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The Master of Science and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by the (CCNE) under the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Purpose of the Master of Science (M.S.) in Nursing Program

The purpose of the M.S. program is to prepare nurses for advanced practice in nursing administration, leadership, clinical practice or education. Achievement of this purpose includes study in related fields and application of theory and research methods to the examination of nursing issues.

The M.S. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is designed to incorporate current issues and trends in advanced nursing practice as well as developments in education of advanced practice nurses. As a state-supported program in a land-grant university, an emphasis is placed on health care for all citizens.

Program Outcomes

To prepare Nurse Administrators, Clinical Nurse Leaders, Family Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Educators who:

1. Apply knowledge of evidence-based practice.
2. Engage in life-long learning.
3. Serve South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã, the region, the nation and the world in urban, rural and frontier health care settings and function in leadership roles.

M.S. Student Learning Outcomes

The graduate of the M.S. in nursing program will:

1. Incorporate knowledge and theories from nursing and other supportive disciplines to promote and translate evidence into practice to effectively tailor health care to diverse populations.
2. Use leadership strategies at the organizational and individual level to work with interprofessional teams to recommend quality improvement initiatives to provide safe healthcare delivery and improve population health.
3. Assume accountability to influence health policy, improve healthcare delivery, decrease health disparities and address the diversity of health care needs.
4. Utilize informatics to enhance delivery of healthcare to a population.

Master's specialization specific student learning outcomes:

• Nurse Administrator: Analyze and apply a broad spectrum of administrative functions such as management principles and business skills to influence health care delivery systems.
• Nurse Educator: Utilize acquired knowledge and skills to develop and implement a nurse educator evidence-based practice in a variety of settings.
• Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL): Utilize microsystem assessment date to design, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions that improve safety and quality for selected populations.
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Collaborate with the interprofessional team in the translation, implementation, analysis and dissemination of evidence-based practice to improve healthcare outcomes.

M.S. Program Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements for admission to the SDSU Graduate School, the College of Nursing requires:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a CCNE or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) accredited* program
  • *Note: Program accreditation must have been obtained prior to completion of degree.
• Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical course
• Completion of an approved statistics course (containing both descriptive and inferential statistics) within 5 years of enrollment in SDSU Course: Nurse 626 – Research in Nursing & Healthcare
• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course
• Letter to the SDSU graduate nursing program from the dean/director of applicant's former/current program that includes applicant's current standing and/or standing upon exit. *
  • *For applicants who have begun but not completed a graduate nursing program at another university.
• Online interview
• Online written assessment
• Coverage by non-employer sponsored RN liability insurance (1 million / 5 million)
• Additional Specialty Coverage, e.g. student coverage (CNP or CNS) or APRN coverage
• Basic life support
• Advanced cardiac life support
• Background check/FBI rolled fingerprints (admission to a program is conditional based on the results of the background check)
• Drug screen (admission to a program is conditional based on the results of the drug screen)
• Required immunizations (admission to a program is conditional based on completion of the required immunizations)
• For applicants with English as a second language, one the following tests for English proficiency must be completed within two years preceding the requested semester of admission:
  • TOEFL of 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based or 100 Internet-based score, or
  • IELTS score of 7.0 total band.

Purpose of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

The purpose of the DNP program is to prepare Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to transform clinical practice as expert clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and underserved populations.

DNP Program Outcomes

1. To prepare graduates as clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and underserved populations.
2. To prepare graduates to deliver evidence-based direct patient care to individuals across the lifespan in primary care settings.
3. To prepare graduates to produce and implement scientific evidence to guide practice.
4. To prepare graduates to work collaboratively with frontier, urban and rural communities in an effort to reduce health disparities.

DNP Program Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the program, the graduate will successfully demonstrate the following student learning outcomes:

1. Integrate theoretical and scientific underpinnings of nursing and other disciplines to address emerging healthcare and practice issues.
2. Engage in health policy at all levels to influence healthcare delivery concerns, such as health disparities, cultural sensitivity, ethics, access to care, health finance and quality of care.
3. Employ evidence-based practice and advanced clinical judgment to comprehensively assess, design and deliver care for individuals across the lifespan.
4. Demonstrate leadership at the organizational and/or systems level to address health outcomes of individuals and populations though evidence-based initiatives.
5. Utilize advanced nursing knowledge and information systems/technology related to clinical prevention and health promotion to address gaps in healthcare.
6. Collaborate with the interprofessional team in the translation, implementation, analysis and dissemination of evidence-based practice to improve healthcare outcomes.

Doctor of Nursing Practice specialization specific student learning outcomes:

• B.S.-DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner: Employ evidence-based practice and advanced clinical judgment to comprehensively assess, design and deliver care for individuals across the lifespan.
• Master’s DNP: Employ evidence-based practice and advanced clinical judgment to comprehensively assess, design and deliver care for individuals or populations.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to DNP Program Admission Requirements

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE Accredited program with a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA.
• Letter to the SDSU graduate nursing program from the dean/director of applicant's former/current program that includes applicant's current standing and/or standing upon exit.*
  • *For applicants who have begun but not completed a graduate nursing program at another university.
• Online interview
• Online written assessment
• Completion of an approve statistics course (containing both descriptive and inferential statistics) within 5 years of enrollment in SDSU Course: Nurse 626 – Research in Nursing & Healthcare
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical course
• Additional Specialty Coverage, e.g. student coverage (CNP or CNS), OR APRN coverage
• Basic life support
• Advanced cardiac life support
• Background check/FBI rolled fingerprints (admission to a program is conditional based on the results of the background check)
• Drug screen (admission to a program is conditional based on the results of the drug screen)
• Required immunizations (admission to a program is conditional based on completion of the required immunizations)
• For applicants with English as a second language, one the following tests for English proficiency must be completed within two years preceding the requested semester of admission:
  • TOEFL of 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based or 100 Internet-based score or
  • IELTS score of 7.0 total band.

M.S. to DNP Program Admission Requirements

• Master's degree in nursing with a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife or Clinical Nurse Specialist focus from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE Accredited program with a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA.
• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
• National certification as a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• Letter to the SDSU graduate nursing program from the dean/director of applicant's former/current program that includes applicant's current standing and/or standing upon exit.*
  • *For applicants who have begun but not completed a graduate nursing program at another university.
• Online interview
• Online written assessment
• Completion of an approved statistics course (containing both descriptive and inferential statistics) within 5 years of enrollment in SDSU Course: Nurse 626 – Research in Nursing and Healthcare
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical course.
• Additional Specialty Coverage, e.g. student coverage (CNP or CNS), OR APRN coverage
• Basic life support
• Advanced cardiac life support
• Background check/FBI rolled fingerprints (admission to a program is conditional based on the results of the background check)
• Drug screen (admission to a program is conditional based on the results of the drug screen)
• Required immunizations (admission to a program is conditional based on completion of the required immunizations)
• For applicants with English as a second language, one the following tests for English proficiency must be completed within two years preceding the requested semester of admission:
  • TOEFL of 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based or 100 Internet-based score, or
  • IELTS score of 7.0 total band.

Postgraduate Certificate Program Purpose

The purpose of the Post Master’s Certificate is to prepare nurses for advanced practice in leadership, education and clinical practice.

Postgraduate Certificate Program Outcomes

To prepare Clinical Nurse Leaders, Nurse Educators and Family Nurse Practitioners, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners who:

1. Apply knowledge of evidence-based practice.
2. Engage in life-long learning.
3. Serve South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã, the region, the nation and the world in urban, rural and frontier health care settings.

Postgraduate Certificate Student Learning Outcomes: AGACNP specialization

At the completion of the program, the graduate will successfully demonstrate the following outcomes:

• Assess, diagnose and treat adult and gerontological patients who present to acute care settings for urgent and emergent conditions.
• Demonstrate understanding of the professional and legal aspects of the adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner role.
• Develop age-appropriate treatment plans for patients with acute and emergent conditions that incorporate psychosocial and physical assessment, pharmacologic standards and integrate cultural, socioeconomic and spiritual factors.

Postgraduate Certificate Student Learning Outcomes: FNP specialization

At the completion of the program, the graduate will successfully demonstrate the following outcomes:

• Assess, diagnose and treat patients appropriately throughout the lifespan who present to primary care for acute and chronic health conditions.
• Demonstrate understanding of the professional and legal aspects of the family nurse practitioner role.
• Develop patient centered treatment plans that demonstrate understanding of physical assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacologic principles and integrate cultural, socioeconomic and spiritual factors.

Postgraduate Certificate Student Learning Outcomes: PMHNP specialization

At the completion of the program, the graduate will successfully demonstrate the following outcomes:

• Assess, diagnose and treat patients appropriately throughout the lifespan who present to psychiatric mental health settings for acute and chronic health conditions.
• Demonstrate understanding of the professional and legal aspects of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner role.
• Develop age-appropriate treatment plans for patients with mental health problems and psychiatric disorders that incorporate psychosocial and physical assessment, pharmacologic standards, are based on therapeutic relationship strategies and integrate cultural, socioeconomic and spiritual factors.

Postgraduate Certificate Program Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements for admission to the SDSU Graduate School, the College of Nursing requires:

• Master's degree in nursing with a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife or Clinical Nurse Specialist focus from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE Accredited program with a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA.
• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
  • Current FNP licensure and certification as a FNP is required for the AGACNP plan of study.
• National certification as a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• Letter to the SDSU graduate nursing program from the dean/director of applicant's former/current program that includes applicant's current standing and/or standing upon exit.*
  • *For applicants who have begun but not completed a graduate nursing program at another university.
• Online interview
• Online written assessment
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical course.
• Additional Specialty Coverage, e.g. student coverage (CNP or CNS) or APRN coverage
• Basic life support
• Advanced cardiac life support
• Background check/FBI rolled fingerprints (admission to a program is conditional based on the results of the background check)
• Drug screen (admission to a program is conditional based on the results of the drug screen)
• Required immunizations (admission to a program is conditional based on completion of the required immunizations)
• For applicants with English as a second language, one the following tests for English proficiency must be completed within two years preceding the requested semester of admission:
  • TOEFL of 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based or 100 Internet-based score, or
  • IELTS score of 7.0 total band.

Compliance Requirements

The list of specific program compliance requirements is located at the College of Nursing.

Computer Requirements

The list of specific computer hardware and software requirements is located at the College of Nursing application and admission.

Curriculum and Specialization

Introduction

Registered Nurses with a Master's Degree in nursing with CNP, CRNA, CNS or CNM focus from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program are required to complete a minimum of 31-36 semester hours of credit. Registered Nurses with a Master’s Degree in Nursing (non-clinical focus) from a NLNAC or CCNE accredited program are required to complete a minimum of 69 semester hours of credit. The student may be required to complete additional semester hours of credit if the student chooses to pursue a specialization that is different from their current certification.

Students in the B.S.-DNP Program are required to complete between 78-84.5 semester hours of credit depending on the chosen specialization. Plans of study vary based on the specialization.

Students in the M.S. in nursing program will complete a plan of study with credits appropriate for their plans of study for their specialization.

Specializations

All M.S. program students select a specialization of

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Educator
• Clinical Nursing Leader
• Nurse Administrator

All B.S.-DNP program students select a specialization of

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Pracitioner

All Post-Graduate Certificate program students select a specialization of

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Educator
• Clinical Nurse Leader
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Adult Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Pracitioner

Program

M.S. Program

_{*Includes summer semesters}

DNP Program

_{*Includes summer semesters}

Postgraduate Certificate

_{*Includes summer semester}