Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)
College: College of Science and Health
Department: Nursing and Health
Student Type: Graduate Semester
Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N)
Campus: Lisle Campus
Introduction
America’s changing population coupled with the complexity of the healthcare system requires increasingly knowledgeable nurses who can lead change and effectively collaborate with the interprofessional team to improve the health of those they serve. To meet ever changing demands and ensure the continued quality of nursing care, Benedictine University’s Department of Nursing and Health offers its online Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) to prepare registered nurses to become nurse educators or nurse executive leaders.
Overview
The M.S.N. curriculum aligns with the graduate education standards specified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which emphasize organizational and systems leadership, healthcare technologies, advocacy, interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and cultural competence, among other valued professional nursing knowledge, qualities, and skills. The Benedictine M.S.N. curriculum combines foundation courses with concentration specific courses to complete the M.S.N. degree specializing as a direct care nurse educator or nurse executive leader. The degree program can be completed in 24-26 months. Courses run eight weeks in duration and are taken one at a time in a laddered sequence.
Accreditation
The Master's Degree in Nursing Program at Benedictine University is accredited by:
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street NW, Suite 750
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Post Master’s Nurse Educator or Nurse Executive Leader Certificate
Overview
The Nurse Educator and Nurse Executive Leader Certificates are designed for professional registered nurses who possess a Master of Science or higher degree in nursing and are looking to build upon current expertise to gain advanced knowledge and skills in nursing education or nursing management and executive leadership.
The Nurse Educator Certificate promotes collaboration to meet the educational needs of a broad array of diverse learners including nursing students, interdisciplinary healthcare teams, patients, and populations in a variety of settings. Key concepts such as instructional design and technology, teaching and learning theory, curriculum development, and evaluation of learning are examined with emphasis on application to clinical practice. The certificate meets the education requirements described in the National League for Nursing’s eligibility criteria for the Nurse Educator certification examination.
The Nurse Executive Leader Certificate focuses on attributes to lead within complex healthcare systems. Key concepts such as effective communication, conflict resolution, leadership style, systems and strategic thinking, financial management, and resource allocation are examined. The certificate meets the continuing education requirements described in the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s eligibility criteria for the Nurse Executive Advanced certification examination.
Starting the Program
Applicants must have:
- a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (B.S.N.) from a regionally accredited college or university.
- attained a cumulative GPA of 2.750 (on a 4.000 scale).
- proof of license as a registered nurse in the U.S.
- computer skills and proficiency in word processing, email, and library online searches.
- a score on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) in accordance with the Graduate Catalog policy for those applicants where English is not their primary language.
- official sealed transcripts from post-secondary institutions.
- a statement of goals - maximum of two pages describing goals and rationale for pursuing a master’s degree in nursing. Include past nursing experiences that have prepared you to pursue a new role following completion of the program.
- one letter of professional recommendation from an individual familiar with the applicant’s competence in the practice of nursing and potential for successful graduate education.
Accepted students must meet health and safety requirements including selected immunizations and screening tests, CPR certification, flu shot, health insurance, and professional liability insurance. Additional requirements may be necessary as specified by the agency at which the clinical experiences are conducted. Documentation is submitted to a Department of Nursing and Health designated vendor. A one-time fee is paid by the student upon activation of the document tracking account. Submission and approval of required documentation must be completed in accordance with established dates.
Starting the Certificate Program
Applicants must have:
- A Master of Science or higher degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited college or university,
- earned a GPA of 3.000 or higher (on a 4.000 scale) upon completion of the master's or higher degree in nursing program,
- proof of unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the U.S. and
- official sealed transcripts from the institution where the highest degree in nursing was conferred.
M.S.N. Curriculum
The M.S.N. program requires 36-39 semester credit hours of graduate coursework, which consists of 15 semester credit hours of foundation courses and 21-24 semester credit hours of concentration courses. A 140-clock hour practicum is completed in a clinical setting during the final two courses of each concentration allowing for the development of master’s level nursing practice competence. A culminating capstone project affords students the opportunity to synthesize and apply their knowledge to improve patient/client outcomes. Courses include:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| NRHL 5501 | Health Promotion and Interprofessional Collaboration 1 | 3 |
| NRHL 5502 | Ethical and Culturally Competent Healthcare Professional | 3 |
| NRHL 5503 | Evidence-based Nursing Practice: Research and Process Improvement | 3 |
| NRHL 5505 | Healthcare Policy and Advocacy 2 | 3 |
| NRHL 5506 | Quality Improvement and Safety in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
NRHL 5501 Health Promotion and Interprofessional Collaboration may be waived for credit if equivalent BSN undergraduate coursework in NRHL 4365 Health Promotion for Families, Communities, and Populations and NRHL 4392 Nurse Leadership and Interprofessional Collaboration were satisfactorily completed with a final grade of “B” or better.
- 2
NRHL 5505 Healthcare Policy and Advocacy may be waived for credit if equivalent BSN undergraduate coursework in NRHL 4375 Healthcare Policy, Regulation and Advocacy was satisfactorily completed with a final grade of “B” or better.
Nurse Educator Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRHL 6507 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NRHL 6508 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NRHL 6509 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NRHL 6641 | Instructional Strategies | 3 |
| NRHL 6645 | Curriculum Development | 3 |
| NRHL 6647 | Evaluation Strategies and Methods | 3 |
| NRHL 6653 | Advanced Nursing Practice: Clinical Immersion | 3 |
| NRHL 6655 | Advanced Nursing Practice: Capstone Project Implementation | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Nurse Executive Leader Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRHL 6620 | Building Effective Communication and Relationships | 3 |
| NRHL 6622 | Professionalism and Executive Career Development | 3 |
| NRHL 6624 | Advanced Knowledge of Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NRHL 6646 | Leadership and Systems Thinking | 3 |
| NRHL 6648 | Financial Management and Resource Allocation | 3 |
| NRHL 6653 | Advanced Nursing Practice: Clinical Immersion | 3 |
| NRHL 6655 | Advanced Nursing Practice: Capstone Project Implementation | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Certificate Curriculum
Each post master’s certificate requires completion of three 3-semester credit hour graduate-level nursing courses. Post master’s certificate students are held to the policies and procedures of the Benedictine University Graduate Catalog. As noted in the “Certificate Programs” policy, a minimum GPA of 3.000 in certificate applicable coursework is required to receive a certificate. Courses include:
Nurse Educator Certificate
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRHL 6641 | Instructional Strategies | 3 |
| NRHL 6645 | Curriculum Development | 3 |
| NRHL 6647 | Evaluation Strategies and Methods | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Nurse Executive Leader Certificate
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRHL 6620 | Building Effective Communication and Relationships | 3 |
| NRHL 6646 | Leadership and Systems Thinking | 3 |
| NRHL 6648 | Financial Management and Resource Allocation | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Faculty
Deborah Jezuit (2010), Ph.D., M.S.N., RN
Department Chair, B.S.N. Program Director, M.S.N.
Associate Professor, Nursing and Health
Ph.D. 2001, Rush University
M.S. in Nursing 1988 Purdue University
B.S.N. 1975, Ball State University
Alison Ridge (2012), D.N.P., M.S.N., RN, CNE
Graduate Program Director, M.S.N.
Associate Professor, Nursing and Health
D.N.P. 2010, Rush University
M.S.N. 2004, Rush University
B.S.N. 1986, Rush University
B.A. 1985, North Central College
Lecturers
Mary Bemker, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Marti Kessack, Ph.D., M.S.N./Ed., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Camille McNicholas, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, CRNA, APRN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Sarah Mutschlecner, D.N.P., M.S.N., RN, FNP-BC
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Therese Shipps, D.N.Sc., M.S.N., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Judith Treschuk, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, CNS, CNE
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Jasmin Whitfield, D.N.P., M.S.N., M.P.H., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Marilyn Wideman, D.N.P., M.S.N., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
The lecturers listed are individuals who have been employed as instructors on an as-needed basis, within the last several years, to teach courses at Benedictine University. Instructors listed may not currently be employed by Benedictine University. The University is fortunate to be able to provide our students with part-time faculty whose experience, credentials and commitment to education add to the high quality of our resident faculty.
Students in the Master of Science in Nursing Program will achieve the following student learning outcomes (SLO):
Student Learning Outcome 1: Apply nursing knowledge in collaboration with other disciplines to foster professional and innovative clinical practice across the healthcare system.
• University SLO: 1. Disciplinary Competence and Skills
Student Learning Outcome 2: Provide holistic, ethical, and just person-centered care that supports the achievement of positive health outcomes across diverse cultures and populations.
• University SLO: 6. Global Awareness and Cultural Competence; 7. Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility
Student Learning Outcome 3: Engage in partnerships and interprofessional collaboration to optimize care, ensure safety, and manage costs across the healthcare system.
• University SLO: 2. Critical and Creative Thinking Skills; 8. Stewardship
Student Learning Outcome 4: Disseminate nursing knowledge and evidence-based practice focused on transforming healthcare including advocacy and policy development.
• University SLO: 5. Analytical Skills
Student Learning Outcome 5: Integrate information and communication technologies to deliver quality health care services in accordance with best practices and professional and regulatory standards.
• University SLO: 3. Communication Skills; 4. Information Fluency
Student Learning Outcome 6: Create a sustained nursing identity through professionalism, advanced clinical expertise, a commitment to lifelong learning, and self-reflection.
• University SLO: 9. Personal Development