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
- Leadership in Nursing Systems, Minor
- Nurse Educator, Minor
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:
Heather DeGrande, PhD, CCRN-K | MSN Program Coordinator, Leadership in Nursing Systems and Nurse Educator
Phone: (361) 825-3696
CONHS – TAMU-CC - IH 333
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 College of Graduate Studies and to the MSN Program for degree student status. Applications should be made through College of Graduate Studies using the application in Apply Texas.
- Admission to the University does not constitute admission to the nursing program.
- Provide evidence of a current valid unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse 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. Guidelines for this essay are available at https://gradschool.TAMU-CC.edu/forms/CONHSGraduateForm.php.
- Submit three 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. 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 College of Graduate Studies 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 from the Dean for the College Graduate Studies 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
Registered nurses 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 | |
Course work completed by students in the RN-MSN program may transfer to the undergraduate RN-BSN track when students decide they are unable to maintain the accelerated pace of the RN-MSN track. Students may not reenter the RN-MSN track once they have withdrawn from this option.
Courses
An overview of project management techniques and tools as they apply to health care operations, projects and programs. The basics of a sound action plan will be introduced and will include identifying tasks, relevant relationships, and resources. This course will be taken in conjunction with NURS 5469 Patterns of Care Delivery Course.
Students will explore internal and external issues influencing organizational decisions and policies affecting human capital. Critical human capital functions will be addressed to provide a solid understanding of the many issues confronting the nurse leader.
Exploration of the historical development and rationale of nursing theory. Examination of selected theories and conceptual frameworks, and their relationship to nursing practice and research. Emphasis is on the utilization of theories and models in nursing as a basis for a practice that provides a caring, comprehensive, and holistic approach to health care within a transcultural society. This course is delivered through online technology.
Critical examination of research methods in order to advance and integrate evidence into nursing practice and improve patient population outcomes. Particular attention is given to research appraisal and application, and the ethical aspects of research translation. This course is delivered through online technology.
Health policy and cultural diversity are studied to provide foundations for meeting the needs of communities and societies. Current and proposed policies that influence contemporary health delivery are analyzed. This course is delivered through online technology.
The course focuses on the development of knowledge and skills necessary for advanced practice. This includes, but is not limited to, negotiation, collaboration, crisis intervention, peer review, leadership, ethics, accountability and basic finances in advanced practice. Parameters of practice within various health care systems are integrated. This course is delivered through online technology.
Study of pharmacotherapeutics across the life span with emphasis on clinical decision-making. Laws governing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses' prescriptive privileges are included when appropriate. Discussion is based on current literature, research findings and case studies. This course is delivered through online technology.
Study of fiscal aspects of private practice, when to seek the services of a lawyer, analysis of and monitoring the cost-effectiveness of clinical decisions, the design of payment systems, fiscal management, and developing collaborative and interdependent relationships. This course is delivered through online technology.
Study and practice of complex skills for comprehensive health assessment and focus on the differentiation and interpretation of normal and abnormal findings. Selected laboratory techniques are included. Oral and written communication of findings in a collaborative relationship with other health care providers is emphasized. Variables related to rural and multicultural populations are incorporated into the total assessment. Opportunities are provided to develop skills necessary for the identification of health problems, while considering variables associated with multicultural populations across the lifespan. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty.
Study of normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease across the lifespan that serve as the foundation for clinical assessment, decision making and client health management in advanced practice nursing. This course is developed through online technology.
An introduction to nursing informatics. Focuses on the concepts and terminology related to nursing informatics in the broader perspective of health informatics including their use in nursing administration, nursing education, nursing practice, and nursing research. This course is designed for graduate students.
A study of the complex integration of knowledge, research, and theory essential to developing clinical competence in the teaching-coaching function of the Advanced Practice Nurses. Selected models of health promotion, risk factors and early disease detection are explored. The course emphasizes the importance of situational, cultural, developmental, and individual perspectives in implementing disease prevention/health promotion activities. This course is delivered through online technology.
Study of advanced pharmacotherapeutics across the life span for the nurse educator. Discussions are based upon current literature, research findings, and case studies. This course is delivered through online technology.
This course explores theories and models that are applicable to nursing curriculum development. Guidelines for curriculum development, implementation and evaluation are examined. The significance of program outcomes are assessed for application to manage and refine nursing curriculum.This course is delivered through online technology.
Focuses on the scientific and theoretical foundations of nursing education; stimulates reflections on the character and aims of the nurse educator; examines the distinctive characteristics and roles of the educator in the diffusion and extension of knowledge through teaching and the advancement of knowledge through research and scholarship. Theories related to teaching and learning are explored. The concepts of role, change, curriculum, instruction and evaluation are introduced. This course is delivered through online technology.
Provides students with an overview of assessment, measurement, and evaluation strategies in the classroom and clinical areas. Students develop evaluation skills emphasizing unit, course and program outcomes. The process of evaluation within the teaching role is framed as a continuous quality improvement educational practice.
Focuses on teaching and learning for nurse educators in the classroom, clinical, and laboratory settings. Emphasis is placed on instructional theory, best teaching practices, and research-based instructional strategies that support a diverse, student-centered learning environment. Instructional strategies will be applied in relation to the fit with teaching content and course design/delivery. Instructional strategies will be assessed for their effectiveness to evaluate student learning and program outcomes. This course is delivered through technology.
Overview of concepts, principles and uses of basic accounting and budgeting information for the health care manager. Focuses on providing the nurse administrator with a basis for understanding the fiscal status of a health care organization; Includes 45 hours of laboratory time to strengthen financial skills including ROI, budget development, FTEs and financial statement analysis. This course is cross-listed with HCAD 5325. This course is delivered through online technology.
Examines the relationship of leadership and management theory and processes to nursing practice in both urban and rural health care settings. The independent and interdependent functions of the nurse leader at various levels of decision making are identified and analyzed. Concepts basic to organizational functioning and role relationships within a transcultural framework are considered. A clinical laboratory experience provides students opportunities to analyze the effectiveness of leadership behaviors. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty.
Focuses on the application and utilization of the theories, concepts and principles of organizational design and behavior in nursing leadership. Includes major theoretical viewpoints from organizational dynamics and processes, and their employment in nursing leadership environments. This course is delivered through online technology.
Examines conceptual models of quality and their application to the management and evaluation of quality of care across health care settings. The role of outcomes measurement as a major indicator of quality of care is emphasized. This course is delivered through online technology.
In?depth study of various leadership and clinical nursing practice areas. May be repeated when topics vary. Offered on sufficient demand.
In?depth study and discussion of various topics relevant to nursing. May be repeated when topics vary. Offered on sufficient demand.
Area of study interest.
Proposal development, project implementation or independent research under the direction of major professor. Students who have completed all requirements toward the Master of Science in Nursing degree except the thesis must enroll in this course each semester of the regular academic year under the direction of major professor. May be repeated a maximum of four times.
Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Credit will not be recorded until thesis is accepted by the thesis committee.
Apply the roles of the nurse educator by using the nurse educator competencies as a framework for the practicum experience. Students will select an area of teaching either as an academic educator or as a clinical educator and work with a preceptor. This course requires the synthesis of theoretical knowledge from foundational courses to the design, implementation, and evaluation of a capstone project. Students will evaluate the responsibilities of the educator role in relation to meeting the goals of the practicum institution. This course requires 135 hours in a practicum setting. Students must achieve a B or above to earn credit for this course. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty. Capstone Course
Appraisal of various patterns of care delivery that develop in response to the evolving and increasingly complex resources in the health care delivery system. Students will complete a project evaluating the management and delivery of the continuum of care in one or more health care organizations. Students must earn a B or better grade to earn credit for this course. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must complete in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty. Capstone Course.
Study and practice of complex skills for comprehensive health assessment with focus on differentiation and interpretation of normal and abnormal findings across the lifespan. Focus extends to developing a comprehensive database to establish a list of differential diagnoses. Includes radiology, EKGs and common office tests performed in primary practice. Oral and written communication of findings in a collaborative relationship with other healthcare providers is emphasized. Variables related to rural and multicultural populations are incorporated into the total assessment. Students increase knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and communication skills. The clinical component of the course provides opportunity to interpret as well as practice complex assessment techniques. Students perform basic office tests and interpret other laboratory and diagnostic data as part of the assessment process. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty.
Study of clinical management of commonly occurring acute and chronic conditions in primary health care settings across the lifespan. Content includes study of symptom complexes, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical management, and prevention of complications. Emphasis is on symptom analysis, diagnostic reasoning, differential diagnosis, and prescription of therapeutic regimens. Attention is given to research-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and integration of nursing, developmental, family and transcultural theories to the diagnostic and management process. The clinical practice provides the opportunity for the student to perform comprehensive and episodic assessments, practice advanced skills in health assessment, diagnose commonly occurring illnesses, and suggest treatments under supervision in urban/rural communities. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty.
Continued study of the clinical management of commonly occurring acute and chronic conditions in primary health care settings across the life span. Emphasis is on symptom analysis, diagnostic reasoning, differential diagnosis, and prescription of therapeutic regimens. The clinical practice provides the opportunity for the students to perform comprehensive and episodic assessments, practice advanced skills in health assessment, diagnose commonly occurring illness, and suggest treatments under supervision. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty.
Prerequisite: NURS 5644.
Continued study of assessment and clinical management of selected health problems frequently seen in primary health care. The clinical portion provides for the development of clinical competence as the student integrates previously acquired knowledge into the enactment of the multiple roles for the nurse practitioner, and allows for a greater degree of interdependent practice based on the student's abilities and progress. Student may work with a preceptor in multicultural and rural communities. Students must earn a B or better grade to earn credit for this course. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty. Capstone Course.
Prerequisite: NURS 5645.