Nursing, MSN

Melissa R. Penkalski, Graduate Program Director
Kampeter Health Sciences Hall, Room 301, Phone, 417-836-8374
MelissaPenkalski@MissouriState.edu

Note: Applications for the Population Health Leadership Option are not being accepted at this time.

Program Description

The School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with an option in either nurse educator, population health leadership, or family nurse practitioner. The Master’s-prepared nurse assumes pivotal roles to improve the healthcare quality of vulnerable populations and reduce healthcare disparities.

The Nurse Educator (NE) option prepares nurses at an advanced level to teach in a variety of academic and healthcare settings to diverse learners. The nursing education curriculum is delivered via online asynchronous format.

The Population Health Leadership (PHL) option prepares nurses at an advanced level to design, plan, implement, and evaluate patient-centered healthcare programs to meet population health needs. The population health leadership curriculum is delivered via online asynchronous format.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) option prepares nurses at an advanced level to assess, diagnose, treat, educate, and manage patients throughout the lifespan as a health care provider. The FNP curriculum is delivered in a hybrid format, seated classes are on campus, a minimum of one day per week.

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Nursing program at Missouri State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE).

Application Process

1. Submit an application to Nursing CAS with all required documentation, including transcripts, and references.
2. Submit the School of Nursing application fee via the link provided in Nursing CAS application or pay application fee online through the Missouri State CashNET service . The application fee does not guarantee acceptance into the desired program of your choosing.
3. Submit evidence of graduation from a Bachelor of Science (BSN) program that is nationally accredited by a recognized accrediting organization. Graduates from international nursing program or non-accredited programs will be considered on an individual basis.
4. Submit proof of licensure as a registered nurse (RN) without disqualification and eligible for licensure in the State in which clinical practicums will be completed.
5. Submit transcripts of all completed academic coursework. MSN applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.00 scale) for the last 60 hours of course work attempted. Students who have less than a 3.25 GPA must submit verbal, quantitative, and analytical scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) (minimum Verbal: 150, Quantitative: 145, Analytical Writing: 3.5).
6. Submit proof of completion of all prerequisite courses: undergraduate human pathophysiology, nursing research, and health assessment courses with a grade of “C” or higher. In addition, healthcare informatics and graduate level inferential statistics with a grade of “B-” or higher before the program begins. Admission will be contingent on the student completing prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in MSN courses.
7. Submit evidence of a completed clinical practice experience that equates with one year minimum (two or more preferred) of full-time experience for MSN-FNP program. Exceptions considered on individual basis.
8. Meet the School of Nursing technical standards of the MSN program to successfully undertake the course of study (available by request from the program).
9. Be prepared to meet the technical and technology proficiency requirements for online courses (available by request from the program).

Post-Admission Process

1. Payment of a clinical tracking fee. See the School of Nursing website for a full list of program costs. 
2. Apply and pay for the state/federal Background Check and receive a response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to Section 660.317 RSMO or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as a registered nurse or completion of clinical experiences.
3. Pay for and complete a urine drug screen without disqualifying results.
4. Submit proof of current professional liability insurance (limit $1,000,000/aggregate $6,000,000). For FNP students, the current professional liability insurance must be specifically for NP Student Liability.
5. Submit evidence of current health insurance.
6. Submit evidence of current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS). Online didactic courses and written tests are available for a fee for those students who need to recertify. No online skills testing will be accepted.
7. Submit evidence of current immunizations or immune status (MMR, Tetanus, Varicella, Hepatitis B series) and a PPD or -Spot (or documentation of appropriate follow up for PPD positive results).
8. Initiate and pay for any additional security checks and drug screenings required for placement into agencies for clinical experiences. Some agencies require annual screening and affidavits.

Retention Requirements

1. Maintain a GPA of 3.00, with no more than one course with a grade of “C”, and no course with a grade of “D” or lower.
2. Students must complete all coursework within five academic years after admission into the MSN program.
3. Students must demonstrate acceptable levels of maturity, integrity and professionalism, as well as behaviors and attitudes normally expected of professional nurses in advanced nursing roles.
4. Demonstrate acceptable professional progression in application of skills and knowledge in the MSN program.
5. Maintain current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life (BLS) certification, RN licensure, health and professional liability insurance, and all immunizations required by clinical agencies throughout the program.
6. Notify the School of Nursing within five (5) days in the event of any legal infractions or any actions taken against their nursing license, or any investigation of such incidences.

While the student’s grades are important, retention in the MSN program considers the composite profile of the student’s ability to perform at a satisfactory level in the academic and clinical component of the educationa lprogram.

The School of Nursing reserves the right to refuse enrollment or program continuation to any student. This refusal will be determined by the judgment of the Graduate Program Director, the Graduate Admission, Progression and Graduation (APG) Committee, and the Director of the School of Nursing, and based on the student’s ability to successfully complete academic or clinical assignments or function effectively in the roles required in the MSN program. This includes the demonstration of characteristics associated with a professional nurse, including behaviors involving professionalism, ethics and integrity.

Technological Requirements

The Missouri State University MSN Program uses a combination of online and on-campus modalities. Didactic online content may be delivered using asynchronous and synchronous formats. Applicants to the MSN program must be proficient using online learning management systems, word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentation graphics software. Students are expected to be able to manage files, navigate the internet, access resources, locate scholarly references from the library, and use a headset/microphone, computer camera, scanner and fax machine. Students who have deficiencies in these areas must seek training before the start of the program.

The School of Nursing uses a Blackboard management system for all courses. Additionally, web conferencing software may be used for synchronous course offerings and other experiences. Specific information on web conferencing software used in class will be provided in the course syllabus. Access to a personal computer/laptop with broadband/high speed internet connections, a web camera, and a headset with microphone are required.

Clinical Experience Requirements

Clinical FNP experiences for MSN-FNP students are individually arranged with preceptors, who have the appropriate educational and experiential qualifications. Students can complete their clinical experiences in their local community if sites and preceptors are approved by the School of Nursing. However, students should plan to travel outside of the local community for clinical experiences. All clinical sites and preceptors must be approved in advance by the FNP Program Coordinator and a contract must be established with the clinical site before any clinical experiences occur.

On-Campus Requirements

MSN-FNP students are required to be on campus for seated classes a minimum of one day a week, with potential for additional days depending on requirements of the course.

MSN-NE and MSN-PHL students are required to be on campus one to two times during the program. The date and times for these on-campus visits will be published annually, prior to the start of the academic year.