Nursing, M.S.N.

Kim Dinsey-Read, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN, School of Nursing Director

Anne Sahingoz, DNP, MSN.Ed., BSN, ADN, Graduate Program Director

Introduction

Graduate education at the master’s level builds on the foundation of baccalaureate nursing education. Critical thinking, specialized knowledge, professional accountability, leadership, advanced communication skills and caring behaviors are expectations of the masters prepared nurse and are an integral part of the program. The graduate is able to synthesize theoretical information and research, applying findings to advanced practice. The MSN graduate serves as a change agent using cultural sensitivity, leadership principles, resource management and application of best practice to enhance nursing across the lifespan in the community. Lifelong learning is emphasized in the program; the graduate has the foundation needed for doctoral education. The program prepares the graduate as a health care leader, educator, primary care, or acute care nurse practitioner.

The MSN Program at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) provides an accelerated online format with 7-weeks terms for all classes. Despite the condensed timeframe, these accelerated courses maintain the same comprehensive content as their 16-week counterparts.  While we recognize the demanding nature of balancing full-time work and family obligations, it’s imperative for students to prioritize effective time management. We are unable to adjust the academic standards or expectations of the program to accommodate work or family responsibilities. The demanding nature of the MSN program necessitates undivided attention for successful progression. We strongly advise students to carefully assess the study hours required in relation to their existing responsibilities.

MSN Philosophy

The MSN program is guided by the missions of Northern Kentucky University and College of Health & Human Services. The MSN curriculum is grounded in the Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, QSEN, and the Future of Nursing report. The MSN program prepares graduates to be stewards of the discipline. Masters education originates from the student’s practice experiences, advances through individualized, student-centered and transformational opportunities, and culminates in the graduate assuming the nursing expert role. Masters learning includes opportunities for the improvement of health outcomes across diverse populations utilizing the best evidence and clinical judgement. Students and faculty promote academic excellence, professionalism, integrity, and inclusiveness within the advanced nursing community through shared responsibility, interprofessional collaboration, communication, teamwork, and mentoring relationships. This individualized student-centered learning takes place in a scholarly community grounded in standards for rigor, the nursing imperative of caring, and recognition of a plurality of voices.

Program Outcomes

1. Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing’s philosophical framework and scientific foundation.
2. Demonstrate effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level.
3. Add to the body of knowledge, as it relates to nursing, by demonstrating advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability, as evidenced by identifying or generating evidence and implementing and evaluating change to improve healthcare outcomes.
4. Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice.
5. Integrate professional values, accountability, and responsibility into advanced levels of nursing practice.
6. Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations including patients and providers (to facilitate practice at an advanced level).
7. Analyze one’s own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring.

MSN Program Core Concepts

Clinical Judgement; Communication; Evidence-based Practice; Advocacy; Professionalism; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Caring

Program Overview

MSN classes are offered in an online format. The didactic course work is remote and is asynchronous, allowing students to earn advanced degrees without being physically present on campus. However, the clinical experience is based on direct patient care, and therefore is not asynchronous. Specific time frames will need to be adhered to depending on the clinical setting, clinical experiences, and preceptor schedule.  In addition, some didactic exams may not be asynchronous, but student’s will be notified well in advance for planning purposes.

Student Advising

Students are expected to maintain close contact with their advisor throughout the program of study. Prior consent of the advisor must be obtained before any deviation is made from full program advising. Students are cautioned not to rely on the advice of other students regarding applicability of courses.

The MSN program reserves the right to determine the applicability of graduate transfer credit. A maximum of 40% of your program may consist of transfer work that can be applied toward the program of study.

The MSN program is a year-round program (including summers) designed to be completed in a particular sequence, and may be lockstep fashion and in part-time progression. Please consider managing work and family while completing a rigorous academic program.

MSN students must achieve a “C” or better in non-nursing courses (specifically BIO 669  and PSY 550 ) and a “B” or better in all MSN nursing courses in the MSN graduate program (including MSN/CHP/DNP). The “B-” is not considered a passing grade in an MSN graduate nursing course. If a grade of “B-” or less is earned the student is required to retake the course.

MSN Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the MSN program is highly competitive. Completed applications with all required accompanying materials are reviewed according to the posted deadline for each session.

In order to be considered for admission to the MSN program, the university requires all applicants to fulfill the following requirements:

1. Submit a complete application for graduate admission to Northern Kentucky University.
2. Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (Graduate and Undergraduate).
3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited and an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA accredited program of nursing. Students who have earned a BSN degree from a non-US institution will be considered for an exception to the requirement that the BSN come from ACEN, CCNE or CNEA accredited program of nursing, where applicable.
4. In order for an application to be evaluated, applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 in their undergraduate studies.
5. Successful completion (C or better) of an undergraduate statistics course.
6. Proof of 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse.  Download the Employment Verification Form on the Office of Graduate Education website, http://www.nku.edu/admissions/graduate/admission-process/additional-forms.html.  
7. Adult Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner applicants must have 1-year experience in critical care.  Download the Critical Care Verification Form on the Office of Graduate Education website, http://www.nku.edu/admissions/graduate/admission-process/additional-forms.html.  
8. Verification of your unencumbered RN license with expiration date in the state(s) you are licensed and practice.
9. A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. Applicants are required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the background check. Costs associated with background check are the responsibility of the applicant. Follow the link to complete the background check on the Office of Graduate Education website, http://www.nku.edu/admissions/graduate/admission-process/additional-forms.html

Courses transferred into Northern Kentucky University may or may not be accepted for board certification requirements with ANCC, AACN, or AANP.   Faculty review transfer credit courses as outlined by the ANCC, AACN, and AANP guidelines.  ANCC, AACN, and AANP determine eligibility of course work for board certification and this is not determined by Northern Kentucky University. Courses accepted by Northern Kentucky University for transfer credit from another University are not a guarantee to be accepted by ANCC, AACN, or AANP.