Master of Science in Nursing
Program Description
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Point Loma Nazarene University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses (BRN). The program is designed to prepare graduates as competent advanced practice nurses in leadership roles. After completion of the program, students are eligible for national certification (ie, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Manager and Leader, Executive Nursing Practice Certification, Nurse Executive Advanced Certification). There are four (4) tracks within the MSN program:
- MSN: Adult-Gerontology CNS
- MSN: Adult-Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty
- MSN: Pediatric CNS
- MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Depending on which degree track is selected, nurses may be prepared for the following positions: nursing program faculty, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, staff developer, unit based educator, patient education coordinator, magnet coordinator, nurse manager, nurse lead, nursing supervisor, nursing project manager, quality manager, quality improvement coordinator, or case manager.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Inquiring Faithfully: The student will demonstrate knowledge, skill, and behavior of the evidence-based practice of nursing which integrates growth in reasoning, analysis, decision-making, and the application of theory with the goal of advocating for others and/or self. This includes holistic nursing skills and the nursing process.
- Caring Faithfully: The student will embrace a calling to the ministry of compassionate care for all people in response to God’s grace, which aims to foster optimal health and bring comfort in suffering and death.
- Communicating Faithfully: The student will actively engage in the dynamic interactive process, both intrapersonal and interpersonal, with the goal of advocating for others and/or self. This includes effective, culturally appropriate communication which conveys information, thoughts, actions, and feelings through the use of verbal and nonverbal skills.
- Following Faithfully: The student will integrate the ordinary work1 by complying with and adhering to regulatory and professional standards (e.g., American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, The California Board of Registered Nursing, Scope of Nursing Practice, PLNU School of Nursing Handbook). This includes taking responsibility, being accountable for all actions, and treating others with respect and dignity.
- Leading Faithfully: The student will incorporate a foundational relationship with Christ and others and embrace a willingness to serve others in the midst of life circumstances (e.g., illness, injustice, poverty). The student will model the need for “Sabbath Rest” as a means of personal renewal, and true care of self, so that service to others is optimally achieved. The student will incorporate the characteristics of a servant leader including: humility, courage, forgiveness, and discernment.
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Defined as claiming the challenge from Florence Nightingale that nursing is a “divine imposed duty of ordinary work.”
Academic Performance
Satisfactory Academic Performance
Satisfactory academic performance is defined as meeting all of the following:
- letter grade of “B-” (81%) or higher in all required theory and elective courses.
- grade of “Credit” in all clinical residency courses.
- minimum GPA of 3.000 on a 4.000 scale in all required courses.
Repeatability and Academic Status Progression
Satisfactory completion of all courses is required in the MSN program of study.
Students must repeat any course in which they fail to receive a minimum grade of “B-” or “Credit.” If a course must be repeated, the following requirements will apply:
- Throughout the curriculum, students may repeat one prerequisite, corequisite, or nursing course. Repeatability of the course and progression in the program is dependent on space availability.
- Student may not continue with any academic or clinical coursework until notified by the Program Director of their status in the School of Nursing.
Students should refer to the Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook for academic status progression policy (e.g., probation and dismissal).
Academic Honesty & Integrity
In matters related to integrity, such as those listed below, the School of Nursing will follow policies as shared in the Academic and General Policies section of the PLNU Graduate Catalog. Students may be recommended to the Vice Provost for Academic Administration for dismissal from the program:
- inappropriate clinical judgment (e.g. SON policy violation, HIPAA violations);
- violation of Academic Honesty;
- other situations that compromise the PLNU University Student Conduct policy (refer to the Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook) or the School of Nursing Values and policies (refer to the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook), such as the ANA Code of Ethics and/or CA Nurse Practice Act.
Registered Nurse (RN) Entry Without Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN)
- An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or equivalent degree from a National League for Nursing (NLN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or accredited program (i.e., WASC);
- Current California licensure as a registered nurse or in state of residence if attending clinical outside of California1;
- Current employment as an RN or at least 1 year of full time RN practice in the last 5 years is required prior to the start of clinical coursework;
- Official transcripts from previous colleges and universities. All foreign transcripts must have a course by course evaluation by World Education Services or another member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services that includes a degree equivalency and GPA;
- A college grade-point average of 3.200 (candidates with a grade-point average of 3.000 to 3.199 may be considered under the Admissions Exceptions Policy);
- A completed university application (available on the website);
- Two (2) professional references from a supervisor or mentor who has observed you in an academic setting;
- A completed School of Nursing graduate program application;
- A personal essay of 250 words demonstrating graduate-level writing skills;
- An interview with the graduate nursing selection committee;
- A BSN is not granted.
Registered Nurse (RN) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a National League for Nursing (NLN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or accredited program (i.e., WASC);
- Current California licensure as a registered nurse or in state of residence if attending clinical outside of California1;
- Current employment as an RN or at least 1 year of full time RN practice in the last 5 years is required prior to the start of clinical coursework;
- Official transcripts from previous colleges and universities. All foreign transcripts must have a course by course evaluation by World Education Services or another member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services that includes a degree equivalency and GPA;
- An undergraduate grade-point average of 3.200 (candidates with a grade-point average of 3.000 to 3.199 may be considered under the Admissions Exceptions Policy);
- A completed university application (available on the website);
- Two (2) professional references from a supervisor or mentor who has observed you in an academic setting;
- A personal essay of 250 words demonstrating graduate-level writing skills;
- An interview with the graduate nursing selection committee.
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A valid RN license in good standing in another state may suffice for active military service members or their spouses for clinical within California, per California BRN process and federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) requirements. The student must be registered in the SCRA State Registration Database available on the CA Department of Consumer Affairs website.
English Language Requirements
A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to the Graduate School of Nursing. All applicants whose native language is not English, must meet this requirement - including international applicants, permanent residents, immigrants, and transfer students who are not citizens of the United States on the date of admission. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the measure of competency. The test must have been taken within the past two years with minimum scores of:
- 550 for the paper-based test
- 80 for the internet- based test with a minimum section requirement score of 20 in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Only the following countries are exempt from proof of English proficiency: Australia, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
Other Provisions
To satisfy the requirements of the university’s clinical agencies, upon acceptance into the program students are required to provide copies of the following documentation:
- Current California licensure as a registered nurse or in state of residence if attending clinical outside of California;
- Current Healthcare Provider CPR certificate from the American Heart Association;
- Completed School of Nursing Health Form Packet with officially documented proof of immunizations;
- Current TB screening upon admission into the program (2 step process);
- Current HIPAA certificate;
- Infection Control Module; and
- Background check and drug screening (failure to pass this may result in an inability to complete the program).
Per agreement with the San Diego Nursing Service Education consortium and affiliated hospitals, a background check and drug screening is required prior to the student’s first clinical experience. If a red flag occurs from either the background check or drug screening, this may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
Note for non-enrolled students taking graduate courses: we recommend allowing non-Bachelor prepared students to take 5000-level classes and Bachelor prepared students to take 6000-level classes that do not have the clinical component.
Exceptions Policy
Applicants who do not meet the above eligibility standards, but who can demonstrate an exceptionally rich experiential background and/or demonstrate dramatic change in academic performance, may petition the School of Nursing to review their status (see Admissions Exceptions Policy).
RN to MSN Transition Courses
For those entering the program with an RN (without a BSN), the courses below must be successfully completed before advancement in the MSN NSG 6000-level courses. The courses must be taken in order and outside transfer is not accepted. These courses are not required for those entering with a BSN.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one (1) of the following sequences: | 11 | |
| Sequence 1 | ||
| Writing and Research | ||
| RN-MSN Transition I | ||
| RN-MSN Transition II | ||
| Sequence 2 | ||
| Communicating and Following Faithfully | ||
| Inquiring Faithfully I: Nursing Research | ||
| Inquiring Faithfully I: Nursing Research | ||
| Caring Faithfully in the Community | ||
| Total Units | 11 | |
MSN: CNS Tracks
The MSN: Adult-Gerontology CNS and MSN: Pediatric CNS tracks consist of 6 Graduate core courses (13 units), 4 APRN Core courses (9 units), and 9 CNS-specialty courses (21 units, which includes 12 units/500 clinical practicum hours).
The MSN: Adult-Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty track consists of 6 Graduate core courses (13 units), 4 APRN Core courses (9 units), and 11 CNS-specialty courses (24 units, which includes 12 units/580 clinical practicum hours).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses | ||
| NSG 6003 | Following Faithfully: Healthcare Policy and Ethics | 3 |
| NSG 6009 | Health Promotion Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NSG 6021 | Foundations for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NSG 6023 | Planning and Management of Evidence-Based Initiatives | 2 |
| NSG 6088 | Healthcare Leadership and Innovation | 3 |
| NSG 6096 | Comprehensive Exam | 1 |
| APRN Core Courses | ||
| NSG 6006 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 6007 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 6008 and NSG 6008L | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Practicum | 3 |
| CNS-Specialty Courses | 21-24 | |
| Choose one (1) of the following options: | ||
MSN w/ Adult-Gerontology CNS: | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Adult Gerontology | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition II | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition III | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Practicum | ||
MSN w/ Pediatric CNS: | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Pediatrics | ||
| Pediatric CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Pediatric CNS Role Acquisition II | ||
| Pediatric CNS Role Acquisition III | ||
| Pediatric CNS Role Practicum | ||
MSN w/ Adult-Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty: | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Adult Gerontology | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Women's Health | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Women's Health CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition II | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition III | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Practicum 1 | ||
| Women's Health CNS Role Practicum | ||
| Total Units | 43-46 | |
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Adult Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty tracks do not include GNSG 6064A. Instead, GNSG 6066A is completed.
MSN FNP Track
The MSN FNP track consists of 5 Graduate core courses (12 units), 4 APRN Core courses (9 units), 12 FNP-specialty courses (33 units, which includes 16 units/750 clinical practicum hours).
- All graduate students take 3Ps courses (NSG 6006 - Advanced Pathophysiology, NSG 6007 - Advanced Pharmacology, and NSG 6008 - Advanced Health Assessment) as foundational courses for the advanced nursing practice role. Any applicant may submit prior course syllabi to be reviewed for course equivalency. A prerequisite or transfer 3Ps course must meet the required criteria per California Board of registered Nursing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Syllabi may be required to verify equivalency prior to acceptance of any course toward PLNU Graduate Nursing program requirements. Students who have not taken APRN Core Prerequisite Courses may take them concurrently with their program at PLNU.
- FNP students will be required to pass a Blended 3Ps exam in order to progress to FNP specialty coursework. The option to audit and/or retake 3Ps courses is available and encouraged for the purpose of thorough preparation for the blended exam.
- At a minimum, a total of 750 direct patient care clinical hours are to be included in the past APN graduate education program and post-graduate certificate program, specifically to meet the end-of-program hours for the new NP role and/or new population (National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 2022, Criterion III.N).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses | ||
| NSG 6003 | Following Faithfully: Healthcare Policy and Ethics | 3 |
| NSG 6009 | Health Promotion Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NSG 6021 | Foundations for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NSG 6088 | Healthcare Leadership and Innovation | 3 |
| NSG 7029 | Diagnostic Testing and Laboratory Interpretation | 2 |
| APRN Core Courses | ||
| NSG 6006 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 6007 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 6008 and NSG 6008L | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Practicum | 3 |
| FNP Specialty Courses | ||
| NSG 7030 and NSG 7030L | Introduction to Advanced Practice Nursing and Diagnostic Reasoning and Diagnostic Reasoning and Procedures Practicum | 4 |
| NSG 7031 and NSG 7031L | Health Management I: Adults with Acute and Episodic Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management I Practicum: Adults with Acute and Episodic Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7032 and NSG 7032L | Health Management II: Behavioral and Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management II Practicum: Behavioral and Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7033 and NSG 7033L | Health Management III: Adults with Chronic and Complex Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management III Practicum: Adults with Chronic and Complex Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7034 and NSG 7034L | Health Management IV: Pediatric and Adolescent in Primary Care and Health Management IV Practicum: Pediatric and Adolescent in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7035 and NSG 7035L | Health Management V: Clinical Immersion and Health Management V Practicum: Clinical Immersion | 4 |
| NSG 7036 | Entry to the Advanced Practice Role | 1 |
| Total Units | 54 | |
Total Units (with RN-MSN transition courses):
- CNS Track: 54-57
- FNP Track: 65
Total MSN Units (BSN entry):
- CNS Track: 43
- FNP Track: 54
Minimum Required Clinical Hours for All MSN Tracks: 500
Graduation Requirements
In order to earn and receive a Master of Science in Nursing degree, a student must satisfy all of the following:
- A completed Application for Degree Candidacy (online).
- Completion of the approved graduate program.
- A cumulative grade-point average of 3.000 or higher. A minimum grade of B- is required to progress in the program. Throughout the curriculum, students may repeat one prerequisite, corequisite or nursing course. Repeatability of the course and progression in the program is dependent on space availability. Students who are unsuccessful in passing a repeated course will be dismissed from the program.
- Payment in full of all tuition, fees, and other financial obligations owed to the university, including a degree processing fee.
- All Comprehensive Exams must be submitted within one (1) year from when the exam was originally due. Failure to meet this requirement may result in dismissal from the program. Please refer to the Comprehensive Exam Handbook for specific policies.
- All requirements for graduate degrees must be completed within an eight-year period from the time of initial enrollment in the program.