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Nursing M.S.N.

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 or Nursing Education; (2) a 63-66 credit hour program leading to a joint MSN/MBA degree; (3) a 49 credit hour program leading to a MSN designed to prepare the professional nurse with the knowledge and skills to assume an advanced practice role as an Adult Nurse Practitioner; (4) a 54 credit hour program to prepare the professional nurse with the knowledge and skills to assume an advanced practice role as a Family Nurse Practitioner; and (5) post-MSN certificate programs in Nursing Administration and Nursing Education.

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 and Family Nurse Practitioner specializations are prepared to provide primary health care 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 healthcare system.

Program Objectives

At the completion of the program, graduates will:

  • Apply specialized knowledge in healthcare delivery systems, educational settings, and communities;
  • Utilize critical inquiry to assess complex systems, design and implement strategies, and evaluate outcomes;
  • Exercise leadership in the development of effective communication systems and processes; and
  • 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 Director of Graduate Studies, 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), including successful completion of (a) a three-semester credit hour course in statistics and (b) 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 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. Two completed Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Professions’ recommendation forms; one reference must be from a nurse with a master’s degree or doctoral degree in the specialty for which you are applying; the second should be from your current supervisor or manager.
  5. A current resumé or curriculum vitae.
  6. Essay (500-600 words including introduction and conclusion) addressing (a) how your work experiences prepared you for graduate studies; (b) how graduate study will facilitate achievement of your short and long term goals; and (c) how the Lewis University Mission integrates with your personal and professional identity.

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).
  2. Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in Illinois or state of practice.
  3. Graduation from an accredited non-nursing baccalaureate degree program.
  4. Minimum of 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) on all college work. Official transcripts are required.
  5. Two completed Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Professions’ recommendation forms; one reference must be from a nurse with a master’s degree or doctoral degree in the specialty for which you are applying; the second should be from your current supervisor or manager.
  6. A successful completion of three semester credit hour course in statistics, L5-306 Concepts of Professional Nursing, L5-432 Promoting Healthy Communities and L5-301 Nursing Research.
  7. Essay (500-600 words including introduction and conclusion) addressing (a) how your work experiences prepared you for graduate studies; (b) how graduate study will facilitate achievement of your short and long term goals; and (c) how the Lewis University Mission integrates with your personal and professional identity.

Admission Criteria for Applicants to the Nurse Practitioner Program 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), including successful completion of (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 three-semester credit hour course in health assessment; and (e) courses in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, chemistry and microbiology. 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. Two completed Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Professions’ recommendation forms; one reference must be from a nurse with a master’s degree or doctoral degree in the specialty for which you are applying; the second should be from your current supervisor or manager.
  5. A current resumé or curriculum vitae.
  6. One essay (1000 words maximum) 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.

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 of Graduate Studies, or determined by course faculty to be equivalent to required courses. Only courses carrying a grade of B or above will be considered. Grades from courses accepted for transfer credit are not calculated into the cumulative grade point average.

Academic Standing

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 must be maintained in order for a student to remain in good standing. A minimum 3.2 cumulative grade point average is required for progression into the graduate practicum.

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. Nurse Practitioner specialization courses are offered in a traditional 16 week format.

Time Limit for Completion

Students must meet all requirements for the degree within a period of five consecutive years from the time of enrollment in graduate coursework upon admission to the program.

Tuition and Fees

Published regularly by the Offices of the Bursar and Registrar, current tuition and fees can be found in the University Course Schedule.

Students are responsible for fees for background checks and online immunization documentation prior to beginning coursework in the practicum.

MSN Curriculum

MSN courses may be offered on any Lewis campus site, at selected cohort sites, or online. Other than per specific cohort program contracts, there is no guarantee that the entire MSN curriculum will be offered in entirety at any one location.

NOTE: This curriculum and the sequence of courses are effective for Fall 2011. Curriculum changes and revisions will be posted on the Lewis University Web site. Please contact the Office of Graduate Studies in the College of Nursing and Health Professions for the most current information.

Degree Offered: Master of Science

Total Credit Hours Required: 42-45