Program Overview

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Master of Science - Nursing

Overview

The School of Nursing's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities requisite to the safe, effective, and efficient advanced practice of nursing.

Program Description

The MSN program builds on the education of a clinical practice generalist and prepares an advanced practice nurse. The educational experience prepares students to validate and expand research findings through application of theory and scientific inquiry.

Accreditation

The MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Integrate scientific findings from health and educational fields to include but not limited to nursing, social sciences, and humanities.
2. Assimilate leadership at the organizational and systems level to advance safe high-quality outcomes in clinical or educational settings.
3. Apply continuous quality improvement measures to achieve positive outcomes in clinical or educational settings.
4. Utilize a systematic, scholarly approach to translate, apply, and disseminate evidence-based research in clinical or educational settings.
5. Incorporate health-related technologies to deliver, coordinate care, and analyze data to improve outcomes.
6. Practice advocacy to improve education, the health of the public, and the profession of nursing.
7. Employ culturally appropriate skills in communicating and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to achieve positive outcomes in clinical or educational settings.
8. Synthesize social, cultural, financial, legal, ethical, and political influences to advance nursing practice, healthcare, and education.
9. Model the professional role of an advanced practice nurse or nurse educator in daily practice.

Program Outcomes by Subplan

Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

1. Competently assess, diagnose, prescribe, evaluate, and create a holistic plan of treatment.
2. Articulate the professional role, which includes the ethical code of conduct and scope of advanced practice.
3. Develop and monitor comprehensive, holistic plans of care that address the health promotion and disease prevention needs of diverse client populations.
4. Assess and monitor teaching/learning needs in a diverse client population.
5. Practice ethically in the conduct of research, management, and clinical professional practice.

Nursing Educator

1. Utilize education research to continually improve teaching strategies/skills.
2. Develop a teaching-learning style that facilitates learner development that meets the educational outcomes of the learner.
3. Assess and evaluate at both the course and program level.
4. Function as a leader and change agent in nursing education settings.
5. Participate in scholarship to further knowledge and abilities in nursing education.

Direct Entry - Generalist

1. Apply principles that enhance safety for patients and healthcare providers through individual performance and system effectiveness.
2. Demonstrate sound clinical judgment in the planning, provision, and evaluation of evidence-based nursing care at the individual, group, and community levels.
3. Use clinical prevention strategies to promote health and prevent disease across the lifespan at individual and population levels.
4. Integrate professional values, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors.

Certified Nurse Midwifery

1. Provide safe, competent, high-quality nurse midwifery care.
2. Practice collaboratively within the healthcare system while providing primary care to women and newborns.
3. Provide culturally sensitive care to complement the diversity of health needs among women, families, and communities.
4. Analyze current knowledge for midwifery practice, evaluate effectiveness of healthcare interventions, and use evidence-based care in clinical practice.
5. Engage in scholarly activity to advance knowledge in women's health, newborn, and midwifery care, and collect accurate clinical practice data/statistics.
6. Provide leadership in women's healthcare through active involvement in professional organizations, clinical teaching, and political awareness/involvement.

Subplans

The MSN program offers five subplans:

1. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
2. Nursing Educator (NE)
3. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
4. Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM)
5. Direct Entry - Generalist (DE)

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

1. Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee.
2. Bachelor's Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
3. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor's degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits).
4. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.

Department Admission Requirements

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Nursing Educator (NE) MSN, and Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM) Admission Criteria:

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 or a GPA of 3.00 in the last two years of undergraduate work.
2. Three letters of recommendation from former instructors or employers that speak to the applicant's potential to complete the graduate program.
3. A current resumé or curriculum vita that demonstrates a minimum of one full year clinical experience as a RN by the time the program starts.
4. A statement of approximately 300 words or less describing the student's professional goals and reason for seeking graduate education.
5. Current, unrestricted, valid RN license in state of residence.

Direct Entry - Generalist MSN Admission Criteria:

1. A Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 from the student's previously earned bachelor's degree and a minimum of 3.0 GPA from required nursing prerequisites.
2. Must have a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than Nursing, from a regionally accredited institution.
3. A current resumé or curriculum vita.
4. A statement of intent describing experiences related to professionalism, service, time management, and organizational skills.
5. Completion of Interview.

Program Requirements

Plan Requirements

1. This Program is available Fully Online (Please see the Fully Online Modality Tracks in Programs section of this Catalog for more information).
2. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above each semester enrolled.
3. Receive a grade of B (3.00) or above in all required cognate and nursing courses.
4. Complete a minimum of six semester credits in each calendar year.
5. Students must retain continuous enrollment status as described in the Catalog.
6. UNLV School of Nursing will not accept more than six transfer credits from an outside institution.
7. Credit by Challenge Examination: Graduate courses with a 700 number or above may not be challenged for credit.
8. Six-Year Completion Rule: All degree requirements must be completed within six calendar years from the date of matriculation.

Subplan Requirements

Each subplan has specific course requirements and degree requirements. Please refer to the subplan descriptions for more information.

Graduation Requirements

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Disclaimers

1. Subplan 1 - Family Nurse Practitioner subplan: In Nevada, the educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification for the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN Family Nurse Practitioner) are an active Nevada RN License, National Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and graduation from a nationally accredited Nursing Program with a minimum of 500+ hours of direct patient care.
2. Subplan 2 - Nursing Educator subplan: This program does not result in licensure and certification.
3. Subplan 3 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner subplan: In Nevada, the educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification for the Master of Science - Nursing Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN PMH Nurse Practitioner) are an active Nevada RN License, National Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and graduation from a nationally accredited Nursing Program with a minimum of 500+ hours of direct patient care.
4. Subplan 4: Certified Nurse Midwifery subplan: UNLV School of Nursing has not made a determination with respect to the licensure requirements in any other state.
5. Subplan 5 - Direct Entry - Generalist subplan: Graduates of the DEMSN program are prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Educational requirements for nursing licensure in the state of Nevada include specific courses and clinical experiences.