Nursing, MSN

Phone: 216.368.8532
Latina Brooks, PhD, CNP, FAANP, Program Director
msnasst@case.edu

Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Field of Study: Various (see Program Requirements tab)

Program Overview

MSN-­prepared nurses are advanced practice registered nurses that deliver evidence­-based care through a variety of specialties. The MSN program at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing offers several different MSN fields of study, including nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery and nurse leadership. All nurse practitioner students must choose a field of study from one of the population foci areas: family, adult­-gerontology primary care, adult-gerontology acute care, neonatology, pediatrics primary care, pediatrics acute care, women’s health and psychiatric­ mental health. Post-graduate APRN certificates can be provided for all programs and are developed according to individual needs and background education.

Learning Outcomes

  • Leads inter professional, culturally-sensitive, and evidence-based initiatives within organizations and systems to continuously improve the safety and quality of healthcare.
  • Initiates use of theory and research to identify clinical problems or solutions, participates in scientific inquiry, and translates scholarship into practice.
  • Assumes the direct and indirect roles and functions of advanced nursing practice to promote health, prevent illness, and improve the health of patients and populations.
  • Promotes implementation of the full scope of nursing practice and assumes leadership positions in employer, professional, or community organizations at the local/state/national level.
  • Incorporates ethical principles in complex situations of advanced nursing practice and clinical inquiry.
  • Collaborates with other health care professionals to initiate intra- and/or inter-professional teams to enhance practice and patient/population health outcomes.
  • Integrates information, technology, and practice guidelines to promote effective communication among patients and colleagues within health care systems.
  • Advocates for the development of health and social policy to improve health and practice by community engagement and participating in employer and professional organizations.

Path to the MSN

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares registered nurses for advanced practice either as a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife. Students in the MSN program choose from several different majors, but virtually all students must take at least ten core courses. Students must complete a required number of credit hours as well as clinical hours. Most majors require an average of 40 credit hours, usually completed in three or four semesters (including summer for some majors).  MSN majors also require at least 600 or more clinical hours depending on major.

Students can choose either a part-time or full-time program, with full-time consisting of 9 or more credit hours per semester and part-time being anything less. Dual degree programs are offered in Bioethics (MSN/MA), Anthropology (MSN/MA), and Public Health (MSN/MPH). Post-master's certificates can be provided for most programs and are crafted according to individual needs and background education.

Course Grades

Progression in the MSN program is contingent on a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and passing grades in all courses (A, B, C, P, or S). If the cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 during any semester, the student will be placed on academic probation.  In addition, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) students in the MSN program must maintain an APRN GPA of 3.0 or higher in all APRN core courses (advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced physical assessment) and APRN clinical courses.  If either the cumulative or APRN GPA falls below 3.0 during any semester, the student will be placed on academic probation. To be removed from probation, the student must have a cumulative and APRN GPA of 3.0 or higher in the next academic semester they are registered. If the student fails to be removed from academic probation at this time, they may be separated from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

The grade of Incomplete (I) can only be assigned by the discretion of the instructor when: 1) There are extenuating circumstances, explained to the instructor before the assignment of the grade, which clearly justifies an extension of time beyond the requirements established for and met by other students in the class, and 2) The student has been passing the course and only an evaluative component of the course, such as a term paper, final exam, or project remains to be completed.  The "Arrangement to Resolve a Grade of Incomplete" form must be completed prior to the end of the semester, or the instructor may assign a grade of U or F.  The instructor shall enter a final evaluative grade if and when the completed work has been submitted.  A grade of Incomplete must be removed by the 11th week of the semester following the one in which the courses were taken.  If the student does not complete the required work by the date established, the Registrar will convert the I to an F when the deadline for completion has  passed.  Students may not sit in the same course in a later semester to complete the work required for the original course. Please see the University Incomplete Policy.  

A student who receives a grade of F or U for a required course must register for the course the next semester it is offered to continue in the MSN program. If the grade of U or F is in a course that is not required for the MSN program, the student may register for the same course or a substitute course and achieve a passing grade to continue in the MSN program. MSN students who receive 2 failing grades (F, U, NP) will be separated from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

Majors and Sample Full-Time Curriculum

Virtually all MSN students must take at least ten core courses in Professional Development, Scientific Inquiry, and Nursing Practice. Although the MSN program itself requires a minimum of 36 credit hours to graduate, most majors require an average of 40 credit hours, usually completed between 18 and 30 months depending on the MSN major.  Students are required to complete 600 or more clinical hours depending on MSN major.  Post-master's certificates can be provided for most programs and are crafted according to individual needs and background education.  Sample full-time curriculum are listed for each major.