• M.S. Nursing
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• School Nurse Credential
   

• 2007 - 2009
• 2005 - 2007
• 2003 - 2005
• 2001 - 2003
• 1999 - 2001

The purpose of these programs is to prepare nurses with advanced nursing theory and experience in functional roles of clinical nursing leadership, family nurse practitioner, or school nurse. Students are prepared to function within the changing patterns of health care; assume leadership 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, school nursing, or in acute and 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, and School Nurse, or advanced clinical practice (Family Nurse Practitioner). Students who are interested in obtaining the School Nurse Credential may do so by entering the MSN School Nurse program, or by pursuing the post-masters credential-only program. CSUB no longer offers the post-baccalaureate school nurse credential program. Through a selected program of study, the curriculum is individualized to be reflective of the student’s learning needs and professional goals.

The content of this program includes advanced health assessment; analysis, utilization and evaluation of theories of nursing; research methodology; role development; care of vulnerable populations; health care policy and delivery systems; application of advanced knowledge in providing nursing care for adults 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 which demonstrates 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.

A Post-Master’s certificate is available in the FNP option and the School Nurse Credential Program.

The nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). For further information about the accreditation status of the program, please contact the Department of Nursing office or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, phone (202) 887-6791. The FNP option is approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). The School Nurse Credential Program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

On this page:
Master Degree Program Objectives
Application Procedure
Admission Requirements
Academic Advising
Graduation Requirements
Course Requirements
General Information

Master Degree Program Objectives

See Master's Degree Program Objectives (Word Doc)

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Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing Program (all Master’s options):

See application (Word Doc).

Academic Advising

When the student’s admission to the Nursing Program is complete, she/he will be assigned an academic advisor who will guide the student during the program of study. The student has a responsibility to discuss her/his program plan with the advisor and to schedule meetings as needed.

Progression and Graduation Requirements for the Master of Science Degree with a Major in Nursing

See the catalog.

Course Requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program:

See application (Word Doc).

General Information for All Graduate and Post-baccalaureate Nursing Students

Essential Functions for Graduate Nursing Students

There are essential functions or abilities necessary for admission and progression in the graduate nursing program at CSU Bakersfield. The candidate must be able to perform all of the essential functions (with or without accommodations). The Department of Nursing follows the CSUB nondiscrimination policy, and students requesting accommodations should contact the Disability Services office. These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Observation - Candidates must be able to accurately observe patients and demonstrations close up and at a distance to learn skills and to gather patient data (e.g., observe a patient’s gait, appearance, posture, etc.). Candidates also must possess functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation. Observation is enhanced by the functional use of the sense of smell.

Communication - Candidates must have the ability to communicate orally and in writing with patients, families, groups and other members of the healthcare team, as well as faculty and peers. Candidates must also be able to effectively interpret communication of others. Candidates also must be able to read and comprehend written material.

Psychomotor Skills - Candidates must have sufficient motor function to perform nursing tasks and to obtain data from patients using tactile, auditory and visual maneuvers. Candidates must be able to execute motor movements to provide required general nursing care as well as emergency treatments.

Intellectual and Cognitive Abilities - Candidates must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, integrate and apply information in making clinical judgments. Problem solving, a clinical skill required of nurses, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, Candidates must be able to comprehend 3-D relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

Behavioral and Social Attributes - Candidates must possess the emotional health required to use their intellectual abilities fully. This may be demonstrated by exercising good judgment, promptly completing all responsibilities attendant to the care of patients and aggregates, and developing mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients, families and other health-care workers as well as faculty and peers. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities.

Ethical Standards - A candidate must demonstrate the ability to reason morally and practice nursing in a professional and ethical manner with patients, families, and other health care workers as well as with faculty and peers.

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities - Students must be able to perform all the essential functions of the program with or without accommodation. A student who discloses a disability and requests accommodation will be referred to Disability Services. The student may be asked to provide documentation of the disability for the purposes of determining appropriate accommodations. The Department of Nursing will provide reasonable accommodations, but is not required to make modifications that would substantially alter the nature or requirements of the program. A student with questions regarding reasonable accommodation can contact the CSUB Student Disability Services office at (661) 664-3360.

Malpractice Insurance - Student malpractice insurance must be obtained prior to registration for nursing courses. Insurance shall be obtained through the Foundation Accounting Office. Other malpractice insurance will be accepted if the amount of coverage is comparable to that provided by the University. Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner option must obtain the malpractice insurance policy designed specifically for students in the option.

License/Certification Requirements - Students must have a clear, current, and active license as a Registered Nurse in California on admission, and the license must remain current during enrollment in the graduate nursing program. Students must have a current Health Care Provider (infant, child, 1-person and 2-person adult) cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate. The CPR certificate must remain current during enrollment in the graduate nursing program.

Health Requirements - Health clearance requirements must be completed and reported to the Student Health Center prior to beginning nursing courses each year. The physical examination may be done at the Student Health Center, CSUB, prior to Fall classes, or it may be done by a physician of the student’s choice at the student’s expense. The Student Health Center provides the health clearance.

Initial Health Clearance for Newly-Admitted Students:

1. Completed Health History Form.

2. Physical examination within the past year.

3. Completion of Health Requirements for Nursing Graduate Program .

Illness Policy - Students whose condition limits their ability to give nursing care or who have an illness of a chronic or contagious nature must submit a doctor’s release stating that it is safe for them to give nursing care before returning to the clinical area. See the Department of Nursing Office for specific guidelines.

Financial Aid - Nursing students loans are sometimes available through the CSUB Financial Aid Office for students in the graduate program. Various organizations make scholarship money available to graduate nursing students through the Financial Aid Office. Federal traineeships are occasionally available. Contact the Department of Nursing Office for current information on traineeships.

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