Nursing, RN-MSN

Master of Science in Nursing

Director: Jennifer Twaddell

Department of Nursing Mission and Purposes

The Department of Nursing is dedicated to carrying out the mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP). As an integral academic unit of the University, the Department of Nursing is committed to the tripartite roles of teaching, research, and community service that contribute to the cultural, intellectual, and social development of professional nurses in North Carolina and the nation. Students are provided the opportunity to obtain a multicultural education that is grounded in the arts, sciences and humanities; that is congruent with standards for professional nursing practice; and that prepares them for lifelong learning, professional development, and service to others.

The primary purposes of the UNCP Department of Nursing program are to

1. Provide accessible, seamless, high quality undergraduate and graduate nursing education to diverse student populations to shape nursing graduates who are leaders in professional nursing practice.
2. Prepare graduates to provide high quality, cost-effective professional nursing services, to improve health outcomes across the life span, for individuals, families, groups, and communities.

The Department of Nursing is committed to the recruitment of a diverse, achievement‐oriented, and socially responsible student body that will enrich the intellectual, cultural and social community of the University and the community at large. The graduate program in nursing aims to prepare graduates to take on leadership or educator roles and be qualified to face the challenges of the future in nursing to improve the quality of client care and client outcomes. The master’s level program in nursing provides students with an opportunity to build expertise in a specialized area of practice while enhancing their skills in theory and research for use in professional practice.

MSN Program Outcomes

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares graduates to

1. Synthesize evidence‐based knowledge, theories and principles from nursing, the arts and humanities, biopsychosocial and applied sciences which support advanced nursing practice and role development.
2. Assume a leadership role in coordinating, managing, and improving health services for culturally diverse populations by using knowledge of political, economic, organizational, and regulatory systems.
3. Direct organizational and systems leadership initiatives for the improvement of health outcomes and safety for diverse individuals, families, groups, populations, and communities across the continuum of care.
4. Collaborate with interprofessional healthcare providers and consumers in designing, implementing, and evaluating health services for the attainment of shared health care goals that focus on clinical prevention and population health.
5. Integrate information technology for evidence‐based care management, education, collaboration, and decision‐making to improve health outcomes.
6. Demonstrate beginning competence in applying research principles to clinical practice that will impact advanced nursing practice and education as well as health programs and services.
7. Assume accountability for ethical values, principles, and personal beliefs that acknowledge human diversity and influence professional practice decisions and nursing interventions.
8. Adhere to ethical, legal, and regulatory mandates and professional standards for advanced nursing practice.

The Department of Nursing holds membership in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The Department of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120; 202/887‐6791.

Program Description

The UNCP Department of Nursing is dedicated to providing students the opportunity for seamless transition to graduate studies. There are two entry pathways into the graduate program with both full- time and part‐time study options available for students. The direct entry Master of Science pathway is for registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The degree requires 39 semester hours of graduate‐level coursework, including 15 semester hours in Nursing Core coursework and 24 semester hours in Specialty Concentration coursework.

The second entry pathway is the RN‐MSN program. This program provides educational mobility for registered nurses, with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, seeking a Master of Science in Nursing. The RN‐MSN program provides the opportunity to earn both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Combined credit toward the BSN and MSN degrees is earned. Two courses (six semester hours) in the Master of Science in Nursing program may be substituted for two courses in the RN‐BSN program, allowing students to graduate with a BSN degree and complete the MSN degree in 33 additional semester hours of graduate-level coursework. The RN‐BSN and MSN can be completed separately for those not wishing to apply to the RN‐MSN program.

Both pathways are offered in a hybrid format which blends online instruction with face‐to‐face class meetings and direct faculty/student interaction. Through a blend of face‐to‐face and online classes as well as practicum experiences, the graduate program offers three areas of specialty concentration: Nurse Educator, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Rural Case Manager.

Program-Specific Admissions Standards

Admission Criteria for RN‐MSN:

Students interested in the RN‐MSN program must successfully complete the required undergraduate pre‐requisite coursework, 25 semester hours of RN‐BSN upper‐division coursework, and meet admission requirements of the UNCP School of Graduate Studies and Research as well as the Department of Nursing to continue seamlessly into the MSN program. Students must be in the last semester of required RN-BSN upper-division coursework before they are eligible to apply to the School of Graduate Studies and Research to be considered for full admission to the MSN program. Applications should be completed by May 15 for fall consideration. Admission decisions will be made no later than June 15. Only applications with all necessary materials will be considered. The Director of the Graduate Program, in collaboration with graduate faculty, will review all applications and make a final recommendation regarding admission. Each applicant will be notified in writing regarding the admission decision. To enroll students with the greatest potential for successfully completing the program, the Department of Nursing will consider the following criteria for full acceptance, in addition to the general requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies and Research:

• Earned associate degree or diploma in nursing from an approved nursing program
• Current, valid North Carolina nursing license or a license with multistate practice privileges by authority of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale).
• Nursing practice experience (one year recommended).
• Meet minimum requirements as specified in the current undergraduate catalog.
• Complete required 25 semester hours of RN-BSN coursework before or during semester of application to MSN program through the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
• Complete required undergraduate prerequisite general education and RN-BSN coursework with a grade of C or higher.
• In semester prior to anticipated enrollment in the MSN program, students will submit an application packet to the UNCP School of Graduate Studies and Research that includes the following:
  • Competitive scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with scores not older than 5-years. The GRE or MAT is waived if an applicant’s cumulative undergraduate GPA is 3.5 or higher.
  • Three letters of recommendation from instructors, supervisors or professional colleagues, two of which must come from individuals with a minimum of a master’s degree in nursing, who are qualified to evaluate your professional nursing experience, academic competence and potential to undertake a master’s degree program.
  • Current résumé or curriculum vitae of educational and work experience.
  • A personal statement describing applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study in chosen specialty. The personal statement should describe
    • The development of applicant’s interest in graduate education in nursing;
    • The reason for the specialty area to which s/he is applying;
    • Applicant’s professional goals and how this specialization will help achieve them;
    • Applicant’s academic strengths and areas needing further development;
    • Any special circumstances that applicant believes require further clarification.
  • Official transcripts of all postsecondary coursework sent directly from each institution to the School of Graduate Studies and Research
• For graduates of basic nursing education programs of greater than 5 years, it is recommended that an additional course or continuing education offering be completed prior to enrolling in the following graduate course: Advanced Pharmacology.
• Admission to the RN-MSN Pathway does not guarantee admission to a specific MSN area of specialization.

Pre-requisite Course Requirements:

Prior to admission to the RN‐MSN program, all but nine (9) of the following pre‐requisite academic courses must be completed. The pre‐requisite coursework may be taken at UNCP or other accredited college or university. Academic credits from other accredited institutions may be accepted by UNCP if a grade of C or higher is earned. There is no time limit for acceptance of general education academic credits. Advanced placement and the College‐Level Examination Program (CLEP) are other avenues to meet these requirements.

RN‐BSN/MSN Course Requirements Prior to Enrolling in MSN Program:

RN‐MSN students complete 25 semester hours of upper‐division nursing coursework that reflect the baccalaureate nursing program outcomes and prepare students for achieving success in graduate study. RN-MSN students will earn 30 semester hours of validation credit for previous nursing education upon successful completion of the required upper‐division courses.

Requirements for a Master of Science in Nursing

Program Total: 39 Sem. Hrs.