Program Purpose
The purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing program at Malone University is to provide registered nurses (RNs) who have a minimum of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree opportunity to pursue an advanced and specialized education leading to the MSN degree with an advanced practice role as a family or adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (FNP, AGACNP respectively). Graduates may apply for a certification exam offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
The Malone University Master of Science of Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation). Memberships are with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF).
Philosophy
(Excerpts from the School of Nursing and Health Sciences Philosophy)
Nursing is a professional discipline. It is practice oriented, grounded in a unique body of nursing knowledge and related theory, and evaluated by ongoing research… . Nurses who think critically apply knowledge and experience to identify patient problems and to direct clinical judgments and actions that result in positive patient outcomes (Benner, Hughes & Sutphen, 2008). The goals of the discipline are to advance professional knowledge through scholarly inquiry, improve the health care of society and promote social justice (adapted from ANA’s Nursing’s Social Policy Statement, 2nd Edition, 2003).
The professional nurse uses a unique blend of knowledge and skills in the delivery of nursing care. Through the socialization process a sense of identity and commitment to the profession are developed. As a professional nurse, there is a commitment to ethical conduct, the value of collegiality, the need for life-long learning, and continual growth toward expert practice. Expert practice by the baccalaureate nurse is evident as critical thinking skills are fully realized in a selected area of specialty over time. Additional growth becomes evident as the nurse completes graduate education in nursing and establishes an advanced nursing practice.
Nursing education is based on a liberal arts education that includes courses in the arts, sciences, humanities, and religion; it is grounded in theory and based upon empirical findings. Throughout all the nursing programs, emphasis is given to the development and application of critical thinking, therapeutic intervention, communication processes, and scholarly practice. Critical thinking skills can be cultivated by educators who display the virtues of critical thinking, some of which are intellectual curiosity, courage, humility, and integrity (Paul, 1993).
Scholarly practice is an expected professional goal and includes the standards of the scholarship of discovery, teaching, practice, and integration. Nursing education occurs in diverse classroom, clinical and community settings which support the integration of Christian faith, values, and ethics in the teaching and learning of nursing.
Outcomes
The graduate student will:
- demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills that build upon the undergraduate learning and equip the practitioner and clinician for all of the responsibility and accountability practices required in these advanced practice nurse roles.
- exhibit competence in advanced practice with selected populations including an in-depth assimilation of a specialized role, content, and related skills.
- integrate into one’s personal and professional life the attributes needed for successful practice including the legal and ethical components required for holistic nursing.
- synthesize a body of knowledge whereby the inquiry skills are honed and used to conduct research, share research findings, and advance scholarly and professional goals.
Assessment
The School of Nursing and Health Sciences employs a systematic evaluation plan that includes methods whereby student learning is assessed and courses, faculty, and program are evaluated.
Admission Requirements
Regular Admission
Including but not limited to the following:
- Hold a current Ohio RN License.
- Hold a Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution and accredited nursing program.
- Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher.
- Report current and relevant nursing employment. Application to the FNP track with preference of two years RN experience in a medical surgical unit. Application to the AGACNP track requires a minimum of two years RN experience in a critical care unit; with preference of three years of full-time RN experience with a minimum of one year in a medical/surgical unit and two years in a critical care unit. Critical care certification is also preferred.
- Provide verifications for licensure, certifications, professional insurance, health requirements, criminal background check, and other requirements that relate to a safe and legal practice of nursing. BLS for all applicants; ACLS for AGACNP applicants.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional and supervisory individuals.
- Satisfactorily complete the interview process.
- Satisfactorily complete a basic statistics class within the last 5 years with a B or higher prior to entering the program.
- Receive recommendation for admission by the post-licensure admission and progression committee members.
Conditional Admission
- Meet all admission standards except the minimum 3.00 g.p.a.
- Successfully earn a 3.00 g.p.a. or higher by the end of semester two of the program.
Non-Degree (Post MSN and Professional)
Students who hold the MSN degree may seek admission to one or more MSN courses through the non-degree admission process. Approval is based on current enrollment and decision by the MSN Program Director.
Research Requirement
The Master of Science in Nursing degree requires each student to complete a research project. Research topics are explored in MSN 560 and continued through the MSN 500, 690, 693, and 694 courses.
Academic Probation
- Any student having a g.p.a. below a 3.0 for any semester will be placed on probation.
- Any student with probation status will be reviewed on a regular basis by the Post-Licensure Admission and Progression Committee. The committee holds full responsibility as to the decision for continued probation status or academic dismissal.
- All students must meet the graduation requirement of a 3.0 g.p.a.
Graduation Checklist
Students admitted to the master’s program may use the following checklist as a guide:
- Application for admission to the Graduate Program in Nursing
- An interview with MSN Program Director in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Written notification of acceptance for admission
- Completion of all course work and requirements for MSN
- Application for Graduation
- Complete the Application for Graduation provided by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) and received during a class session.
- Return the completed form to the Program Director who will forward it to the Office of the Registrar by January 30 for candidates who plan to complete degree requirements.
Sequential-Cohort Hybrid Delivery System
Malone University has organized its delivery system for the Master of Science in Nursing Program using a sequential cohort approach. Students begin the program with approximately 24-30 students in a class and complete six consecutive semesters (24 months) of graduate study to earn the M.S.N. degree. Classes in the M.S.N. degree program are taken as a cohort. Eleven (11) of the courses are delivered in the classroom; five (5) courses are delivered online. Tuition charge remains the same throughout the length of this sequential-cohort class. Withdrawal and reentry with a later class requires the tuition charge per credit hour in effect for the later class. The student is admitted to an assigned class that is scheduled to begin and end on specified dates. Students who know of previous commitments that will prevent them from regular attendance in the assigned class should register for a subsequent class in which attendance on a regular basis is possible. A class is admitted annually starting with the Fall semester.
Programs of Study
