Graduate Catalog 2013-2014

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Nursing MSN

College : Nursing Degree :MSN
Department : Nursing Option : N/A
Program Websites : http://www.nursing.ucf.edu/

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs build upon the student’s baccalaureate nursing education and professional experience. The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
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CURRICULUM

Depending on the track, students must complete a minimum of 36-38 credit hours of graduate-level course work.

  • Nursing Leadership and Management—36 Credit Hours
  • Nurse Educator—38 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours Required:
36-38 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

An independent scholarly work is a requirement for the Master of Science in Nursing degree. The scholarly work consists of an evidence-based nursing project. The scholarly project that is required in NGR 6813 (completed in the final semester of study) is an evidence-based scholarly clinical paper. The evidence-based project should reflect the latest evidence for the students MSN track. This is a formal paper that must adhere to published guidelines in the syllabus and must be presented in a public forum. 

Unsatisfactory Grade in MSN Courses

All MSN coursework must be completed with a B or higher to progress in the program.  Students that receive a grade below B are subject to dismissal All grades below B must be reviewed by the Master's Admissions, Progression and Graduation (APG) Committee for continuation in the MSN program.

College of Nursing Master’s Program Handbook

All master’s students are required to read the College of Nursing Master’s Program Handbook regarding policies for each program and for academic progression. Information about each program particularly clinical placements and forms for appeals to the Master’s APG Committee are located in the handbook.

Equipment Fee

Students in the Master of Science in Nursing Program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled.

Accelerated RN to MSN Program

See also the Undergraduate Catalog.

The RN to MSN plan is a program for RNs who do not hold a baccalaureate degree in Nursing (BSN). This program is designed for students who have met undergraduate general education requirements, have demonstrated above-average performance in prior undergraduate course work (minimum of 3.0 grade point average). Students will meet both BSN and MSN objectives. However, a separate application is required for the BSN and MSN careers.

This program is available for all MSN tracks in the graduate program: Nursing Leadership and Management,Clinical Nurse Leader, and Nurse Educator. Up to 9 credit hours of graduate course work taken while in the BSN program can be applied to the Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Leadership and Management, and Nurse Educator tracks in the MSN program.

Courses Taken Toward BSN

  • NUR 3805 Dimensions of Professional Nursing Practice (3 credit hours)
  • NUR 3165 Nursing Research (3 credit hours)
  • NUR 3634 Community Health Nursing (3 credit hours)
  • NUR 4637 Public Health Nursing (2 credit hours)
  • NUR 4604L Practicum in Community abd Public Health Nursing for RNs (4 credit hours)
  • NUR 4837 Health Care Issues, Policy, and Economics (3 credit hours)

Students in the Leadership and Management Tracks take:

  • NUR 4827 Leadership and Management Principles (3 credit hours)

Students in Nurse Educator and Clinical Nurse Leader Tracks take:

  • NUR 3065 and 3065 L Health Assessment (3 credit hours)

Validated credit for previous nursing courses—26 Credit Hours

Courses Shared BSN/MSN

An individualized plan of study is developed for each student admitted to the RN to MSN option. Students pursuing the MSN in the Nursing Leadership and Management track must take the following courses:

  • NGR 5720 Organizational Dynamics (3 credit hours)
  • NGR 5871 Health Care Informatics (3 credit hours) (for undergraduate elective)
  • NGR 5800 Theory for APN (3 credit hours) or NGR/HSA graduate elective in area of concentration (e.g., nursing, health services administration for nursing elective) OR NGR 6722 Financial Management and Resource Development (Summer only).

Students pursuing the MSN in the Nurse Educator track must take the following courses:

  • NGR 5003 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (2 credit hours)
  • NGR 5003L Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning Lab (1 credit hour)
  • NGR 5141 Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced Nursing Practice (for undergraduate nursing elective and prerequisite for NGR 5003 and 5003L) (3 credit hours)
  • NGR 5800 Theory for APN (3 credit hours)

Courses Taken Toward MSN

Students will follow the degree requirements of the selected MSN track. The baccalaureate degree will be awarded when program requirements for the BSN are met and students have completed a minimum of 120 hours of credit. Grades below B will not be accepted for the MSN degree requirements. Students must apply online to the UCF College of Graduate Studies for admission to the MSN program. The MSN will be awarded on completion of the total program of study. Students who do not meet ongoing program requirements or decide not to continue in the program may withdraw from the RN to MSN plan and complete course work for the BSN degree.  The MSN tracks require students to complete a different number of hours depending upon the track:

  • Nursing Leadership and Management—36 Credit Hours
  • Nurse Educator—38 Credit Hours

INDEPENDENT LEARNING

An independent scholarly work is a requirement for the Master of Science in Nursing degree. The scholarly work consists of an evidence-based nursing project. The scholarly project that is required in NGR 6813 (completed in the final semester of study) is an evidence-based scholarly clinical paper. The evidence-based project should reflect the latest evidence for the students MSN track. This is a formal paper that must adhere to published guidelines in the syllabus and must be presented in a public forum.

Application Requirements

For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

Students must choose a track to apply for the MSN program.  All tracks contain the same admission requirements listed below.

The following application information is provided for applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree. For application requirements for the RN to MSN option, without an undergraduate degree, please refer to the “RN to MSN Program.”  In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:

  • One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
  • BSN degree from an accredited institution.*
  • Undergraduate Statistics course.
  • Florida license required for all students who will be taking clinical and practice courses in Florida health care agencies and institutions.  For those students at a distance, a license is required in the state or country in which they practice.
  • Address the following 3 items in a written essay. Total word count for all (not each) answers should be 500 words or less, double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, and 1 inch margins:
    • Describe how your professional experiences have prepared you for future education in the role which is the focus of your desired track.
    • Describe your plans to alter your work, professional and/ or personal obligations in order to have the time needed for graduate course and clinical practice work.
    • Identify one significant contemporary issue/ problem in the US Health care system and explore how members of the nursing profession can help address that issue or solve that problem.
  • Curriculum Vitae which reflects prior education, recent clinical accomplishments, any recent scholarly work (publications and presentations), awards, additional certifications and activities with professional organizations. For recent graduates this can include accomplishments as a student.
  • Two professional recommendations describing your ability to be successful in an MSN program. Include at least one clinical reference preferably from an Advanced Practice Nurse/supervisor and one academic reference preferably from a nursing faculty member from a graduate program evaluating potential for graduate study.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.

Before submitting your application, it is recommended that applicants call the College of Nursing Graduate Office (407-823-2744) to speak with an MSN adviser to discuss your goals for graduate study. It is advantageous to discuss the program before writing the required essay because the essay must address your goals for Master’s-level preparation for advanced nursing practice. Students are admitted to the program in the fall for the program of study; however, spring admissions are possible for a revised plan of study.

*For Students with a Bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing, please contact the advisement office at gradnurse@ucf.edu or 407-823-2744 for additional options.

Admission to the program is competitive, based on evaluation of the applicant’s abilities, past performance, recommendations, VECHS/FDLE/FBI finger printing and certified background checks, and the match of UCF’s master's programs with career goals. The College of Nursing accepts the most qualified students. Since enrollment is limited, not all students who apply may be accepted, even if minimum requirements are met.

Admission to the program is competitive, based on evaluation of the applicant’s abilities, past performance, recommendations, VECHS/FDLE/FBI finger printing, certified background check, drug testing and the match of UCF’s master's programs with career goals. The College of Nursing accepts the most qualified students. Since enrollment is limited, not all students who apply may be accepted, even if minimum requirements are met.

Students may take classes as a nursing nondegree-seeking, postbaccalaureate student on a space-available basis Students must designate on their application that they are applying to the College of Nursing in order to facilitate processing of files.  Successful completion of postbaccalaureate courses does not guarantee admission to the graduate program. Students may only take nonclinical courses. Prior to applying as a nondegree student, please contact the main nursing advising office for deadlines and nondegree options at gradnurse@ucf.edu.

FINANCIALS

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Funding for Graduate School, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowships

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see Fellowships, which includes descriptions of UCF fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship. 


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© 2012 University of Central Florida - May 2012, Volume 34

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