Program Description
This program requires 34 credit hours of graduate coursework. It prepares nurses to become educators for nursing students or provide education within hospital-based facilities. The curriculum covers nursing curriculum development, educational concepts and evaluation principles, facilitating learning and teaching innovations, assessment and evaluation in nursing education, and curriculum design. Students will participate in a Nursing Education Practicum by shadowing a nurse educator and managing a class. Graduates will have the skills to deliver nursing education in various healthcare settings.
Why Choose a Master’s Education in Nursing?
The MSN program at Shenandoah Medical University is designed to meet the following nine essentials, guided by The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing:
- Background for Practice from Sciences and Humanities
- Organizational and Systems Leadership
- Translating and Integrating Scholarship into Practice
- Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
- Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
- Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving Health
- Master’s-Level Nursing Practice
Program Objectives
The objectives of the MSN program are to prepare graduates as:
- Leaders, educators, practitioners, researchers, and change agents in the delivery of high-quality, accessible, culturally competent healthcare in local and global societies.
- Professional advanced practice nurses who use communication, interprofessional collaboration, and synthesis of evidence-based practice, scholarship, and research in healthcare delivery for local and global societies.
- Facilitators and leaders of interprofessional healthcare teams who understand organizational systems and environments and can integrate care services and healthcare policy across local and global societies.
- Critical thinkers who actively and skillfully utilize ethical principles in translating evidence into safe, affordable, accessible, innovative, quality care.
- Advanced practice nurses who deliver patient and family-centered holistic care using knowledge of basic sciences, including genetics/genomics, preventive health, and advances in health technology.
- Advanced practice nurses who analyze, influence, and develop health policies that promote access and delivery of high-quality healthcare to diverse populations, underserved, and vulnerable populations across the lifespan.
Tution and Fees
- Tuition: $22,200.00
- Administration/Registration Fee: $100.00
- Books/Supplies: $6,365.00
- Total Program Costs: $28,135.00
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):Applicants must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Experience:One (1) year of experience as a Registered Nurse with the adult population
- Registered Nurse License:An unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the State of Florida.
- GPA:An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Undergraduate Statistics Course: A grade of “C” or better in an undergraduate statistics course.
- Graduate Course Eligibility:Not eligible for admission if an applicant has earned a grade of “C,” “D,” “F,” or “WF” in two or more graduate nursing courses.
Admission Documents:
- Official transcripts from all previous institutions attended.
- Criminal Background Check (required after admission).
- Urine Drug Screen (required after admission).
- Resume.
- Statement of personal and professional goals.
- Three letters of recommendation from supervisors or faculty members attesting to the applicant’s aptitude for graduate study.
- Essay discussing the role of a master-prepared professional in the healthcare environment and its impact on healthcare outcomes.
Financial Assistance
Currently, Shenandoah Medical University does not participate in Title IV programs or offer financial aid. Payment in full is expected on or before the first day of class. Students have the following payment options:
- Private Loans: Offered through private lenders for those who qualify, often based on the student’s credit score. Students are responsible for obtaining all necessary information regarding eligibility and financial responsibility directly from the lender. SMU is not affiliated with any private lender and does not offer in-house loans.
- Installment Agreement Plans: SMU allows students to pay for their education through installment agreements set up with the university. These plans are based on the student’s ability to make monthly or quarterly payments over the length of the program. Students must contact SMU’s Financial Service department upon enrollment to arrange their payment plan.
- Employer Reimbursement Programs: Some employers offer tuition reimbursement to qualifying employees. Students must check with their employers for eligibility criteria. SMU requires students to pay tuition upfront and seek reimbursement based on the employer’s established policies.
- Tuition Program Discounts: SMU plans to offer a 20% discount to eligible alumni and community partners. The Community Partners list is pending final approval.
Students should carefully consider the financial implications of dropping courses, incomplete course completion, or taking a leave of absence, as these situations may directly impact payment obligations and financial aid eligibility.
Course Numbering System
Our course numbering system is designed to provide clarity and structure, with each course code reflecting its academic discipline and level of study.
- Alpha Prefix:The letter prefix represents the academic discipline of the course.
- Numeric Code:The first digit indicates the course level (upper or lower division), while the remaining digits specify the program sequence.
Example
- Course Code:NUR 500
- Alpha Prefix: “NUR” – Represents the Nursing discipline.
- Digits: “500” – Indicates the level and sequence within the program.
Program Breakdown
Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN)
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 500 | Theories of Nursing Leadership, Healthcare Policy, and Determinants of Health | 3 |
| NUR 505 | Advanced Health Assessment and Differential Diagnosis | 3 |
| NUR 510 | Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NUR 515 | Advanced Health Assessment Lab | 1 |
| NUR 520 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NUR 525 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NED 530 | Nursing Curriculum Development | 3 |
| NED 535 | Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NED 540 | Educational Concepts and Principles of Evaluation | 3 |
| NED 545 | Curriculum Design and Foundations in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NED 550 | Facilitating Learning and Teaching Innovations in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NED 555 | Nursing Education Practicum | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 37 |
Course Description
NUR 500 Theories of Nursing Leadership, Healthcare Policy, and Determinants of Health – 3 Credits
This course focuses on providing the master’s prepared nurse with the understanding of how policy influences the structure of health care, nursing practice, and health outcomes at the institutional, local, state, and federal levels. A focus on the effect of economic, legal, ethical, and regulatory processes on healthcare policy on social determent of health will be studied. With continual changes in operational systems management and healthcare organizational structures, the master’s-prepared nurse must have the knowledge and skills to assume a leadership role in policymaking. The master’s prepared nurse practitioner will master the art of advocating for policy change to provide quality, cost-effective care to deliver bestpractice patient health outcomes.
NUR 505 Advanced Health Assessment and Differential Diagnosis – 3 Credits
Building upon basic health assessment skills, this course is designed to provide a core of physical
assessment competencies necessary for the nurse in advanced practice. An advanced health assessment
includes a comprehensive health history and physical examination related to current health patterns across
the life span of the patient within the context of the family. The purpose of an advanced health assessment is
to provide an opportunity for the student to develop a comprehensive understanding of the patient to
determine appropriate and effective health care. The application of advanced nursing knowledge and
proficiency in the care of children and their families is provided through the development and progression of
history-taking and physical assessment skills.
NUR 510 Research and Evidence Base Practice – 3 Credits
This course provides an overview of research in nursing with a focus on translating and ethically integrating scientifically based evidence into practice to improve outcomes. Students will learn to formulate
researchable questions and develop skills to assess databases for literature searches. Methods of
disseminating evidence and using information technology to improve practice outcomes are explored. Focus
is placed on understanding established research methodologies, ways of knowing in nursing and developing the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors to retrieve and critique published studies for application to
evidence-based nursing practice. Graduate nursing students build upon previous learning of nursing
research and evidence-based practice in order to become proficient in critiquing, generating, translating
research evidence into practice, and disseminating results to advance nursing knowledge. Students will gain
skills in utilizing various databases for retrieving scholarly evidence and best practices to improve healthcare
outcomes.
NUR 515 Advanced Health Assessment Lab – 1 Credit
In this course, students will build on previous clinical experience and undergraduate coursework to master
health assessment skills and communication strategies. Students conduct comprehensive, evidence-based health assessments encompassing environmental, genetic, multicultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors.
Students also explore ways of adapting their communication style to meet the specific needs of their
audience. The course also focuses on mastering the physical and mental health exam and teaches the
student how to formulate plans to ensure effective patient-centered care. The hands-on simulation will be
utilized to enhance practice skills.
NUR 520 Advanced Pharmacology – 3 Credits
The goals of this course are to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the actions of drugs to enable them to use therapeutic agents rationally and responsibly. Basic principles of pharmacology will be
reviewed, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs by the body. Drug-receptor
interactions will also be presented and illustrated with appropriate examples. The focus of these lectures will
be case based whenever possible to demonstrate the therapeutic application of these pharmacologic
principles and how this translates into efficacy and potential toxicity. The student will explore the principles of
pharmacology as they apply to various disease processes considering medication selection factors, client
adherence, and ethical implications. Students will synthesize knowledge of clinical pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics in managing common disease processes occurring in patients across the lifespan.
NUR 525 Advanced Pathophysiology – 3 Credits
This course focuses on pathophysiology and disruptions in normal body functioning for individuals across the
lifespan. In-depth theoretical and clinical principles of diseases encountered in primary care settings and
health disparities resulting from genetic, environmental, and stress-related causes are included. Organ
systems function and dysfunction from cell level through integrated organ levels will be presented, as well as
the genetic basis of disease. An understanding of alterations in biological processes that affect the body’s
dynamic equilibrium or homeostasis will be discussed, allowing students to differentiate abnormal
physiologic functions that result in illness. Assessment findings, diagnostic testing, and interventions specific
to selected health problems are explored to begin the development of critical thinking skills for
pathophysiologic causes and treatments of given disease processes.h
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Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation, students must meet the following criteria:
- Program Requirements:Successfully complete all courses, clinical experiences, and competencies required by the MSN program and specialty.
- Credits & Clinical Hours:Earn the minimum required credits and clinical clock hours for the chosen specialty program.
- Grade Point Average (GPA):Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Financial Standing:Ensure there is no outstanding debt (tuition/fees).
Technology in Healthcare Education
Technology is integral to enhancing clinical practice and patient care. At SMU, we incorporate cutting-edge tools to support knowledge development and interventions. These include:
- Computers
- Web-based applications
- Decision support systems
- Monitors and data-gathering devices
Mastery of information and patient care technologies is crucial for preparing nursing graduates to deliver high-quality care in a variety of healthcare settings.
Distance Learning
Our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner is 100% online through asynchronous learning.
Program Features:
- PlatformCourses are delivered via Canvas, offering flexibility and consistency in the learning experience.
- Adherence to Policies Students must follow all university policies regarding academic integrity. Only enrolled students may complete coursework, and violations may result in dismissal.
- PlatformCourses are delivered via Canvas, offering flexibility and consistency in the learning experience.
- Support & Training:The Online Learning Department provides training for faculty and students, including self-guided tutorials to ensure smooth learning experiences.
- Quality Assurance:SMU conducts regular class observations to monitor the quality of online education, ensuring compliance with distance learning standards and program objectives.
- Verification:Students’ identities are verified through secure IDs and passwords for all online courses.
Credit for Courses
Course credit is awarded based on U.S. Department of Education guidelines. All courses are evaluated in semester credit hours.
- Theory Courses: 1 contact hour = 50 minutes of instruction.
- Laboratory/Practicum: 60 clock hours = 1 credit hour.
Clinical Practice Hours:
Advanced Family Health Nurse Practitioner have at least 750 clinical practice hours.