Nursing

Faculty

Kerrie Kimbrow, AdventHealth Endowed Chair; Terri Gibson, Director MSN Program; 

Adjunct: Beverly Waller Dabney, Sallieann Brown Hoffer, Lisa Knudsen, Kristen McCreight, Kathleen A. Roberts, Ann L. Smith

Sheri Denny, Clinical Coordinator

Misael Fierro, Program Assistant

Jessica Stehl, Graduate Advisor

Donna Ruddock-Janda, Graduate Success Coach

Jordan Greene, Outreach Coordinator

Mission

The mission of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program is to enrich the quality of life for our candidates, provide them with practical and accessible instruction, and to enable them to have a life changing experience that they can pass on to everyone they encounter.

Accreditation

The master degree program in nursing at Southwestern Adventist University is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Admissions and Graduation Requirements

Program Admission Requirements

  1. Complete the formal application for admission to graduate studies.
  2. Submit official transcripts of all college/university coursework including evidence of the completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing at a regionally and program-specific accredited institution in the United States or a comparable degree from a foreign academic institution.
  3. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on all prior college course work in cumulative and nursing course work.
  4. Domestic and International prospective students who graduated from an educational institution outside the U.S. are required to have transcript evaluations done through WES.
  5. Evidence of English Language proficiency. TOEFL* (Test of English as a Foreign Language) • PBT old 550, PBT new 65, IBT 85, CBT 235 • IELTS 6.5 • iTEP 3.9 • PTE 55 • GTEC 1220 • Michigan test 80 • ERW 480 • ACT 17 English
  6. An active U.S. unencumbered RN license in the state in which the student participates in any clinical or professional immersion experience.
  7. Written recommendations from two individuals knowing the applicant’s professional ability, personal character, and intellectual promise for pursuing successful graduate study.

Graduate Standards of Scholarship

  • Candidates for graduate degrees must satisfactorily fulfill the schedule of courses outlined in the program.
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (4.00 system) is required to progress in the program. If the GPA dips below 3.0, the student will stop progressing and have an opportunity to repeat courses as outlined, to meet GPA requirements.
    • If a student receives an unsatisfactory grade the course may be repeated once. The highest grade will be used in computing the grade point average.
    • Students may withdraw from a course no more than two times.
    • Students may repeat up to two courses before they are dismissed from the program.
    • Students unable to gain good academic standing in the semester following this period of probation will be academically dismissed.
  • No grade of C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or F may count toward a degree.
  • Credit by examination is not accepted toward a graduate degree but may be used to remove deficiencies.
  • Students must pass the clinical and professional immersion portions of courses (in those that apply) to successfully complete the program.

NURS 500 : Professional Identity in Nursing

This initial course introduces students to professional nursing roles and orients them to SWAU learning resources, and the graduate student role. This exploration focuses on developing a professional identity as a nurse leader and educator and includes professional development planning.

credits

2

NURS 510 : Application of Evidence-Based Practice

Research practices will be used to develop, translate and evaluate teaching-learning strategies and program effectiveness within nursing education and healthcare environments. The Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model provides the framework for exploring evidence-based principles and outcome evaluation strategies. Additional focus areas include data security considerations and ethical standards in scholarly work.

credits

3

NURS 515 : Collaborative Wellness Connections

Incorporates interprofessional roles to enhance wellness. Emphasis is on awareness of cultural, spiritual, and ethical influences related to best practices for promoting health and resilience.  Includes 15 hours of Professional Immersion

credits

3

NURS 520 : Effective Leadership and Influence

Integrates leadership principles with a focus on the nurse as a change agent, advocate, and mentor. Emphasis is on organizational systems, governance, scholarly activities, and effective management of resources. 

credits

3

NURS 530 : Teaching-Learning I

Explores teaching-learning strategies to facilitate learning and socialization of students. Emphasis is on educational theories, learning styles, and course development. Includes 15 hours of Professional Immersion

credits

3

Prerequisites

NURS 505

NURS 535 : Teaching-Learning II

Explores teaching-learning strategies to optimize learning and use of educational technologies. Emphasis is on lesson planning. Includes 15 hours of Professional Immersion

credits

3

NURS 550 : Clinical Specialty Focus I

Focuses on student-selected clinical specialty areas in which learners will begin work on a system-level solution to an identified problem. Past experience and clinical time in chosen specialty area required. Fulfills a portion of the Direct Care Experience requirement.

credits

3

NURS 555 : Clinical Specialty Focus II

Focuses on student-selected clinical specialty areas to implement an intervention plan. Past experience and clinical time in chosen specialty area required. Emphasis includes analyses and dissemination of results to stakeholders. Fulfills a portion of the Direct Care Experience requirement. 

credits

3

Prerequisites

NURS 550

NURS 600 : Curriculum Development and Management

Explores the regulatory requirements associated with effective approaches to student needs. Emphasis is on aligning student outcomes with nursing standards and addressing students with learning challenges.

credits

3

NURS 605 : Evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement Methods

Addresses methods for developing and evaluating outcomes. This includes test items, self-assessment, and evaluation criteria. Emphasis is on a competency-based approach and use of peer evaluation in teaching learning practices. Includes 25 hours of Professional Immersion

credits

3

NURS 610 : Capstone

This final course facilitates student completion of the Capstone project, representing a culmination of student work throughout the program. Includes 45 hours of Professional Immersion.

credits

2

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: completion of all other courses. 

Corequisites

NURS 515