Nursing M.S.

Carolyn T. Martin, R.N., Ph.D., Graduate Assistant Director

Office:  Science 1 - 209E
Phone:  (209) 664-6591

View information for the School of Nursing .

The primary purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing is to develop skilled professionals able to assume positions of leadership, which contribute to the health, education, and social structure of the community, state, nation, and world.  The core curriculum provides students with knowledge essential to all nurses prepared at the master’s level.  Graduates will be able to critique and evaluate research findings and to apply research findings in order to provide high quality care, initiate change, and implement evidence-based nursing practice.  Students will have an understanding of health care policy, health care organizations, and financing of health care which will prepare them to assume leadership positions in an ever-evolving health care system.  In addition, knowledge of ethical decision making principles and health disparity issues will help to assure that appropriate and sensitive health care is provided.

Students electing the concentration in Education will be prepared to assume roles in nursing education in either an academic or service setting.  The concentration in Gerontological Nursing will prepare nursing professionals to meet the growing demands of an aging population.  Furthermore, specialization in this area will provide graduates with essential content to function as managers, providers, and organizers of health care for geriatric patients/clients.  The concentration in Nursing Administration will prepare nurses for administrative roles such as Nurse Executive, Nurse Manager, Quality Improvement Manager, Ambulatory Care Manager, or other system level nursing positions in community agencies, health care facilities, health departments, and schools of nursing.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

1. Employ critical thinking and clinical reasoning in providing evidence-based nursing care to diverse individuals, families, and communities;
2. Contribute to the development and application of nursing knowledge through the use of theory and the scientific process;
3. Participate in the organization, management, and leadership of clinical, education, or societal environments;
4. Practice skilled oral, written, and electronic communication that demonstrate the ability to express ideas in a variety of situations;
5. Provide culturally appropriate health care to a diverse community; and,
6. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to continue their education through doctoral study.

 In addition to the core student learning outcomes, students completing the concentration in education will be able to:

1. Critique, evaluate, and utilize concepts and theories of nursing, educational pedagogy, and curricula in the development of nursing education programs;
2. Apply principles of measurement and evaluation in the development and implementation of strategies for assessing student learning; and,
3. Utilize evidence-based teaching strategies to facilitate learning in settings where nurses function as educators for nurses, students, patients, families, and communities.

In addition to the core student learning outcomes, students completing the concentration in gerontological nursing will be able to:

1. Critique, evaluate, and utilize concepts and theories of aging to design and implement effective intervention strategies to enhance independence and autonomy of older persons;
2. Utilize an understanding of the nature and scope of social, economic, physical, education, and behavioral issues of aging in the development and implementation of programs for older persons; and,
3. Work effectively within an interdisciplinary setting and with diverse professionals, patients, families, and communities.

In addition to the core student learning outcomes, students completing the concentration in nursing administration will be able to:

1. Adapt business and nursing theory to develop financial, ethical, and medically sound healthcare solutions.
2. Evaluate, plan, and lead effectively in various interprofessional settings and healthcare environments.
3. Contribute to private and public health policy as a leader of health organizations and agencies.
4. Utilize general business concepts to analyze and resolve managerial problems.

Requirements for Admission to the Graduate Program in the School of Nursing

1. Admission to the Stanislaus State Graduate School;
2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.  If the Bachelor’s degree is in a discipline other than nursing, an Associate Degree in Nursing is also required;
3. Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale);
4. Current license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of California;
5. Successful completion (minimum grade of C) of an undergraduate statistics course;
6. Two professional references; and,
7. Résumé with cover letter indicating professional goals.

The School of Nursing Admissions Committee takes into consideration each of the requirements related to rendering an admission decision.  Applicants who do not meet all of the requirements but whose credentials reveal potential ability for master’s study are reviewed on an individual basis.  Applicants may be required to fulfill specific prerequisites or other conditions of admission prior to an admission decision or may be admitted on a provisional basis.  Provisional admission status requires the student to meet specific requirements before full admission status is granted.  Students with an Associate Degree in Nursing and a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline will be admitted on a provisional basis and must complete 12 units of bridge courses prior to being fully admitted to the Master’s program.  Master’s level courses are normally restricted to students admitted to the graduate program.  With approval of the nursing graduate director, graduate core course work may be pursued prior to admission if the student has provisional admission status.  Enrollment in graduate course work does not guarantee admission to the nursing program.

The Master of Science degree requires completion of 36 units distributed as follows:

1. Nineteen units of core courses;
2. Fourteen units of graduate coursework in a concentration or specialization including 3 to 6 units of elective course work at the undergraduate 4000 level or graduate level;
3. Students in all three concentrations may choose between Thesis, Project, or Comprehensive Examination.  This choice should be made early in the program.  Students will consult with the graduate adviser for current policies.  Students choosing the Thesis, Project, or Comprehensive Examination will enroll in 3 units of culminating experience, which includes one unit of culminating experience preparation.

Bridge Program

Students with an Associate Degree in Nursing and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree will also be required to complete the following bridge courses in order to continue to progress through the graduate program.  In addition, students must pass the WPST prior to being admitted to the graduate program.

• NURS 4000 - Advanced Health Assessment
    
• NURS 4400 - Community Health Nursing
    
• NURS 4410 - Community Health Nursing Practicum
    
• NURS 3310 - Nursing Leadership and Management (WP)
    

*Availability of the bridging courses would correspond with the current RN-BSN roadmap.

Requirements for Continuation in the Program

Students in the graduate nursing program must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in courses taken to satisfy the requirements of the degree. No grade lower than a “B-” will be accepted in courses taken to satisfy degree requirements. Students who fail to maintain a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and will be notified of the conditions required for removal of the probation.