Nursing
Mission
This graduate program prepares nursing leaders who are
dedicated to improving the health outcomes of diverse populations through
advanced knowledge and skills, ethical leadership, and faithful service within
their chosen roles and settings.
Graduate Learning Outcomes
This program will prepare graduates who:
- practice
in an expanded, specialized, and/or advanced nursing role;
- affirm
the dignity of life and human diversity;
- advocate
for quality health outcomes for individuals, families, populations, and
systems;
- demonstrate
ethical leadership and faithful service in their chosen roles and settings;
- facilitate
the translation of research and evidence into practice;
- utilize
technology to impact best practices.
Curriculum
The curriculum
will prepare graduates for advanced nursing roles that enhance the standard of
practice in a variety of settings. Depending on the plan of study chosen,
graduates may function as nurse practitioners, educators, and in other
leadership roles requiring expanded knowledge and skills. The curriculum is a
42–58 credit program offering core courses and a choice of four tracks:
adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP), family nurse practitioner (FNP),
nurse educator (NE), or advanced clinical nursing, which includes the new
clinical nurse leader (CNL) role. The degree can be accomplished in three years
of study with lighter than average credit loads considered full-time (typically
six to seven credits/semester; for the NP tracks more credits in some semesters
is necessary). Options to shorten or extend this time period may be possible.
Total credits and clinical hours needed for graduation vary according to choice
of tracks. Classes are normally scheduled one day a week. Clinical practicums
require additional time and can be done in the student’s home area if possible.
Partially online course format is utilized. During the first year approximately
one-half of the class days are online, thus reducing the number of campus
visits necessary. During the second and third year online schedules will vary
depending on the track.
Post-M.S.N.
certificate programs are abbreviated programs of study for a specific role
preparation. These programs are available for each track on a space-available
basis.
Graduates of the M.S.N.
program and post-M.S.N. certificate programs are academically eligible to take
national certification exams specific to their role preparation. The nurse
educators are academically eligible to take the National League for Nursing
certification exam. Graduates of the adult-gerontological or family nurse
practitioner track will be prepared to take the ANCC or AANP Adult or Family
Nurse Practitioner exam (or the adult-gerontological exam as it is developed by
the certifying bodies). Graduates of the Advanced Clincial Nursing track with
CNL focus are eligible for the CNC national certification exam to be a CNL.
Accreditation
The School of
Nursing is approved by the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing; P.O. Box 8935,
Madison, WI 53708; 608-266-2112; web@drl.state.wi.us;
and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; One Dupont
Circle, NW, Suite 530; Washington, DC 20036; 202-887-6791; 202-887-8476 (fax); www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation.
Viterbo
University holds membership in the:
- American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners
- National Organization of Nurse
Practitioner Faculties
Admission
To apply for the
Master of Science in Nursing program, the applicant must have graduated with a
bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally and NLN-AC or CCNE accredited
school and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0
scale. Applicants with a lower GPA will be considered on an individual basis.
Recent professional RN practice is preferred and recommended. Access to a high
functioning personal computer and the Internet is required.
Application Requirements and Procedures
The graduate
program in nursing welcomes applications from students who are prepared for a
competitive program of higher education.
The following
documents must be submitted to the School of Nursing Graduate Program Committee
to initiate a review for admission:
- completed application and
nonrefundable application fee
- required recommendations and
personal statement
- transcripts from A.D.N., B.A.N.,
B.S.N., and/or any graduate education (see instructions on application)
- evidence of current unrestricted
licensure as a registered nurse
- official scores on Miller Analogies
Test (MAT)*
- a personal interview may be
required.
*MAT is waived
for five previous graduate credits with a B or better grade. Information on
taking the MAT exam in La Crosse can be obtained by calling the University of
Wisconsin-La Crosse, 608-785-8073. Persons in other locations in Minnesota,
Iowa, or Wisconsin should call 608-796-3671 for more information. Advance
arrangements are necessary at all sites. A candidate information booklet for the
MAT is sent out in admission packets and is accessible on the MSN Web pages.
Alternatively, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are acceptable.
Additional
Prerequisites Necessary for the Nurse Practitioner Tracks
A preliminary
review of applications will be conducted. Those most qualified will be chosen
to continue in the application process and invited for a personal interview.
Specific dates will be established for the interview process, and the applicant
must be available for one of the dates established. Specific qualifying
criteria after the initial screen of applicants will include:
- personal interview suggesting
potential personal and professional strengths for the nurse practitioner (NP)
role;
- recommendations that indicate
potential personal and professional strengths for the nurse practitioner (NP)
role;
- a minimum of two years full-time
equivalent of recent/relevant direct patient care experience as an RN by the
second year of coursework in the NP plan of study;
- potential opportunities for clinical
preceptorships/practicums within the applicant’s home area;
- the ability to commit to the blocked
practicum hours necessary to optimize NP role development/meet clinical
requirements, including the summer residency;
- the ability to participate in
full-time coursework (7–11 credits/semester) including clinical practicums
during the last year of the NP plan of study.
Applicants
planning clinical practice in areas of health professional need and/or with
underserved persons may be given priority.
Admission Process
The School of
Nursing Graduate Program Committee is the admission review body. The committee
will review records and admit students to the track chosen. Each candidate is
evaluated individually. Evidence of strong ability to do graduate level work successfully
is essential. Enrollment limits will be observed for all tracks. Part-time
students are admitted on a space available basis. Admission to the degree
program for the fall semester will normally occur annually in the preceding
spring semester. The priority application deadline is Feb. 1, with admission
review decisions for these students by April. After Feb. 1 the ongoing
applicant pool will be reviewed until June 1 or enrollment limits are reached,
whichever comes first. Students will be evaluated for admission in accordance
with the review process below:
- Admission to the graduate program in
nursing is offered to those qualified students for whom academic, personal, and
professional success seem likely. The admission criteria and requirements as
published must be met and appropriate documents submitted.
- Admission decisions are based on
multiple sources of data including transcripts of prior academic work from
educational programs (diploma, A.D.N., B.S.N., graduate study) and the MAT
results. Evidence of past and continuing academic achievement/potential is necessary.
- Recommendations are reviewed for
evidence of potential success in graduate school and in the desired track.
- Professional and life experience
information is reviewed for background information and clinical/professional
experience, evidence of ongoing personal and professional development,
communication and writing skills, and a perceived match of the graduate nursing
program and student’s abilities and goals.
- Applicants must evidence the
physical abilities, communication skills, intellectual abilities, behavioral
and social attributes to meet the requirements and successfully participate in
the graduate nursing program, including those that are essential to practicing
in their chosen advanced nursing role, with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Qualified students, regardless of
sex, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, will be extended an
offer of admission if space remains available.
- Enrollment limitations may
necessitate offering admission to the highest qualified candidates out of a
pool of potentially qualified students.
Provisional Admission
Occasionally a
student does not meet the admission criteria in all respects, but shows promise
of the ability to be successful in graduate school. In this case, the student
may be admitted to the MSN program on probation. After two semesters of
achieving a B or better in all courses, the probation status will be
discontinued. If unable to meet this criterion, the student will be required to
withdraw from the program.
Non-Degree-Seeking
Students
Non-degree-seeking
RNs with a B.A.N. or B.S.N. may be admitted for selected courses on a
space-available basis. Abbreviated application procedures are available for
students not requesting admission to the degree program. Admission as a
non-degree student does not guarantee admission to the degree program. Program
changes/requirements that occur during time as a non-degree student may affect
progression upon conversion to degree seeking. Up to 10 credits taken as a
non-degree student may be applied to degree requirements as appropriate, if
subsequently admitted to the program. A grade of B or better must be earned in
coursework. Degree-seeking students will have priority over non-degree seeking
students for space available and course registration.
Additional
Prerequisites/Ongoing Requirements for the MSN Program:
- a basic physical assessment course
(or equivalent) at undergraduate or continuing education level
- satisfactory (C or better)
completion of an introductory statistics course and a research course at
graduate or undergraduate level
- computer literacy with Microsoft
Windows, Microsoft Word, and the Internet required; ability to use PowerPoint
is highly recommended
- must meet both university and
clinical agency personnel requirements (health, immunization, and background
checks) as specified for prescribed coursework and clinical experiences
- current CPR throughout program
- satisfactory criminal background
check maintained
Required
Background Check
Federal and state
statutes require that criminal background checks be completed for all persons
who provide nursing care for others or who have access to people who receive
care. Clinical agencies prohibit placement of students with criminal histories
of specific crimes and offenses that have been identified by the state of
Wisconsin or others as bars to employment or licensure (such as abuse, assault,
or neglect). The School of Nursing requires that all students complete a
background information disclosure statement and a criminal history search. Individuals
whose background check identifies bars to the provision of care in contracted
agencies or places restrictions on client contact will not be allowed to
progress in the program.
Policy
and Guidelines Applying to Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disabilities
The School of
Nursing supports the Viterbo University policy and guidelines relating to the
non-exclusion of qualified students from university programs solely by reason
of disability. To meet the requirements of and to successfully participate in
the M.S.N. program at Viterbo University, a student must be able to perform
skills which are essential to advanced nursing roles. While Viterbo University
will provide reasonable accommodations in certain course requirements to assist
a special needs student to meet certain course outcomes, there are some
essential skills for which there are no known substitutes. The applicant to the
MSN program and the student throughout the program must be able to meet the
requirements of the track chosen. Accordingly, these specific requirements may
vary somewhat.
Transfer
Credits Upon Admission
Individual
consideration will be granted in the awarding of transfer credits. Up to one
third (13–19) of the total track’s credits may be transferred from another
program and utilized to meet the M.S.N. requirements of Viterbo University if
equivalent. In order to be considered for transfer, the grade earned must be at
least a B. Transfer credits must be graduate credit taken from an accredited
institution of higher education completed within the last five years and
equivalent to the course it is replacing in the requirements at Viterbo.
Courses older than five years may be given credit based on individual review.
Students who wish to transfer credits must have an official transcript sent to
the director of graduate nursing program. Courses will be evaluated for
equivalency and written notification of acceptance of transcript credit will be
provided to the student by the director.
Transfer
Credits After Admission
The faculty of the
Viterbo University M.S.N. program has carefully planned and developed a
curriculum to meet the needs of the potential graduates of the specialty
tracks. The content for the curriculum was designed for the curricular and
graduate outcomes unique to this program and the specific role preparation. In
view of the connection of the curriculum to the desired outcomes and the
quality of the graduate, once a student has begun classes as a degree-seeking
student in the Viterbo University M.S.N. program, all classes in the core and
specialty curricula (excluding electives) must be taken at Viterbo University.
Graduate credits earned prior to beginning classes at Viterbo University will
be evaluated for transfer and awarded if equivalency is ascertained by the graduate
program director. Note: This policy is not applicable to post-M.S.N. students
whose plan of study will be determined on an individual basis.
Time for Completion of the Master’s Degree
Six credits per
semester is considered full-time study. The standard program can be completed
in three years. It is expected that students will complete the program within
three to five years. Part-time students are expected to follow a plan of study
that can be accomplished in five years or less. Time spent as a non-degree
student does not count toward the five-year completion period, but students
will be subject to the catalog/curriculum requirements in effect at the time
they become degree seeking. All full-time and part-time degree-seeking students
who have not been granted a leave of absence must register each semester until
all degree requirements are completed.
Practicum/Clinical Experiences
Prescribed
numbers of clinical hours have been incorporated into the various plans of study
available within the graduate nursing program. Students must have an RN license
for the state in which the clinical site is located. The number of clinical
hours varies depending on the track chosen. A ratio of four clock hours to one
didactic hour per week is used; therefore one credit of practicum credit is 60
hours of clinical. The student may receive a grade for clinical practicum
experiences, a B or better is required for progression. Receiving C or below
may contribute to a decision to dismiss a student from the program or specific
remediation procedures.
Capstone Project
Students in the nurse educator and advanced clinical
nursing tracks will conduct a scholarly project over two or more semesters.
This project is an opportunity for students to engage in independent
research/evidence-based inquiry/scholarly work in a defined area of
significance to the advanced nursing role. Nurse Practitioner students will
complete an alternative/equivalent set of assignments to accomplish the
expected capstone outcomes. Students will work with faculty advisors for
assistance, critique, and expertise. The student will receive a grade at the
end of each semester of capstone registration, if applicable. Nurse
practitioner students will receive independent grades on each assignment within
the courses they are housed. B or better indicates satisfactory progress,
either for a semester grade or for individual assignment grades. Students are
required to disseminate their work in a prescribed way.
Electronic
Portfolio
Students will be
required to develop and maintain an electronic portfolio during the course of
the graduate studies. This portfolio will serve as documentation of individual
accomplishment and also will be used for program assessment purposes.
Program Tracks
Adult-Gerontological
Nurse Practitioner
The purpose of
this track is to prepare graduates to manage health and illness states of
varying complexity in adolescents, adults, and aging individuals and to promote
optimum health-related quality of life. The provision of high quality, cost
effective primary health care to patient/families/aggregates in a variety of
settings is emphasized.
- NURS 504, 507, 520,
525, 530, 535, 540 (four credits), 605 (three credits), 610, 612, 700, 710,
720, 730
- Clinical practicums/seminars: 602
(two credits), 603 (two credits), 615 (three credits), 616 (four credits), 617
(three credits)
Advanced
Clinical Nursing
This track offers
preparation for the Clinical Nurse Leader role or for related clinical roles
targeted at the microsystem or mesosystem level.
- NURS 504, 507, 525, 530,
535, 540 (three credits), 605 (two credits), 642, 700, 710, 720, 730
- Capstone project/seminar: 601 (two
credits)
- Clinical practicums/seminars: 644
(four credits), 648 (four credits)
Family
Nurse Practitioner
The purpose of
this track is to prepare graduates to manage health and illness states of
varying complexity in persons across the lifespan and to promote optimum
health-related quality of life. The provision of high quality, cost effective
primary health care to patient/families/aggregates in a variety of settings is
emphasized.
- NURS 504, 507, 520,
525, 530, 535, 540 (four credits), 605 (three credits), 610, 612, 695, 697,
700, 710, 720, 730
- Clinical practicums/seminars: 688
(two credits), 689 (two credits), 692 (four credits), 693 (five credits), 694
(three credits)
Nurse
Educator
This track offers
teaching preparation applicable to patient, staff, or academic nursing
education settings. Graduates will be prepared to synthesize principles of
education, practice, and leadership to promote effective educational outcomes.
- NURS 504, 507, 530, 535,
540 (three credits), 580, 605 (two credits), 640, 650, 700, 710, 720, 730
- Capstone project/seminar: 601 (two
credits)
- Clinical practicums/seminars: 678
(one credit), 680 (three credits), 682
Post-M.S.N. Certificate Programs
For all certificate programs, applicants to the program must possess a master's degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Specific program information is available in the post-MSN certificate program information sheets available from the graduate nursing program administrative assistant or online at www.viterbo.edu/msn.
Nurse
Educator
A nurse educator
post-M.S.N. certificate is available for current and potential nurse educators
in academic nursing and health care settings. Educational theories, teaching,
learning strategies, evaluation techniques, curriculum development, and
research reviews culminate in practicum experiences designed to meet students’
career goals. See website for more information, www.viterbo.edu/msn.
Adult-Gerontological
Nurse Practitioner
The AGNP
post-M.S.N. certificate program is designed to build upon prior nursing
experience and education. The program prepares advanced practice nurse
practitioners to provide high quality, cost effective primary health care to
adolescent, adult, and aging individuals in a variety of settings. Upon
successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take a national
certification examination for combined adult-gerontology role or the nurse
practitioner role. See website for more information, www.viterbo.edu/msn.
Family
Nurse Practitioner
The FNP
post-M.S.N. certificate program is designed to provide high quality cost
effective primary health care to individuals and families across the lifespan
in a variety of settings. See website for more information, www.viterbo.edu/msn.
Clinical
Nurse Leader
The CNL post-M.S.N.
certificate program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as an advanced
clinical leader in a variety of settings to promote quality health care
outcomes for patients/families/populations/systems. See website for more
information, www.viterbo.edu/msn.
Faculty and Program Personnel
Judy
Anderson
Professor
B.S.N., Viterbo
University; M.S.N., University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Ph.D. Widener
University
Dorie
Vaughn Beres
Adjunct
Faculty, Professor Emerita
B.S.N., Alverno
College; M.S.N., University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; NP Graduate Certificate,
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Karen
Briggs
Adjunct
Professor
B.S.N., Viterbo
University, M.S.N., University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
David
Chakoian
Adjunct
Professor
B.A.,
Northern Illinois University; M.D., Mayo Medical School
Julie
Clements
Assistant
Professor
B.S.N., Viterbo
University; M.S.N., Winona State University
Cathy
Ford
Adjunct
Professor
B.S.N., Northern
Illinois University; M.S.N., Winona State University
Adam
Gregg
Adjunct
Professor
PharmD., Drake
University
Peggy
Haggerty
Adjunct
Professor
B.S.N., Viterbo
University; M.S.N., Winona State University; Ed.D., St. Mary’s University
Jackie
Kuennen
Professor
B.S.N.,
University of Iowa; M.S., University of Minnesota; Ed.D., University of
Northern Iowa
Bonnie
Nesbitt
Director, Master of Science in Nursing/Assistant
Dean, School of Nursing/Professor, Nursing
B.S.N., Viterbo
University; M.S.N., University of Wisconsin-Madison; Ph.D., University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Silvana
Richardson
Dean,
School of Nursing/Professor
B.S.N., Loyola
University, Chicago; M.H.S.N., Governors’ State University; Ph.D., Southern
Illinois University at Carbondale
Patricia
Zander
Adjunct
Faculty, Professor Emerita
B.S.N., Marion
College; M.S.N., University of Wisconsin-Madison; Ph.D., Barry University