Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing
In order for nurses to advance in their career, a graduate degree is often needed. The Master of Science in Nursing program is designed to provide the necessary education to excel as a nurse. Courses are offered online to help meet the needs of working adults.
Two tracks are offered: nursing education or nursing leadership. The education track would prepare the student to work as a clinical instructor of nursing faculty member, or in a staff education role. This track may also be used by students who intend to pursue a role as a nurse practitioner as the curriculum is appropriate for direct care providers. Students in the leadership track, as indirect care providers, would be prepared to assume a leadership role. Both tracks prepared nurses to seek a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree or Ph.D.
All students in the MSN program will complete the following core requirements, as well as the courses listed for their selected track:
Required Courses
| BUS 535 | Interpersonal Dynamics | 3 |
| NUR 501 | Advanced Practice - Roles/Concepts | 3 |
| NUR 523 | Ethics and Healthcare Regulations | 3 |
| NUR 586 | Introduction to Research Methodologies | 3 |
| NUR 587 | Generating & Using Evidence in Healthcar | 3 |
| NUR 599 | Master's Project | 3 |
MSN: Education Degree Requirements
Within the U.S., nursing faculty shortages are viewed as an emerging crisis. Reasons for this include budget constraints, an aging faculty and increasing job competition from clinical sites. National faculty vacancy rates may be as high as 8 percent. Job opportunities also exist in staff education or community outreach programs.
Required Courses
| NUR 530 | Health Assessment-Adv Practice Nurse | 3 |
| NUR 533 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NUR 535 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR 536 | Fnd of Nursing Education and Curriculum | 3 |
| NUR 537 | Outcomes and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| NUR 538 | Teaching Practices | 3 |
MSN: Nursing Leadership and Management Degree Requirements
As the healthcare environment becomes increasingly complex and costly, the need for highly skilled nurse leaders also increases. Healthcare managers and executives require clinical expertise coupled with strong communication skills, business acumen and detailed knowledge of personnel and financial management. National initiatives and certifications call for advanced education on the part of nurse leaders.
Required Courses
| BUS 567 | Process Reengineering & Change Mgt | 3 |
| BUS 549 | Leadership Models and Practices | 3 |
| BUS-5xx/NUR-5xx | Graduate Elective in BUS or NUR | |
| NUR 540 | Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| BUS 545 | Healthcare Finance I | 3 |
| BUS 546 | Healthcare Finance II | 3 |
RN-To-MSN Option Requirements
The RN-to-MSN program is intended for nurses who have a diploma or associate degree in nursing, along with at least three years of experience. Students do not obtain a bachelor’s degree and so need careful advising to ensure that this plan of study is appropriate for their career goals. In this program, students complete three semesters (one year) of bridge courses designed to prepare them for success in a graduate program. After successful completion of the bridge, students enter the MSN program.
Bridge Requirements
Admission Requirements
Students interested in any of the nursing completion programs will apply directly to the Department of Nursing. The nursing application may be found online at www.wilson.edu/nursing. Each state has different registration and approval regulations for online degree programs offered within that state. Wilson College is not approved to offer online degree programs in all states. Students may call the nursing department to verify the status of approval for their state.
Entry Requirements for the MSN Program
- Active RN license in the state in which the student practices
- GPA of 3.0 (A lower GPA may be accepted upon interview and conditions set at the discretion of the program director.)
- Resume or curriculum vita and a one- to two-page essay regarding career goals
- Upon acceptance into the MSN or RN-to-MSN program, additional paperwork may be required.
Track-Specific Requirements
- Direct entry into the MSN education track requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
- Direct entry into the MSN nursing leadership track requires an RN license and a bachelor’s degree in any major.
- The RN-to-MSN option requires a minimum of three years of nursing experience, a bachelor’s degree in any major or two clinical recommendations.