Graduate Programs Student Handbook
The Graduate Program
Overview
The Master’s Program in the College of Nursing at Michigan State University offers the MSN degree in three distinct advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) concentrations; Nurse Practitioner (NP), Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Nurse Anesthesia (NA). The NP offers concentrations in Family or Adult/Gerontology Primary Care. Consistent with the College of Nursing mission, the MSN graduates are prepared as experts in nursing practice and leadership who utilize evidence-based practice.
The MSN core coursework and APRN specific courses all build on the previous learning of the baccalaureate degree in nursing. The graduates of the MSN program are prepared as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and are eligible to sit for certification in their chosen APRN role. The MSN program of study is informed by eight MSN Program objectives that clearly state expected student outcomes for achievement of a MSN degree. In addition, each APRN has further defined student outcomes that support the chosen clinical specialization and are consistent with achievement of overall MSN Program objectives.
The MSN APRN in the Nurse Practitioner role is designed to prepare registered nurses to achieve an advanced nursing practice in primary care. This is a hybrid program, which combines online courses with traditional didactic and practicum courses. This program is a minimum of 45 credits and provides clinical practicum experiences with 650+ clinical hours which exceeds the 500 clinical hours minimum required to sit for the national certification examination in the population focus. Graduates are eligible for Certification as Primary Care Family NPs or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NPs. The program may be completed in a two (2) year full-time or three (3) year part-time program of study. Students complete the MSN core courses related to role and theory, health policy, statistics and evidence-based practice. Courses in pathophysiology, clinical decision-making, pharmacology, health assessment, and advanced practice nursing issues are required in preparation for management and primary care courses and clinical practica.
The MSN program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Clinical experience is an essential component of the program. Experiences in primary care settings are available in many locations throughout the state. Clinical experiences are based on each student’s goals, needs, and availability of clinical sites. Clinical experiences involve active participation in interdisciplinary management of health care services for patients and their community. The focus is on health promotion, health maintenance, illness prevention, episodic care and long-term care.
The MSN prepared APRN in the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist role is designed to prepare RNs in an advanced practice role as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and equip them with the advanced skills for nursing education. The CNS is prepared to provide a professional leadership role in the design and implementation of strategies to improve patient and organizational outcomes and to teach nursing students in both the didactic and clinical settings. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to sit for American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification as an Adult-Gerontology CNS OR American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) certification as an Adult-Gerontology CNS and the National League for Nursing (NLN) certification as a Certified Nurse Educator.
This program is a minimum of 47 credits and may be completed in a two (2) year full-time or three (3) year part-time program of study. This is an online program that includes didactic courses and a minimum of 650+ clinical practicum hours required to qualify for the national certification. Students will complete the MSN core courses related to role, theory, health policy, statistics and evidence based practice. Courses in curriculum design, teaching/learning, educational technology, pharmacology and pathophysiology are required in preparation for clinical and education internships. A thesis option is available for this program.
The MSN Nurse Anesthesia APRN is a 28-month, full-time program designed to educate RNs in academic knowledge, technical and clinical skills, and professional role in nursing practice to assume leadership as accomplished advanced practitioners in nurse anesthesia who meet the requirements and are eligible for certification as certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
Content is delivered via face-to-face instruction, interactive television and online. Students complete the MSN core courses related to role, theory community health policy, statistics and evidence-based practice. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) has a minimal academic curriculum for nurse anesthesia programs to include:
- A minimum of 135 hours in Advanced Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology.
- A minimum of 90 hours in Advanced Pharmacology.
- A minimum of 45 hours in Chemistry and Physics Related to Anesthesia.
- The minimum requirement of 90 hours of courses in anesthesia practice provides content such as induction, maintenance, and emergence of anesthesia; airway management; anesthesia pharmacology; and anesthesia for special patient populations such as obstetrics, geriatrics, and pediatrics.
A more complete description of the nurse anesthesia requirements is found in the Nurse Anesthesia Supplement to this handbook. The MSU CON nurse anesthesia program has received accreditation through the council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational programs (COA).
MSN DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
- Completion of all required courses with an earned grade of 3.0 or higher
- Satisfactory completion of a scholarly project
MSN-Nurse Practitioner Sample Curriculum
The trajectory below presents the standard sequence for a FULL-TIME student in the Family NP concentration. Some courses are offered more than once a year.
YEAR 1
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 902 |
3 | EPI 840 Epidemiology |
3 | NUR 904 Health Policy & Advocacy |
3 |
NUR 903 |
3 | NUR 908 Adv. Physical Assessment (45 clinical hours) |
3 | NUR 909 Adv. Pharmacology |
3 |
NUR 907 |
3 | NUR 912 Health Promotion |
3 | ||
Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 6 |
YEAR 2
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 905 Pt. Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healthcare |
3 | NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems |
3 | NUR 917 Clinical Diagnosis & Management III (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
NUR 915 Clinical Diagnosis & Management I (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 916 Clinical Diagnosis & Management II (135 clinical hours) |
6 | ||
Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 6 |
YEAR 3
Fall | Spring | Summer | |
NUR 918 Clinical Diagnosis & Management IV (180 clinical hours) |
6 | ||
Synthesis Project | |||
Semester Credits 6 |
Total Credits 54
The trajectory below presents the standard sequence for a PART-TIME student in the Family NP concentration. Some courses are offered more than once a year.
YEAR 1
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 902 |
3 | EPI 840 Epidemiology |
3 | NUR 904 Health Policy & Advocacy |
3 |
NUR 903 |
3 | NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems |
3 | ||
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 3 |
YEAR 2
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 905 Pt. Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healthcare |
3 | NUR 908 Adv. Physical Assessment (45 clinical hours) |
3 | NUR 909 Adv. Pharmacology |
3 |
NUR 907 Adv. Pathophysiology |
3 | NUR 912 Health Promotion |
3 | ||
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 3 |
YEAR 3
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 915 Clinical Diagnosis & Management I (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 916 Clinical Diagnosis & Management II (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 917 Clinical Diagnosis & Management III (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 |
YEAR 4
Fall | Spring | Summer | |
NUR 918 Clinical Diagnosis & Management IV (180 clinical hours) |
6 | ||
Synthesis Project | |||
Semester Credits 6 |
Total Credits 54
View a curriculum sample for the AGNP program: Full-time trajectory or Part-time trajectory
View a curriculum sample for the PMHNP program: Full-time trajectory or Part-time trajectory
MSN-Clinical Nurse Specialist Sample Curriculum
The trajectory below presents the standard sequence for FULL-TIME students. Some courses are offered more than once a year.
YEAR 1
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 902 |
3 | EPI 840 Epidemiology |
3 | NUR 909 Adv. Pharmacology |
3 |
NUR 903 |
3 | NUR 908 Adv. Physical Assessment (45 clinical hours) |
3 | NUR 932 Clinical Decision Making & Management of Acute Chronic Complex Conditions (135 clinical hours) |
3 |
NUR 907 |
3 | NUR 931 Wellness Promotion for Diverse Populations |
3 | ||
Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 |
YEAR 2
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 905 Pt. Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healthcare |
3 | NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems |
3 | NUR 904 Health Policy & Advocacy |
3 |
NUR 933 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development I (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 934 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development II (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 935 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development III (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
Synthesis Project |
|||||
Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 |
The trajectory below presents the standard sequence for PART-TIME students. Some courses are offered more than once a year.
YEAR 1
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 902 |
3 | EPI 840 Epidemiology |
3 | NUR 904 Health Policy & Advocacy |
3 |
NUR 903 |
3 | NUR 908 Adv. Physical Assessment (45 clinical hours) |
3 | NUR 909 Adv. Pharmacology |
3 |
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 |
YEAR 2
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 905 Pt. Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healthcare |
3 | NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems |
3 | NUR 932 Clinical Decision Making & Management of Acute Chronic Complex Conditions (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
NUR 907 Adv. Pathophysiology |
3 | NUR 931 Wellness Promotion for Diverse Populations |
3 | ||
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 |
Semester Credits 6 |
YEAR 3
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 933 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development I (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 934 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development II (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 935 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development III (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
Synthesis Project |
|||||
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 |
Semester Credits 6 |
MSN-Nurse Anesthesia Sample Curriculum (*Not offered after January 2019)
Full Time Course Sequence - MSN Nurse Anesthesia
Spring |
Summer |
Fall |
Spring |
||||
NUR 902 Scientific Foundations & Evidence-Based Practice |
3 | NUR 880 Health Assessment for Nurse Anesthesia |
3 | NUR 887 Pharmacology for Anesthesia Practice I |
3 | NUR 888 Pharmacology for Anesthesia Practice II |
3 |
EPI 840 Clinical Epidemiology for Healthcare Practice |
3 | NUR 881 Perioperative Technology & Instrumentation |
2 | NUR 883 Principles of Anesthesia II |
3 | NUR 884 Principles of Anesthesia III |
3 |
NUR 877 Anesthesia Phsiology & Pathophysiology |
3 | NUR 882 Principles of Anesthesia I |
3 | NUR 886 Anesthesia Practicum II |
2 | NUR 874 Clinical Practicum I |
3 |
NUR 879 Chemistry & Physics of Anesthesia |
3 | NUR 878 Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology |
3 | ANTR 541 Gross Anatomy for Nurse Anesthetists |
4 | NUR 905 Patient Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healtcare |
3 |
NUR 885 Anesthesia Practicum I |
1 | ||||||
Semester Credits 12 | Semester Credits 12 | Semester Credits 12 | Semester Credits 12 |
Summer | Fall |
Spring |
|||
NUR 892 |
7 | NUR 893 Clinical Practicum III |
7 | NUR 894 Clinical Practicum IV |
3 |
NUR 895 |
2 | NUR 896 Clincial Seminar II |
2 | NUR 897 Clincial Seminar III |
3 |
NUR 904 |
3 | Optional NUR 899 Thesis |
(4) | ||
Semester Credits 12 | Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9(13) |
Total Credits 78 (82)
BSN-DNP Nurse Practitioner / AGNP Curriculum
The trajectory below presents the standard sequence for a FULL-TIME student. Some courses are offered more than once a year.
YEAR 1
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 902 |
3 | EPI 840 Epidemiology |
3 | NUR 904 Health Policy & Advocacy |
3 |
NUR 903 |
3 | NUR 908 Adv. Physical Assessment (45 clinical hours) |
3 | NUR 909 Adv. Pharmacology |
3 |
NUR 907 |
3 | NUR 912/913 Health Promotion |
3 | ||
Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 6 |
YEAR 2
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 905 Pt. Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healthcare |
3 | NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems |
3 | NUR 917/927 Clinical Diagnosis & Management III (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
NUR 915/925 Clinical Diagnosis & Management I (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 916/926 Clinical Diagnosis & Management II (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 995 Project I (60 practicum hours) |
4 |
Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 10 |
YEAR 3
Fall | Spring | Summer | ||
NUR 918/928 Clinical Diagnosis & Management IV (180 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 919/929 Clinical Diagnosis & Management V (180 clinical hours) |
6 | |
NUR 996 Project II (90 practicum hours) |
3 | NUR 997 Project III (90 practicum hours) |
3 | |
Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 |
765 direct care clinical hours FNP/AGNP
240 practicum hours
45 clinical hours in Advanced Physical Assessment
TOTAL=1050 Hours
The trajectory below presents the standard sequence for a PART-TIME student. Some courses are offered more than once a year.
YEAR 1
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 902 |
3 | EPI 840 Epidemiology |
3 | NUR 904 Health Policy & Advocacy |
3 |
NUR 903 |
3 | NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems |
3 | ||
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 3 |
YEAR 2
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 905 Pt. Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healthcare |
3 | NUR 908 Adv. Physical Assessment (45 clinical hours) |
3 | NUR 909 Adv. Pharmacology |
3 |
NUR 907 Adv. Pathophysiology |
3 | NUR 912/913 Health Promotion |
3 | ||
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 3 |
YEAR 3
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 915/925 Clinical Diagnosis & Management I (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 916/926 Clinical Diagnosis & Management II (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 917/927 Clinical Diagnosis & Management III (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
NUR 995 Project I (60 practicum hours) |
4 | ||||
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 10 |
YEAR 4
Fall | Spring | Summer | ||
NUR 918/928 Clinical Diagnosis & Management IV (180 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 919/929 Clinical Diagnosis & Management V (180 clinical hours) |
6 | |
NUR 996 Project II (90 practicum hours) |
3 | NUR 997 Project III (90 practicum hours) |
3 | |
Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 |
765 direct care clinical hours FNP/AGNP
240 practicum hours
45 clinical hours in Advanced Physical Assessment
TOTAL=1050 Hours
BSN-DNP Clinical Nurse Specialist Curriculum
The trajectory below presents the standard sequence for a FULL-TIME student. Some courses are offered more than once a year.
YEAR 1
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 902 |
3 | EPI 840 Epidemiology |
3 | NUR 904 Health Policy & Advocacy |
3 |
NUR 903 |
3 | NUR 908 Adv. Physical Assessment (45 clinical hours) |
3 | NUR 909 Adv. Pharmacology |
3 |
NUR 907 |
3 | NUR 931 Wellness Promotion for Diverse Population |
3 | NUR 932 Clinical Decision Making & Management of Acute Chronic Complex Conditions (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 12 |
YEAR 2
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 905 Pt. Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healthcare |
3 | NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems |
3 | NUR 935 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development III (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
NUR 933 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development I (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 934 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development II (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 995 Project I (60 practicum hours) |
4 |
Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 9 | Semester Credits 10 |
YEAR 3
Fall | Spring | Summer | ||
NUR 936 CNS Specialty Role Immersion I (135 clinical hours) |
3 | NUR 937 CNS Specialty Role Immersion II (135 clinical hours) |
3 | |
NUR 996 Project II (90 practicum hours) |
3 | NUR 997 Project III (90 practicum hours) |
3 | |
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 |
810 direct care clinical hours
240 practicum hours
45 clinical hours in Advanced Physical Assessment
TOTAL=1050 Hours
The trajectory below presents the standard sequence for a PART-TIME student. Some courses are offered more than once a year.
YEAR 1
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 902 |
3 | EPI 840 Epidemiology |
3 | NUR 904 Health Policy & Advocacy |
3 |
NUR 903 |
3 | NUR 908 Adv. Physical Assessment (45 clinical hours) |
3 | NUR 909 Adv. Pharmacology |
3 |
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 |
Semester Credits 6 |
YEAR 2
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 905 Pt. Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healthcare |
3 | NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems |
3 | NUR 932 Clinical Decision Making & Management of Acute Chronic Complex Conditions (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
NUR 907 Adv. Pathophysiology |
3 | NUR 931 Wellness Promotion for Diverse Population |
3 | ||
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 |
YEAR 3
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 933 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development I (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 934 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development II (135 clinical hours) |
6 | NUR 935 CNS Advanced Practice Role Development III (135 clinical hours) |
6 |
NUR 996 Project I (60 practicum hours) |
4 | ||||
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 |
Semester Credits 10 |
YEAR 4
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 936 CNS Specialty Role Immersion I (135 clinical hours) |
3 | NUR 937 CNS Specialty Role Immersion II (135 clinical hours) |
3 | ||
NUR 996 Project II (90 practicum hours) |
3 | NUR 997 Project III (90 practicum hours) |
3 | ||
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 |
|
810 direct care clinical hours
240 practicum hours
45 clinical hours in Advanced Physical Assessment
TOTAL=1050 Hours
BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthesia Curriculum
The trajectory below presents the standard sequence for a FULL-TIME student. Some courses are offered more than once a year.
YEAR 1
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 904 |
3 | NUR 902 Scientific Foundations |
3 | EPI 840 Epidemiology |
3 |
NUR 909 |
3 | NUR 903 Healthcare Informatics |
3 | NUR 908 Adv. Physical Assessment |
3 |
NUR 966 |
3 | NUR 970 Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia I |
3 | NUR 967 Basic Principles of Anesthesia |
4 |
NUR 968 |
4 | NUR 969 Adv. Physiology and Pathophysiology II |
4 | NUR 971 Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia II |
3 |
NUR 974 Introduction to Clinical Practicum (simulation 1 day/week) |
1 | ||||
Semester Credits 13 | Semester Credits 13 | Semester Credits 14 |
YEAR 2
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 905 Quality and Safety |
3 | ANTR 541 Gross Anatomy for Nurse Anesthetists |
4 | NUR 906 Leadership |
3 |
NUR 972 Adv. Principles of Anesthesia I |
3 | NUR 973 Adv. Principles of Anesthesia II |
3 | NUR 977 Clinical Anesthesia Practicum III (3 days/week) |
3 |
NUR 975 Clinical Anesthesia Practicum I (2 days/week) |
2 | NUR 976 Clinical Anesthesia Practicum II (3 days/week) |
3 | NUR 995 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project I |
4 |
Semester Credits 8 | Semester Credits 10 | Semester Credits 10 |
YEAR 3
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 978 Clinical Anesthesia Practicum IV (4 days/week) |
4 | NUR 979 Clinical Anesthesia Practicum V (4 days/week) |
6 | NUR 980 Clinical Anesthesia Practicum VI (4 days/week) |
4 |
NUR 996 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project II |
3 | NUR 981 Anesthesia Seminar I |
3 | NUR 982 Anesthesia Seminar II |
3 |
NUR 997 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project III |
3 | ||||
Semester Credits 7 | Semester Credits 10 | Semester Credits 7 |
Post-Master's DNP Curriculum
The trajectory below presents the standard sequence for a PART-TIME student. Some courses are offered more than once a year.
YEAR 1
Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
NUR 902 |
3 | EPI 840 Epidemiology |
3 | NUR 904 Health Policy & Advocacy |
3 |
NUR 903 |
3 | NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems |
3 | NUR 995 Project I (60 practicum hours) |
4 |
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 7 |
YEAR 2
Fall | Spring | Summer | ||
NUR 905 Pt. Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healthcare |
3 | NUR 919/929 Clinival Management V (180 clinical hours) |
6 | |
NUR 996 Project II (90 practicum hours) |
3 | NUR 997 Project III (90 practicum hours) |
3 | |
Semester Credits 6 | Semester Credits 9 |
*All post-master students will have an individual assessment of the gap between their Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) master’s curriculum and the DNP. All missing competency areas will be required. All students will take the 3-course project sequence and have 1000 post- BSN clinical practice hours with a minimum of 300 hours in the post-master’s program. A minimum of 23 credits are required for the post-master’s DNP program.
Program Objectives
Graduate Program Objectives | Nurse Practitioner APRN Objectives | Clinical Nurse Specialist Objectives | Nurse Anesthesia APRN Objectives |
1. Synthesize theories from nursing and related disciplines that are applicable to a specialty area of advanced practice. | 1. Demonstrate accountability for quality of practice by evaluating client outcomes based on scientific evidence. | 1. Synthesize and apply nursing and related theories to form the foundation for nursing education and clinical nurse specialty practice. | 1. Evaluate phenomenon related to the practice of anesthesia by professional nurses to facilitate strategies that impact and advance anesthesia related health outcomes. |
2. Contribute to the profession of nursing through the evaluation and application of relevant research evidence to inform and shape clinical practice. | 2. Manage the primary care system in advocating for improved client health care outcomes. | 2. Utilize expert knowledge, leadership skills, and effective communication strategies to influence organizational and system level change to achieve desired outcomes. | 2. Demonstrate leadership and care competencies that combine cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills to facilitate anesthesia practice as Advance Practice Nurses. |
3. Utilize evidence based data to examine health issues, evaluate program outcomes and processes relevant to nursing practice. | 3. Provide leadership in the primary care of collaborative and business partnerships. | 3. Collaborate with members of the healthcare team to apply theoretical and empirical knowledge in the care of the adult patient to improve health care outcomes. | 3. Apply the major critical thinking and analytic skills to effectively practice nurse anesthesia in a cost-effective and accountable manner. |
4. Demonstrate role competencies and clinical expertise to deliver evidence –based care within a specialty area of advanced practice nursing. | 4. Demonstrate the characteristics of the Advanced Practice Nurse role in the delivery of primary care. | 4. Utilize clinical nursing expertise, scientific inquiry, research interpretation, and integration of evidence based nursing interventions to inform and advance nursing education and practice. | 4. Evaluate and utilize anesthesia-related research that enhance and advance the specialty and disseminate outcomes to improve patient care. |
5. Deliver advanced nursing care within an area of specialization derived from scientific principles and the best available evidence to promote optimum health outcomes across diverse populations. | 5. Empower self-management of health status through participative decision-making. | 5. Engage in outcome evaluation methods to analyze system characteristics and organizational effectiveness to enhance performance. | 5. Integrate interdisciplinary, evidence-based problem-solving and education strategies in the delivery of care to diverse populations. |
6. Demonstrate leadership within healthcare systems through the use of interdisciplinary collaboration, information technology, research dissemination, and political advocacy to improve population health and system outcomes. | 6. Provide theory-based health education to diverse populations. | 6. Develop innovative, ethical, and effective nursing and educational interventions to promote cost effective outcomes and efficient use of resources. | 6. Analyze skills utilized in the evaluation of the quality of anesthesia care provided throughout the community. |
7. Assume a leadership role to advocate for care based on ethical principles that values diversity in populations and advocates for health care access across care delivery systems. | 7. Develop therapeutic nurse-client relationships based on appropriate theories. | 7. Assume responsibility for professional growth, lifelong learning and health practice leadership. | 7. Integrate practice and education to expand the profession and practice of anesthesia nursing. |
8. Analyze organization and system outcomes in relation to resource utilization and management to achievement quality outcomes. | 8. Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning in management of diverse client situations across a variety of primary care settings. | 8. Apply clinical expertise in the nursing diagnosis and treatment of illness, promotion of health, and reduction of health disparities within a defined specialty population. | |
9. Implement evidenced-based plans of care that include health promotion and disease preventive strategies. | 9. Analyze critical issues that influence health care and the education of health care professionals. |
Graduate Studies Admission Criteria
The criteria for admission to the BSN to DNP program are listed below. Applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia APRN should review the Nurse Anesthesia Supplemental Handbook for the additional admission criteria that apply to that APRN.
Admission Criteria for BSN to DNP:
To be considered for admission to the DNP,
- Submit a university application for admission and a curriculum vitae.
- Complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree from an accredited college or university.
- Possess a current unrestricted license to practice nursing as a registered nurse in the applicant’s state or country. For those applicants practicing in Michigan, a current registered nurse Michigan license is required. Applicants who hold registered nurse licensure from other states or countries and who are in the Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia concentration may be admitted provisionally with the requirement that
a United States and Michigan registered nurse license must be obtained prior to progression to clinical courses. - A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for total credits completed during the second-half of the four-year baccalaureate nursing program.
- One year of current full-time clinical experience or equivalent as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit is required for the Nurse Anesthesia concentration.
- Complete a 3 credit undergraduate or graduate statistics course with a grade of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or better within the last five years.
- Submit a written essay that addresses the applicant’s career goals and motivations for graduate study in the selected area of specialty nursing practice: nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, or nurse anesthetist.
- Submit three letters of recommendation. The reference letters must be from a source that has direct knowledge of the applicant’s work and educational experience specifying the applicant’s ability to do graduate work.
- Complete an admission interview with the College of Nursing faculty. Recommendations for admission are made by the faculty committee to the Dean of the College based on the requirements for admission and the personal interview.
- If the applicant’s native language is not English, the applicant must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum average score of 550, no subscore below 52 on the paper-based test (PBT). If the applicant completes the Internet-based test (
iBT ), no subscore below 19 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing subscore below 22 and a minimum average score of 80. Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to Michigan State University Office of Admissions.
Admission Criteria for Post Master's DNP:
Admission to the Post Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is limited to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses with a master’s degree from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) accredited program and who have current national certification in their specialty.
To be considered for admission to the Post Master's DNP program, and applicant must:
- Submit a university application for admission and a curriculum vitae.
- Complete a Master of Nursing degree from an accredited college or university.
- Possess a current unrestricted license to practice nursing as a registered nurse in the applicant's state or country and specialty certification.
- A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for the Master of Science in Nursing
- At least one year of full-time professional experience as an advanced practice registered nurse.
- Approved graduate-level statistics, research methods and health policy courses of at least 3 semester credits, each. Each must have been successfully completed at an accredited college or university with a grade of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The statistics course must have been completed within 5 years prior to admission.
- Submit a written essay that addresses the applicant’s career goals and motivations for graduate study in the selected area of specialty nursing practice: nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, or nurse anesthetist.
- Submit three letters of recommendation. The reference letters must be from a source that has direct knowledge of the applicant’s work and educational experience specifying the applicant’s ability to do graduate work.
- If the applicant’s native language is not English, the applicant must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum average score of 550, no subscore below 52 on the paper-based test (PBT). If the applicant completes the Internet-based test (
iBT ), no subscore below 19 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing subscore below 22 and a minimum average score of 80. Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to Michigan State University Office of Admissions.
Following initial screening, applicants identified as well-matched with the College of Nursing academic standards and program focus will be contacted for a required personal interview with program faculty. Recommendations for admission are made by the faculty committee to the Dean of the College based on the requirements for admission and the personal interview.
Applicants from Chinese Universities
Applicants from Chinese Universities: Please arrange for a verification report of your university academic records with the China Academic Degree and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC). The report must be mailed directly to the department to which you are applying by the CDGDC, rather than by you or any third party.
China Academic Degree and Graduate Education Development Center
Verification Division
B-17, Tongfang Scientific Plaza
No.1 Wangzhuang Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, P.R.China
Tel: +86-10-82379480
Fax: +86-10-82378718 (24 hours)
Email: cqv@cdgdc.edu.cn
Website: www.chinadegrees.cn
Concurrent Application to Two Graduate Programs
Michigan State University permits concurrent applications for admission to two graduate programs, each with a separate application fee. Admission into one program doesn't mean admission into both.
Michigan State Residency
MSU is not authorized to offer online education in certain jurisdictions, and a change in your residency may impact your ability to continue in the program.
Please be aware that students who relocate to another state after admission to an online or hybrid CON program will be subject to regulations for distance education of the new resident state. Many states have regulations regarding out-of-state distance education providers, which may include restrictions from online courses with didactic and clinical practicum requirements required for your CON program. In the event that you are considering relocating to another state or completing clinical requirements in agencies outside of Michigan it is imperative that you contact your CON advisor immediately.