Nursing, MSN, Psychiatric/Mental Health Curriculum; Nurse Practitioner

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Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing Description of the Program

The Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing program (ICMSN) is a cooperative venture among the nursing units at Southeastern Louisiana University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The ICMSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.

The consortium structure allows students to enroll in courses at any one of the participating universities and receive credit toward the master’s degree. Southeastern Louisiana University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, and the University of at Louisiana at Lafayette offer concentrations in Family Nursing, Nursing Education, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. The advanced nursing role concentrations offered through the consortium are nursing education and nurse practitioner. Students successfully completing the MSN curriculum at Southeastern Louisiana University meet educational requirements to take the following national certification examinations:

• Nurse Practitioner Role: Family Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Educator Role: Nursing Education

Purposes

The purposes of the Master of Science in Nursing program are to:

1. Provide a base in nursing theory, nursing research, and issues relative to advanced nursing practice.
2. Provide for advanced clinical specialization in Family Nursing or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing.
3. Provide for advanced role preparation as a nurse practitioner or nurse educator.

Admission Requirements

All materials must be submitted, for review, by the deadline posted on the graduate nursing website, www.southeastern.edu/graduatenursing, for consideration to begin course work.

1. Regular Admission
   1. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited undergraduate nursing program.
   2. Transcripts from undergraduate school and any work attempted at the graduate level. Applicants must be in Satisfactory standing in graduate nursing program at last institution attended (if applicable).
   3. Curriculum vita (resume) including the applicant’s full name, address, telephone number(s), e-mail address(es), academic preparations, degrees held, honors, awards, special interest, work history, and other relevant information.
   4. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 on 4.0 scale for all undergraduate work including courses repeated as indicated by a transcript.
   5. Evidence of a valid, unencumbered Louisiana Registered Nurse license.
   6. Completion of a course in introductory statistics with a minimum grade of “C” or equivalent.
   7. Documentation of Physical Assessment skills for the following roles: Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator.
   8. Letters of recommendation.
   9. A statement of intent/purpose with rationale for pursuing study in selected concentration.

During the first semester of enrollment of regular admission the student must:

1. File a degree plan with the departmental graduate coordinator in accordance with the General Requirements for the Master’s Degree in the Graduate Studies section of the General Catalog.
2. Submit a complete history and physical examination.
3. Submit current certification in CPR (every 2 years), submit annual TB results, and obtain immunizations determined appropriate by the Graduate Nursing Program.
4. Submit a negative drug screen.
5. Submit an acceptable background check.

2. Contingent Admission
   • A graduating senior in an accredited BS nursing program may be admitted in contingent status and may register for graduate credit if he/she meets the criteria of Graduate Studies.
   • A student may be admitted in contingent status when lacking the final transcript showing completion of a degree or when a satisfactory GRE score is not provided. Failure to qualify for regular admission status before the second semester of course work will prevent the student from registering for the next semester.
3. Non-Degree Classified Admission
   Applicants not granted regular admission due to their GRE score may be allowed to register for graduate nursing courses in the non-degree classified status for one semester. Priority for registering for graduate nursing courses is provided to regular admission status students.

Retention and Progression Requirements

• A student must earn a “B” in each course in the program to be eligible for progression.
• A student who earns a grade below a “B” will be placed on probation and must repeat the course within two regular semesters and earn at least a “B.” If a grade below “B” is earned in the subsequent course, the student will be dismissed from the program.
• A student who earns more than two grades of “W” in the program is not eligible for progression. A student may appeal progression for extenuating circumstances. “W” grades received as the result of an approved resignation from the University are not included in this calculation.
• A graduate student who makes a grade of “D” or “F” in any course taken for graduate credit will be ineligible to register for further graduate work. A student who receives a “D” or “F” because of extenuating, non-academic reasons may appeal for readmission.
• Prior to beginning any clinical/practicum course, the student must have evidence of one year of clinical practice experience in an area appropriate to the specialty concentration as an R.N.
• The School of Nursing reserves the right to investigate situations which may affect the student’s ability to function. In addition, a physician’s release may be required. Students who have health conditions that may prevent their meeting the objectives of the program or a course in the program or that may cause potential injury to that student or to the clients for whom they care, will be required to have a personal interview with the Department Head or Dean or with an appropriate School of Nursing Committee.
• Drug testing will be required.
• Students enrolled in practicum graduate courses are required to maintain current certification in CPR and meet other agency requirements.
• Any student who does not enroll in graduate nursing courses toward a degree for 2 consecutive regular semesters must reapply to the program. For reconsideration, students must submit any transcripts reflecting course work elsewhere during that time.

Admission Procedures

Students entering the Consortium must apply to the University and to Southeastern Graduate Nursing Program at the same time. See the Admission to the University section for application deadlines and fees.

Registration Procedures

• Registration for core and role courses will be held at each consortium institution according to their published dates and procedures. An advisor at each institution is available to assist students. Information and downloadable forms are available from the School of Nursing webpage, www.southeastern.edu/graduatenursing.
• The fees assessed a student will be those in effect at the institution offering the course(s) for which the student is registering. A Professional Degree fee will be assessed each semester of coursework. Students will also be assessed fees for proctored testing of online courses.
• All courses offered are subject to resources available and sufficient student enrollment.
• Full-time degree plans require from 7-10 credit hours per semester; part-time degree plans require 6 credit hours per semester.
• For limited course slots, preference will be given to regular admission status.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation from any of the member institutions is based on the satisfactory completion of an approved program of studies. In addition, students must meet all requirements of the institution from which specialty courses are taken.

Residency Requirements

All credit hours earned at any of the consortium institutions are applicable to residency requirements at each member school.

Requirements for Degree

To receive the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a specialty concentration, the student must:

1. Complete all the requirements of the degree plan, including:
   1. A minimum of 40-43 credit hours for the Nurse Education concentration.
   2. A minimum of 42-45 credit hours for the Family Nurse Practitioner.
   3. A minimum of 48-51 credit hours for the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration.
2. Complete a Focused Scholarly Project or a Thesis.
3. Achieve a grade of “B” or better in each course.