UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA

MSN PROGRAM

2007-2008

“Educational Excellence in a Caring Environment”

MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NURSING AT UWG:

The mission of the Department of Nursing is to offer high quality undergraduate and graduate education that:

• Prepare registered nurses for basic and advanced practice roles in diverse health care settings in Georgia and the surrounding region.
• Integrate a strong liberal arts curriculum.
• Provide regional outreach related to undergraduate and graduate nursing education through external degree and off-campus programs.
• Provide a caring, supportive, personal environment for learning that:

Affirms the holistic nature of individuals

Reflects caring as the essence of nursing

Expects that nurses use critical thinking in decision making

Supports evidence-based practice

Utilizes disciplinary rigor to support BSN student progress toward clinical competence and MSN student progress toward

assuming leadership and education roles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MSN CURRICULUM

The Department of Nursing at the University of West Georgia offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with role options in either education or health systems leadership. The Department of Nursing also offers post masters certification in these areas.  The nursing education track is a program of study that addresses innovations in curriculum, instructional skills and strategies, the development and use of educational technology, and educational assessment and evaluation. Students will develop expertise in health education and promotion, patient education, professional development, or college/university teaching. The health systems leadership track is a program of study designed to prepare nurse managers/leaders and clinical nurse leaders (CNL's). The CNL is a new role designed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2003) to prepare a leader who is accountable for management of care and the care environment. Courses focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, pharmacology, case management client-care coordination, holistic health assessment, care of diverse populations, health policy, health systems, business and economics, statistics, leadership and management, quality improvement, risk management, and public/community health.

Courses in the curriculum build upon courses in the baccalaureate program in nursing. Students apply research concepts, theories, and skills in the development of the role components of the program.  The Master of Science in Nursing Program is designed to meet the need for nurse educators, leaders/managers, and CNL's in a variety of health care settings.  Students may complete the course of study in four semesters of full time course work, or students may pursue the degree on a part-time basis.

The MSN program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants seeking admission to the MSN program should be committed to engaging in caring nursing practices with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Nursing practice is holistic and recognizes the relationship of the mind, body, and spirit. As critical thinkers, students will be expected to examine personal value systems and the value systems of others. Students seeking admission to this program should consider their personal goals and values in light of those expressed in the philosophy of the program.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Applicant’s score on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) OR Graduate Records Examination (GRE) (verbal and quantitative).

2. Completion of a basic undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or higher prior to enrollment or during the first semester of the program.

3. Evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States and eligibility for licensure in the state of practica experience.

4. Earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program.

5. Official transcript from each college or university attended.

6. Satisfactory certificate of immunization (for a new student).

7. GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for all upper division nursing courses.

8. Professional resume.

9. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional and academic abilities.

Applications for admission are available at the UWG Graduate School at http://www.westga.edu/~gradsch/. Upon receipt of all application materials by the UWG Graduate School and determination by the Department of Nursing that all admission criteria are met, including minimum GRE scores and grade point average, the Department of Nursing will notify selected applicants regarding a personal interview. At the time of the interview, an on-site writing sample will be requested.

These criteria represent minimal standards and provide no guarantee of acceptance. Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program is competitive and granted by the Graduate Committee of the Department of Nursing and The University of West Georgia Graduate School.

STUDENTS ARE ADMITTED ONCE PER YEAR (FALL SEMESTER).  APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE DUE IN THE UWG GRADUATE SCHOOL BY JUNE 1st FOR FALL ADMISSION.