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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (M.S.N.)

The mission of the nursing program is to prepare professional nurses to function as effective members of interdisciplinary teams to meet the healthcare needs of Georgia’s multicultural families. The master’s program in nursing builds on a liberal arts core and a generalist foundation in nursing and prepares a specialist as clinician, educator, administrator, or informatician.

GCSU offers the Master of Science in Nursing degree. Students may choose one of five focuses: nursing administration/service role, nursing administration/healthcare informatics role, adult health/clinical nurse specialist role, adult health/nurse educator role, and family nurse practitioner.

The MSN/MBA dual degree is available for students seeking advanced education in both nursing administration and business administration. Students must meet the graduate admission requirements of both the College of Health Sciences and J. Whitney Bunting College of Business. The student works with coordinators of graduate study in both colleges to develop a collaborative program of study.

The RN to MSN option is available for those registered nurses with associate or diploma education in nursing, who wish to earn a graduate nursing degree. Students who are interested in the RN to MSN program should consult the Undergraduate Catalog for admission information and descriptions of the undergraduate courses in this option. RN to MSN students must meet the requirements for graduate admission shown below and will complete a program of study in the desired major and concentration once the baccalaureate portion has been completed.

The Post-MSN certificate option is available for those who hold an MSN and are seeking specialization as a family nurse practitioner or nurse educator. A healthcare informatics certificate option is available to individuals holding a master's degree in nursing or other health-related field. Admission requirements include completing an application for enrichment and sending all undergraduate and graduate transcripts (no testing is required). An individualized program of study will be developed on the basis of previous coursework completed. For information concerning these options, contact the Program Coordinator at 478-445-3919.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MSN DEGREE

Admission is limited to the most qualified applicants.

Applicants shall:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited program.
2. Provide evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse and eligibility for licensure in Georgia. If the student expects to complete any clinical learning in the state, a Georgia RN license is required. At least one year of clinical practice is required for consideration, additional clinical experience is preferred.
3. Have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 undergraduate hours required in the nursing major.
4. Have successfully completed an undergraduate level statistics course and, for students in the family nurse practitioner major and adult health major, have successfully completed a physical assessment course.
5. Participate in an interview if requested.

REGULAR ADMISSION

Depending on the admission test one selects, the following formula is used to determine eligibility for regular admission to the MSN program:

GRE score (verbal + quantitative) + [GPA (upper division nursing-required coursework) X 100] = 1200 or more

MAT score (minimum 385) + [GPA (upper division nursing-required hours) X 100] = 700 or more

GMAT score (minimum 450) + [GPA (undergraduate GPA) X 200] = 1000 or more

Or

GMAT score (minimum 450) + [GPA (upper division nursing-required hours) X 200] = 1050 or more

*GMAT required for MSN/MBA dual degree and accepted for MSN in nursing administration only.

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

Students will be eligible for provisional admission in the following circumstances:

GRE score (verbal + quantitative) + [GPA (upper division nursing-required coursework) X 100] = 1100 to 1199

MAT score (minimum 385) + [GPA (upper division nursing-required hours) X 100] = 660 to 699

GMAT score (minimum 450) + [GPA (undergraduate GPA) X 200] = 950 to 999

Or

GMAT score (minimum 450) + [GPA (upper division nursing-required hours) X 200] = 1000-1049

*GMAT required for MSN/MBA dual degree and accepted for MSN in nursing administration only.

Students admitted under provisional status must complete 9 semester hours of graduate coursework at Georgia College & State University, earning no less than a 3.0 GPA for regular admission to the MSN program. The 9 semester hours of coursework must be earned in courses approved by the Director of the School of Nursing. Students may not enroll in courses with clinical hours while in this admission category.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSION

Students who apply late for full consideration for admission and/or have not submitted all required documents for evaluation may enroll with conditional admission status for one semester only with permission of the Director of the School of Nursing. Students who select this option and are unable to submit the admission documents by the designated date will be administratively withdrawn from the University. After one semester of conditional status, students must have achieved either provisional or regular admission or they will not be allowed to continue at the University.

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL POLICY

In order to stay in good academic standing with the University and the MSN degree program, students must demonstrate high academic performance. Policies regarding academic performance are found in the Graduate Catalog.

In addition to these policies, the MSN degree program has the following requirements: Prior to participation in any clinical learning rotation, students must submit evidence of health history and physical exam, TB screening, professional liability insurance (for FNP students, nurse practitioner student liability insurance must be purchased), RN license, current CPR certification, and any additional requirements specified by healthcare agencies. These documents must be updated annually. Criminal background checks and urine drug screens may be required by some clinical agencies. The GCSU vendor for background checks is Pre-check.

Progression Policies for MSN Students

1. Students must maintain a "B" average (3.0) in the graduate nursing program. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 at the end of a semester will receive a warning from the University. The student and MSN program coordinator will meet to determine whether a return to a 3.0 gpa is feasible based on the remaining coursework. If a 3.0 gpa is not feasible, the student will be withdrawn from the program.
2. Students may repeat one nursing course in the MSN program but may repeat it only once and may not repeat another nursing course. If students fail two nursing courses or the same course twice, they will be denied continued enrollment in the MSN program. A failure is defined as a grade of unsatisfactory (U) in the clinical portion of a course or a grade of "C" or lower in the didactic portion of a clinical course.
3. Students who earn a rating of "clinically unsatisfactory" in a clinical course will have a grade of "F" assigned for that course, regardless of the class average for the semester. Students who earn a clinical unsatisfactory rating due to the question of competence may not progress in the MSN program.
4. Students who fail a clinical course (less than a B) based on work other than clinical competency and have no previous failure may request to retake the course the next time it is offered based on space availability. The student will be required to submit to the appropriate School of Nursing committee a narrative reflection related to the problem(s) that contributed to their clinical failure and their strategic plans for minimizing those problems at later re-enrollment in the course. Students who re-enter the MSN program after a failure will do so under the current catalog and current SON requirements.
5. Any student who has been out of the course sequence for more than one year must enroll in a 1-hour independent study with a purpose of competency assessment for the knowledge base/skills encountered thus far in the program. Arrangements for that competency assessment should be made the semester before enrollment in the 1-hour independent study is anticipated.
6. Students who have enrolled in specialty courses for one MSN track and decide to request a "change of major" within the MSN program may petition the appropriate School of Nursing Committee to make that change. The petition shall include a narrative reflection for this request for change. The decision to allow the change shall be made by the appropriate School of Nursing Committee and based on space availability.
7. All candidates for readmission to the MSN program will have their admission status determined by the appropriate School of Nursing committee.

OTHER NURSING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Have computer access, preferably at home. All MSN majors are expected to be able to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access) when submitting assignments. Graduate students should have proficiency with Microsoft Office, Internet, and e-mail. In addition, graduate students are expected to have updated and enabled virus protection software on their computers. Students may be required to purchase additional software as listed in individual course syllabi.
2. Complete and return all forms specified in the Nursing Graduate Student Handbook found at http://info.gcsu.edu/intranet/health_sciences/gradforms.htm to the Director of the School of Nursing.
3. Complete all required courses for the MSN degree within a period of 7 years from the date the student begins graduate courses at Georgia College & State University. Any course work completed more than 7 years prior to completion of requirements for the MSN degree will be considered outdated and will not be applied toward the MSN degree program. This includes courses that may be transferred in from other institutions.

CLINICAL COURSES

Prior to participation in any clinical learning rotation, students must submit evidence of health status, immunizations, TB screening, professional liability insurance, RN license, current CPR certification, criminal background checks, urine drug screens and other laboratory tests as specified by clinical agencies, ability to meet technical standards or ask for accommodations, and complete required documents as described in the Nursing Graduate Student Handbook, which is found at http://info.gcsu.edu/intranet/health_sciences/gradforms.htm. All documents must be updated annually. Students are required to earn a grade of B or higher in clinical courses in order to progress to the next semester.

TRANSFER CREDITS

Only 9 semester hours of graduate course work in nursing may be accepted from other institutions. All requests for transfer credit must be approved by the Director of the School of Nursing.

SYNTHESIS REQUIREMENT

All students who expect to complete requirements for the MSN degree or MSN/MBA degree must demonstrate synthesis of knowledge/skill for their respective areas of specialization prior to graduation. Synthesis may be demonstrated by successful completion of either a master's thesis or a master's research project. Students will select the thesis or master's project option by the end of the semester in which they complete nine (9) credit hours. Details are available in the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

In addition, students enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner tract will take and pass a written comprehensive practice exam in their last semester of coursework. Details are available in the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

FACILITIES

The large number of health care agencies in the region makes it possible for the College of Health Sciences to offer a variety of clinical learning opportunities; however, students can anticipate driving up to 100 miles for clinical learning on occasion. Students considering application to the MSN program should be aware that criminal background checks, drug screens, and other laboratory tests can be required by clinical sites.

CAREER INFORMATION

Students completing the MSN degree have opportunities encompassing management, administration, teaching, and advanced clinical positions throughout Georgia and the nation. Career information is available from faculty in the College of Health Sciences.

NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

The professional nursing programs at Georgia College & State University are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326. For more information, please contact Dr. Sharon Tanner at 404-975-5000.

STEPS IN COMPLETING THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM

1. Submit a complete application for graduate study, test scores, and official transcripts from every college or university attended to the Graduate Admissions Office.
2. Complete all admission documents and return them to the School of Nursing.
3. Consult faculty academic advisor for development of a Program of Study.
4. Complete course requirements, maintaining 3.0 GPA.
5. While enrolled in clinical courses, assure that current clinical documents have been submitted for the student file in the Office of the Director of the School of Nursing.
6. Complete synthesis requirement.
7. Complete a written application for graduation by the date specified in the official University calendar.

MSN Degree Options

Programs of study for MSN with a major in adult health are shown below.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR MSN WITH A MAJOR IN ADULT HEALTH: CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST ROLE

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR MSN WITH A MAJOR IN ADULT HEALTH: NURSE EDUCATOR ROLE

Elective Course (2 semester hours)

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR MSN WITH A MAJOR IN FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR MSN WITH A MAJOR IN ADMINISTRATION: NURSING SERVICE ROLE

Elective Course (3 semester hours)

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR MSN WITH A MAJOR IN ADMINISTRATION: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS ROLE

Elective Course (3 semester hours)

REQUIREMENTS FOR MSN/MBA DUAL DEGREE OPTION

*Foundation courses may be waived if undergraduate equivalent completed with a grade of C or better.

*Additional courses may be required for students who have not met the foundation courses.

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