Nursing (MSN)

Director: Nan Russell Yancey, RN PhD

Department of Graduate Studies in Nursing
College of Nursing and Health Professions
Lewis University
One University Parkway
Romeoville, IL 60446

Phone: (815) 836-5355

Total Credit Hours: 42-48

Program Outcomes

The Graduate Program in the College of Nursing and Health Professions offers the professional nurse several options for continuing formal professional education: (1) a 42 credit hour program leading to a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree designed to provide the professional nurse with requisite knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in Nursing Administration and Nursing Education; (2) a 60-63 credit hour program leading to a joint MSN/MBA degree; (3) a 48 credit hour program leading to a MSN designed to prepare the professional nurse with the requisite knowledge and skills to assume an advanced practice role as an Adult Nurse Practitioner; and (4) post-MSN certificate programs in Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, and Adult Nurse Practitioner.

Graduates in Nursing Administration are prepared to function as leaders in the administration of nursing services and patient care services to improve the delivery of healthcare and the practice of nursing. Graduates in nursing administration incorporate skills gained in the financial, economic, human resources and organizational components of management.

Graduates in Nursing Education are prepared to assume faculty roles in nursing education programs, and educator roles in staff development, continuing education and community education in municipal, managed care and private sector environments. The Nursing Education Specialization provides students with the skills in curricular design: instructional methodology, program evaluation and educational research that help them become valuable and highly marketable members of the education and nursing professions.

Graduates of the Adult Nurse Practitioner specialization are prepared to provide primary health care for adolescents and adults in a wide variety of settings, including primary care clinics, hospitals, private practices, community health centers, and in the home. The graduate will be prepared to perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat common acute and chronic illnesses, and order and interpret labs and other diagnostic testing. Of special importance, nurse practitioner graduates will have advanced skills in patient education, health promotion, and disease prevention that is unique in the health care system.

Program Objectives

At the completion of the program, graduates will:

1. apply specialized knowledge in health-care delivery systems, educational settings, and communities;
   
   
2. utilize critical inquiry to assess complex systems, design and implement strategies, and evaluate outcomes;
   
   
3. exercise leadership in the development of effective communication systems and processes; and
   
   
4. develop interventions relative to economic, social, legal, ethical and political issues that contribute to the health of society and the profession of nursing.

Statement of Commitment to University Mission and Values

The College of Nursing and Health Professions subscribes to the values of Lewis University’s Mission: knowledge, justice, association, wisdom and fidelity. These values are consistent with the professional values expressed in the American Nurses Association Standards of Practice and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and are modeled by faculty in their professional nursing practice. The College of Nursing and Health Professions supports the University’s commitment toward maintaining our campus as a Sanctified Zone, which celebrates our diverse community.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing is based on individual qualifications of the applicant without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national or ethic origin, or disability. In addition to meeting health and clinical requirements in the MSN program prior to enrollment in clinical/practicum courses, all incoming students born after January 1, 1957, taking six or more credit hours per semester on the Romeoville campus must have an updated immunization record sent to the Center for Health and Counseling Services.

Requests for exceptions to any of the stated admission criteria must be submitted in writing to the program director, and will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants to the MSN/MBA dual degree program must meet admission requirements for both programs.

Admission Criteria for Applicants to the Nursing Administration and Nursing Education programs with a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing:

1. Graduation from a baccalaureate nursing program, accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The undergraduate curriculum should have included a three-semester credit hour course in statistics and a three-semester credit hour course in nursing research. If not, equivalent courses must be taken prior to or concurrent with the first graduate level nursing course.
   
   
2. Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in the state where the applicant resides.
   
   
3. Minimum of 2.75 undergraduate cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 point scale). Official transcripts from all previous academic programs are required.
   
   
4. Three completed Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Professions’ recommendation forms.*
   
   
5. A current resumé or curriculum vitae.

Admission Criteria for Applicants to the Nursing Administration and Nursing Education programs with a Registered Nurse license and a Non-Nursing Baccalaureate Degree

1. Graduation from an accredited associate degree or diploma nursing program (NLNAC or CCNE).
   
   
2. Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in state where resides.
   
   
3. Graduation from an accredited non-nursing baccalaureate degree program.
   
   
4. Minimum of 2.75 undergraduate cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) on most recently completed baccalaureate or graduate degree. Official transcripts are required.
   
   
5. Three completed Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Professions’ recommendation forms.*
   
   
6. A three semester credit hour course in statistics, 30-306 Concepts of Professional Nursing, 30-432 Promoting Healthy Communities and a three semester credit hour course in undergraduate nursing research.

Admission Criteria for Applicants to the Adult Nurse Practitioner Program

1. Graduation from a baccalaureate nursing program, accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The undergraduate curriculum must have included (a) a three-semester credit hour course in statistics, (b) a three-semester credit hour course in nursing research; (c) a three-semester credit hour course in pharmacology; (d) a 3 semester credit hour course in health assessment; and (e) courses in anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. If not, equivalent courses must be taken prior to enrollment in the first graduate level nursing course.
   
   
2. Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in Illinois or state of practice.
   
   
3. Minimum of 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 point scale). Official transcripts from all previous academic programs are required.
   
   
4. Three completed Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Professions’ recommendation forms, including at least one from a masters prepared nurse in clinical practice, one from an academic nurse educator, and one of own choosing.*
   
   
5. A current resumé or curriculum vitae.
   
   
6. Two essays addressing (a) the skills and qualities the applicant brings to the Nurse Practitioner role; and (b) the most important things the applicant needs to learn to be a successful Nurse Practitioner.

* Letters of recommendation completed by Registered Professional Nurses with at least a master’s degree are preferred.

Requirements

A minimum of 42 graduate semester credits is required for the Master of Science in Nursing degree. The curriculum for Nursing Administration and Nursing Education students is accelerated and designed and implemented to meet the needs of the working adult learner. Adult Nurse Practitioner specialization courses are offered in a traditional semester format.

Students may elect to progress on either a full-time or a part-time basis.

Transfer Credit and Grade Point

A maximum of nine semester credits of graduate-level coursework from regionally accredited institutions may be accepted for transfer if the courses are applicable to the student’s area of specialization as determined by the Director