University Catalog

NURSING

COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES

LEADING TO THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (M.S.N.)

 

Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing

Description of the Program

The Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing program (ICMSN) is a cooperative venture among the nursing units at Southeastern Louisiana University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The ICMSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 1 Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington DC, 202-887-6791.

 

The consortium structure allows students to enroll in courses at any one of the participating universities and receive credit toward the master's degree. Southeastern Louisiana University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, and the University of at Louisiana at Lafayette offer concentrations in Family Nursing, Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. The advanced nursing role concentrations offered through the consortium are nursing administration, nursing education, and nurse practitioner. Students successfully completing the MSN curriculum at Southeastern Louisiana University meet educational requirements to take the following national certification examinations:

• • • Nurse Practitioner Role: Family Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
    • Nursing Executive Role: Nursing Administration Advanced
    • Nursing Educator Role: Nursing Education

 

Purposes

The purposes of the Master of Science in Nursing program are to:

1. Provide a base in nursing theory, nursing research, and issues relative to advanced nursing practice.
2. Provide for advanced clinical specialization in Family Nursing or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing.
3. Provide for advanced role preparation as a nurse practitioner, nurse executive, or nurse educator.

 

Admission Requirements

All materials must be submitted, for review, by the deadline posted on the graduate nursing website, www.southeastern.edu/graduatenursing, for consideration to begin course work.

A. Regular Admission

1. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited undergraduate nursing program.
2. Transcripts from undergraduate school and any work attempted at the graduate level. Applicants must be in Satisfactory standing in graduate nursing program at last institution attended (if applicable).
3. Curriculum vita (resume) including the applicant's full name, address, telephone number(s), e-mail address(es), academic preparations, degrees held, honors, awards, special interest, work history, and other relevant information.
4. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 on 4.0 scale for all undergraduate work including courses repeated as indicated by a transcript.
5. Submit a GRE Score for Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. ETS has changed the GRE scoring methodology as of 8/1/11. Please check with your graduate advisor for details regarding GRE requirements for admission.
6. Evidence of a valid, unencumbered Louisiana Registered Nurse license.
7. Completion of a course in introductory statistics with a minimum grade of "C" or equivalent.
8. Documentation of Physical Assessment skills for the following roles: Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator.
9. Letters of recommendation.
10. A statement of intent/purpose with rationale for pursuing study in selected concentration.

During the first semester of enrollment of regular admission the student must:

1. File a degree plan with the departmental graduate coordinator in accordance with the General Requirements for the Master's Degree in the Graduate Studies section of the General Catalog.
2. Submit a complete history and physical examination.
3. Submit current certification in CPR (every 2 years), submit annual TB results, and obtain immunizations determined appropriate by the Graduate Nursing Program.
4. Submit a negative drug screen.
5. Submit an acceptable background check.

B. Contingent Admission

• • • A graduating senior in an accredited BS nursing program may be admitted in contingent status and may register for graduate credit if he/she meets the criteria of Graduate Studies.
    • A student may be admitted in contingent status when lacking the final transcript showing completion of a degree or when a satisfactory GRE score is not provided. Failure to qualify for regular admission status before the second semester of course work will prevent the student from registering for the next semester.

C. Non-Degree Classified Admission
Applicants not granted regular admission due to their GRE score may be allowed to register for graduate nursing courses in the non-degree classified status for one semester. Priority for registering for graduate nursing courses is provided to regular admission status students.

  

Retention and Progression Requirements

• • • A student must earn a "B" in each course in the program to be eligible for progression.
    • A student who earns a grade below a "B" will be placed on probation and must repeat the course within two regular semesters and earn at least a "B." If a grade below "B" is earned in the subsequent course, the student will be dismissed from the program.
    • A student who earns more than two grades of “W” in the program is not eligible for progression. A student may appeal progression for extenuating circumstances. “W” grades received as the result of an approved resignation from the University are not included in this calculation.
    • A graduate student who makes a grade of "D" or "F" in any course taken for graduate credit will be ineligible to register for further graduate work. A student who receives a "D" or "F" because of extenuating, non-academic reasons may appeal for readmission.
    • Prior to beginning any clinical/practicum course, the student must have evidence of one year of clinical practice experience in an area appropriate to the specialty concentration as an R.N.
    • The School of Nursing reserves the right to investigate situations which may affect the student's ability to function. In addition, a physician's release may be required. Students who have health conditions that may prevent their meeting the objectives of the program or a course in the program or that may cause potential injury to that student or to the clients for whom they care, will be required to have a personal interview with the Department Head or Dean or with an appropriate School of Nursing Committee.
    • Drug testing will be required.
    • Students enrolled in practicum graduate courses are required to maintain current certification in CPR and meet other agency requirements.
    • Any student who does not enroll in graduate nursing courses toward a degree for 2 consecutive regular semesters must reapply to the program. For reconsideration, students must submit any transcripts reflecting course work elsewhere during that time.

 

Admission Procedures

Students entering the Consortium must apply to the University and to Southeastern Graduate Nursing Program at the same time. See the Admission to the University section for application deadlines and fees.

 

Registration Procedures

 

• Registration for core and role courses will be held at each consortium institution according to their published dates and procedures. An advisor at each institution is available to assist students. Information and downloadable forms are available from the School of Nursing webpage, southeastern.edu/graduatenursing.
• The fees assessed a student will be those in effect at the institution offering the course(s) for which the student is registering. A Professional Degree fee will be assessed each semester of coursework. Students will also be assessed fees for proctored testing of online courses.
• All courses offered are subject to resources available and sufficient student enrollment.
• Full-time degree plans require from 7-10 credit hours per semester; part-time degree plans require 6 credit hours per semester.
• For limited course slots, preference will be given to regular admission status.

 

Graduation Requirements

Graduation from any of the member institutions is based on the satisfactory completion of an approved program of studies. In addition, students must meet all requirements of the institution from which specialty courses are taken.

 

Residency Requirements

All credit hours earned at any of the consortium institutions are applicable to residency requirements at each member school.

 

Requirements for Degree

To receive the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a specialty concentration, the student must:

1. Complete all the requirements of the degree plan, including:
   • • A minimum of 40-43 credit hours for the Nursing Education concentration.
     • A minimum of 38-41 credit hours for the Nurse Executive concentration.
     • A minimum of 42-45 credit hour for the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration.
     • A minimum of 48-51 credit hours for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration.
2. Complete a Focused Scholarly Project or a Thesis.
3. Achieve a grade of "B" or better in each course.

 

Concentrations

Concentration: Nursing Education – Complete 37 credit hours. The required courses are:

Semester 1
NURS 600: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing	3 hours
NURS 605: Applied Statistics for the Health Sciences	3 hours
NURS 618: Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice	3 hours
NURS 634: Nursing Education: Roles, Issues, and Foundations	3 hours
Semester 2
NURS 602: Generating Evidence for Nursing Practice	3 hours
NURS 607: Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice	3 hours credit/ 60 hours laboratory
NURS 617: Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice	3 hours
NURS 635: Curriculum and Program Development	3 hours
Semester 3
NURS 636: Teaching Methodologies and Technologies	3 hours
NURS 670: Measuring Options in Nursing Education Practicum	3 hours
*Thesis NURS 699 OR Focused Scholarly Project NURS 695	3 hours
Semester 4
NURS 609: Population Based Primary Care	3 hours
NURS 639: Advanced Nursing Education Practicum	4 hours credit/ 225 hours practicum
*Thesis NURS 699 (if chosen)	3 hours
Total Credit Hours 40
Total Clinical Hours 225
Total Credit Hours with Thesis Option 43 hours/225 practicum hours

 

*Note: All students must complete either Thesis (NURS 699) OR Focused Scholarly Project (NURS 695). Students who elect to enroll in Thesis will earn a total of 6 credits. Students who elect to enroll in Focused Scholarly Project will earn a total of 3 credits.

 

Concentration: Nurse Executive – Complete 35-38 credit hours. Required courses are:

Semester 1
NURS 600: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing	3 hours
NURS 605: Applied Statistics for the Health Sciences	3 hours
NURS 646: Policy, Organization, and Structure in Health Care Systems	3 hours
Semester 2
NURS 602: Generating Evidence for Nursing Practice	3 hours
NURS 648: Nurse Leadership/Management in Health Care Organizations	3 hours
NURS 649: Health Care Workforce Management	3 hours
NURS 654: Nurse Leadership and Administration Field Study I	2 hours credit/ 75 hours practicum
Semester 3
NURS 656: Legal and Regulatory Issues in Nursing Administration	3 hours
NURS 658: Fiscal and Economic Principles for Nurse Leaders	4 hours
NURS 655: Nurse Leadership and Administration Field Study II	2 hours credit/ 75 hours practicum
NURS 695: Focused Scholarly Project OR 699: Thesis	3 hours
Semester 4
NURS 659: Nurse Leadership and Administration Internship	3 hours credit/ 150 hours practicum
NURS 699: Thesis (if chose)	3 hours
Total Credit Hours 38
Total Clinical Hours 300
Total Hours if Thesis is Chosen 41 credit hours/300 practicum hours

 

*Note: All students must complete either Thesis (NURS 699) OR Focused Scholarly Project (NURS 695). Students who elect to enroll in Thesis will earn a total of 6 credits. Students who elect to enroll in Focused Scholarly Project will earn a total of 3 credits. 

 

Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner – Complete 42-45 credit hours. The required courses are:

Semester 1
NURS 600: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing	3 hours
NURS 605: Applied Statistics for the Health Sciences	3 hours
NURS 618: Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice	3 hours
Semester 2
NURS 602: Generating evidence for Nursing Practice	3 hours
NURS 607: Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice	3 hours credit/ 60 hours laboratory
NURS 617: Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice	3 hours
Semester 3
NURS 609: Population Based Primary Care	3 hours
NURS 682: Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Health I	5 hours credit/ 180 hours practicum
Semester 4
NURS 683: Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Health II	5 hours credit/ 210 hours practicum
NURS 681: Business, Leadership and Health Policy for Nurse Practitioners	3 hours
*NURS 695: Focused Scholarly Project OR NURS: 699 Thesis	3 hours
Semester 5
NURS 684: Advanced Nursing Practice: Family Health III	5 hours credit/ 210 hours practicum
*NURS 699: Thesis (if chosen) ....................... 3 hours	3 hours
Total Credit Hours 42
Total Clinical Hours 600
Total Hours if Thesis is Chosen 45/600 practical hours

 

*Note: All students must complete either Thesis (NURS 699) OR Focused Scholarly Project (NURS 695). Students who elect to enroll in Thesis will earn a total of 6 credits. Students who elect to enroll in Focused Scholarly Project will earn a total of 3 credits.

 

Concentration: Psychiatric/Mental Health Curriculum; Nurse Practitioner – Complete 48-51 credit hours. The required courses are:

Semester 1
NURS 600: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing	3 hours
NURS 605: Applied Statistics for the Health Sciences	3 hours
NURS 617: Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice	3 hours
Semester 2
NURS 602: Generating Evidence for Nursing Practice	3 hours
NURS 607: Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice	5 hours credit/ 60 hours laboratory
NURS 608: Diagnostic Considerations and Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice	3 hours
Semester 3
NURS 609: Population Based Primary Care	3 hours
NURS 618: Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice	3 hours
NURS 690: Psychotherapy for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing	3 hours credit/ 60 hours observation
Semester 4
NURS 691: Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health I	5 hours credit/ 180 hours practicum
Semester 5
NURS 692: Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health II	5 hours credit/ 210 hours practicum
NURS 681: Business, Leadership and Health Policy for Nurse Practitioners	3 hours
*NURS 695: Focused Scholarly Project or NURS 699: Thesis	3 hours
Semester 6
NURS 693: Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health III	5 credit hours/ 210 hours practicum
*NURS 699: Thesis (if chosen)
Total Credit Hours 48
Total Clinical Hours 600
Total Hours if Thesis is Chosen 51/600 practicum hours

 

 

*Note: All students must complete either Thesis (NURS 699) OR Focused Scholarly Project (NURS 695). Students who elect to enroll in Thesis will earn a total of 6 credits. Students who elect to enroll in Focused Scholarly Project will earn a total of 3 credits.

 

Admission to the Family OR Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration at Southeastern means that the MSN degree-seeking student is eligible to progress to the NP practicum courses when the following courses have been completed in the program of study.

NURS 600: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credit hours)
NURS 602: Generating Evidence for Nursing Practice (3 credit hours)
NURS 605: Applied Statistics for the Health Sciences (3 credit hours)
NURS 607: Heath Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice (3 credit hours)
NURS 617: Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice (3 credit hours)
 

Post-Master's Certificate Program

The Post-Master of Science in Nursing Certificate Program is offered through an affiliation with the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing.

Adult Nurse Practitioner to Family Nurse Practitioner
This program is fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and is accelerated, offering completion of the Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate in 14 weeks. This is a unique resource for meeting the needs of Nurse Practitioners seeking to be competitive not only in Louisiana but also in the regional health care market. The program enhances the educational options for master's prepared nurses by providing an avenue for Louisiana nurse practitioners to meet their educational goals within the state of Louisiana rather than out of state.

Candidates
Nurses currently holding a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited graduate nursing program and national certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner are eligible to apply to the Post-Master's FNP certificate program. This program will enhance the capabilities of existing nurse practitioners to care for patients across the lifespan. The Post-Master's Certificate program will prepare the completers as Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) and make them eligible to apply for an advanced practice FNP license and to take the National FNP certification. Formal application to the University is required.

Other factors considered for admission to the program include:

• • • A minimum graduate GPA of 3.00 as verified by transcript submission
    • A current unencumbered registered nurse license in the State of Louisiana
    • Two professional references
    • Current resume

The didactic courses are offered online, and practicum courses have an online didactic component plus a clinical experience component (120 hours in each) in which the student works with an approved advanced practice preceptor guided by a graduate faculty. The curriculum for Family Nurse Practitioners includes:

 

Term I:

NURS 650: Family Health I	3 hours
NURS 685: Family Health Practicum I	3 hours

 

Term II:

NURS 688: Family Health II	3 hours
NURS 689: Family Health Practicum II	3 hours
	Total Credit Hours 12 hours
	Total Clinical Hours 240 hours

 

Cohort 1:	Term 1: (6 weeks)	Early January to mid-February
	Term 2 (8 weeks)	Early March – Mid April
Cohort 2:	Term 1 (6 weeks)	Early May – mid June
	Term 2 (8 weeks)	Mid June – Mid August
Cohort 3:	Term 1 (6 weeks)	Early September – Mid October
	Term 2 (8 weeks)	Early November – End of December

 

Nurse Practitioner to Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

This program is fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and is accelerated, offering completion of the Post-Master's Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate in 4 semesters. Nurses currently holding a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited graduate nursing program and a national certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, are eligible to apply to the Post-Master's Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate program. The Post-Master's Certificate Program will prepare completers as Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) and make them eligible to apply for an advanced practice PMHNP license and to take the National PMHNP certification exam. Formal application to the University is required.

Other factors considered for admission to the program include:

• • • A minimum graduate GPA of 3.00 as verified by transcript submission
    • A current unencumbered registered nurse license in the State of Louisiana
    • Two professional references
    • Current resume
    • Transcript analysis and evaluation of prerequisite courses (i.e., Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics and Advanced Pathophysiology) to determine adequacy of the full lifespan content

The didactic courses are offered online and practicum courses have an online didactic component plus a clinical experience component (120 – 240 hours in each) in which the student works with an approved advanced practice preceptor guided by a graduate faculty. The curriculum for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners includes:

 

Fall Semester I

NURS 608: Diagnostic Considerations and Psychopharmacology for Psychiatric Disorders	3 hours
NURS 690: Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Nurse	3 hours

 

Spring Semester I

NURS 691: Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health (PMH) I

5 hours

 

Fall Semester II

NURS 692: Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health (PMH) II

5 hours

 

Spring Semester II

NURS 694: Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health (PMH) III	2 hours
Total Credit Hours	18 hours
Total Clinical Hours	600 hours