, basic legal
terminology, selected precedents, and landmark cases in nursing
education. Students will also have the opportunity to self-select
trends in education for in-depth exploration and construct
strategies to meet common challenges within diverse practice
settings. [3 credits] [1:8, 24 hours]
NUR-513 CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION IN NURSING
Introduces students, who have or will have a responsibility for
nursing curriculum theory, development, and evaluation in various
educational settings, to philosophical paradigms that ground and
guide curriculum thinking and pedagogical practice. Students
will be offered opportunities for critical analysis of curriculum
work, including evaluation, and to transform visions for nursing
education. Epistemological and ontological questions raised
through technical, practical/interpretive, and critical perspectives
will be pursued during guided readings and classroom conversation.
Students will envision and plan thoughtful curriculum work for
enactment in their teaching practica settings. [4 credits] [1:9, 36
hours]
NUR-515 ISSUES AND TRENDS IN NURSING ADMINISTRATION
Examines ethical and legal issues in nursing administration and
applies relevant principles to increasingly complex practice
problems. Through this seminar course learners become acquainted
with the American legal process, basic legal and ethical
terminology, and a variety of legal and ethical issues that affect
nurse administrators. [3 credits] [1:8, 24 hours]
NUR-516 NURSING ADMINISTRATIVE THEORY AND PRACTICE
Uses administrative theory and management principles and processes
to examine roles in management/administration in health-related
organizations. Additionally, a framework for strategic
planning is used to consider assessment, planning, implementation,
and evaluation of strategic initiatives applicable to nursing
leadership. Consideration will be given to the perspectives of
various stakeholders involved in operational and strategic
decision making and strategies for communication. [4 credits] [1:9,
36 hours]
NUR-518 HEALTH POLICY
Examines historical and current health policy issues related to
sociopolitical environment, economics of healthcare, advocacy,
legislative and regulatory influences, and how these apply to the
practice of the nurse leader. Considers the various stakeholders
involved in health policy and their perspectives and strategies. [3
credits] [1:8, 24 hours]
NUR-520 NURSING INFORMATICS
Prepares learners to explore and evaluate current technologies to
deliver and coordinate care across multiple settings, analyze point
of care outcomes, and communicate with individuals and groups,
including the media, policymakers, other healthcare professionals,
and the public. In addition, the course will foster an
attitude of openness to innovation and continual learning and a deep
understanding of the ethical implications of rapidly growing
healthcare data management systems. Learners will be able to
educate key stakeholders using current technologies and understand
the principles related to the safe and effective use of care and
information technologies. [2 credits] [1:8, 16 hours]
NUR-528 STUDY ABROAD: MSN PRACTICUM
Provides a study abroad option for MSN students who are designing
practicum experiences or learning about health policy.
Opportunities for practicum experiences in advanced clinical
practice, nursing education, and nursing administration are
available. Experiencing another culture allows learners a
chance to grow personally, learn about other health systems and
public health environments, and broaden their education and
knowledge of the world. This global experience promotes
compassion in the delivery of nursing care to the culturally diverse
populations that we currently serve and contributes to global
citizenship. Students co-register for NUR-518, NUR-603,
NUR-605, or NUR-620 as appropriate. Variable credits.
NUR-530 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES
Provides future nurse educators with a holistic, advanced
understanding of disease as disordered normal body physiology. This
foundation will enable students to enhance their ability to teach
disease processes and related potential sequelae. Learners will
explore the mechanism(s) related to the production of signs,
symptoms, complications, treatments and interventions of different
disease states and specific health problems. [3 credits] [1:9, 28
hours]
NUR-543 NURSING RESEARCH I: SYNTHESIS OF THE LITERATURE
Designed to provide students with advanced skills and abilities to
critically analyze, interpret, and evaluate nursing research related
to a specific nursing problem. The focus of the course will be of a
critical, comprehensive review of literature that will provide a
strong foundation for writing a beginning nursing research proposal
in Nursing Research II. [3 credits] [1:9, 28 hours]
NUR-603 ADVANCED NURSING CLINICAL PRACTICUM
Provides future nurse educators an opportunity to explore an area of
nursing specialty in more depth. Under the guidance of an academic
faculty member and an advanced practice nurse preceptor, learners
will co-design the clinical practicum and participate in three
seminars to discuss their practice goals, progress, and final
evaluation. A presentation of a self-selected practice problem and
intervention will be required on the last seminar day. A reflective
journal will be maintained. Three 2-hour seminar meetings and 45
practicum hours. [3 credits] [.5 theory, 1:12; 2.5 clinical, 1:18]
NUR-605 TEACHING IN NURSING EDUCATION PRACTICUM
Provides opportunities through seminar meetings and a teaching
nursing internship for learners in the leadership in education
concentration to deepen their understanding of nursing curriculum
through enactment of pedagogical practice in a variety of settings.
Reflection on the lived experience of being-with students as a
teacher and critical readings in pedagogy and practice allows for
celebration of education as transformation. Six seminar meetings and
90 practicum hours. Prerequisite: Permission of the MSN
Coordinator. [6 credits] [2 theory, 1:12; 4 clinical
1:24.]
NUR-620 LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION IN NURSING SEMINAR AND
PRACTICUM
Focuses on the exploration of theory through participation,
research, and observation of organizational functioning and nursing
leadership. Learners co-design practicum objectives for placement
with a nursing administrator preceptor In an appropriate setting.
Emphasis begins with organizational and departmental structure and
includes responsibility for a program or project agreed upon by the
learner, preceptor, and faculty. To the extent feasible, learners
practice autonomously, with the preceptor and faculty as resources.
Five seminars focus on an array of issues surrounding the role of
the nursing administrator. Six seminar meetings and 90
practicum hours. Prerequisite: Permission of the MSN Coordinator
[6 credits] [2 theory, 1:12; 4 clinical 1:24]