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.
The following are considered to be clinical practice theory courses:
- NGR 6240 Adult I for APNs
- NGR 6242 Adult II for APNs
- NGR 6331 Pediatrics I for APNs
- NGR 6332 Pediatrics II for APNs
- NGR 6334 Women’s Health for APNs
- NGR 6335 Focused Pediatrics for APNs
- NGR 6723 Nursing Leadership and Management I
- NGR 6724 Nursing Leadership and Management II
- NGR 6752 Clinical Nurse Specialist I
- NGR 6753 Clinical Nurse Specialist II
Retaking Clinical Didactic Courses
If a master’s student is required to retake a didactic course that has a related clinical course, even though the student passes the related clinical course, the student will be required to take an independent study for the same amount of credits of the related clinical course in a related clinical practice area concurrent with retaking the didactic course.
Unsatisfactory Grade in Clinical Courses
An unsatisfactory grade in any graduate clinical course, laboratory, independent study, practicum or internship/residency must be reviewed by the Master’s APG Committee and is reason for dismissal.
Probation
If a master’s student is placed on probation:
- The student must meet with his or her adviser.
- The student may not enroll in clinical practice courses unless approved by the Master’s APG Committee.
- The student’s progress will be reevaluated by the Master’s APG Committee each semester after grades are in and before Add/Drop.
- The student will receive notification in writing and copies of the notification will be placed in the student’s file and sent to the student’s adviser, the clinical placement coordinator, and the track coordinator.
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), and have the potential for success in graduate school (GRE combined verbal and quantitative scores of 900). Students will meet both BSN and MSN objectives.
Available for all tracks in the graduate program: Nursing Leadership and Management, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. Up to 9 credit hours of graduate course work taken while in the BSN program can be applied to the Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Leadership and Management, and Nurse Educator tracks in the MSN program and up to 12 credit hours of graduate course work taken while in the BSN program can be applied to the Clinical Nurse Specialist Track.
Courses Taken Toward BSN
Students in Nurse Educator, Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Practitioner Tracks take:
- NUR 4827 Leadership and Management Principles (3 credit hours)
Students in Nursing Leadership and Management Track 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)
Students pursuing the MSN in the Family/Adult/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, or Clinical Nurse Leader tracks must take the following courses:
- NGR 5003 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (2 credit hours)
- NGR 5004L 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 5004L) (3 credit hours)
- NGR 5638 Health Promotion (3 credit hours)
Students pursuing the MSN in the Clinical Nurse Specialist track must take the following courses:
- NGR 5141 Pathophysiological Bases for APN (3 credit hours)
- NGR 5003 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (2 credit hours)
- NGR 5004L Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning Lab (1 credit hour)
- NGR 5720 Organizational Dynamics (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 of "C" or lower 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
- Adult or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—47 Credit Hours
- Family Nurse Practitioner—49 Credit Hours
- Clinical Nurse Specialist—46 Credit Hours
- Clinical Nurse Leader—39 Credit Hours
- Nurse Educator—36 Credit Hours