Dec 06, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, MS


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Graduate Program Coordinator:
Dr.Euwana Heard

 

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares professional nurses for advanced practice roles, nurse educator roles, and doctoral study. Graduate education provides the learner with opportunities to develop expertise and specialized knowledge in the care of clients and populations, as well as advanced knowledge in nursing education. The graduate program is organized using core, supporting, and specialty content. Graduate nursing education incorporates evidence-based practice that enables nurses to participate in health promotion and disease prevention, health management, education, research, and health policy analysis. Emphasis is on the health care needs of vulnerable and underserved populations. Advanced practice nursing roles include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse administrators, and nurse educators. We believe that the advanced practice nursing roles are integral to meeting the current and future health needs of society.

Family Nurse Practitioner program includes over 600 hours of practicum experience; graduates of the program are eligible to take national certification examinations for the family nurse practitioner.

Nurse Educator program prepares the graduate for nursing education roles in the clinical and academic areas. After two years of fulltime faculty experience, graduates of the nursing educator program will be eligible to take the National League for Nursing (NLN) examination for the certified nurse educator.

The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
3343 Peachtree Road N.E. Suite 500
Atlanta, Ga. 30326
Telephone:
800-669-1656

Department of Nursing Goals

The Department of Nursing goals are consistent with the mission of the University, and reflect the philosophy of the nursing faculty. The Department of Nursing goals are to:

  • Provide quality programs supportive of the learning needs of students
  • Maximize opportunities to support recruitment, access, and retention efforts for students
  • Promote local and regional workforce development
  • Promote effective and efficient use of departmental resources
  • Enhance the image of the Department of Nursing

Program Objectives

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares graduates who will:

  1. Apply theoretical models to guide advanced practice nursing that is designed to promote the health and wellness in clients, across the lifespan, and the application of methodologies in nursing education.
  2. Utilize theory from nursing science and related disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate intervention strategies in advanced practice nursing roles.
  3. Use the research process to promote the development of professional nursing and to facilitate client wellness.
  4. Explore strategies that may influence health policy development with an emphasis on vulnerable and underserved populations.
  5. Provide leadership in nursing education, and in clinical practice to improve the quality of health care to clients, with an emphasis on vulnerable and underserved populations.
  6. Apply legal and ethical principles to implement advanced practice nursing roles.

Admission Requirements

  • Candidates must have a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BS) from an accredited institution.
  • Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Graduates of baccalaureate degree programs in countries other than the United States must have their baccalaureate degree transcripts evaluated by the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. organization www.ece.org or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nurse Schools (CGFNS). A copy of this evaluation must be submitted with the application to the program.
  • Candidates must possess current RN licensure in the State of Maryland.
  • Candidates must have a minimum of one year of professional nursing experience in an acute care setting prior to admission to the Family Nurse Practitioner role courses. It is also recommended that students have a recent course in health assessment and pathophysiology.
  • Applicants must be granted general admission to Bowie State University (BSU) School of Graduate Studies.
  • All candidates must complete a Graduate Nursing Application from the BSU Department of Nursing. The application can be accessed on the BSU Department of Nursing webpage via www.bowiestate.edu/academics/departments/nursing.

The documents listed below must be submitted with the Graduate Nursing application. The completed packet must be submitted to the Department of Nursing by April 1 (fall admission). Candidates must submit official academic transcripts from each institution attended.

  • Candidates must submit three (3) professional recommendations. Recommendations from an immediate supervisor and two professional colleagues are required. Recommendation forms are included with the nursing application and located on the Department of Nursing webpage.
  • One copy of each of the following:
    • Current Maryland RN licensure verification
    • Current CPR certification
  • A personal statement of goals and objectives for pursuing graduate nursing study (150-200 words, typed and double-spaced)
  • A completed physical examination/health history (Form provided in application)
  • Current professional resume
  • Student profile sheet (Form provided in application)

Program of Study


  •  NURS 799 - Comprehensive Exam**

Role Courses


 

Note:


*Courses include a practicum component

** Program requirement

One Elective course is required of Nurse Educator Role

There is a program of study for each specific track.

Graduation Requirements


  • Advancement to candidacy. A grade point average of 3.25 or higher must be achieved in the first 12 credit hours of coursework in order to advance to candidacy in the graduate nursing program. These credits must be taken at Bowie State University and count toward the degree.
  • Successful completion of all coursework and degree requirements within a period of five consecutive years.
  • Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination.
  • A grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained, after Advancement to Candidacy.

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