GRADUATE FACULTY COMMITTEE DOC. NO. 1149 Approved November 16, 2009 RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON GRADUATE COURSE AND CURRICULUM AND THE GRADUATE PROGRAM COMMITTEE AND THE FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE OF NURSING FOR CHANGES TO THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING I. Current Graduate School Bulletin Copy Master of Science in Nursing There are two entry options for the Master of Science in Nursing Program. 1. Traditional program for individuals with a bachelor's degree in nursing and a current Registered Nurse license 2. Direct Entry program for individuals with a degree in a field other than nursing and are not licensed as a Registered Nurse. This option includes an additional one year curriculum at the beginning of the program that leads to eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. Admission The admission requirements of the master's program in Nursing are consistent with those requirements specified by the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, students must also meet the following requirements for the College of Nursing: Traditional Option 1. A bachelor's degree in Nursing from a professionally accredited program, with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale). 2. Completion with a grade of C or higher of an upper-level undergraduate course in statistics within the five years immediately preceding admission. 3. Current registration as a professional nurse in the State of Wisconsin. 4. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the last five years. The master's program admission requirement of the GRE will be waived for students who have completed a master's degree. 5. Three (3) letters of recommendation for graduate study in nursing, two (2) of which are from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant's recent academic and work experiences. Personal interview with a faculty member may be requested. 6. Completion of an autobiographical sketch. Direct Entry Option 1. A bachelor's degree, with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00 (4.0 scale). 2. Completion with a grade of B or higher within the five year immediately preceding admission course work in the following areas: upper-level undergraduate course in statistics, anatomy and physiology, growth and development, microbiology, biochemistry, nutrition. 3. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the last five years. The master's program admission requirement of the GRE will be waived for students who have completed a master's degree. 4. Three (3) letters of recommendation for graduate study in nursing, two (2) of which are from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant's recent academic and work experiences. Personal interview with a faculty member may be requested. 5. Completion of an autobiographical sketch and essay.
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1149 p. 2 Approved November 16, 2009 These data are used by the Admissions Subcommittee as indicators of academic potential. Applicants may be admitted with specific program-defined course deficiencies provided that the deficiencies amount to no more than two courses. The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree. Major Professor as Advisor The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student's studies as specified in Graduate School regulations. The student is assigned to an advisor at the time of admission. Credits and Courses: Direct Entry Curriculum Students admitted to the Direct Entry Option complete a one year full-time pre-licensure curriculum prior to beginning the advanced practice nursing masters program. Successful completion of all courses in the pre-licensure curriculum with a grade of B or better is required prior to beginning the advanced practice nursing curriculum. Attainment of a Registered Nurse license is required prior to beginning the advanced practice nursing practicum courses. Prelicensure Curriculum Courses: 44 Credits 211 Health Assessment, 3cr. 205 Pharmacology, 3cr. 326 Nursing Science II: Concepts of Aging and Long Term Care, 3 cr. 327 Nursing Science III: Health Concepts-Women & Children, 4 cr. 328 Nursing Science IV: Concepts of Health Care of the Adult, 4 cr 6XX Nursing Science: Concepts of Community and Health Promotion, 3 cr. 653 Foundations in Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice, 4 cr. 680 Nursing and Society, 3 cr. 681 Professional Role in Health Care Systems I, 2cr. 682 Professional Role in Health Care Systems II, 2cr. 685 Clinical Reasoning, 5 cr. 686 Professional Nursing Practicum, 8 cr. Credits and Courses: Advanced Practice Curriculum The Master of Science program is offered to prepare Advanced Practice Nurses. This is accomplished through core courses required of all students (24 credits) and completion of requirements for one of three clinical tracks. The following tracks are available: Graduate Core Courses: 12 Credits 735 Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice, 3 cr. 727 Epidemiology, 3 cr. 729 Health Care Systems and Advanced Practice, 3 cr. 725 Nursing Research and Knowledge Generation in Nursing, 3 cr. Advanced Practice Core Courses: 12 Credits 753 Physiologic Basis of Advanced Nursing Practice, 3 cr. 707 Advanced Pharmacology: Application to Advanced Nursing Practice, 3 cr. 754 Comprehensive Assessment of Health: Implications for Clinical Decision-Making, 3 cr. 784 Advanced Nursing Practice Interventions, 3 cr.
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1149 p. 3 Approved November 16, 2009 Clinical Nurse Specialist Track (22 Credits) Students selecting this track develop program of study focused on the planning, delivery, and evaluation of advanced practice nursing care to a specified population. Students complete 22 credits in the clinical track for a total of 46 program credits. Designated course work in the clinical specialty is completed under the direction of faculty experts and clinical preceptors. The specialty areas available to clinical nurse specialist students are: adult health nursing (acute and chronic), community health nursing, psychiatric / mental health nursing, maternal-child nursing, and nursing systems. Clinical Support Courses: 9 Credits Students in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Track select a minimum of 9 required credits in a substantive area to support clinical specialization. Electives may be selected in nursing or other related disciplines. Not more than one of the electives may be a U/G (Undergraduate/graduate) course for graduate credit. Clinical Nurse Specialist Practica: 13 Credits 737 Clinical Nurse Specialist: Practicum I, 4 cr. 738 Clinical Nurse Specialist: Practicum II, 4 cr. 739 Clinical Nurse Specialist: Practicum III, 4 cr. 991 Research and Thesis, 1 cr. RN to MS Option The RN to MS Track is designed for RN students who are interested in completing both a BS and MS degree. Students in this option complete 12 credits of graduate core courses while enrolled in the BS in Nursing program designed for Registered Nurses. In the last semester of the BS program they apply for admission to the graduate program. In addition to the admission requirements described above students will be required to have completed the 12 credits of graduate core courses with a grade of B or better. Upon admission they complete the remaining 34 required credits in either the Clinical Nurse Specialist or Family Nurse Practitioner Tracks. Family Nurse Practitioner Track (22 Credits) Students selecting the Family Nurse Practitioner Track follow a program of study designed to prepare them for advanced nursing practice in primary care settings with families across the lifespan. Designated coursework in the specialty is completed under the direction of faculty experts and clinical preceptors. A three-semester sequence of theory and practicum courses total 22 clinical track credits for a total of 46 program credits. Family Nurse Practitioner Theory Courses: 9 Credits 767 Family Nurse Practitioner Theory I, 3 cr. 768 Family Nurse Practitioner Theory II, 3 cr. 769 Family Nurse Practitioner Theory III, 3 cr. Family Nurse Practitioner Practica Courses: 13 Credits 757 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum I, 3 cr. 758 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum II, 5 cr. 759 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum III, 4 cr. 991 Research and Thesis, 1 cr. Post Nurse Practitioner Track The Post Nurse Practitioner Track is designed for nurse practitioners who have a bachelor's degree and preparation as a nurse practitioner at the certificate level and wish to pursue a master's degree.
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1149 p. 4 Approved November 16, 2009 Students in this option will complete the 24 credits of the core courses, an experience portfolio, and 1 credit of Research and Thesis for the required clinical project. This track is offered on weekends and during the summer. Special advising is required to establish eligibility and develop a program plan. Credits and Courses: Total Program 46 credits for students who complete the Clinical Nurse Specialist Track; 46 credits for students who complete the Family Nurse Practitioner Track; and 25 credits for students who complete the Post Nurse Practitioner Track and 90 credits for students who complete the Direct Entry option. Minimum Grade Requirement For continuation in the program, in addition to general Graduate School requirements students must achieve a minimum grade of B in all required FNP and CNS practicum courses and a minimum grade of B- in all other required courses. Thesis Optional (as a 3 credit elective) Comprehensive Clinical Project The student will complete a final comprehensive clinical project. Time Limit Students in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Track or the Family Nurse Practitioner Track must complete all degree requirements within seven years of the first enrollment semester as a degree student. Students in the Post Nurse Practitioner Track must complete all degree requirements within five years of the first enrollment as a degree student II. Summary of Proposed Changes The Master of Nursing will replace the current Master of Science in Nursing, which will phased out with the full implementation of the Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2011. Major changes include: renaming a degree, from a MS to an MN, thus distinguishing it from the existing advanced practice masters; revision of the prelicensure curriculum from 44 to 45 credits to reflect newly revised professional standards. The post-licensure graduate credits have been decreased from 46 to 33 credits to reflect the revised focus of the program. III. Justification for Proposed Changes All disciplines in healthcare are experiencing significant revisions to standards for professional education to address the advances in knowledge and science, and the roles that are evolving to meet healthcare needs of society. The revised Advanced Generalist master's curriculum has been developed in response to the professional call to educate a master's prepared nurse who is not an advanced practice nurse but is one who can undertake clinical leadership in a variety of health care settings, who has additional preparation in implementing quality improvement strategies and outcomes-based practice, who will manage microsystems of care, and who is a knowledge worker to elevate care and promote health. This level of preparation is a bridge
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1149 p. 5 Approved November 16, 2009 between baccalaureate nursing education and the specialized and advanced nursing practice education provided at the DNP level, or at the PhD level preparing research scholars. There are two entry options to the MN, one for nurses with a baccalaureate degree and one for non-nurse baccalaureate prepared individuals. The College of Nursing has a long history of over 20 years in providing nursing education for individuals with degrees in other fields. Given the success that the CON has had with the existing Direct Entry master s, and given the continued interest in having a mechanism by which non-nurse baccalaureate prepared individuals can become master's prepared nurses, the MN is a perfect vehicle by which individuals without an undergraduate degree in nursing, but with a baccalaureate in another discipline can enter the profession and have a leadership role at the point of care, while not being advanced practice nurses. The MN is also the perfect vehicle for a baccalaureate - prepared nurse who desires graduate education but does not wish to prepare at the advanced practice doctoral level. This revised curriculum reflects the CON's direct response to a community and national need for nurses who have graduate education and who are able to manage care for a group of patients at the point of care. The revised program prepares the student to sit for certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader, a component of the role of master's prepared advanced generalist nurse. Lastly, this program is timely, as the current MS in Nursing will be phased out with the full implementation of the DNP program, thus providing for a seamless transition of existing and revised programs. IV. Resource Implications No additional resources are required to implement this change. V. Proposed Graduate School Bulletin Copy Master of Nursing The Master of Nursing program is offered to prepare Advanced Generalist Nurses. There are two entry options for the Master of Nursing Program. 1. Traditional program for individuals with a bachelor's degree in nursing and a current Registered Nurse license 2. Direct Entry program for individuals with a degree in a field other than nursing and are not licensed as a Registered Nurse. This option includes an additional one year curriculum at the beginning of the program that leads to eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. Admission Admission to the program is the fall of each year. The admission requirements of the Advanced Generalist master's program in Nursing are consistent with those requirements specified by the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, students must also meet the following requirements for the College of Nursing: Traditional Option 1. A bachelor's degree in Nursing from a professionally accredited program, with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale).
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1149 p. 6 Approved November 16, 2009 2. Completion with a grade of B or higher of an upper-level undergraduate course in statistics within the five years immediately preceding admission. 3. Current registration as a professional nurse in the State of Wisconsin. 4. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the last five years. The master's program admission requirement of the GRE will be waived for students who have completed a master's degree OR a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher as calculated by the UWM Graduate School. 5. Three (3) letters of recommendation for graduate study in nursing, two (2) of which are from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant's recent academic and work experiences. Personal interview with a faculty member may be requested. 6. Completion of an autobiographical sketch. Direct Entry Option 1. A bachelor s degree, with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00 (4.0 scale). Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average below a 3.00 but above a 2.75 may be considered for admission if, by the application deadline, the student either: a. Has an advanced degree with a grade point average above 3.00, OR b. Has completed a minimum of 24 credits post-baccalaureate with a grade point average above 3.00. At least one required science course must be included in the post-baccalaureate work. 2. Completion, with a grade of B or higher, and within the five years immediately preceding admission, of course work in the following areas: upper-level undergraduate course in statistics anatomy and physiology growth and development microbiology biochemistry nutrition 3. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the last five years. The GRE requirement is waived for applicants whose prior education includes completion of a master s degree OR a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher as calculated by the UWM Graduate School. 4. Three (3) letters of recommendation for graduate study in nursing, two (2) of which are from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant s recent academic and work experience. A personal interview with a faculty member may be requested. 5. Completion of an autobiographical sketch. These data are used by the Admissions Subcommittee as indicators of academic potential. Applicants may be admitted with specific program-defined course deficiencies provided that the deficiencies amount to no more than two courses. The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree. Major Professor as Advisor The student is assigned to an advisor at the time of admission to advise and supervise the student's studies as specified in Graduate School regulations.
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1149 p. 7 Approved November 16, 2009 Credits and Courses: Direct Entry Curriculum Students admitted to the Direct Entry Option complete a one year full-time pre-licensure curriculum prior to beginning the advanced practice nursing masters program. Successful completion of all courses in the pre-licensure curriculum with a grade of B or better is required prior to beginning the advanced practice nursing curriculum. Attainment of a Registered Nurse license is required prior to beginning the advanced generalist nursing practicum and residency courses. Pre-licensure Curriculum courses: 45 Credits NURS 654 Health Assessment and Promotion, 3 cr. NURS 657 Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing Practice, 3 cr. NURS 653 Foundations of Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice, 4 cr. NURS 670 Nursing Care of Adults & Older Adults I, 3 cr. NURS 671 Nursing Care of Adults & Older Adults II, 3 cr. NURS 672 Nursing Care of Women and Infants, 2 cr. NURS 673 Nursing Care of Children & Families, 2 cr. NURS 674 Mental Health Nursing Care Across the Lifespan, 2 cr NURS 717 Community Health Nursing, 3 cr. NURS 681 Professional Roles in Healthcare Systems, 3 cr. NURS 680 Nursing and Society, 4 cr.* NURS 685 Clinical Reasoning, 5 cr.* NURS 686 Professional Nursing Practicum I, 3 cr.* NURS 688 Professional Nursing Practicum II, 5 cr.* Credits and Courses: Advanced Generalist Curriculum [post-licensure]: 33 Credits Graduate Core: NURS 727 Epidemiology, 3 cr. NURS 725 Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare I, 3 cr. (title change in progress from Nursing Research and Knowledge Generation in Nursing) NURS 706 Clinical Outcomes and Information Systems Management, 3 cr. (TBD) NURS 709 Leading and Managing in Systems of Care, 3 cr. (TBD) NURS 712 Health Promotion Perspectives, 3 cr. (TBD) Biostatistics, 3 cr Focused Core: NURS 754 Comprehensive Assessment of Health: Implications for Clinical Decision- Making, 3 cr. NURS 721 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology for the Advanced Generalist, 3 cr. (TBD) NURS 723 Evidence-based Care Management, 3 cr. (TBD) NURS 734 Care Management Practicum, 3 cr.* (TBD) NURS 789 Master of Nursing Residency, 3 cr.* (TBD) *Connotes clinical course or clinical component Minimum Grade Requirement For continuance in the program, in addition to general Graduate School requirements students must achieve a minimum grade of B in all required Master of Nursing practicum courses and a minimum grade of B- in all other required courses. Master s Clinical Project The student will complete a final comprehensive clinical project.
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1149 p. 8 Approved November 16, 2009 Time Limit Students in the Master of Nursing program must complete all degree requirements within seven years of the first enrollment semester as a degree student. Master of Science in Nursing The Master of Science program is offered to prepare Advanced Practice Nurses. This is accomplished through core courses required of all students (24 credits) and completion of requirements for one of three clinical tracks (Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Post Nurse Practitioner). Admission The admission requirements of the Master of Science in Nursing program are consistent with those requirements specified by the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, students must also meet the following requirements for the College of Nursing: 1. A bachelor's degree in Nursing from a professionally accredited program, with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale). 2. Completion with a grade of C or higher of an upper-level undergraduate course in statistics within the five years immediately preceding admission. 3. Current registration as a professional nurse in the State of Wisconsin. 4. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the last five years. The master's program admission requirement of the GRE will be waived for students who have completed a master's degree. 5. Three (3) letters of recommendation for graduate study in nursing, two (2) of which are from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant's recent academic and work experiences. Personal interview with a faculty member may be requested. 6. Completion of an autobiographical sketch. These data are used by the Admissions Subcommittee as indicators of academic potential. Applicants may be admitted with specific program-defined course deficiencies provided that the deficiencies amount to no more than two courses. The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree. Major Professor as Advisor The student is assigned to an advisor at the time of admission to advise and supervise the student's studies as specified in Graduate School regulations Credits and Courses: Advanced Practice Curriculum All students must complete the core courses (24 credits) and one of three clinical tracks. Graduate Core Courses: 12 Credits 735 Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice, 3 cr. 727 Epidemiology, 3 cr. 729 Health Care Systems and Advanced Practice, 3 cr. 725 Nursing Research and Knowledge Generation in Nursing, 3 cr. (title change in progress to Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare I)
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1149 p. 9 Approved November 16, 2009 Advanced Practice Core Courses: 12 Credits 753 Physiologic Basis of Advanced Nursing Practice, 3 cr. 707 Advanced Pharmacology: Application to Advanced Nursing Practice, 3 cr. 754 Comprehensive Assessment of Health: Implications for Clinical Decision-Making, 3 cr. 784 Advanced Nursing Practice Interventions, 3 cr. Clinical Nurse Specialist Track (22 Credits) Students selecting this track develop a program of study focused on the planning, delivery, and evaluation of advanced practice nursing care to a specified population. Students complete 22 credits in the clinical track for a total of 46 program credits. Designated course work in the clinical specialty is completed under the direction of faculty experts and clinical preceptors. The specialty areas available to clinical nurse specialist students are: adult health nursing (acute and chronic), community health nursing, psychiatric / mental health nursing, maternal-child nursing, and nursing systems. Clinical Support Courses: 9 Credits Students in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Track select a minimum of 9 required credits in a substantive area to support clinical specialization. Electives may be selected in nursing or other related disciplines. Not more than one of the electives may be a U/G (Undergraduate/graduate) course for graduate credit. Clinical Nurse Specialist Practica: 13 Credits 737 Clinical Nurse Specialist: Practicum I, 4 cr. 738 Clinical Nurse Specialist: Practicum II, 4 cr. 739 Clinical Nurse Specialist: Practicum III, 4 cr. 991 Research and Thesis, 1 cr. RN to MS Option The RN to MS Track is designed for RN students who are interested in completing both a BS and MS degree. Students in this option complete 12 credits of graduate core courses while enrolled in the BS in Nursing program designed for Registered Nurses. In the last semester of the BS program they apply for admission to the graduate program. In addition to the admission requirements described above students will be required to have completed the 12 credits of graduate core courses with a grade of B or better. Upon admission they complete the remaining 34 required credits in either the Clinical Nurse Specialist or Family Nurse Practitioner Tracks. Family Nurse Practitioner Track (22 Credits) Students selecting the Family Nurse Practitioner Track follow a program of study designed to prepare them for advanced nursing practice in primary care settings with families across the lifespan. Designated coursework in the specialty is completed under the direction of faculty experts and clinical preceptors. A three-semester sequence of theory and practicum courses total 22 clinical track credits for a total of 46 program credits. Family Nurse Practitioner Theory Courses: 9 Credits 767 Family Nurse Practitioner Theory I, 3 cr. 768 Family Nurse Practitioner Theory II, 3 cr. 769 Family Nurse Practitioner Theory III, 3 cr. Family Nurse Practitioner Practica Courses: 13 Credits 757 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum I, 3 cr. 758 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum II, 5 cr. 759 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum III, 4 cr. 991 Research and Thesis, 1 cr.
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1149 p. 10 Approved November 16, 2009 Post Nurse Practitioner Track The Post Nurse Practitioner Track is designed for nurse practitioners who have a bachelor's degree and preparation as a nurse practitioner at the certificate level and wish to pursue a master's degree. Students in this option will complete the 24 credits of the core courses, an experience portfolio, and 1 credit of Research and Thesis for the required clinical project. This track is offered on weekends and during the summer. Special advising is required to establish eligibility and develop a program plan. Credits and Courses: Total Program 46 credits for students who complete the Clinical Nurse Specialist Track; 46 credits for students who complete the Family Nurse Practitioner Track; and 25 credits for students who complete the Post Nurse Practitioner Track. Minimum Grade Requirement For continuation in the program, in addition to general Graduate School requirements students must achieve a minimum grade of B in all required FNP and CNS practicum courses and a minimum grade of B- in all other required courses. Thesis Optional (as a 3 credit elective) Comprehensive Clinical Project The student will complete a final comprehensive clinical project. Time Limit Students in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Track or the Family Nurse Practitioner Track must complete all degree requirements within seven years of the first enrollment semester as a degree student. Students in the Post Nurse Practitioner Track must complete all degree requirements within five years of the first enrollment as a degree student.. VI. Recommended Action A. Revision of the Master of Science in Nursing program is approved as reflected in the proposed changes and Graduate School Bulletin copy described above. B. Following appropriate administrative approval, the revised requirements are effective for students who begin this program as of Semester I, 2010-11.