Department of Graduate Nursing

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Department Chair: Patricia E. Smyth

Master of Science in Nursing Faculty

Purpose

The purpose of the Department of Graduate Nursing is to prepare advanced practice nurses by expanding and refining a broad base of knowledge and skills of baccalaureate education incorporating the experiential background of the professional nurse. This purpose relates to the Mission of the University by providing professional education at the graduate level that emphasizes advanced academic preparation of specialized knowledge and competencies through the process of role mastery.

Philosophy

See Philosophy under Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The Philosophy for the Graduate Nursing Program builds upon this philosophy. In addition, the Graduate Nursing Program extends and refines the knowledge and skills of baccalaureate education incorporating the experiential background of the professional nurse. Attainment of advanced knowledge and competencies occurs through the process of role mastery, moving from novice to expert. The educational process is guided by three foci: primary care, advanced nursing practice, and evidence based practice. Primary care emphasizes health promotion and health maintenance for individuals, families, and communities in addition to managing and monitoring acute and chronic illnesses. This diversity of care is culturally sensitive and individualized. Advanced nursing practice is autonomous and focuses on knowledge and competencies for the specialized role of the nurse practitioner. In this role the advanced practice nurse may function independently or collaboratively and is accountable as a direct provider of care. Inherent in advanced nursing practice is leadership for the purposes of improving nursing and healthcare and influencing health policy. Advanced practice leadership involves self-evaluation for continuing scholarship, professional growth, and excellence in practice. Therefore, the advanced practice nurse is prepared to pursue doctoral education. Evidence based practice provides opportunity for integration of nursing research, primary care, and healthcare leadership, with the science of nursing. Advanced nursing practice in primary care includes application of evidence based practice to increase understanding of primary care nursing phenomena and develop improved modalities of care, and to provide the basis for health policy change.

Curriculum Objectives—Graduate Nursing Program

The Master of Science in Nursing Program is designed to prepare Advanced Practice Nurses who will:

1. Synthesize advanced knowledge of the humanities with biophysical and behavioral sciences as they influence the healthcare system and role development,
2. Integrate theoretical and research knowledge from evidence based practice into primary healthcare,
3. Conduct scientific investigation of issues relevant to primary healthcare and the advanced nurse practice role,
4. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for provision of quality healthcare,
5. Employ an interdisciplinary team approach for the improvement of healthcare delivery,
6. Self-evaluate continuing scholarship, professional growth, and role mastery,
7. Demonstrate advanced competencies for the specialized role of the nurse practitioner.

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