The California State University, Bakersfield Department of Nursing offers a Graduate Program in Nursing (Master of Science Degree in Nursing – MSN). The Graduate Nursing Student Policy Handbook is intended to ensure that all graduate students in the nursing program are provided with basic information specific to the program. Each student should purchase a current General Catalog of California State University, Bakersfield for information on the rules and policies of the University as well as course descriptions and details regarding the Graduate Program in Nursing.

The graduate program is built upon the foundation of Baccalaureate education in Nursing. The purpose of the graduate program is to prepare nurses with advanced nursing theory and experience in the functional roles of clinical nurse leader, school nurse, and family nurse practitioner. Students are prepared to function within the changing patterns of healthcare; assume roles in multidisciplinary health groups; and conduct independent nursing research or clinical projects. Graduates from this program will be qualified for mid-and upper-level management positions in acute care hospitals and community agencies, or positions in nursing education, or in primary care. They will also be prepared for doctoral programs in nursing.

The curriculum offers the student a choice of role emphasis option in clinical nurse leader, school nurse, and advanced clinical practice (Family Nurse Practitioner). Through a selected program of study, the curriculum is individualized to be reflective of the student’s learning needs and professional goals. The program requires 58 (School Nurse), 60 (Clinical Nurse Leader), or 67 (for the Family Nurse Practitioner option) quarter units of study including a thesis or project. Emphasis is placed upon application of theory, research, and advanced nursing knowledge and clinical experience for contemporary nursing roles.

The content of this program includes advanced health assessment; analysis, utilization and evaluation of theories of nursing and related disciplines; research methodology; application of advanced knowledge in providing nursing care for individuals and families representing a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds in both urban and rural community settings. Students complete either a thesis or a project to demonstrate their competence in the conduct of scientific inquiry or problem solving. Scheduling of program offerings will provide maximum flexibility and the opportunity for self-directed study.

Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) option must complete the requirements for the Master’s degree before they can obtain the FNP certificate from the California State Board of Registered Nursing. Students in the School Nurse option must complete the MSN before becoming eligible for the School Nurse Credential.

A Post-Master’s certificate is available in the FNP option, and a post-master’s credential program is available in the school nurse option.

The MS in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

For further information, please contact the Department of Nursing office or CCNE at the following address:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036-1120
Phone: (202) 887-6791.

In addition to the above, the FNP option is approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). The School Nurse option (credential) is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and accredited through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

The Department of Nursing has a Mission Statement, Philosophy of Nursing, Philosophy of the Master of Science Degree Program in Nursing, Philosophy of the Teaching-Learning Process, and Professional Education which takes into consideration individual differences of students including their cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Our philosophy is consistent with the Mission Statement of the University. The philosophy, purpose, and objectives of the Master of Science in Nursing guide the curriculum of the Graduate Nursing program.