A Master of Science Program in Nursing is built on a body of knowledge which includes concepts, facts, principles, conceptual models and theories of nursing, health sciences, behavioral sciences, the humanities, and natural sciences. Students entering a Master's program should provide evidence of a basic knowledge of professional nursing and competent performance at the Baccalaureate level. Individualization and flexibility in the graduate program stem from this common base.

We believe that graduate education in nursing provides experiences which enable students to explore a variety of resources in depth. These experiences will facilitate analysis, synthesis, and application to practice the knowledge from various disciplines appropriate to nursing. Students constantly engage in scientific inquiry processes which emphasize independent thought and action leading to behavioral change. Through these specific processes, students acquire advanced knowledge in nursing, develop expertise in an area of advanced nursing, and develop skill in a functional role area as well as in research. Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program are prepared to provide primary care.

In addition, we believe that a reciprocal relation exists between the area of advanced clinical nursing and the roles of teaching, administration, clinical leader, and nurse practitioner..

This relation becomes apparent when students apply knowledge gained through advanced clinical nursing in their functional role performance. Further, graduate students prepared to demonstrate advanced nursing skills in functional roles and research, are able to function within the changing patterns of nursing care and healthcare systems. Therefore, this graduate program in nursing will reflect emerging patterns of healthcare at the local, state and national levels, and the nursing and health needs of society.

The faculty assume that the professional nurse approaches advanced clinical nursing with a generalist background in nursing (Baccalaureate level education). Upon completion of advanced clinical nursing education, the graduate will have recognized expertise as a family nurse practitioner, school nurse, or clinical nurse leader. The faculty views advanced clinical nursing as grounded in theory and research necessary to establish a basis for such practice. Nursing theory, practice, and research are interrelated. Advanced clinical skills develop as both practical and theoretical knowledge are applied, refined, and extended in practice situations (Benner, 1984; Benner, Tanner & Chesla, 1996).

Updated 04/07