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Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.); concentrations in nursing administration and education, family nurse practitioner, and nurse anesthesia
Graduate certificates in family nurse practitioner and nurse anesthesia
Offered on the Beckley and Martinsburg campuses through the Patsy H. Haslam School of Health Sciences (nurse anesthesia concentration available only in Beckley)
The program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in a variety of settings. The program benefits nurses who want to advance in their careers, seek a career change, or keep pace with the changing health care environment. The program offers excellent preparation to students who intend to continue their graduate-level studies as those who plan to apply their knowledge and skills in health care settings.
Most students within the program continue to work full or part time during their graduate studies, classes are offered in a variety of formats—weekly, every other week, and monthly—and such services as registration, advising, and library research assistance are available evenings as well as during the day. (Students in the nurse anesthesia concentration are unable to work during the program of study.)
The nursing program is accredited by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses and by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (Placed on warning July 2008)(61 Broadway, New York NY 10006, 212.363.5555). The nurse anesthesia concentration is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, 222 S Prospect Ave., Park Ridge IL 60668, 847.692.7050. The program’s next accreditation review by the COA is scheduled for October 2008.
The nursing administration and education (admin/ed) concentration prepares nurse managers and nurse administrators for first- or middle-level leadership positions in a variety of health care organizations, and nurse educators for teaching in any educational area. The program of study incorporates an interdisciplinary perspective by combining the two areas. Both coursework and clinical practice emphasize the development of leadership skills and the application of theories of leadership, education, concepts, informatics, and research.
The family nurse practitioner (FNP) concentration prepares nurses to become primary care practitioners who provide comprehensive care that includes health promotion, maintenance, and restoration for persons across the life span. Practitioners are able to provide a broad range of clinical preventive services to those who are well or at risk, as well as manage common episodic illnesses, injuries, and chronic illnesses. This practice is grounded within informatics and research as well as the ability to provide leadership. This concentration is available as a certificate for those who already hold an M.S.N.
The nurse anesthesia concentration prepares students to meet all requirements to take the Council on Certification for Nurse Anesthetists National Certification Exam. Successful completion of this exam qualifies graduates for state recognition or licensure as a CRNA. The nurse anesthesia concentration is available only on the Beckley campus and is also offered as a certificate for those who already have an M.S.N. The nurse anesthesia concentration is offered only on the Beckley campus.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies, you must meet the following minimum requirements to apply to the nursing program:
- Bachelor’s degree with major in nursing (B.S.N.) from a nationally accredited program. Undergraduate study must include 3 semester hours of basic statistics, 3 semester hours of pharmacology, 8 semester hours of anatomy and physiology, and 2 semester hours of basic research.
- Current unrestricted license as a registered nurse in a U.S. jurisdiction. You must have a current RN license from any state in which you perform clinical coursework.
- Twelve clock hours of community service over the past year.
- Eligibility for coverage by the University’s malpractice insurance carrier.
In addition to the standard graduate application materials, M.S.N. applicants must also submit a goals statement. Three letters of reference are required for nurse anesthesia concentration applicants; two are required for applicants to either the administration/education or the FNP concentration.
Additional Requirements for FNP Concentration Applicants
Applicants to the family nurse practitioner concentration must also have one year of full- or part-time professional nursing
experience equaling 2,000 hours within the past two years before enrolling in the first clinical course (GNURS 501A Health and Illness Appraisal Lab). Students who meet all other requirements may study part time in nonclinical courses while continuing to work toward this requirement.
Additional Requirements for Nurse
Anesthesia Concentration Applicants
Applicants to the nurse anesthesia concentration must meet the following requirements in addition to those of the graduate nursing program:
- Undergraduate study must include human anatomy and physiology (equivalent to BIOL 215 and 216 at MSU) within two years of the projected start date of your program, as well as 3 semester hours of physics, 3 semester hours each of organic and inorganic chemistry, 3 semester hours of biochemistry, and 3 semester hours of microbiology.
- At least one year of clinical experience as a registered nurse that includes the opportunity to develop independent decision making and the interpretation and use of data from invasive monitoring devices.
- An unencumbered West Virginia RN license, which must be valid by the first day of classes.
- Current health care provider certification in BCLS, ACLS, and PALS.
Nurse anesthesia concentration applicants are required to submit an essay addressing why the applicant wants to become a nurse anesthetist and why he or she would be a good candidate for the program. An interview is also required for admission.
Certificate Program Admission
Requirements
Application to either the FNP or nurse anesthesia certificate program requires that you already hold an M.S.N. from a program accredited by either the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Certification of Nursing Education. In addition, application to the FNP certificate program requires advanced coursework in physical assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology; application to the nurse anesthesia certificate requires one year of critical care experience. Degree concentration admissions requirements and processes are the same for certificate applicants.
PROGRAM POLICIES
The structure of the M.S.N. program is flexible. Its design and delivery system are based on the needs of nurses who wish to pursue graduate study while continuing their work. The exception is the nurse anesthesia concentration, which requires full-time study and is sufficiently intensive that students are unable to work during either classroom studies or clinicals.
Attendance
The University expects all students to maintain regular attendance at scheduled seminars and classes. Attendance at all on-campus sessions is mandatory for students in the nurse anesthesia concentration. While class attendance is not mandatory for students in other concentrations, it is strongly encouraged. Some courses can be completed through nontraditional study.
Course Sequencing
Because specialty courses are sequenced, you are encouraged to plan your registration carefully. Most course assignments allow you to focus on a population, topic, or problem of interest. Previous coursework can also serve as the basis for thesis or project work. This approach to assignments does not mean that you can submit the same work for multiple courses but is designed to give you the opportunity to develop knowledge of a given topic through exploration of several bodies of literature or empirical applications.
Examinations and Course Performance
Evaluation of your course performance is the responsibility of the individual faculty member. All students are expected to take examinations on the day given unless advance permission is obtained from the faculty member. Arranging for make-up examinations is the shared responsibility of the faculty member and student.
Students in the administration/education and FNP concentrations are required to take a comprehensive M.S.N. examination one to two semesters before scheduled program completion. Concentrations may require an additional comprehensive exam.
Clinical Courses and Placement
The following GNURS courses contain a clinical component:
501L Health & Illness Appraisal Lab (1 clinical hour)
502L Clinical Nursing Practice of
Children and Adolescents
(3 clinical hours)
603L Clinical Nursing Practice of Adults (3 clinical hours)
604L Clinical Nursing Practice in All Age Groups (6 clinical hours)
FNP and admin/ed clinical courses are on a three-to-one clock-hour ratio, which means that each course hour equals three clock hours. The clock-hour ratio varies for clinical courses in the nurse anesthesia concentration. You are responsible for submitting clinical placement documentation before beginning clinical assignments and for keeping these documents up to date in your student file.
Faculty members and students are jointly responsible for arranging clinical placements. Every effort is made to meet each student’s needs. After agreeing on a site, either you or the assigned faculty member contacts the preceptor. The program provides clinical objectives and forms to the preceptor and generates a contract. The University’s legal office must send and finalize all clinical contracts, a process that may take up to two months to complete.
If you and the assigned faculty member cannot agree on a site, the program will make an assignment to the most appropriate site available. Student evaluations of past sites are available in the program office.
Clinical experiences for students in the nurse anesthesia concentration are established by the program. Clinical assignments are structured to ensure completion of all accreditation and licensure requirements.
Independent Study / Special Topics
Graduate courses in special topics provide the opportunity to undertake an individual independent study project in partial fulfillment of your coursework or as extra hours to complete your thesis or project. You can enroll in a special topics course by finding a graduate faculty member who is willing to supervise the course, then submitting a completed enrollment form, signed by the faculty member and the program director, together with a written proposal. You must complete registration during the regular registration period.
You and the faculty member must arrange a regular schedule for conferences and submission of work throughout the semester, including the date the final paper is due. You may register for no more than 6 semester hours of special topics. The University cannot guarantee that all students will be able to undertake a special topics course.
Program Completion
The nurse anesthesia concentration is designed as a 30-month full-time program of study. A full-time program of study in the other concentrations can generally be completed within two years, while part-time study often takes three to four years. All students must complete program requirements within five calendar years from the date of their first graduate enrollment.
M.S.N. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
M.S.N. program requirements include core nursing studies, which are common to all concentrations, and specialized concentration requirements.
Administration/Education and FNP Core Curriculum
The 14-hour core nursing curriculum, which is required of students in both concentrations, comprises the following courses:
GNURS 511 Research & Statistical
Methods 3
GNURS 512 Research & Statistical Appl 3
GNURS 615 Health Maintenance &
Promotion of Aggregates/ Health Policy 3
GNURS 606 Thesis or Project 3
GNURS 699 Seminar 2
Core total 14
Concentration Requirements: Nursing Administration and Education
The administration and education concentration requires 21 hours of study in addition to the core requirements:
GNURS 520 Health Admin/Ed:
Mgt & Education Theories 3
GNURS 521A Mgt of Health Care Systems or
GNURS 521B Mgt of Education Systems 3
GNURS 621 Health Care Financial Mgt 3
Three of the following four: 9
GNURS 614A Admin Theory & Practicum I
GNURS 616A Educ Theory & Practicum I
GNURS 625A Admin Theory & Practicum II
GNURS 624A Educ Theory & Practicum II
Approved electives 3
Concentration total 21
Concentration Requirements: Family Nurse Practitioner
The FNP concentration comprises 30 hours in addition to the core requirements, with a three-to-one ratio of clinical to classroom hours.
GNURS 500 Roles, Issues, Ethics & Theories 3 GNURS 501 Health & Illness Appraisal 2
GNURS 501L H&I Appraisal Lab 1
GNURS 502 Common Health Problems
of Children & Adolescents 3
GNURS 502L Clinical Nursing Practice
of Children & Adolescents 3
GNURS 603 Common Health Problems
of Adults 3
GNURS 603L Clinical Health Problems
of Adults 3
GNURS 604L Clinical Nursing Practice
in All Age Groups 6
GPHS 508 Pathophysiology 3
GPMC 510 Pharmacology for
Midlevel Providers 3
Concentration total 30
Concentration Requirements: Nurse Anesthesia
The modified distance learning format of the first half of this 30-month program is extremely challenging, requiring skills in independent learning and computer use. To assist students in finding local employment as a CRNA, clinical sites are developed whenever feasible as closely as possible to students’ homes.
Nursing Core
GCRNA 501 Health Assessment 2
GCRNA 501L Health Assessment Practicum 1
GCRNA 503 Issues, Theory, and Ethics 3
Total 6
Research Courses
GCRNA 511 Research Process 3
GCRNA 512 Nursing Research 3
GCRNA 608 Research Project 4
Total 10
Didactic Courses
GCRNA 515 Introduction to Anesthesia 2
GCRNA 518 Basic Sciences in NA 3
GCRNA 520 Adv Anatomy & Physiology 5
GCRNA 522 Adv Pathophysiology I 4
GCRNA 530 Adv Pathophysiology II 4
GCRNA 532 Adv Pathophysiology III 4
GCRNA 540 Advanced Pharmacology I 3
GCRNA 542 Advanced Pharmacology II 3
GCRNA 546 Advanced Pharmacology III 3
GCRNA 603 Principles of Anesthesia I 6
GCRNA 605 Principles of Anesthesia II 6
Total 43
Clinical Courses
GCRNA 680 Clinical Correlation Conf 2
GCRNA 681 Clinical Correlation Conf 2
GCRNA 682 Clinical Correlation Conf 2
GCRNA 683 Clinical Correlation Conf 2
GCRNA 690 Clinical Practicum 3
GCRNA 691 Clinical Practicum 3
GCRNA 692 Clinical Practicum 3
GCRNA 693 Clinical Practicum 3
Total 20
Program total 79
Thesis Option
The thesis option requires independent research followed by a scholarly paper that conforms to the School of Graduate Studies thesis format. The thesis option is recommended for students planning to pursue additional graduate work.
If you choose the thesis option, it is recommended that you begin your thesis early in the program and select your courses to support your thesis work.
Project Option
If you are unable to submit a thesis, you must carry out a final project of scholarly work to complete your degree. The project option must be approved by the senior academic officer of graduate nursing; because the M.S.N. program is driven by research and the writing of a thesis, significant justification is required of anyone requesting the project option.
Projects should contribute to nursing practice by using nursing knowledge to benefit individuals, families, organizations, or communities, or by helping a nurse researcher who is conducting research, completing a scholarly work, or producing a publishable paper. Projects may include such activities as research utilization, an integrative review of the research on a topic, a meta-analysis of a research base on a topic, participation in a phase of faculty research, evaluation of an existing clinical or staff development program, or development of an instructional program.
Because the project option closes off many opportunities for additional graduate study, you should consult with your academic advisor before making a decision.
Graduation Requirements
You are eligible to receive the M.S.N. when you have met the following conditions:
- Regular admission to the School of Graduate Studies and the graduate nursing program
- Completion of all core and concentration requirements
- A passing score of 80 percent or better on the comprehensive examination
- Submission of an approved thesis or
project for binding
- A poster presentation and defense of your project or thesis
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
Graduate certificates in FNP and nurse anesthesia qualify nurses who already have an M.S.N. to sit for qualifying exams in those areas. Additional coursework may be required for post-master’s students receiving financial aid; contact the graduate nursing program for details.
FNP Certificate Requirements
GNURS 500 Roles, Issues, Ethics, & Theories 3
GNURS 501 Health & Illness Appraisal 2
GNURS 501L H&I Appraisal Lab 1
GNURS 502 Common Health Problems
of Children & Adolescents 3
GNURS 502L Clinical Nursing Practice
of Children & Adolescents 3
GNURS 603 Common Health Problems
of Adults 3
GNURS 603L Clinical Nursing Practice
of Adults 3
GNURS 604L Clinical Nursing Practice
in All Age Groups 6
GPHS 508 Pathophysiology 3
GPMC 510 Pharmacology for Midlevel
Providers 3
Total 30
Nurse Anesthesia Certificate Requirements
Nursing Core
GCRNA 503 Issues, Theory, and Ethics 3
Total 3
GCRNA 501 and 501L Health Assessment and Lab are waived for certificate students whose transcripts indicate comparable study. Students must demonstrate competence in a laboratory setting or they will be required to take both courses.
Didactic Courses
GCRNA 515 Introduction to Anesthesia 2
GCRNA 518 Basic Sciences in NA 3
GCRNA 520 Adv Anatomy & Physiology I 5
GCRNA 522 Adv Pathophys I 4
GCRNA 530 Adv Pathophys II 4
GCRNA 532 Adv Pathophys III 4
GCRNA 540 Advanced Pharmacology I 3
GCRNA 542 Advanced Pharmacology II 3
GCRNA 546 Advanced Pharmacology III 3
GCRNA 603 Principles of Anesthesia I 6
GCRNA 605 Principles of Anesthesia II 6
Total 43
Clinical Courses
GCRNA 680 Clinical Correlation Conf I 2
GCRNA 681 Clinical Correlation Conf II 2
GCRNA 682 Clinical Correlation Conf III 2
GCRNA 683 Clinical Correlation Conf IV 2
GCRNA 690 Clinical Practicum 3
GCRNA 691 Clinical Practicum 3
GCRNA 692 Clinical Practicum 3
GCRNA 693 Clinical Practicum 3
Total 20
Program total 66
SUGGESTED SEQUENCES
Nursing Administration and Education
Concentration
Full-Time Study
First Year Fall
GNURS 511 Research & Stat Methods 3
GNURS 520 Health Admin/Ed:
Mgt/Education Theories 3
GNURS 621 Health Care Financial Mgt 3
Total 9
First Year Spring
GNURS 512 Research & Stats Appl 3
GNURS 521A Mgt of Health Care or
GNURS 521B Mgt of Education Systems 3
GNURS 615 Health Maintenance &
Promotion of Aggregates/ Health Policy 3
Total 9
Second Year Fall
GNURS 606 Thesis or Project 3
GNURS 614A Admin Theory/Practicum I or
GNURS 616A Educ Theory/Practicum I 3
Elective 3
Total 9
Second Year Spring
Select two of the following four: 6
GNURS 614A Admin Theory & Practicum I
GNURS 616A Educ Theory & Practicum I
GNURS 624A Educ Theory & Practicum II
GNURS 625A Admin Theory & Practicum II
GNURS 699 Seminar 2
Total 8
Degree total 35
Nursing Administration and Education
Concentration
Part-Time Study
Semester 1
GNURS 511 Research & Stat Methods 3
GNURS 520 Health Admin/Education:
Mgt/Education Theories 3
Total 6
Semester 2
GNURS 512 Research & Stats Appl 3
GNURS 521A Mgt of Health Care or
GNURS 521B Mgt of Education Systems 3
Total 6
Semester 3
GNURS 606 Thesis or Project 3
Elective 3
Total 6
Semester 4
GNURS 615 Health Maintenance &
Promotion of Aggregates/ Health Policy 3
GNURS 614A Admin Theory/Practicum I or
GNURS 616A Educ Theory & Practicum I 3
Total 6
Semester 5
GNURS 621 Health Care Financial Mgt 3
Total 3
Semester 6
Select two of the following four: 6
GNURS 614A Admin Theory/Practicum I
GNURS 616A Educ Theory/Practicum I
GNURS 624A Educ Theory/Practicum II
GNURS 625A Admin Theory/Practicum II
Total 6
Semester 7
GNURS 699 Seminar 2
Total 2
Concentration total 35
Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
Full-Time Study
First Year Summer
GNURS 500 Roles, Issues, Ethics, & Theories 3
First Year Fall
GNURS 501 Health & Illness Appraisal 2
GNURS 501L H&I Appraisal Lab 1
GNURS 511 Research &
Statistical Methods 3
GMPC 510 Pharmacology for
Midlevel Providers 3
GPHS 508 Pathophysiology 3
Total 12
First Year Spring
GNURS 502 Common Health Problems
of Children & Adolescents 3
GNURS 502L Clinical Nursing Practice
of Children & Adolescents 3
GNURS 512 Research & Statistical Appl 3
GNURS 615 Health Maintenance &
Promotion of Aggregates/ Health Policy 3
Total 12
Second Year Fall
GNURS 603 Common Health Problems
of Adults 3
GNURS 603L Clinical Nursing Practice
of Adults 3
GNURS 606 Thesis or Project 3
Total 9
Second Year Spring
GNURS 604L Clinical Nursing Practice
in All Age Groups 6
GNURS 699 Seminar 2
Total 8
Degree total 44
Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
Part-Time Study
Semester 1
GNURS 500 Roles, Issues, Ethics, & Theories 3
Semester 2
GNURS 501 Health & Illness Appraisal 2
GNURS 501L H&I Appraisal Lab 1
GNURS 511 Research & Statistical
Methods 3
Total 6
Semester 3
GNURS 512 Research & Statistical Appl 3
GNURS 615 Health Maintenance &
Promotion of Aggregates/ Health Policy 3
Total 6
Semester 4
GPHS 508 Pathophysiology 3
GPMC 510 Pharmacology for Midlevel
Providers 3
Total 6
Semester 5
GNURS 502 Common Health Problems
of Children & Adolescents 3
GNURS 502L Clinical Nursing Practice
of Children & Adolescents 3
Total 6
Semester 6
GNURS 603 Common Health
Problems of Adults 3
GNURS 606 Thesis or project 3
Total 6
Semester 7
GNURS 603L Clinical Nursing Practice
of Adults 3
Total 3
Semester 8
GNURS 699 Seminar 2
GNURS 604L Clinical Nursing Practice
in All Age Groups 6
Total 8
Concentration total 44
Nurse Anesthesia Concentration
Note: Semester 4 includes seven to eight days of clinical observation. On-campus sessions are scheduled for three days every three weeks for the first 15 months.
Semester 1 (Spring)
GCRNA 503 Issues, Theories, & Ethics 3
GCRNA 511 Research Process 3
GCRNA 518 Basic Sciences in NA 3
GCRNA 520 Adv Anatomy & Physiology 5
Total 14
Semester 2 (Summer)
GCRNA 501 Health Assessment 2
GCRNA 501L Health Assessment Lab 1
GCRNA 515 Intro to Anesthesia 2
GCRNA 522 Adv Pathophysiology I 4
GCRNA 540 Adv Pharmacology I 3
Total 12
Semester 3 (Fall)
GCRNA 512 Nursing Research 3
GCRNA 530 Adv Pathophysiology II 4
GCRNA 542 Adv Pharmacology II 3
GCRNA 603 Prin of Anesthesia I 6
Total 16
Semester 4 (Spring)
GCRNA 532 Adv Pathophysiology III 4
GCRNA 546 Adv Pharmacology III 3
GCRNA 605 Prin of Anesthesia II 6
Total 13
Semester 5 (Summer)
GCRNA 608 Research Project 1
GCRNA 680 Clinical Correlation Conf I 2
GCRNA 690 Clinical Practicum 3
Total 6
Semester 6 (Fall)
GCRNA 608 Research Project 1
GCRNA 681 Clinical Correlation Conf II 2
GCRNA 691 Clinical Practicum 3
Total 6
Semester 7 (Spring)
GCRNA 608 Research Project 1
GCRNA 682 Clinical Correlation Conf III 2
GCRNA 692 Clinical Practicum 3
Total 6
Semester 8 (Summer)
GCRNA 608 Research Project 1
GCRNA 683 Clinical Correlation Conf IV 2
GCRNA 693 Clinical Practicum 3
Total 6
Program total 79
Nurse Anesthesia Certificate
Semester 1 (Spring)
GCRNA 503 Issues, Theories, & Ethics 3
GCRNA 518 Basic Sciences for NA 3
GCRNA 520 Adv Anatomy & Physiology 5
Total 11
Semester 2 (Summer)
GCRNA 515 Intro to Anesthesia 2
GCRNA 522 Adv Pathophysiology I 4
GCRNA 540 Adv Pharmacology I 3
Total 9
Semester 3 (Fall)
GCRNA 530 Adv Pathophysiology II 4
GCRNA 542 Adv Pharmacology II 3
GCRNA 603 Prin of Anesthesia I 6
Total 13
Semester 4 (Spring)
GCRNA 532 Adv Pathophysiology III 4
GCRNA 546 Adv Pharmacology III 3
GCRNA 605 Prin of Anesthesia II 6
Total 13
Semester 5 (Summer)
GCRNA 680 Clinical Correlation Conf I 2
GCRNA 690 Clinical Practicum 3
Total 5
Semester 6 (Fall)
GCRNA 681 Clinical Correlation Conf II 2
GCRNA 691 Clinical Practicum 3
Total 5
Semester 7 (Spring)
GCRNA 682 Clinical Correlation Conf III 2
GCRNA 692 Clinical Practicum 3
Total 5
Semester 8 (Summer)
GCRNA 683 Clinical Correlation Conf IV 2
GCRNA 693 Clinical Practicum 3
Total 5
Program total 66
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