Nursing, M.S.N.

PURPOSE

The distance learning Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program at Wilkes University is designed to prepare the nurse practitioner for advancing nursing practice and quality within healthcare. The Essentials (2021) are applied to the curriculum and students undergo behavioral assessments of competency outcomes in meeting needs for entry level professional and advanced-level nursing education. The program provides a foundation to further advancement of professional nursing education for a doctoral degree in nursing and post-graduate/APRN certificate program. Graduates are eligible for national board certification upon program completion of the respective concentration.

M.S.N End of Program Outcomes

1. Apply knowledge from nursing science and other sciences to inform decision making and clinical judgment in nurse practitioner practice. (Domain 1)
2. Prepare nurse practitioners with advanced nursing knowledge, communication skills, and techniques which are holistic and engaging of patients as active partners in their health decisions for person-centered care. (Domain 2)
3. Identify population-focused health interventions tailored to specific patient needs for competent care and improved quality and ethical health outcomes. (Domain 3)
4. Translate current evidence based, advanced practice knowledge to inform nurse practitioner clinical practice and management of patient outcomes. (Domain 4)
5. Engage in a culture of ethical principles and standards of evidence based interventions to ensure safe, high-quality care and enhance health outcomes and systems performance across diverse populations.  (Domain 5)
6. Demonstrate team-building skills for effective collaboration with other healthcare professionals and stakeholders to deliver patient-centered care, improve health outcomes, and optimize care delivery systems. (Domain 6)
7. Examine systems based organizational practices to address gaps in access to care, care coordination, and fiduciary stewardship essential to sustaining clinical practices within complex systems of healthcare. (Domain 7)
8. Integrate informatics, healthcare technologies and decision-support tools to support clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and enhance care delivery. (Domain 8)
9. Model professional standards of nurse practitioner clinical practice with integrity and accountability while applying ethical principles, laws, policies, and regulations as a leader in support of safe, equitable, and evidence-based care. (Domain 9)
10. Develop nurse practitioners to assume responsibility for professional actions and decisions and engage in self-care and self-reflection activities that contribute to lifelong learning and professional development. (Domain 10)

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants will be evaluated for admission based on the following criteria. These admissions standards represent the minimum eligibility requirements for the program. Admission committee members reserve the right to request additional information from candidates as needed for a more in-depth review of qualifications.

• A completed online application.

• Official transcripts showing appropriate degree completion (Associate degree for RN-MSN, BS in Nursing for MSN) from an institution with programmatic (ACEN, NLNAC, CCNE) and regional accreditation. Admission is not granted for students who graduated from a non-programmatically or non -regionally accredited institution and meet all other admission requirements.

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• A current, unencumbered RN license.*
• Current resume or curriculum vitae
• One year of RN clinical experience (by the start of NP clinical courses)

* Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review process by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee of the university.