Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing program is designed to prepare nurses for specialization in Adult Health Nursing or Family Health Nursing and provides functional role preparation as a nurse in advanced clinical practice (NP or CNS), education, or administration. The core curriculum is designed to develop and increase students' competencies in theory analysis and evaluation; concept clarification and development; research and refined skills in clinical inquiry; health assessment; leadership; and analysis of contemporary issues. Building on the core curriculum, students apply new knowledge and skills in the clinical setting.

The program provides functional role preparation as a nurse in advanced clinical practice, education, or administration. Specific nursing courses required for the area of specialization focus on the functional dimensions of the role, its theory and expectations, and strategies for implementation.

The student may choose preparation in one of three functional areas:

• Advanced Clinical Practice preparation is the application of specialization knowledge and skills in the clinical setting. Courses enable students to integrate knowledge for primary care and diverse clinical practice roles with education, research, management, leadership and consultation. Students completing advanced clinical practice role preparation and one of the specialization areas are eligible for adult or family nurse practitioner certification exams or the Medical Surgical Clinical Nurse Specialist certification examination.
• Educator preparation is application of specialization knowledge and skills in the role of nursing faculty. Students completing a specialization and educator role preparation are prepared for entry level positions as nurse educators.
• Nurse Administrator preparation is the application of specialization knowledge and skills in nursing administration at the middle management level, in a variety of health care settings. Concepts and theories related to management and leadership are applied within organizational structures.
  
• Additional Information on Master of Science in Nursing Fact Sheet.
• MSN Sample Program Plans

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree option is for individuals pursing education in advanced practice nursing. The DNP is a clinical doctorate designed to prepare nurses to assume leadership roles in the areas of advanced clinical practice (nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist) or nursing administration. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has determined that the DNP will be the graduate degree for advanced practice nurses, including clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and nurse administrators, effective in 2015.

During the initial years of the program, anticipated to be the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 academic years, the DNP will be offered as a post-masters option only. It is anticipated that beginning in the 2012-2013 academic year, both MSN to DNP and BSN to DNP options will be available. For post-masters students, the DNP program includes 28 credits of nursing courses offered over three terms (summer, fall, and spring) for full-time study and two years for part-time study. Information regarding applications to the DNP program will be available by October, 2009..

• DNP Post-Master's Fact Sheet
• UWEC DNP Program
• DNP Informational Sessions - Fall 09
  

To learn more about the Nursing Graduate Program options available in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UW-Eau Claire, contact:

Dr. Debra Jansen,
Nursing 215
jansenda@uwec.edu

Phone: (715) 836-5183