Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Program Director: Teresa Dobrzykowski, DNS, APRN, BC

Office: Northside Hall Room 444

Telephone: 574-520-4569

E-mail: tdobrzyk@iusb.edu

                                                                               Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program Description & Outcome

The goal of the MSN program is to prepare graduates for leadership roles in advanced nursing practice as Family Nurse Practitioners. All graduates are expected to meet MSN program outcomes detailed below.

All degree requirements must be met within six years of initial enrollment. Degree requirements can be met through a combination of distance accessible and on campus learning opportunities.

The major purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing program is to prepare nurses for advance practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The graduate of the master's degree program will be able to do the following:

   1. Model excellence in nursing leadership to improve nursing practice within a complex health care system.

   2. Perform advanced nursing practice within ethical-legal guidelines, professional policies and regulation, and standards of practice

       associated with a specialty area of practice.  

   3. Synthesize knowledge from nursing as well as biological, behavioral, social, administrative, educational and communication sciences

       for application to a chosen domain of advanced practice nursing.

   4. Demonstrate scholarly inquiry and reflection that exemplifies critical, creative, and systems thinking to advance the practice of nursing.

   5. Frame problems, design interventions, specify outcomes and measure outcomes achievement while balancing human, fiscal, and

       material resources to achieve quality health outcomes.

   6. Use information technology and knowledge based resources to manage and transform data that informs clinical practices.

   7. Systematically apply knowledge from research findings and best evidence to answer clinical questions, solve clinical problems and

       develop innovative nursing interventions and health policies for selective patient populations.

   8. Demonstrate collaborative practice and interpret nursing science within a interdisciplinary context.

   9. Articulate the effects of culture, diversity, values, and globalization in the design, delivery, and evaluation of health services.

  10. Engage in life-long learning activities that contribute to professional development as well as the advancement of nursing.

                                                                                                             Curriculum Design

The MSN course work can be roughly divided into two categories: preclinical and clinical courses.

Preclinical courses include:

N502: Nursing Theory I, R500: Nursing Research

N504: Leadership in Advanced Practice Nursing

Y515: Pathophysiology

Y612: Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners

Y535 Dynamics of Family Health Care

F570: Assessment of Individuals, Families & Communities

R590: Nursing Study.

Clinical courses:          

F572: Primary Healthcare of Children

F574: Primary Healthcare of Adults

F576: Primary Healthcare of Women

F578: Primary Healthcare of Families-Clinical.

Students must successfully complete all preclinical courses prior to enrolling in the clinical courses.

A three-credit hour elective can be taken at any time during the program. The three-credit hour elective must be graduate level (500 or above),

and approved by the graduate advisor.

Master of Science in Nursing Admission Criteria

 Admission to the Indiana University South Bend School of Nursing master’s program requires approval by the faculty and is based on the applicant’s qualifications as evidenced by grade point average, statement of professional aspirations, official transcripts, references, etc. A personal interview may be requested.  Acceptance into the program is competitive. The following criteria must be met for unconditional admission:

            1. Official transcripts from all post-secondary coursework.

                * Send all Official transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended, and any hard copy of

                  requested materials to:

                                  School of Nursing (MSN Program)

                                  1700 W. Mishawaka Ave.

                                  P.O. Box 7111

                                  South Bend, IN 46634-7111

                                  Attn: Laurie Riddle

            2. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited BSN program.

            3. GRE testing is not required.  

            4. Copy of current Indiana RN license: Current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Indiana.

                Applicant must also complete a form statement attesting that there is no action pending or have been taken against

                their licensure in Indiana or any other state they have currently hold or have held a license to practice nursing or health

                care.International applicants not yet licensed by any state in the U.S. will need to submit evidence of passing the

                CGFNS exam before applying for an RN license in Indiana. A copy of your license must be submitted at the time of application.

            5.Statistics grade (by transcript or current completion at IU South Bend): Applicants need to have a grade of B- or higher in a

               three credit, 300 level (or higher) class, and it  must have been taken within the last five years of the date of application.

               If the applicant took a course that is not 300 level, he/she may check with a graduate counselor or submit a course syllabus

               (not course description) to be reviewed for acceptability.

            6. Essay (goal statement): A 250-word essay describing and explaining professional career aspirations as an advanced-practice nurse.

            7. Computer skills:  Verification of ability to use computer technologies including accessing, retrieving, receiving, and

                communicating information.

            8. A test of English as a Foreign Language: Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Internet-based

                version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which has a speaking portion.  The applicant’s score must

                meet the requirements of the IU South Bend Office of Graduate Admissions. International students must apply through the

                Indiana University South Bend Office of International Student Services. 

            9. Essential abilities: Applicants must agree to the essential abilities policy of the School of Nursing. The policy states that

                students must demonstrate essential abilities in a variety of areas (judgment, neurological function, emotional coping skills,

                intellectual/ conceptual skills, and other behavioral attributes) as well as  meeting all progression criteria. References: Applicants

                need three professional references. References must use the online reference form.

            10. Criminal background check: Applicants must provide verification of a federal criminal background check within the past 12 months.

            11. Clinical practice: Two years of relevant clinical practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the past five years.  Application may

                  be made during the cycle when the two years of experience as an RN will be reached.

 Ready to Apply? To accurately complete the application and facilitate smooth and timely processing, please make sure that all of the following requested information is submitted:

               1. Complete the  Online Application  (Application Deadline is April 1st)

               2. Three professional recommendations (can be electronically filed at the end of the on-line application)  Note * Application will not be

                   considered complete unless all recommendation letters have been received.

               3. Copy of current, active, unencumbered Indiana RN licensure.

               4. Signed Essential Abilities form

                5. Criminal background documentation,  signed Criminal Background form with verification of check completed.

                6. ESL students: TOEFL score as required by the Office of Graduate Admissions.

                7. International Students: appropriate identification and immigration status documents submitted to the Office of International Students

                    in the Administrative Building Room 147.

                8. Application Fee $45 ($55 for International Students). 

                     9.  Essay / Goal Statement (There is space for a 750 word personal statement at the end of the on-line application) 

                     Essay guidelines are available upon request.

               10. Form statement completed attesting to knowledge of current and previous actions against professional licensure in all states where

                     licensure has been obtained

NO applications will be processed and reviewed for admission until ALL information has been received.

Specific Degree Requirements for the Application Process