Master of Science in Nursing

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Chair: Teresa Kaul, Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing

Office: South Bergstrom 313

Telephone: 262-650-4924

E-mail: tkaul@carrollu.edu

MSN Program Nursing Director and Faculty

Accreditation

Carroll University Department of Nursing offers a program leading to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Established in fall of 2019, the master degree program in nursing at Carroll University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202.887.6791. The nursing department has ongoing approval of the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing, is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National League for Nursing. Carroll University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

MSN Emphasis Tracks:

Carroll University offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. This program offers three emphasis tracks:

1. Direct Entry (DE) - designed for graduates who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field, the MSN DE gives the student an opportunity to enter the nursing profession with a master’s degree.
2. Nurse Educators (NE) - designed to provide the graduate with tools to educate future and current nurses
3. RN to MSN NE- designed for nurses who hold an ADN degree to continue their education at the graduate level and educate future nurses.

Additionally, the MSN program offers a post-masters nurse educator certificate. This certificate is for nurses holding a MSN degree wishing to further their knowledge in educating future nurses.

MSN Program Format:

The Carroll University MSN program is designed to fit conveniently with working nurses’ schedules.

• Eight-week didactic courses meet one night per week
• Courses are delivered in a Hybrid format with online and in-person offerings.
• Unique clinical placement opportunities for MSN DE students in Designated Educational Units (DEU) within a healthcare system and in traditional clinical units. The MSN NE and RN-MSN NE advanced clinical may be completed in the student’s own work setting if desired allowing students to gain in-depth and advanced knowledge in specialty areas of interest.
• Nurse Educator practicums may be completed with the Carroll University nursing faculty.

Department of Nursing Mission:

Built upon the University Mission, the Carroll University Department of Nursing Mission is to prepare students, in diverse settings, for professional practice and other global pursuits.

MSN Program Purpose:

The Master Science of Nursing (MSN) program builds on baccalaureate education and prepares graduates for direct entry and expanded roles within the discipline of nursing. 

Admission to MSN Program:

Applications and credentials for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program must be submitted for processing to the Carroll University Office of Admission. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and as decisions are made on applications, applicants are notified through the Office of Admission.

Program Prerequisites MSN-DE:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in any degree other than nursing
• Cumulative and preprofessional GPA of 3.0 or higher 
  • Consideration will be given to students with UG-GPAs <3.0 who demonstrate academic achievement of 3.0 or higher with prerequisite courses.
• Preprofessional coursework must have been completed at an accredited insitution within 7 years of enrollment with grades of  “C” or better. Note that a “C-” grade will not be accepted.
  • 6-8 credits of Human Anatomy and Physiology with a lab
  • 3-4 credits of Chemistry
  • 3-4 credits of Microbiology with a lab
  • 3-4 credits of Lifespan or Developmental Psychology

Program Prerequisites MSN-NE:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited program (NLNAC or CCNE)
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
• Current unrestricted Wisconsin RN licensure

Program Prerequisites RN-MSN NE:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Consideration will be given to students with GPAs <3.0 on a case-by-case basis.
• Current unrestricted Wisconsin RN licensure

Program Prerequisites Post Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate:

• Master’s degree in nursing (MSN)
• Current unrestricted Wisconsin RN licensure

Program Admission Process:

Applicants must comply with all admission requirements listed above. Selection decisions will be based on submission and evaluation of:

1. Graduate Studies Application
2. All official post-secondary transcripts, including both graduate and undergraduate course work
3. Two letters of reference (work supervisors, professional colleagues, faculty)
4. Statement of purpose defining goals/objectives for the pursuit of graduate studies
5. Current resume or curriculum vitae

MSN Curriculum:

MSN Program Outcomes:

MSN Program Outcomes for Year One MSN Students 

1. Synthesize disciplinary knowledge as well as knowledge from other disciplines as a basis for clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice. (Knowledge of Nursing Practice)
2. Integrate holistic, person-centered care, including family and/or important others, regardless of the specialty or functional area. (Person Centered Care)
3. Advance population health through public health prevention to disease management of populations in partnership with other stakeholders. (Population Health)
4. Synthesize nursing knowledge to improve health and transform health care. (Scholarship of the Nursing Discipline)
5. Employ care that is safe and enhances quality. (Quality and Safety)
6. Facilitate the collaboration of health care teams across professions including patients, families, communities and stakeholders to optimize care and enhance the healthcare experience. (Interprofessional Partnerships)
7. Participate in the coordination of resources for the provision of safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations in complex health care systems. (Systems Based Practice)
8. Interpret information using healthcare technologies to provide evidence-based care across the health system. (Informatics and Healthcare Technologies)
9. Model a sustainable professional identity that reflects nursing’s characteristics and values.  (Professionalism)
10. Foster the skills and attributes needed for the continual development of personal and professional growth along with skills for professional nursing leadership. (Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development)

MSN Curriculum: The MSN program curriculum is informed by the AACN -The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education guidelines, (2021) the ANA Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statement.

The newly revised MSN curriculum incorporates the new AACN -The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education guidelines, which employs an outcomes-based competency educational framework that incorporates a “system of instruction, assessment, feedback, self-reflection, and academic reporting that is based on students demonstrating that they have learned the knowledge attitudes, motivations, self-perceptions, and skills expected of them as they progress through their education (AACN, 2021)  The outcome-based competency educational framework is designed to assure the graduate can demonstrate competence across 10 domains of nursing  practice, that integrate eight concepts, and 45 competencies organized by domains as defined in the AACN essentials document at the end of their program. The MSN faculty aligned their curriculum using Domains, Concepts and Competencies.

In addition to AACN essentials, the MSN program incorporates the American Nurses Association. Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, Fourth Edition (2021), and The Scope of Practice for Academic Nurse Educators and Academic Clinical Nurse Educators (2023) which includes the NLN NE competencies for the NE emphasis. NCSBN NCLEX-RN test plan (2023) informs the MSN DE emphasis.

Competency Based Education Framework: Competency Outcomes based education is a process whereby the students are held accountable to the mastery of competencies deemed critical for an area of study (AACN, 2021). Competency based education is inherently anchored to the output of an educational experience versus the input of the educational environment and system. 

Basic Tenets of Competency Based Education:

Competencies are sequenced progressively and drive curriculum design. Effective sequencing means:

• Gradually increasing complexity of expectations.
• Progressively building on foundational competencies.
• Employing a systematic approach to map educational opportunities and assessments for each competency across the curriculum.

Learners take on authentic roles of graduates to attain and demonstrate competencies with some flexibility for enrichment.  Teaching and assessment strategies, tailored to competencies and to the individual learner include:

• Learners actively guide their own learning.
• Faculty ensure that each learner is an active participant in the assessment process including formative and summative assessments.
• Faculty clearly delineates expectations of the learner so that learner knows the competencies they need to achieve, and the behaviors expected.
• Learners engage in gathering and reviewing performance evidence, including how to self-assess and collaborate with faculty in generating their individualized learning plans to attain competency.
• Faculty is intentional about minimizing bias.
• All assessments should directly link to the competencies.
• Faculty serve in the role of coach/mentor.

(AACN-Guiding Principles of Competency Based Education, 2023)

Academic Progression

Progression Standards  for progression policy.

MSN Core Courses- Taken by all MSN students

Master of Science in Nursing - Direct Entry (MSN-DE) - NRDE.MSN.25  Emphasis Curricular Framework: The MSN DE emphasis was developed for people holding a bachelor’s degree in any other discipline that have felt the call to be a nurse.  The MSN DE emphasis is an accelerated, intensive emphasis that students earn a MSN degree in less than 2 years.  The curriculum builds on the prerequisite courses and their previous learning experiences. The curriculum starts with foundational nursing concepts and builds to the advanced topics in the core MSN curriculum. 

Master of Science in Nursing - RN to MSN NE - RNMS.MSN.25  Emphasis Curricular Framework: The RN(ADN)-MSN NE emphasis is part of the MSN Degree Program, offered in an accelerated format for associate degree Registered Nurses.  This emphasis is an educational pipeline for associate degree nurses (ADN).  This emphasis builds on the students’ previous learning experiences in nursing, as well as their previous nursing employment history and life experiences.  This program prepares nurses to assume positions requiring graduate preparation, including roles in Nurse Education. Master’s degree-prepared nurses are in high demand as expert clinicians, nurse executives, clinical educators, health policy consultants, and research assistant (AACN, 2022).

Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator (MSN-NE) - NRCN.MSN.25  Emphasis Curricular Framework: Nurse educators combine a love of teaching and clinical excellence to advance nursing knowledge of both new and experienced nurses.  Nurse educators work in a multitude of settings that include hospitals, health care organizations, technical schools, 2- and 4-year colleges as well as universities. In addition to a high level of clinical competence, nurse educators also possess strong communication skills, cultural competence, innovative thinking, and flexibility to adapt teaching methods to the ever-changing health care environment.  Graduates from the MSN Nurse Educator emphasis will be eligible to sit for either the National League of Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam, the Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator(CNE-cl) exam, or the Certified Novice Nurse Educator. 

MSN NE Additional Program Outcomes for Year One MSN NE Students {Including RN(ADN)-MSN NE} 

1. Create an environment that facilitates learning (Facilitate Learning)
2. Facilitate learner development and the socialization into the profession of nursing (Facilitate learner development and socialization)
3. Effectively use assessment and evaluation strategies to evaluate student progress (Use assessment and evaluation strategies)
4. Contribute to curricular design and evaluation of an educational module (Participate in curriculum design and evaluation of program outcomes)
5. Develop an innovative educational module related to an area of educational expertise (Function as a change agent and leader)
6. Recognize the role of the nurse educator in developing and maintain competence in nursing knowledge, skills and attitudes (Pursues continuous quality improvement in nurse education roles)
7. Create an educational module incorporating best evidence (Engage in scholarship)
8. Collaborate with faculty and/or colleagues to develop and disseminate an educational module (Function within the educational environment)

Requirements of MSN Program:

Overall: All nursing students must be able to perform the essential functions of a professional nurse. Reasonable accommodations will be afforded to disabled professional nurses as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A student who can no longer perform the essential functions of a professional nurse must report that to the MSN Program Director. If reasonable accommodations cannot be made, the student will not be able to remain in the nursing program. Students shall notify the program of any change in their overall health status as it relates to their ability to perform the duties of a professional nurse.

Technical Standards for Carroll University Nursing Students

Professional nursing students are expected to demonstrate the ability to meet the demands of a professional nursing career. Certain functional abilities are essential for the delivery of safe, effective nursing care. An applicant to the Master of Science in Nursing Program must meet and maintain the following technical standards for progression throughout the program. Students unable to meet these technical standards will not be able to complete the program. Students shall notify the program of any change in their ability to meet technical standards.The technical standards include but are not limited to the following:

General Ability: The student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing and smell so that data received by the senses is integrated, analyzed and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. The student is expected to possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration, and movement in order to effectively evaluate patients. A student must be able to respond promptly to urgent situations.

Observational Ability: The student must have the ability to make accurate visual observations and interpret them in the context of clinical/laboratory activities and patient care experiences. The student must be able to document these observations accurately.

Communication Ability: The student must communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally to obtain information and explain that information to others. Each student must have the ability to read, write, comprehend, and speak the English language to facilitate communication with patients, family members and other members of the health care team. The student must be able to document and maintain accurate records, present information in a professional manner, and provide patient instruction to effectively care for patients and their families.

Motor Ability: The student must be able to perform gross and fine motor movements with sufficient coordination needed to provide complete physical assessments and provide safe effective care for patients. The student is expected to have psychomotor skills necessary to perform or assist with procedures, treatments, administration of medication and emergency interventions, including CPR if necessary. The student must have sufficient levels of neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination as well as possess the physical and mental stamina to meet the demands associated with extended periods of sitting, standing, moving and physical exertion required for safe patient care. Students must be able to bend, squat, reach, kneel or balance. Clinical settings may require that students have the ability to carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor to shoulder height and overhead. The student must be able to occasionally lift 50 pounds, frequently lift 25 pounds and constantly lift 10 pounds. The student is expected to be able to maintain consciousness and equilibrium and have the physical strength and stamina to perform satisfactorily in clinical settings.

Intellectual - Conceptual Ability: The student must have the ability to develop problem-solving skills essential to professional nursing practice. Problem solving skills include the ability to measure, calculate reason, analyze, synthesize objective and subjective data, and to make decisions in a timely manner that reflects thoughtful deliberation and sound clinical judgment. The student must demonstrate application of these skills and possess the ability to incorporate new information from peers, instructors and the nursing/healthcare literature to formulate sound judgment to establish care plans and priorities in patient care activities.

Behavioral and Social Attributes: The student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, and complete assessment and intervention activities. Compassion, integrity, motivation and concern for others are personal attributes required of those in the nursing program. The student must fully utilize intellectual capacities that facilitate prompt completion of all responsibilities in the classroom and clinical settings, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and other members of the healthcare team. The ability to establish rapport and maintain interpersonal relationships with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds is critical for practice as a nurse. Each student must be able to adapt to changing environments; display flexibility; accept and integrate constructive criticism given in the classroom and clinical settings; and effectively collaborate in the clinical setting with other members of the healthcare team.

Ability to Manage Stressful Situations: The student must be able to adapt to and function effectively in relation to stressful situations encountered in both the classroom and clinical settings, including emergency situations. Students will encounter multiple stressors while in the nursing program. These stressors may be (but are not limited to) personal, patient care/family, faculty/peer and/or program related.

Evaluation: A handicapped applicant/candidate shall not, based on his or her handicap* (except those which would preclude the essential skills outlined above) be neither excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, nor be subjected to discrimination in the program. Carroll University may require that the applicant/student undergo a physical examination and/or an occupational skills evaluation.

* Handicapped as defines by the federal government pursuant to SS 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Caregiver Background Check: The applicant/candidate/student must complete a Background Information Disclosure Form prior to clinical placement in the program. The university intends to fully comply with the requirements of the Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check Law which requires hospitals and other health care and treatment entities to perform background checks on all persons who have direct, regular contact with clients. Certain convictions may prevent or significantly limit the ability of the university to place a student in a clinical program resulting in the student being unable to meet the university’s graduation requirements. The university reserves the right to reject the application of a candidate or remove a student from the program if the university determines that the results of the caregiver background check demonstrate that the applicant/student does not exhibit behavior and social attributes consistent with the program’s Technical Standards.

Health Requirements: Prior to the first clinical placement each student must show evidence that they are able to meet the clinical requirements of the nursing program. These requirements include current health history, immunization and physical examination data. In addition, all students must have on file current CPR certification and a caregiver background check. The nursing student handbook lists all health and immunization clinical requirements. If an exception to the immunization requirements is approved, the University cannot guarantee that its affiliated hospitals and clinics will allow the student to participate in patient care, which is a fundamental requirement of the clinical education component of the Nursing Program. Students manage clinical requirements through Viewpoint, a certified, confidential profile system that students will use well into their nursing careers. Process and procedures for meeting health requirements can be found in the MSN Student Handbook and during MSN Orientation.

Insurance Health: MSN students are required to have health insurance.

Time Commitment: The Nursing Program is rigorous, labor intensive, and requires more time and commitment than many other areas of study. Clinical nursing courses require a minimum of 3 hours of direct clinical experience per semester credit hour. This does not include time that is required for travel, clinical preparation at the assigned clinical agency or study prior to or after the clinical experience. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that students in the Nursing Program limit their employment and/or involvement in non-student related activities. Students are expected to be available Monday through Friday throughout the academic year. Students will be expected to participate in clinical experiences that occur on weekends and on shifts other than day shifts (0700-1530). Students in the capstone experience must understand that their clinical experience may be evenings or night shifts and/or weekend shifts.

Policy Statement on Student Attendance at Clinical: The university reserves the right to require a student to repeat all or any part of a clinical course when, in the student evaluation by the course instructor, the time that the student has been absent from clinical/practicum makes it impossible to evaluate the student’s level of achieving the course objectives. Make up time is not guaranteed and is dependent upon faculty and clinical availability. The student is responsible for any costs involved in repeating the course and/or making up time lost.

Fees: Graduate tuition and other fees apply to nursing students. A program fee (Tuition, Fees, Payments, and Refund Policies) per year is also assessed for proficiency testing, disposable supplies, and equipment maintenance.

Licensure Examination for MSN DE Students: Upon completion of all program requirements, the MSN DE graduate is eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). A graduate must pass this examination to be licensed and practice as a registered nurse (RN). Although, no nursing program can guarantee success on the NCLEX-RN examination, the Carroll nursing curriculum integrates preparation for the licensure exam through-out the nursing program.

CNE - Certification for Nurse Educators for MSN NE and RN-MSN NE Students: MSN NE and RN-MSN NE are eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator Exam.  Certification as a Nurse Educator (CNE) is a professional credential that demonstrates expertise in the nurse educator role.  In 2009, the NLN received accreditation for the CNE credential from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, establishing nursing education as a specialty area.  Certification as a nurse educator demonstrates expertise and leadership in this field.

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