Master of Science in Nursing, MSN
Program Description
The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Master of Science in Nursing degree enhances and expands the clinical competence of baccalaureate nurses. The focus of the degree is to prepare nurses for advanced nursing practice in nursing leadership, family nurse practitioners, or nurse educators. Emphasis is placed on facilitating health care delivery within a multicultural framework. The curriculum includes four core courses and specific courses related to role specialization within the three programs. Three minor areas of study are also available for students seeking to refine their skills as leaders/managers, practitioners, or educators. The variety of learning opportunities and the flexibility of options provided by the curriculum will accommodate the diverse clinical and functional interests of students who enroll in the program. Each program provides a specialty area of study that includes courses with clinical laboratory components that whenever possible, can be completed in the communities where students reside. In some cases, students may have to travel to clinical agencies to access experiences essential to course objectives.
The master's degree program in nursing and post-graduate certificate program at (institution) is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
College of Nursing Goals
The goals of the College of Nursing assist the College in implementing the University and College missions.
- To develop within the student the knowledge and skills necessary for beginning professional and advanced nursing practice, cultivating basic and specialized abilities needed to successfully pursue a career, and
- To promote the concept of nursing as caring and facilitate attainment of a care delivery system sensitive to multicultural communities and their health values, and
- To offer individuals the opportunity to increase the breadth and depth of the theoretical base for nursing practice, enhance and expand competence, prepare for role specialization, and contribute to the discovery of new nursing knowledge, and
- To provide an educational environment of respect within which students may evolve as broadly educated, technology competent, responsible, and accountable professionals dedicated to the principles of lifelong learning, and
- To build a foundation for life-long learning & systematic practice, and
- To serve the community as nursing experts, leaders and consultants in professional organizations, health promoters, providers of health care policy information and advocates of ethical distribution and usage of resources.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Critically analyze, interpret, and integrate appropriate knowledge, research, and theories to meet the health care needs of diverse populations;
- Apply competent leadership and collaborative skills as members of a multi-professional health care workforce to promote high quality and safe patient care
- Design evidence-based plans to sustain quality initiatives that promote a transparent professional environment and contribute to the delivery of safe high-quality care;
- Integrate research into professional practice through the implementation of translational processes;
- Demonstrate competence and accountability as clinicians, educators, and leaders in advanced healthcare roles;
- Model caring, sensitivity and respect in the delivery of health care to culturally diverse populations;
- Operationalize principles of ethical, legal, financial, and economic theories as applied to health care delivery systems;
- Guide the adoption and use of information, communication technologies and resources to document patient care and improve patient outcomes.
- Evaluate the effect of legal and regulatory processes on nursing practice, healthcare delivery, and outcomes using critical analysis of policies that influence health services.
Graduate Program Options
Master’s degree Programs
- Nursing, BSN-MSN, RN to MSN, & RN to MSN Bridge in one of the following role specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN
- Leadership in Nursing Systems, MSN
- Nurse Educator, MSN
Post Masters Certificate Areas of Study
- Health Care Administration, Post-Masters Certificate
- Family Nurse Practitioner, Post-Masters Certificate
- Leadership in Nursing Systems, Post-Masters Certificate
- Nurse Educator, Post-Masters Certificate
Minor Area of Study
- Thesis Option
Non-Degree
Non-degree status is designated for the student who wants to enroll in graduate course work to meet unique personal or career goals that do not lead to a graduate degree or certification. Colleges may place restrictions on the enrollment of students admitted in this status. Students must see a nursing advisor and the graduate nursing department chair to discuss their educational career goals.
For Additional Information
Website:
http://conhs.tamucc.edu
Phone:
(361) 825-5893 - CONHS Graduate Academic Advisor
Campus Address:
Island Hall Third Floor
Mailing Address:
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5805
Contact FNP:
Dr. Elizabeth Loika, DNP, FNP-C, PNP-C | FNP Program Coordinator
Lt.Col., USAF, Ret.
Phone: (361) 825-4241
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5805 Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5805
Contact Leadership and Education:
Cathy L. Miller, Ph.D., RN | Director of Graduate Programs
Phone: (361) 825-2162
CONHS – TAMU-CC - IH 331
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5805 Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5805
Admission Requirements
Registered nurses have three entry options to the Master of Science in Nursing program. These options include the BSN (also referred to as traditional), RN-Bridge, and RN-MSN options. Individuals who have earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree but would like to acquire a new specialty area of practice may apply to the College post-master’s certification programs.
For admission to any the graduate programs, applicants must:
- Complete an application to the University for admission to the MSN Program for degree student status using the application in Apply Texas.
- Admission to the University does not constitute admission to the nursing program.
- Submit a copy of a valid, unencumbered Texas nursing license or Compact RN License with authorization to practice in Texas.
- Have earned a satisfactory grade point average (4.0 scale): 3.00 GPA on the last 60 semester hours. Students with a GPA less than 3.00 may be considered for conditional admission with a waiver request.
- Write an original essay describing professional goals associated with graduate nursing education specific to the chosen role specialization. (Only for Nurse educators and leadership in the nursing system MSN programs). Guidelines for this essay are available at https://gradschool.TAMU-CC.edu/forms/CONHSGraduateForm.php.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who can address their potential for graduate study. At least one of these references should be from an individual who can address an applicant’s level of professional competence.
- Provide a current resume that delineates an applicant’s professional contributions and work experiences and contains sufficient information to represent the applicant’s accomplishments in nursing. The resume should include information about an applicant’s professional activities outside the workplace. (Only for nurse practitioner MSN program). Guidelines are available at https://gradschool.TAMU-CC.edu/forms/CONHS_Graduate_Form.php.
- Additional information will be required from applicants before full admission can be granted. Applicants must demonstrate compliance with Texas Administrative Code immunization for health professional student regulations, Texas Board of Nursing disclosure of criminal history or disciplinary action, and affiliated clinical agency requirements for access to clinical experiences. Details are outlined under the Program Requirements section below.
The CONHS Admission Progression and Academic Standards (APAS) Committee will consider the information provided in the application and supporting documents for admission decisions. After due consideration the APAS Committee may permit a student who wishes to pursue the Master of Science in Nursing degree but does not meet the requirements for admission to the Graduate Nursing Program, to enroll on a conditional status. Contact the Graduate Nursing Academic Advisor for instructions on requesting waivers to the admission requirements including pending licensure and GPA. Progression through the program will require a student meet the conditions associated with admission within the timeframe designated if a waiver is granted.
Students who request to transfer into the TAMU-CC MSN program from another program must submit evidence that they left their former institution in good standing before an admission decision will be made.
Program Requirements
The following program requirements apply to all nursing graduate students upon admission and throughout program of study. Students must:
- Hold current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse with authorization to practice in Texas
- Upon admission to the College, complete a criminal background check.
- Complete a ten panel non-chain of custody urine drug screen.
- Purchase professional liability coverage through the University. Fees for this coverage are included in the fees paid at the time of registration at the beginning of each academic year.
- Meet Texas Department of State Health Services immunization requirements for students in health professions programs. Students must complete and present evidence that immunizations are complete and current prior to starting classes. Immunizations must remain current throughout the program. Students will not be allowed into courses or clinical laboratory agencies if evidence of compliance is missing. These requirements, as stated in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 97, Subchapter B, Rule 97.64 (https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac%24ext.TacPage/?)
- Complete a tuberculosis screening annually.
- Hold a current American Heart Association or Red Cross Healthcare Provider CPR certification.
- See the BON website, http://www.bon.texas.gov, for the statuses and rules regulating licensure.
- Please note that some agencies where you may choose to complete clinical experiences may have stricter requirements than the state minimum standards. Students will have to meet agency requirements to gain access for clinical.
- Health insurance coverage is highly recommended as neither the university nor clinical agencies are held responsible for emergency/ health care arising from a laboratory assignment. See University Student Handbook.
Graduation Requirements
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 12 |
| Nursing Specialty Courses | 25-37 |
| Total Credit Hours | 37-49 |
The TAMU-CC Recency of Credit rule requires that all credit earned for a graduate degree must be completed within seven years of the first semester in which a student is enrolled in a graduate program. This requirement means that students are expected to complete their MSN program in seven years. In rare situations, an exception to this seven-year policy may be granted by the Provost when a student is unable to complete courses in this time. The student must complete a request with an explanation as to why the exception should be made as soon as the student determines that courses will not be completed within this time frame. The request should be submitted to the Graduate Nursing Department Academic Advisor.
Program Options
MSN Degree Eligibility
Applicants who want to earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree may enter the graduate program through one of three entry options. These options include the BSN (also referred to as traditional), RN-Bridge, and RN-MSN options.
Applicants who have earned a BSN from an accredited program can start graduate course work upon admission to the MSN program.
Applicants who are registered nurses with baccalaureate degrees in disciplines other than nursing can enter the MSN program through RN- Bridge option. Students must complete undergraduate level courses before they can begin graduate courses that lead to the MSN. Students who enter the MSN program through this option will not earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing at any stage of their course work. Prior to beginning master’s level course work, the RN-MSN student must complete the following prescribed course work:
Prior to beginning master’s level course work, the RN-MSN student must complete the following prescribed course work:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RN-Bridge Courses | ||
| NURS 3435 | Health Assessment | 4 |
| NURS 4318 | Nurse as Research Consumer | 3 |
| NURS 4560 | Nursing Care of Community - RN/BSN | 5 |
| NURS 4471 | Leadership/management - RN/BSN | 4 |
| Total Hours | 16 | |
Applicants who are registered nurses with associate degrees in nursing can enter the MSN program through the RN to MSN program. Articulation agreements exist between A&M- Corpus Christi and associate degree nursing programs to support student access to this MSN entry option. Registered nurses who have earned a diploma or associate degree in nursing from an accredited program and who meet all other requirements for admission into the MSN degree program are eligible to apply for the RN-MSN entrance option. Students who enter the MSN program through this option will not earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing at any stage of their course work.
The RN-MSN student must complete 58 credit hours of designated general education and support courses in accordance with the A&M- Corpus Christi University Core Curriculum transfer policy requirements and the Bachelor of Science degree requirements for prescribed support courses, as specified in the Undergraduate Catalog. Equivalency tables are available showing which general education and nursing courses will be accepted for transfer to meet these required hours.
Prior to beginning master’s level course work, the RN-MSN student must complete the following prescribed course work:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RN-MSN Courses | ||
| NURS 3435 | Health Assessment | 4 |
| NURS 4324 | Nurse as Caregiver - RN/BSN | 3 |
| NURS 4560 | Nursing Care of Community - RN/BSN | 5 |
| NURS 4471 | Leadership/management - RN/BSN | 4 |
| NURS 4318 | Nurse as Research Consumer | 3 |
| Total Hours | 19 | |