Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Educator
Purpose of Methodist College Masters Degree Program In 2010, 56% of schools had nurse faculty vacancies. http://www.discovernursing.com The graduate academic program builds upon the foundation of baccalaureate education with a continuing focus on ethical, professional and intellectual development. Graduate studies are designed to enhance both knowledge and expertise in specific academic disciplines and particular areas of professional practice. Emphasis is placed on preparing graduates who think critically and creatively, engage in research and scholarship, demonstrate disciplinary excellence, and are socially and ethically responsible. Through their learning experiences, graduates are prepared to provide leadership and expertise to meet the needs and demands of a diverse society. The graduate program seeks to provide an environment in which the pursuit and commitment to learning is nourished and enhanced to foster advancement of knowledge and the assurance of an educated healthcare workforce. How You ll Benefit from an MSN: Nurse Educator The MSN program prepares the graduate for two roles: Academic Nurse Educator and Clinical Nurse Educator. Academic Nurse Educators are found in institutions of higher learning as faculty in nursing programs. Clinical Nurse Educators are found in hospitals and other healthcare agencies and focus on educating consumers on health care as well as providing staff education. Garner skills you can use right away Advance into a more fulfilling position Prepare for doctoral-level studies Broaden your career options to include academia or healthcare organizations
President s Message Making the decision to pursue graduate education is a difficult one but one for which you should be commended. Pursuing lifelong learning is key to anyone in the nursing field and we are pleased that you are considering Methodist College for that journey. As you learn more about our Master of Science in Nursing program you will see what a strong program it is. You will have the opportunity to gain educational expertise related to higher education as well as clinical education. You will grow in research through your work completing your own projects to working with faculty on their research studies. Our faculty will provide you with mentorship experiences as you grow in your knowledge of education. They will work with you oneon-one to assist you to grow in your new role. I am pleased that you are interested in the Methodist College Master of Science in Nursing program and I hope you will choose our college to meet your educational needs. Kimberly A. Johnston Ed.D, CNE President Methodist College Unity Point Health 415 St. Mark Ct. Peoria, IL. 61603 Nurse, Michelle Bromberg at IDPFR (*Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence Announcement 3/2013) In the course of a 30-year career, one nurse faculty member could train approximately 7,500 nurses who, in turn, would touch the lives of a potential 3.6 million patients in their care. *
Who Should Enroll? MSN: Nurse Educator is for BSN-educated registered nurses who want to combine clinical expertise and a passion for teaching into a rich and rewarding career. If you wish to teach nursing at the college level, you are required to have a minimum of a master s degree. Nurse Educator: These professionals, who work in the classroom and the practice setting, are responsible for preparing and mentoring current and future generations of nurses. Nurse educators play a pivotal role in strengthening the nursing workforce, serving as role models and providing the leadership needed to implement evidence-based practice. Nurse educators are responsible for designing, implementing, evaluating and revising academic and continuing education programs for nurses. These include formal academic programs that lead to a degree or certificate, or more informal continuing education programs designed to meet individual learning needs. Nurse educators are critical players in assuring quality educational experiences that prepare the nursing workforce for a diverse, ever-changing health care environment. They are the leaders who document the outcomes of educational programs and guide students through the learning process. Nurse educators are prepared at the master s or doctoral level and practice as faculty in colleges, universities, hospital-based schools of nursing or technical schools, or as staff development educators and client educators in health care facilities. They work with recent high school graduates studying nursing for the first time, nurses pursuing advanced degrees and practicing nurses interested in expanding their knowledge and skills related to care of individuals, families and communities. Nurse educators often express a high degree of satisfaction with their work. They typically cite interaction with students and watching future nurses grow in confidence and skill as the most rewarding aspects of their jobs. Other benefits of careers in nursing education include access to cutting-edge knowledge and research, opportunities to collaborate with health professionals, an intellectually stimulating workplace and flexible work scheduling. Given the growing shortage of nurse educators, the career outlook is strong for nurses interested in teaching careers. Nursing schools nationwide are struggling to find new faculty to accommodate the rising interest in nursing among new students. The shortage of nurse educators may actually enhance career prospects since it affords a high level of job security and provides opportunities for nurses to maintain dual roles as educators and direct patient care providers. Program Overview The Master of Science in Nursing degree program, Nurse Educator track, is a 38 credit hour program of study. The curriculum is designed to accommodate the working nurse who desires an advanced degree in nursing. Students are admitted in fall and spring semesters and can complete the program in six consecutive semesters, including summer terms, by taking 6-7 credit hours per semester. Students who enroll full-time (9 credit hours per semester) can complete the program in five consecutive semesters including at least one summer term. The program of study must be completed in five years as measured by the first semester of enrollment through degree completion. The degree program also prepares the graduate to pursue a doctoral degree.
No Trouble Finding a Job This career is in extremely high demand, because the United States is experiencing a serious nursing shortage. One of the key reasons for that shortage is the lack of nurse educators to train future nurses. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that 1 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2020. But, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, almost 80,000 qualified applicants were turned away from nursing schools last year. Why? Because nursing schools don t have enough nurse educators to educate all the students who want to become nurses. Career Opportunities People who choose an MSN Nurse Educator specialization often pursue advanced positions as nurse educators or clinical nurse leaders in higher education institutions, health care organizations, and the military, with academic leaders across the public administration, public safety and health care fields. Potential Employment Settings Community health agency Community or technical college Home health care agency Hospital Hospital-based school of nursing Land-based or online college or university Long-term care facility Medical center Health clinic Non-profit organizations Business & industry Insurance companies Common Job Title/Positions Chief nursing officer Emergency Claims investigator department director Clinical research Nurse clinician consultant Nurse educator Director of long-term Nurse manager care Nursing instructor Director of nursing Head nurse Director of wellness Staff educator program More education brings more opportunity, and many doors are open to nurses with master s and doctoral degrees.
Accreditation Methodist College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission North Central Association (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, 1-800-621-7440 phone) to award bachelor s and master s degrees. Courses and Credit Hours for Nurse Educator Track: MSN Graduate Nursing Core Courses N500 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing and Nursing Education 3 credit hours Distinguished Faculty Methodist College MSN faculty are doctoral-trained professors who possess a wealth of knowledge and realworld experience. Their nursing expertise and interactive teaching methods create a dynamic learning environment backed by a proven combination of classroom tools. N600 Roles, Issues and Public Health Policy 3 credit hours N610 Leading Change in Healthcare and Healthcare Education 3 credit hours N620 Technologies in Nursing Practice and Nursing Education 3 credit hours N630 Scientific Inquiry I 3 credit hours N635 Scientific Inquiry II 3 credit hours Direct Care Core Courses N510 Advanced Health and Physical Assessment 2 credit hours (1 theory/1 clinical) N520 Advanced Pathophysiology 3 credit hours N530 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 3 credit hours Functional Area Courses for Nurse Educators N640 Curriculum Development, Instructional Design and Assessment of Student Learning for the Nurse Educator 4 credit hours N650 Professional Dimensions of the Nurse Educator 1 credit hour N690 N695 Clinical Nurse Educator Internship I Clinical Nurse Educator Internship II 3 credit hours (3 practicum) 4 credit hours (4 practicum) Total credit hours required in the Nurse Educator track of the MSN program equals 38 credit hours. Practicum and clinical hours are based on 15 weeks per semester and are calculated as 1 credit hour=3 clock hours. For example, Advanced Health Assessment includes 1 credit hour of theory and 1 credit hour of clinical for a total of 45 clock hours of clinical.
Simulation Learning Centers At Methodist College, nursing students learn the skills that will help them save lives by coming as close as possible to doing the real thing. That is made possible by the college s Simulation Center and Learning Resource Center, located in an actual clinical setting at UnityPoint Health Methodist the only one in the Peoria area with an on-site, hands-on program. The patients in the Simulation Centers are actually sophisticated training mannequins, male and female, that allow a variety of situations to be introduced to the students, helping them learn in real-life situations. These technologically advanced mannequins are programmed to simulate human responses to provide nursing students with a realistic hands-on experience while they prepare for their careers. Said one student after a simulated coronary situation: The first time I went through this scenario, I felt nervous and overwhelmed. I really felt like I had someone s life in my hands, even though the patient wasn t a real person. Practicing on our Sim men and women like this allows us to learn our skills before working with actual patients. Said another: The Sim Center is where knowledge, nursing and practice really come together. As a nurse educator, you could be at the forefront of teaching future and practicing nurses by using the Sim Center at Methodist College. For a tour of our Simulation Centers, contact the Methodist College Admissions Office at (309) 672-5513 or admissions@methodistcol.edu
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) encourages all nurses to strive for higher levels of education to advance their capacity to enhance the quality of care available to our nation s varied patient populations. Completing Your MSN 5 24 SEMESTERS MONTHS Institutional Student Learning Outcomes Your Degree Outcomes 2 PRACTICUMS Upon completion of a Master s degree at Methodist College, the graduate will be able to do the following: Professional development (disciplinary excellence) Demonstrate teamwork, collaboration and leadership ability 38 CREDITS Intellectual development (critical and creative thinking; engages in research and scholarship) Competently apply the essential elements of core principles to analyze and evaluate problems and to construct and implement solutions in the health care environment Social and ethical responsibility Demonstrate selection of ethical courses of action in research and practice This degree is aligned with external professional standards to help you obtain the relevant expertise to advance your career. Becoming proficient in these outcomes will allow you to meet the demands of your field. By the successful completion of your degree program, you will have gained the following skills and knowledge: Assimilate health care research into evidence-based nursing practice. Interpret and integrate health care policy and regulations. Apply professional ethics and legal standards. Integrate concepts of management and leadership in professional nursing practice. Incorporate advanced knowledge, technology, and theories from nursing and related disciplines into practice. Apply culturally competent health care practices to affect the well-being of diverse populations. Implement evidence-based practice for health care promotion, disease prevention, and disease management. Communicate effectively in multiple formats using appropriate information systems and technology.
Choosing Methodist College For Your Graduate Program Q Do I have time for a graduate program? Understanding the program structure and completion time requirements up front is important to setting your expectations. With time, focus and support from your family, successfully completing a graduate program is very achievable. Q What are the academic expectations? Students are expected to earn a B or above in all attempted graduate degree courses. Q Is financial aid available for graduate students? Do not assume that a graduate nursing degree is beyond your means. Hundreds of scholarships, grants, and loan programs are available to nursing students pursuing advanced education. Q If you are considering a master s degree, is the program structured to transition students seamlessly into a doctoral nursing program? Yes. Though further study may not be a current goal, ensuring easy articulation may facilitate and inspire future doctoral level study. Departmental Promise Methodist College promises to help our students develop the cognitive knowledge, ethical comportment and clinical reasoning skills required of a professional nurse so that they may become safe, competent educators. We will: Embrace diversity Commit to individual student success Support on-time progression and graduation Treat students in a fair and equitable manner Ensure individualized response to student needs Communicate respectfully and in a timely manner Advocate for the students through all aspects of the learning experience Collaborate with national and community leaders in academia and industry Be accountable for the quality and integrity of the nursing education programs Provide relevant and innovative educational resources delivered when and where needed
Financing Your Graduate Education Methodist College is committed to helping students from all financial backgrounds achieve their educational goals. Our financial aid office will be happy to help you select the financial option that best suits your needs and will assist you from start to finish. From selecting and applying for the right loan or scholarships, to finding and filing the appropriate forms you won t be alone. Federal Student Aid Federal Student Aid programs are the largest source of student aid in America. Take advantage of this opportunity by determining your eligibility with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov or www.fafsa.gov. Federal Direct Loans These student loans must be repaid and are available to graduate degree students. If you qualify (based on need) for an unsubsidized Direct loan, interest will accrue while you re in school. Maximum yearly loan amounts can be found at www.direct.ed.gov. Given the ongoing shortage of nurse faculty, the job outlook for those seeking careers in nursing education is bright with a growing demand for individuals needed to teach in schools of nursing, hospitals, public health agencies, and other settings.
Admission Requirements Students seeking admission to the Nurse Educator track of the Masters in Nursing Degree program must meet the following criteria: Submit a completed graduate program application including a writing sample as specified by the instructions Pay a non-refundable Application Fee Provide evidence of having earned a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution with a nationally accredited program in nursing Have a current unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Illinois Submit official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions of education Submit a favorable letter of reference from a professional contact Submit a favorable letter of reference from a personal or academic contact Have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a baccalaureate degree or cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for the last 60 hours of baccalaureate studies Complete and send all documents to the Department of Admissions All requirements for the master s program must be met before students will be considered for admission to the Masters in Nursing Degree program. Applicants not meeting the above GPA requirements who have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA in their baccalaureate studies may request consideration for conditional admission by writing a letter of appeal to the Dean of Nursing. NOW ACCEPTING Applications! Located in the heart of the medical district in Peoria, Illinois, Methodist College is dedicated to providing a superior education in nursing and health sciences through high-quality programming and excellent clinical practice. Nurse educators need to have excellent communication skills, be creative, have a solid clinical background, be flexible and possess excellent critical thinking skills. They also need to have a substantive knowledge base in their area of instruction and have the skills to convey that knowledge in a variety of ways.
415 NE St. Mark Ct. Peoria, IL 61603 (309) 672-5513 methodistcol.edu Office of Admissions & Recruitment admissions@methodistcol.edu Office of the Registrar agarey@methodistcol.edu Office of Financial Aid arobinson@methodistcol.edu