Nursing

Policies

BS-DNP/FNP AND MS-DNP PROGRAM

Admission:

Application materials are available online from the School of Nursing website and the College of Graduate Studies and Research. Completed applications are due in fall semester for admission to classes starting in summer. Applicants submit materials online to the College of Graduate Studies and Research.

Completed applications are reviewed by the Nursing Graduate Program Admission Committee using the following criteria:

1. BS/BA or entry-level masters degree from an NLNAC/CCNE accredited school of nursing preferred (as verified by official transcripts).
2. Current RN licensure in at least one state with eligibility for licensure in Minnesota.
3. Undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale. If cumulative GPA is less than 3.0, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required. The GRE results must be submitted along with the application. The GRE must have been taken within five years prior to application.
4. An on–campus written essay is required of all applicants. The written essay is an applicant's response to a topic related to nursing and is evaluated for composition and fluency. This essay is written prior to the fall application deadline and is scored by a member of the graduate faculty. The faculty essay score is submitted along with the application.
5. Minimum of one year of clinical nursing practice experience as a baccalaureate prepared RN.
6. Submission of a completed Graduate Nursing Programs Application.
7. One reference from a nursing supervisor who can respond to questions about the applicant's clinical nursing abilities.
8. An interview may also be required as part of the application process.
9. Applicants are notified by mail of the admission decision by December 10th for admission the following summer.

Progression:

Outcomes

Graduates of the BSN to DNP degree program will be able to:

1. Evaluate scientific underpinnings that contribute to translation of nursing research to improve practice.
2. Evaluate advanced practice nursing actions that promote prevention and influence outcomes for individual, family, and population health.
3. Use knowledge gained through evaluation of advanced practice nursing actions that influence health outcomes to lead improvement in health policy, care delivery, patient outcomes, and systems management.
4. Evaluate and apply evidence pertaining to direct care of patients and management of care for individuals, families, systems, and populations.
5. Translate evidence gained through evaluation of collaborative and direct care of patients and management of care for individuals, families, systems, and populations to improve practice and implement health policy.
6. Use health care technology in the synthesis of evidence to design, implement, and evaluate change to address a clinical practice problem.

ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL NURSE MS PROGRAM

• Nurse Leader Emphasis
• Nurse Educator Emphasis

Admission Requirements:

Students must be admitted into the Advanced Professional Nurse MS Program prior to taking any nursing courses. Learners are accepted during the fall and spring semester. The program application may be obtained from the School of Nursing website.

Requirements for admission to the Advanced Professional Nurse MS Program are:

1. BS/BA or entry level masters degree from an NLNAC/CCNE accredited school of nursing preferred (as verified by official transcripts) or in the final semester of an RN to BS degree completion program by the start of the program (dual enrollment).
2. Current unencumbered RN Licensure in at least one state.
3. Undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale (this requirement may be appealed).
4. Completion of the Advanced Professional Nurse MS Program application.

Progression:

1. In general, the School of Nursing graduate program follows the College of Graduate Studies scholastic standards.
2. A student who does not achieve a passing grade in two courses (or one course repeated) will not be allowed to continue in the Advanced Professional Nurse MS Program.

Outcomes

Graduates of the Advanced Professional Nurse MS Program will be able to:

1. Apply evidence-based practice and the science of nursing within the advanced professional nursing role and facilitate equitable, diverse, inclusive nursing practice.
2. Translate knowledge to develop advanced professional nursing practice and improve individual, family, and societal health and healing.
3. Employ technology, informatics, assessment, and evaluation strategies to enhance equitable outcomes in the advanced professional nursing practice role.
4. Appraise ethical principles in addressing diverse, equitable and inclusive approaches in the advanced professional nursing practice role with a focus on diverse, equitable, and inclusive approaches to improve healthcare outcomes.
5. Synthesize knowledge and data in the direct care role and responsibilities from an advanced professional nursing perspective.
6. Participate in lifelong learning with professional standards and values through advanced professional nursing roles using interprofessional collaboration.