Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Adult Gerontology Concentration, MS

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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs range from 30-48 credits. Program curricula are designed to develop nurses into leaders with advanced knowledge, humanistic values, and the ability to contribute to the changing, diverse healthcare environment. Advanced practice roles in nursing require further enhancement of critical thinking and decision making skills as theory is translated into practice. These programs provide individuals with the opportunity to pursue professional development within a scholarly environment.

Five concentrations are offered within the MSN degree: Administration, Education, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Gerontology, and Family Nurse Practitioner.

The MSN Administration concentration is designed for individuals who are, or are planning on becoming middle to executive level nurse leaders. Courses focus on health care policy, nursing delivery systems, resource management, and program evaluation. Complementary business courses provide the administrative foundation and opportunities for collaboration with students from other disciplines.

The MSN Education concentration is designed for nursing professionals who want to be better prepared to teach clients, staff and students. It provides students with additional preparation in educational principles and theory to support them in their teaching roles. Courses focus on areas such as planning education programs or courses, and teaching strategies.

The MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is designed for nursing professionals seeking to foster skills that enhance their ability to advance the care of patients, families, groups of patients, and the profession of nursing. Curriculum is built upon the three spheres of influence (Patient, Nurse, System) model for CNS practice with courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced clinical practice preparing graduates as expert practitioners. Additional coursework focusing on enhancing knowledge of healthcare systems, leadership strategies, education methods, and applying evidence-based scholarship to practice prepare graduates as expert clinical educators and leaders.

The MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Gerontology (CNS-AG) is designed for nursing professionals seeking to foster skills that enhance their ability to advance the care of adult and older adult patients. Curriculum is built upon the three spheres of influence (Patient, Nurse, System) model for CNS practice with courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, differential diagnosis, adult-gerontology concepts, and advanced clinical practice preparing graduates as expert practitioners who work with the adult and older adult population. Additional coursework focusing on enhancing knowledge of healthcare systems, leadership strategies, education methods, and applying evidence-based scholarship to practice prepare graduates as expert clinical educators and leaders. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist-Board Certified (AGCNS-BC) exam.

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration is designed for nursing professionals seeking to expand their scope of practice to providing direct care for patients across the lifespan. Through didactic courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and differential diagnoses as well as advanced practice clinical experiences, this program imparts the expertise needed to manage the primary health care needs of patients, families, and the community. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam.

Policies for Admission*

Applicants seeking admission to School of Nursing MSN programs must fulfill the graduate program admission requirements, with the following additional stipulations:

1. Provide evidence of a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from a nursing program accredited by a national nursing accreditation body with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission status. (The cumulative grade point average is computed on the highest degree held at the time of application to the Edgewood College graduate program.)
2. Complete and submit graduate application to the Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions Office.
3. Request that official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate academic credits received from any post-secondary institutions be sent directly to the Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions Office.
4. Provide two letters of recommendation from nursing supervisors and/or colleagues who can focus on your qualifications for success in graduate school.
5. Submit a written statement of no more than 500 words, addressing your ambition to be admitted specifically into an Edgewood College MSN program. Please also comment on your past educational and professional experiences that will foster your growth and success in this program.
6. Hold a current license as a registered professional nurse.

*Those who have earned a BSN from Edgewood College within the past 3 years and received at least a 3.0 GPA are guaranteed admission into the MSN program upon application.  No further application materials need be submitted.  If a candidate has not met the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, he/she must apply and meet all of the admission and appeal requirements to be considered for admittance.

Health Requirement

Before entering the Nursing Practicum (NRS 735 ) or Advanced Practice Clinical 1, 2, or 3 (NRS 711 , NRS 712 , or NRS 713 ), students must provide evidence of meeting the health requirements for the agency in which they complete the Practicum or Advanced Practice Clinical.

Background Check

Edgewood College’s School of Nursing and all clinical agencies under contract to the School require that every student and faculty member have a background check completed by the Criminal Justice Department of Wisconsin. Students must complete Background Information Disclosure forms before entry into the Nursing Practicum (NRS 735 ) or Advanced Practice Clinical 1, 2, or 3 (NRS 711 , NRS 712 , or NRS 713 ). Background checks are completed at the student’s expense.

Course Information and Schedule

The majority of coursework for all MSN programs will be delivered in an online format (Practicum and Advanced Practice Clinical Courses require face-to-face meetings and in-practice hours). Most courses are offered over 8-week sessions. Students should speak to their advisor if they have further questions regarding the format of course facilitation.

Students may be able to complete the Administration or Education programs in two years by taking two courses each semester; Students may be able to complete the CNS or FNP programs in three years by taking two courses each semester.

Students can enter the programs at the beginning of any 8-week session. Although students do meet with an advisor to plan out their course sequences, these plans may change during the student’s time in the program. The time to complete this degree depends on the number of courses taken per semester and communicating with the advisor regarding any changes in the course plan.

Goals for the MSN Degree

The MSN program will prepare advanced role (Administration and Education) and advanced practice (CNS and NP) nurses who will:

• Integrate scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing care across diverse settings.
• Evidence leadership skills needed that emphasize ethical and critical decision making, effective working relationships, and a systems perspective.
• Articulate methods, tools, performance measures, and standards related to quality, as well as apply quality principles within an organization.
• Apply research outcomes within the practice setting, resolve practice problems, works as change agents, and disseminate results.
• Use patient-care technologies to deliver and enhance care and use communication technologies to integrate and coordinate care.
• Intervene at the system level through the policy development process and employ advocacy strategies to influence health, health care, and health policy.
• Act as a member and leader of inter-professional teams, communicate, collaborate, and consult with other health professionals to manage and coordinate care for individuals and populations.
• Apply and integrate broad, organizational, client-centered, and culturally-appropriate concepts in the planning, delivery, management, and evaluation of evidence-based clinical prevention and population care and services to individuals, families, and aggregates/identified populations.
• Develop strategies to achieve quality outcomes in care delivery with respect to fiscal and human resources.
• Apply management, leadership, and systems theory to the design and implementation of services in a health care system.
• Practice independently and collaboratively with an interprofessional team while delivering direct and indirect care services in various types of health care systems to promote health, prevent disease and improve the health status of diverse individuals, families, communities, and populations.
• Value life-long learning and continuing professional development.