Master of Science in Nursing Program (MSN)

Emily Merrill, PhD, APRN, FNP, BC, CNE, FAANP
Professor, Associate Dean/Department Chair, MSN Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Program

Jeff Watson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CNE
Associate Professor, Associate Dean/Department Chair, Leadership Program

Cindy Acton, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Associate Professor, Program Director, MSN Nursing Administration Track

Susan McBride, PhD, RN-BC, CPHIMS, FAAN
Professor, Program Director, MSN Nursing Informatics Track

Laura Thomas, PhD, RN, CNE
Professor, Program Director, MSN Nursing Education Track

Kellie Bruce, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC
Associate Professor, Program Director, Family Nurse Practitioner Track

Erin Sing, DNP, APRN, CNM, FACNM
Associate Professor, Program Director, Nurse-Midwifery Track

Elizabeth Hutson, PhD, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC
Associate Professor, Program Director, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track

Karen Esquibel, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC
Professor, Program Director, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Primary and Acute Care) Tracks

Tara Hilliard, PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC
Associate Professor, Program Director, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing Program is to prepare the graduate to practice nursing within an expanded role. In synthesizing a clinical and functional focus, the graduate assumes an encompassing perspective of practice, service, research, and education.

MSN Student Learning Outcomes

Upon program completion, the MSN graduate will have the preparation to:

• Provide patient-centered care in the master’s prepared nursing role.
• Work in interprofessional teams to address the needs of patients using master’s prepared nursing role skills.
• Employ evidence-based practice (EBP) by integrating the best research evidence into the master’s prepared nursing role.
• Apply quality improvement as a master’s prepared nurse.
• Utilize information in the master’s prepared nursing role to reduce errors, manage knowledge and information, make decisions, and communicate effectively.
• Integrate best practices in implementation of master’s prepared nursing roles to ensure safety and risk reduction for patients and populations.
  

All MSN students regardless of program or site will meet the above objectives. The MSN educational program delivery is accomplished by a combination of on campus classes/simulated clinical and web-based technologies.

Leadership Program Overview

Administration Track

The MSN with a nursing administration focus prepares students to assume nursing leadership and management positions in a variety of health care settings. Students must have a BSN as the minimum RN preparation for admission to the MSN in nursing administration track. Students complete the program via on-line courses and practicum experiences.

Education Track

The MSN with a nursing education focus prepares students to assume a career as a nurse educator within a school of nursing or as a clinical educator in a healthcare setting. Students must have a BSN as the minimum RN preparation for admission to the MSN in nursing education track.

Nursing Informatics (NI) Track

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Informatics (NI) track is the first NI masters offered by a Texas-based university. This program fills a critical gap in advanced nursing education and prepares nurses for the many existing and emerging NI roles. The education provided covers a broad spectrum of informatics-based theories and skills, with emphasis on the following, but not limited to:

• Data and standards management Data analytics Clinical decision support
  
• Public health informatics
  
• Telehealth and remote patient monitoring
  
• Electronic health record evaluation and optimization
  
• Systems development life cycle and workflow assessment methods
  
• Evaluating innovative technologies and digital solutions for clinical care
  

Students must have a BSN as the minimum RN preparation for admission to the MSN in Nursing Informatics track.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Program Overview

An APRN is a registered nurse who completed a graduate degree or postgraduate program that provided preparation to practice in one of the four advanced practice nursing roles (i.e., nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse clinical specialist, or nurse anesthetist). Preparation includes the advanced knowledge and skills to provide direct patient care in the health promotion and health maintenance of individuals.

All students must have a BSN as the minimum RN preparation for admission to the MSN and DNP APRN tracks. All APRN programs must meet the educational requirements and standards for professional certification. Nurse Practitioner programs meet the Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs as outlined by the National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (NTF). The NTF 5th Edition published in 2016 is available at https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/EvalCriteria2016Final.pdf. Nurse Midwifery programs must meet the educational criteria set by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).

Upon completion of course requirements, graduates of the master’s and post-graduate tracks are eligible to sit for one or more of the following certification exams:

• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) Exam (PNP, both Acute care and Primary care)
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Exam (AGACNP, FNP, PMHNP)
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) (FNP)
• American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) Exam (CNM)
• American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) (AGACNP)
• Certified Professional in Health Information Management (CPHIMS) Exam (NI)
• Certified Nurse Educator Exam (CNE)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Track

Prepares graduates to assume responsibilities for promoting, maintaining, and restoring health to acutely, chronically, complexly, or critically ill adults. The patient population includes young adults, adults, and older adults. Patient care needs and not the setting determine the scope of practice.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Track

Prepares graduates to assume a primary care provider role for the population of the family across the lifespan (infants, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults). FNPs practice in variety of settings including urban, rural, and underserved areas. Patient care needs and not the setting determine the scope of practice.

Nurse Midwifery Track

Prepares graduates to provide women’s health care across the reproductive life cycle and beyond, as well as their newborns for the first month of life, in accordance with the standards of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).

Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC) Track

Prepares graduates to assume an acute care provider role designed to meet the specialized physiologic and physiological needs of children in the areas of health maintenance and promotion, and assessment and management of disease processes. 

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-PC) Track

Prepares graduates to assume a primary care provider role for children, adolescents, and young adults in multiple health care delivery settings including rural and underserved areas. Patient care needs, and not the setting, determine the scope of practice.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Track

Prepares graduates to assume an advanced care provider role in providing the full range of psychiatric services including the delivery of primary, acute and consultative mental health care services throughout the lifespan.

MSN Admission Information

All applicants are selected on a composite evaluation of past academic achievement, personal essay, career achievements, and references. Although the materials required for admission consideration vary from one program to another, the general qualities considered are:

• Academic performance and aptitude
• Ability to perform capably in positions of responsibility for self and others
• Potential for leadership in the advanced nursing role

The applicant electronically signs the application certifying the application is accurate and complete and he/she understands falsification of an application is cause for non-acceptance or dismissal.

All coursework leading to a baccalaureate degree including courses taken for grade replacement are used in computing the grade point average for admission purposes.

All applicants will be reviewed in an individual and holistic manner. No single factor will determine a student’s admission. Only complete submitted applications are reviewed for admission consideration.

MSN Application Dates

MSN Application Deadlines

Consideration for admission is given to applicants who meet all admission criteria and have submitted ALL admission requirements by the application deadline. NOTE: The MSN Program does not admit students for the summer semester. The PMHNP BSN to MSN track accepts students once a year for the spring semester.

Admissions Requirements - MSN

All applicants must complete and submit an online application as directed on the MSN website. All applicants must meet requirements listed below for admission consideration:

• Valid unencumbered RN License
• Baccalaureate nursing degree (BSN) from a regionally accredited college or university with nursing program accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or from the American Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
  
  • Applicants with a transcript(s) from a foreign university (ies) are to submit a Commission for Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation of their transcript(s). Additionally applicants from a country where the primary language is not English, must provide evidence of achieving a total score of 84 or higher with a speaking score of 26 or higher and a writing score of 27 or higher on the TOEFL iBT.
• Completion of undergraduate courses in research and statistics with a grade of C or better.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for all course work leading to the baccalaureate degree.
  
  • The undergraduate science courses GPA may be considered as a factor for admission.
• Personal Statement/Essay/Track specific essay questions (maximum of 500 words)
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for the Healthcare Provider from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
• Professional letters of reference (3). Two letters from nurse managers or professional mentors and one letter from a former faculty member or other health care professional attesting to the applicant’s professional and academic abilities and potential for success in a graduate program.
• Individuals who obtained their nursing education outside of the United States are not eligible for admission unless their nursing program was accredited by the CCNE or ACEN. (See above)
• Official transcript for the BSN plus transcripts for all undergraduate courses including undergraduate research and statistics course if not included on the BSN transcript. (NOTE: all transcripts must be from a regionally accredited college or university with nursing program accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or from the American Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
• Computer Literacy; defined as an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of a computer and how to use them wisely within clinical workflow and for scholarly work. Applicants must complete the TTUHSC SON Computer Literacy Test located at http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/skills prior to applying.

Additional MSN Admissions Requirements - Track Specific

Non-Academic Considerations (MSN) – include but are not limited to:

• Evidence of leadership in nursing (Professional organizations, committees, etc.)
• Potential for leadership in an advanced role as evidenced by reference letters.
• Professional nursing work experience.
• Diversity of work or life experience (For example: experience with other cultures, study/travel/work abroad, community service, military service, degree in other field, volunteerism, or other related extracurricular activities).
• Curriculum vitae/resume which includes educational background, honors, nursing experience, professional membership(s), leadership roles, research, presentations, and community service.
• Permanent resident of Texas or TTUHSC service area/county or TTUHSC campus location.
• Fluent in a language in addition to English that is frequently used by patients in the applicant’s service area.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS WHO ATTENDED A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN SPRING 2020

An explanation of how TTUHSC School of Nursing considers courses in which a student earns grades of Pass (P), Fail(F), Credit (CR) or No Credit (NC) is outlined below:

Official transcripts with courses awarded with P or CR during the SPRING 2020 semester can be used to meet prerequisite course requirements and will not be used in calculating either the cumulative or science GPA for admissions. TTUHSC SON reserves the right to determine how, and if, courses awarded with P or CR during any semester, outside of spring 2020, will be calculated into a GPA and/or considered for transfer credit. Official transcripts with courses awarded with a Fail (F) or No Credit (NC) during any semester cannot be used to meet prerequisite course requirements

Additional Requirements for Prospective Students

Computer Requirements

See Computer Requirements under the Student Information section of this catalog.

Criminal Background Checks

See Criminal Background Check Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.

Immunizations

See Immunization Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.

Drug Screening

Drug screenings may be necessary if required by the clinical institution site. The cost of all drug screens are the responsibility of the student. See Drug Screening Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.

Special Student Enrollment

Non-Degree

Special Student Enrollment is not an avenue for seeking a degree. Under certain circumstances, it may be appropriate for an individual to seek admission as a non-degree seeking student. Non-degree Special Student admission is for the purpose of taking a limited number of courses. The applicant must seek approval from the applicable Graduate Associate Dean/Department Chair prior to submitting a special student (non-degree) application. The student must also be eligible for admission under the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in a master’s nursing program at a college or university and in good academic standing;
• Registered nurse with a BSN not enrolled in an educational institution; or
• Waiver to the above requirement from the applicable Graduate Associate Dean/ Department Chair.

In addition to meeting admission criteria, consideration to non-degree seeking students is given on a space available basis. A complete Special Student (non-degree) application includes the following:

• Submitted special-student application
• Submitted signature page
• Submitted Oath of Residency
• Submitted current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for the Healthcare Provider from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

Special students can take a maximum of six (6) credit hours. A special student wishing to apply for full admission to one of the Graduate Department programs must submit the full application according to the stated deadlines and will be considered for admission with the entire pool of applicants for the time period the application is submitted.

Enrollment without Credit/Course Audit

Students wanting to audit a course for no grade must obtain approval from the applicable Graduate Associate Dean/Department Chair. Students auditing a course will not be listed on the official class roll, and no notation of the audit will be made on the student’s transcript. Students enrolled for 12 or more semester credit hours may audit a course without paying an additional fee. All other students must pay a $10 fee for auditing a course.

Conditional Admission

If the requirements for full admission are not met, conditional admission may be available. The student is required to comply with “conditions” stated in the letter of admission offer prior to the first day of class for the semester the student is applying. Examples of conditional admission include, but are not limited to, the following:

• BSN completion confirmation (student graduating in current semester and verification is not available until the end of the semester)
• MSN completion confirmation (student graduating in current semester and verification is not available until the end of the semester)
• Leveling courses may be required per the MSN Program Council

Readmission

All requests for readmission must be made prior to the application deadline for the semester in which readmission is requested. The applicable Graduate Associate Dean/Department Chair and Program Directors are responsible for overseeing all readmissions to the School of Nursing MSN Programs. Readmission of a student who has been dismissed or who withdrew for academic or disciplinary causes is also based upon the decision of the applicable Graduate Associate Dean/Department Chair and Program Directors.

A student seeking readmission must comply with the following:

• Submit a letter requesting readmission to the Graduate Program
• Meet all recommendations and requirements set forth by the applicable Associate Dean/ Department Chair and Program Directors
  
• Complete online application and meet admission criteria for full admission

Student Transfers from Other Educational Institutions

Students requesting admission to the TTUHSC SON graduate programs as a transfer student from another college or university must meet the following criteria:

• Eligible to return to the institution from which the student is transferring
• Complete a full application to the applicable MSN program by the deadlines specified for the semester of transfer to TTUHSC
• A student previously enrolled in the graduate program at TTUHSC School of Nursing who attended another institution and is seeking to return must apply for readmission; any courses considered for transfer credit will be required to meet the standards for transfer credit
• Complete the majority or over 50% of the required credits to complete the degree at TTUHSC School of Nursing.

Recognition of Previous Nursing Learning

Transfer Credit

The decision to award transfer of academic credit is made by the applicable Graduate Associate Dean/Department Chair and/or Program Director after a thorough review of the applicant’s transcript for evidence of satisfactory course work completion and review of the course catalog descriptions and/or course syllabi as necessary to determine course equivalency. The decision to award transfer credit is based on TTUHSC OP 77.17. Generally, credits earned at a regionally accredited college or university are accepted for transfer provided course content is equivalent and a grade of “B” or higher has been earned in the course. The majority, or over 50%, of the required credits toward a TTUHSC School of Nursing graduate degree must be earned at TTUHSC.

PLEASE NOTE: Courses previously taken as Pass-Fail will not transfer for credit if the course is required for a School of Nursing Degree unless approved by the applicable Graduate Associate Dean/Department Chair and/or Program Director.

Students requesting courses to be considered for transfer credit will:

• Submit official transcripts for courses considered for transfer credit
• Submit course descriptions and course content for each course

Credit accepted for transfer and applied to the student’s degree program will appear on the TTUHSC transcript under the name of the institution where the student completed the course. Transfer credit will not alter a student’s TTUHSC Grade Point Average.

A student previously enrolled in the graduate program at TTUHSC School of Nursing who attended another institution and is seeking to return and transfer in course credit must apply for readmission. Courses accepted for transfer will be required to meet the standards for transfer credit.

Offer of Admission

Offers of admission will be made approximately six - eight weeks following the application deadline. In order to assure a place in the desired program, applicants must comply with the following:

• Applicants must respond to the offer of admission no later than the deadline stated in the letter offering admission
• Submit $175 non-refundable placement/orientation fee
• Complete Criminal Background Check online
• Submit evidence of compliance with required immunizations
• Complete Sexual Harassment training online and submit certificate of completion
• Complete required trainings as specified during orientation
• Failure to respond to admissions offer by the date specified in offer letter may result in withdrawal of the offer of admission.
• All students admitted to the MSN Program are required to attend a mandatory orientation prior to the first semester of enrollment.

Degree Requirements for Students Admitted to the Graduate Program

Graduation Under a Particular Catalog

A student is expected to complete the degree requirements set forth in the School of Nursing Catalog in effect at the time the student enters the chosen area of study. Only with the specific approval of the applicable Graduate Associate Dean/Department Chair may a different Catalog be selected. Students, in all cases, are prohibited from completing the requirements set forth in a catalog more than seven years old. The Catalog is published at least biennially and its provisions are applicable during the stated year (September 1st through August 31st).

Maintaining Minimum Academic Requirements

The minimum GPA for continuance in the Graduate Programs is 3.0 overall. Additionally, a minimum grade of “B” is required in each course (nursing) required for degree completion. The TTUHSC School of Nursing Student Handbook provides further details regarding academic and graduation expectations.

Requirements for Progression towards the MSN Degree

• Grades are reviewed each semester and progression in the Graduate Program is determined by the applicable Graduate Associate Dean/Department Chair and/or MSN Program Director.
• MSN students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA with grades at “B” or above in all graduate courses. Students with a cumulative or semester GPA below 3.0 are placed on academic probation.
• Students receiving “C” or lower in a graduate course are eligible to repeat the course one time only pursuant to recommendation of course faculty.
• Students earning an overall cumulative GPA or a semester GPA less than a 3.0 in the semester of graduation/completion are ineligible for graduation/completion.

Academic Dismissal from the School of Nursing MSN Program will result from the following circumstances:

• Students earning a “C” or lower in two or more graduate courses in one semester.
• Students earning a “C” or lower in the same nursing course twice.
  
• Students earning a “C” or lower in a second graduate course even though one graduate courses has been retaken and a satisfactory grade of “B” or better has been obtained.
• Cumulative semester or cumulative GPA less than 2.0 for two consecutive semesters

Failing to meet expected standards in any program may result in academic dismissal at any time.

Residence Credit

The minimum residence for the MSN degree is the majority, or over 50%, of graduate course work carrying residence credit must be completed at TTUHSC. Residence credit as used here means credit for work done while enrolled in and attending classes at TTUHSC and should not be confused with “residence” in the State of Texas.

Majority of Credits

The majority or over 50% of credits toward any graduate or post-baccalaureate professional degree awarded by the TTUHSC must be earned:

• At TTUHSC
• In the case of those programs offered through joint, cooperative, or consortia arrangements through instruction offered by the participating institutions.

Semester Credit Hours and Course Loads

The semester credit hour is the unit of measure for credit purposes. Didactic (lecture) hours are measured on a one-to-one basis; clinical hours are measured on a one-to-three basis for nursing education and informatics tracks; clinical hours are measured on a one-to-four basis for the nursing administration track. For nurse practitioner and nurse midwifery clinical courses, clinical hours are measured on a one-to-3.5 basis. Approximately two hours in preparation for each hour of lecture/didactic and an appropriate amount of time for preparation for clinical activities are required. The number of semester credit hours a student may carry (course load) is regulated by the applicable Program Director. In determining this load, the applicable Program Director takes into account the quality of prior scholastic work performed and the types of courses involved. A student enrolled in nine (9) or more credit hours in the Fall or Spring semester and six (6) or more credit hours in the Summer semester is considered full-time.

Degree Plan

• Upon initial enrollment into the TTUHSC Graduate Programs, each student is provided with a degree plan, individualized according to their program of study. The student’s individual needs and circumstances are considered when developing the degree plan.
• The applicable Program Director for the program in which the student is enrolled is responsible for approving the degree plan.
• Students are responsible for notifying the applicable Graduate Program office to discuss changes to the degree plan.
• During orientation to the applicable Graduate Program, students are advised about the requirements for their specific track or major and their responsibility to (a) be knowledgeable about their degree requirements; and (b) meet degree requirements for graduation.
• The degree plan serves as the student’s guide for course registration each semester.
• Degree plans for post-graduate students will be individualized based on the previous course work and requirements.

TTUHSC Interprofessional Practice and Education (IPE) Core Curriculum

All TTUHSC students, regardless of school affiliation, are required to complete the IPE core curriculum prior to graduation. The IPE core curriculum is composed of two components including successful completion of a non-credit online course (>70% accuracy on the knowledge post-test) and successful participation in at least one registered IPE learning activity. Failure to complete the IPE core curriculum will result in delayed graduation. Students should consult their academic/program advisor and/or school catalog for additional information.

Course Requirements

The following course requirements reflect the basic needs for each track in the MSN program. The plans should only serve as an overview of a basic course schedule of a full-time student and it will vary depending on each student’s ability to progress through the program.