Nursing M.S.

Mechelle Perea-Ryan, R.N., F.N.P., Ph.D., Graduate Program Director

Office:  Science 1 - 229E
Phone: (209) 667-3491

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 understand 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.

The Master of Science with a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration will prepare nurses to work as primary care providers to patients throughout the lifespan. With advanced clinical training, FNPs are authorized to diagnose illnesses, treat conditions, and provide evidence-based health education to their patients. FNPs are prepared to provide preventive acute chronic care services to individuals of all ages. FNPs deliver primary care in small and large, private and public practices and in clinics, schools, and workplaces. They work independently and collaboratively within the health care team.

Program Learning Outcomes

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

1. Incorporate advanced knowledge from nursing and diverse disciplines with current and emerging evidence to guide clinical judgment and improve education, practice, and research.
2. Create comprehensive, person-centered plans of care that prioritize holistic and individualized approaches by integrating advanced assessment skills, diagnostic and decision-making processes, and clinical reasoning informed by current evidence.
3. Formulate population health initiatives that span the healthcare delivery continuum, engaging traditional and non-traditional partnerships to improve equitable health outcomes across diverse populations.
4. Critique diverse sources of evidence to enhance nursing practice and uphold ethical standards in scholarly activities.
5. Appraise established and emerging principles of safety and improvement science to develop and implement strategies that enhance quality initiatives, minimize risk in nursing practice, and ensure patient and provider safety through systemic and individual performance measures.
6. Integrate initiatives to enhance communication across professions and with care team members, patients, families, and communities to optimize care delivery, enhance the healthcare experience, and improve health outcomes while fostering shared decision-making and mutual respect among all stakeholders.
7. Design initiatives to effectively coordinate resources and enhance safety, quality, and equity while adapting to evolving challenges and encouraging collaborative solutions within complex healthcare systems.
8. Evaluate information flow across diverse healthcare settings while assessing ethical and legal considerations of healthcare technology and its impact on care processes to effectively address needs, gaps, and inefficiencies in service delivery.
9. Demonstrate ethical leadership to foster a culture of accountability in nursing practice ensuring that care reflects nursing’s core values.
10. Exhibit a commitment to personal health and well-being by actively contributing to an environment that promotes self-care and evaluating the workplace conditions to assess overall health and well-being.
11. Demonstrate cognitive flexibility in managing change within complex environments while showcasing effective leadership and mentoring skills during times of uncertainty and crisis.

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. FNP Program only: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited institution. If Bachelor’s degree is in a discipline other than nursing, an Associate Degree in Nursing and four completed BRIDGE courses are required;
4. One-year nursing experience post initial R.N. licensure;
5. Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale); in the last 60 units;
6. Active, unrestricted, California RN license with no disciplinary action pending or imposed;
7. Successful completion (minimum grade of C) of an undergraduate statistics course;
8. Two professional references;
9. Résumé with cover letter indicating professional goals; and,
10. International Students: Proficiency in spoken and written English with the following minimum TOEFL scores: 550 for the paper-based examination, 80 on Internet-based examination.

Note: After acceptance into the nursing program and prior to beginning any courses students must meet all School of Nursing health requirements. 

The School of Nursing Graduate 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.  Conditional 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 conditional basis and must complete 12 units of BRIDGE courses prior to being fully admitted to the Master’s program.  FNP concentration students must complete the BRIDGE coursework prior to taking FNP coursework. Master’s level courses are normally restricted to students admitted to the graduate program. With approval of the nursing graduate program director, graduate core course work may be pursued prior to admission if the student has conditional admission status.  Enrollment in graduate course work does not guarantee admission to the nursing program.