The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program at Gardner-Webb University offers two programs of study designed to meet the needs of nurses seeking expanded roles in their profession: Nursing Education and Nursing Administration. The MSN Degree with specialty concentration requires 30 to 36 semester hours of graduate credits. In addition to the three areas of concentrated study, the MSN program offers the MSN/MBA dual degree and the RN to MSN option. The Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Education is designed to prepare students to become professional educators in an academic or health care setting. This program of study allows students the opportunity to enhance their clinical expertise from a theoretical perspective and to apply nursing education and learning principles in practice settings. The Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Administration is offered in collaboration with the Graduate School of Business. This program of study seeks to prepare the professional nurse for leadership roles in health care organizations. The RN to MSN program is designed to facilitate an accelerated and integrated progression from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum to the Master of Science in Nursing curriculum. This program of study allows nurses to apply six hours of graduate course credit to the BSN degree. The MSN/MBA dual degree program is a 63 semester hour program. This interdisciplinary program combines nursing leadership with a working knowledge of business and managerial skills. The courses in the MSN programs of study are offered in a logical sequence from the core requirements of theory, issues, research, statistics, and caring to courses in the major area of concentration. Elective requirements allow students to expand their educational perspective to other disciplines. The MSN educational experience culminates in a capstone course requiring the application of knowledge in a thesis or project. See Program Catalog for course descriptions. The Master of Science in Nursing program is designed to provide opportunities for students to practice professionally within a global environment from an interdisciplinary perspective with a diverse population. Furthermore, the specialization of practice areas allows the nurse to integrate knowledge from administration and education with the theoretical underpinnings of nursing. The MSN Program is designed to prepare nurses to: Application for admission to the MSN Program should be made through the Graduate Office. Application for admission to the MSN/MBA Program should be made to the Graduate Office and the MBA Program. In order to enroll students from a variety of backgrounds with the greatest potential for successfully completing the program the following criteria for acceptance will be used: Required Common Core for MSN and MSN/MBA Nursing Education Nursing Administration Capstone Fall Spring Summer NURS 610 (3 SH), 612 (2 SH) and 611 (1 SH) Scholarly Project / Thesis can be carried in any semester for a total of 3 SH. The MSN Program is offered through Distance Learning *Courses that are offered in a face-to-face format on the main campus at Boiling Springs. Dual Degree Statement Candidates for the dual degree must complete the requirements for both degrees prior to graduation. Should a student opt not to pursue one of the degrees before completion, he or she will be responsible for paying any difference in the per course rate(s) actually charged based on pursuing the dual degree and the rate(s) which would have been charged for courses applied toward the selected degree. The student will also be responsible for repaying any scholarships or grants received based on pursuing a dual degree that the student would not have been eligible for based on the selected degree. Additional financial obligations must be satisfied before the student can be awarded the selected degree. In no case will the University refund money when a student opts out of a dual degree program. RN to MSN The RN to MSN program is designed to allow students to achieve their Baccalaureate degree and work toward their MSN degree. This program of study allows nurses to apply six hours of graduate course credit to the BSN degree. Two courses in the Master of Science in Nursing Program may be substituted for two courses in the RN to BSN Program allowing students to graduate with their BSN degree and complete their MSN Program in 30 additional semester hours of courses. NURS 501 Nursing and Health Care Systems and Issues may be substituted for NURS 303 Trends in Health Care, and NURS 503 Perspectives of Caring may be substituted for NURS 495 Nursing Elective. The School of Nursing offers two post masters certificates, Nursing Administration and Nursing Education. Both programs of study require 9 semester hours of course work and 1 semester hour of specialty practicum. All courses in the certificate programs are offered in the distance learning format during the spring, summer, or fall semesters. Selected courses are offered in the traditional face-to-face format on the main campus at Boiling springs, N.C. Admission Requirements The purpose of the Post Master's Nursing Administration Certificate Program is to provide the opportunity for registered nurses currently holding a master's degree in nursing to expand their professional role by gaining specialized knowledge in the area of nursing administration. Students completing the Post Master's Nursing Administration Certificate Program are academically prepared to take a national certification examination for Nurse Executives. Students will receive academic credit for all courses taken in the certificate program. A grade of B or better is required to receive course credit. The certificate program requires 10SH of course work as described below. Nursing Administrative Certificate Courses The purpose of the Nursing Education Certificate Program is to facilitate the education of master's prepared nurses for roles as nurse educators in an academic or clinical setting. Students completing the Post Master's in Nursing Education Certificate Program are academically prepared to take a national certification examination for Nurse Educators. Students will receive academic credit for all courses taken in the certificate program. A grade of B or better is required to receive course credit. The certificate program requires 10SH of course work as described below. Nursing Education Certificate Courses The School of Nursing at Gardner-Webb University also offers the Post Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. This program allows MSN graduates to achieve a doctoral degree with concentrations in clinical practice and academia leadership. For admission and program information please see the Graduate School Website at www.gradschool.gardner-webb.edu or by phone at 877-498-4723. You may also contact Dr. Kathy Lindsey, Director, Graduate Nursing Programs, 704-406-4359 or klindsey@gardner-webb.edu.MSN Program
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Additional Admission Requirements for the registered nurse with a baccalaureate degree in another field
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Required Courses by Concentration
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Post Master's Nursing Certificate Programs
Nursing Administrative Certificate
Nursing Education Certificate
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program