Nursing

The College of Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing under either Plan I (with thesis) or Plan II (without thesis). Students must meet the general University requirements for Plan I or Plan II as set forth in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog. Plan I requires a minimum of 30 credit hours (including 6 credit hours for thesis) in nursing and related subjects. Under Plan II a minimum of 32 credit hours in nursing and related subjects is required. Under both plans the student must complete the courses required for the chosen concentration. Although some concentrations may require many credit hours beyond the minimum, individual review of records may allow waiver of some of the concentration courses. The minimum credit hour requirement for Plan I (30) or Plan II (32) must be met by all degree-seeking candidates regardless of any course waivers. Requirements for individual concentrations are available from the concentration coordinators or the College of Nursing Advisement Office. Some concentrations require full-time study. Students should expect a minimum of three hours per week per credit hour for clinical involvement when taking clinical nursing courses.

Once completed, the graduate is prepared to:

1. Analyze theoretical formulations as a basis for nursing practice, education, and administration.
2. Apply and/or participate in research about health/illness and the practice of nursing.
3. Utilize advanced clinical knowledge and skill to promote, maintain, and/or restore optimum wellness to client systems.
4. Assume leadership roles in nursing practice, education or administration.
5. Assume responsibility for developing health care policy relative to social, ethical, legal, economic, and political issues that impact nursing.
6. Organize and develop collaborative relationships for the improvement of health care on an agency, organizational or legislative level.
7. Synthesize knowledge from the biophysical, social, and nursing sciences that affects health/illness behavior or client systems as a basis for nursing practice, education, and administration.

Core courses for all M.S.N. students:

Required clinical core courses for all students in advanced practice concentrations:
(AG-ACNP, Education, FNP, NM, PNP, PMHNP)

Students must also complete the requirements for their chosen concentration, as well as a professional paper, applied examination, or thesis. If students choose to write a thesis, they enroll in six credit hours of NURS 599 Thesis, instead of one credit hour of NURS 596 Professional Paper or one credit hour of NURS 597 Applied Examination. The paper or examination is completed in the last term of study.

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree (e.g., B.S.N.) from an accredited (N.L.N.A.C. or C.C.N.E.) nursing program, with an upper-division major in nursing. (Graduates from non-accredited programs and R.N.s with a baccalaureate degree in non-nursing fields are considered on an individual basis.) R.N.s with non-nursing baccalaureate have one opportunity to pass a Community Health test prior to the application deadline. Results of the exam must be received within 5 days of the application deadline.
2. Have a minimum grade point average for baccalaureate work of B (3.0) or better.
3. Submit the application, required academic records, and documents by deadline dates. See the College of Nursing Web site for further details.
4. Submit evidence of RN licensure (which must be kept current throughout enrollment in the program). If NCLEX results are pending at the time of application, the applicant should indicate this in the personal statement, with a copy of the RN license submitted within the first term enrolled and prior to any clinical experience. Note: Active RN license is required for the state in which any lab or clinical work (inpatient or community) is performed. An active New Mexico RN license is required for students holding teaching or research assistantships.
5. An interview may be required for admission.