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2020-2021 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.
Master of Science - Nursing
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Plan Description
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program currently offers three tracks: the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and the Nurse Educator (NE). The roles of the FNP and PMHNP are that of direct care provider. FNPs and PMHNPs practice in clinics, long-term care facilities, hospitals, physician offices, managed care corporations, and private industries. FNPs and PMHNPs collect health histories and perform physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose and manage acute and chronic diseases, prescribe medications and treatments, refer to specialists as necessary, provide patient and family counseling and education regarding healthy lifestyle behaviors and self-care skills, and participate in research projects and integrate research findings. The FNP and PMHNP blend some aspects of medicine with nursing, using a holistic nursing perspective. Credentialing examinations, designed by specialty area, are available and required prior to practice in most states. Our FNP and PMHNP tracks offers courses with the option for full-time and part-time study.
The NE track prepares the graduate for a faculty position within a program of nursing or NE position in a clinical setting. The student will increase mastery related to teaching and learning and evaluation strategies, curriculum design, and the use of educational technologies. Via directed study and mentorship with experienced faculty, students will enhance clinical expertise in a selected specialty area. Graduate students will have the opportunity to supervise basic nursing students in clinical practice areas and/or work with NEs in clinical settings in the preparation, delivery and evaluation of educational programs for nurses. The NE track is a year-round program featuring full time and part time options for program completion.
Program Outcomes of the MSN Degree
Upon completion of the program the graduate will complete the following core outcomes:
- Integrate scientific findings from health and educational fields to include but not limited to nursing, social sciences, and humanities.
- Assimilate leadership at the organizational and systems level to advance safe high quality outcomes in clinical or educational settings.
- Apply continuous quality improvement measures to achieve positive outcomes in clinical or educational settings.
- Utilize a systematic, scholarly approach to translate, apply, and disseminate evidence based research in clinical or educational settings.
- Incorporate health related technologies to deliver, coordinate care, and analyze data to improve outcomes.
- Practice advocacy to improve education, the health of the public, and the profession of nursing.
- Employ culturally appropriate skills in communicating and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to achieve positive outcomes in clinical or educational settings.
- Synthesize social, cultural, financial, legal, ethical, and political influences to advance nursing practice, healthcare, and education.
- Model the professional role of an advanced practice nurse or nurse educator in daily practice.
Program Outcomes: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Tracks
- Competently assess, diagnose, prescribe, evaluate and create a holistic plan of treatment.
- Articulate the professional role, which includes the ethical code of conduct and scope of advanced practice.
- Develop and monitor comprehensive, holistic plans of care that address the health promotion and disease prevention needs of diverse client populations.
- Assess and monitor teaching/learning needs in a diverse client population. Practice ethically in the conduct of research, management and clinical professional practice.
Program Outcomes: Nurse Educator Track
- Utilize education research to continually improve teaching strategies/skills.
- Develop a teaching-learning style that facilitates learner development that meets the educational outcomes of the learner.
- Assess and evaluate at both the course and program level
- Function as a leader and change agent in nursing education settings.
- Participate in scholarship to further knowledge and abilities in nursing education.
View Subplan Disclaimers.
For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.
Plan Admission Requirements
Application deadlines
Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
Students are admitted to the program in the fall semester of each year based upon competitive selection. Selection is based on the applicant’s qualifications (academic and professional,) the applicant’s strengths, and the number of available openings.
Students make simultaneous application to the Graduate College and the School of Nursing.
Students may take the following courses as a non-degree seeking student. No more than nine credits of course work as a “non-degree seeking student will be accepted toward the MSN program. Taking the courses below does not guarantee admission into the MSN program.
- NURS 704 Advanced Pathophysiology and Genetics I, 3 credits
- NURS 719R Health & Public Policy for Advanced Practice of Nursing, 3 credits
- NURS 730 Advanced Pharmacology and Genetics II, 3 credits
UNLV School of Nursing will not accept more than six transfer credits from an outside institution which cannot be in addition to “non-degree seeking” credits. Students who are requesting to transfer credits from an outside institution will not receive credit for non-degree seeking courses.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 or a GPA of 3.00 in the last two years of undergraduate work. The undergraduate nursing course work must have been completed at a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Completion of undergraduate courses in nursing research, physical assessment (as currently taught in the undergraduate program of nursing at UNLV), and a course in introductory statistics. These courses must have been completed with a grade of C or better. Students are expected to possess basic computer skills, including word processing. If not, the student should seek that content prior to enrollment.
- Three letters of recommendation from former instructors or employers that speak to the applicant’s potential to complete the graduate program must be submitted to the school. The evaluators should speak to the student’s professional nursing competency, including application of theory, quality of patient care, independent judgment when appropriate; relationship with team members such as nurses, physicians, and others; leadership skills; and personal responsibility and accountability.
- A current resumé or curriculum vita.
- A statement of approximately 300 words describing the student’s professional goals and reason for seeking graduate education.
- Current, unrestricted, valid RN license in state of residence.
- Have practiced as a baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse (RN) for a minimum of 2000 hours prior to beginning coursework for the MSN program.
- Submit official transcripts for all previous college and professional schools to the Graduate College. Upload unofficial transcripts as part of the Graduate College application. If unofficial transcripts are unavailable, please request official transcripts be sent to the Graduate College.
Students seeking admission to the FNP and PMHNP tracks must submit a resume or vita that demonstrates a minimum of one-year clinical experience as a RN. It is recommended that the most recent years of practice be in the area directly related to the student’s proposed pathway of study.
Students seeking admission into the NE track are required to have completed one year of clinical practice prior to enrollment in the first nursing education practicum course (NURS 733 ).
- Accepted applicants must, prior to enrollment, show evidence of current health and malpractice insurance, proof of completion of the Hepatitis B Vaccine series, or a titer indicating presumptive immunity, proof of varicella or a titer indicating presumptive immunity, or a statement from a health care provider indicating that vaccination is contraindicated for health reasons and validation of a negative drug screen and background check. Other immunization and health data requirements are identified in the student handbook.
All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.
MSN FNP Required Courses – Credits: 27
Culminating Experience - Credits: 1
Degree Requirements
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above each semester enrolled.
- Receive a grade of B (3.00) or above in all required cognate and nursing courses. If less than a B, for example a B- (2.70), is earned, the course must be repeated. The student must be in good standing to repeat a course and any required course may be repeated only one time.
- A student may register for a course only two times. A student who has registered for the same course twice and has withdrawn or received a grade less than B is ineligible for readmission unless approved by the UNLV Graduate College.
- If a student fails two courses or has withdrawn from two courses or received a grad less than B in two courses he/she is ineligible for readmission unless approved by the Graduate College.
- Complete a minimum of six semester hours in each calendar year.
- Continuously register for a minimum of three (3) semester hours of credit each semester while working on the thesis or capstone project.
- In order to maintain clinical competency the FNP student must continuously register for at least three (3) semester hours of NURS 773 (clinical practicum) each semester while working on a culminating project if all required clinical courses are complete.
- UNLV School of Nursing will not accept more than six transfer credits from an outside institution. The MSN Coordinator and the Graduate College must approve transfer credit.
- Credit by Challenge Examination: Graduate courses with a 700 number or above may not be challenged for credit.
- Six-Year Completion Rule: All degree requirements must be completed within six calendar years from the date of matriculation. No credit may be used in an advanced degree program for course work completed more than six calendar years immediately preceding the term in which all degree requirements are completed.
- Graduation Requirements: Students have a choice of the catalog under which they wish to graduate. They may choose between: 1) the year of official matriculation, or 2) the year of graduation. Students are encouraged to meet the requirements of the current catalog.
Graduation Requirements
- The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
MSN EDU Required Courses – Credits: 14
Culminating Experience – Credits: 1
Degree Requirements
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above each semester enrolled.
- Receive a grade of B (3.00) or above in all required cognate and nursing courses. If less than a B, for example a B- (2.70), is earned, the course must be repeated. The student must be in good standing to repeat a course and any required course may be repeated only one time.
- A student may register for a course only two times. A student who has registered for the same course twice and has withdrawn or received a grade less than B is ineligible for readmission unless approved by the UNLV Graduate College.
- If a student fails two courses or has withdrawn from two courses or received a grad less than B in two courses he/she is ineligible for readmission unless approved by the Graduate College.
- Complete a minimum of six semester hours in each calendar year.
- Continuously register for a minimum of three (3) semester hours of credit each semester while working on the thesis, professional paper, or research utilization project.
- In order to maintain clinical competency the FNP student must continuously register for at least three (3) semester hours of NURS 773 (clinical practicum) each semester while working on the thesis or capstone project if all required clinical courses are complete.
- UNLV School of Nursing will not accept more than six transfer credits from an outside institution. The MSN Coordinator and the Graduate College must approve transfer credit.
- Credit by Challenge Examination: Graduate courses with a 700 number or above may not be challenged for credit.
- Six-Year Completion Rule: All degree requirements must be completed within six calendar years from the date of matriculation. No credit may be used in an advanced degree program for course work completed more than six calendar years immediately preceding the term in which all degree requirements are completed.
- Graduation Requirements: Students have a choice of the catalog under which they wish to graduate. They may choose between: 1) the year of official matriculation, or 2) the year of graduation. Students are encouraged to meet the requirements of the current catalog.
Graduation Requirements
- The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
MSN PMHNP Required Courses – Credits: 27
Culminating Experience - Credits: 1
Degree Requirements
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above each semester enrolled.
- Receive a grade of B (3.00) or above in all required cognate and nursing courses. If less than a B, for example, a B- (2. 70), is earned, the course must be repeated. The student must be in good standing to repeat a course and any required course may be repeated only one time.
- A student may register for a course only two times. A student who has registered for the same course twice and has withdrawn or received a grade less than B is ineligible for readmission unless approved by the UNLV Graduate College.
- If a student fails two courses or has withdrawn from two courses or received a grade less than B in two courses he/she is ineligible for readmission unless approved by the Graduate College.
- Complete a minimum of six semester hours in each calendar year.
- Continuously register for a minimum of three (3) semester hours of credit each semester while working on the thesis or capstone project.
- In order to maintain clinical competency the student must continuously register for at least three (3) semester hours of NURS 773 (clinical practicum) each semester while working on a culminating project if all required clinical courses are complete.
- UNLV School of Nursing will not accept more than six transfer credits from an outside institution. The MSN Coordinator and the Graduate College must approve transfer credit.
- Credit by Challenge Examination: Graduate courses with a 700 number or above may not be challenged for credit.
- Six-Year Completion Rule: All degree requirements must be completed within six calendar years from the date of matriculation. No credit may be used in an advanced degree program for course work completed more than six calendar years immediately preceding the term in which all degree requirements are completed.
- Graduation Requirements: Students have a choice of the catalog under which they wish to graduate. They may choose between: 1) the year of official matriculation, or 2) the year of graduation. Students are encouraged to meet the requirements of the current catalog.
Graduation Requirements
- The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
Plan Disclaimers
- Subplan 1: Family Nurse Practitioner Track: In Nevada, the educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification for the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN Family Nurse Practitioner) are an active Nevada RN License, National Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and graduation from a nationally accredited Nursing Program with a minimum of 500+ hours of direct patient care. The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track does satisfy those licensure and certification requirements. However, UNLV School of Nursing has not made a determination with respect to the licensure requirements in any other state. As such, MSN Family Nurse Practitioner is not authorized in any other state in which the prospective or enrolled student resides. If you reside in a state other than Nevada, UNLV will refund the application fee in accordance with its procedures. License requirements for other states are being explored. Please check our website for current information about Fall 2019 application.
- Subplan 2: Nursing Education Track: This program does not result in licensure and certification.
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Subplan 3: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track: In Nevada, the educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification for the Master of Science - Nursing Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN PMH Nurse Practitioner) are an active Nevada RN License, National Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and graduation from a nationally accredited Nursing Program with a minimum of 500+ hours of direct patient care. The MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track does satisfy those licensure and certification requirements. However, UNLV School of Nursing has not made a determination with respect to the licensure requirements in any other state. As such, MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is not authorized in any other state in which the prospective or enrolled student resides. If you reside in a state other than Nevada, UNLV will refund the application fee in accordance with its procedures. License requirements for other states are being explored. Please check our website for current information about Fall 2019 application.
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