Department of Nursing

This content is from the catalog. Contact the office of the registrar or the Graduate College to request changes.

Program Description

The DNP program in the Department of Nursing is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses at the highest clinical level.  The DNP program will graduate community leaders who have the knowledge and skills to address the health disparities of vulnerable and rural populations.  The program will prepare graduates to function in a variety of community and acute care health settings as primary care providers, leaders, managers, and consultants.

The Post-Master's DNP Certificate Program is a 29 credit hour online program for nurses with previous advanced practice preparation (Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Anesthetists).  The online program can be completed with full-time study in 14 months (or four (4) semesters), or part-time study.

The BSN to DNP program is an 82 credit hour program that will prepare graduates to practice in the family nurse practitioner role.  The program consists of both online and on-campus courses.  The student is required to be licensed and complete clinical rotations in Missouri.  The program will be available to students from Missouri.  The program can be completed in three (3) years of full-time study.  Part-time study is not an option for the BSN to DNP.

DNP Program Requirements

Completed applications will be reviewed beginning December 1 for summer admission.

The successful applicant will:

1. Submit an application and meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate College at Missouri State University, including complete, official transcripts of all college programs and course work.  Apply for the semester that courses will begin.  This should be determined after meeting with the program director.  The applicant should select the Pre-DNP program on the Graduate College application if prerequisites are needed prior to beginning the DNP program.
2. Submit a separate DNP program application to the Department of Nursing.  Available on the nursing website.
3. Submit a $50 nonrefundable application fee to the Department of Nursing.  This fee is in addition to the MSU Graduate Application Fee.
4. Have graduated from an Advanced Practice Nursing program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accreditation (NLNAC).  Graduates from non-accredited program will be considered on an individual basis.  (Post Master's only).
5. Have graduated from a Bachelor of Science (BSN) program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accreditation (NLNAC).  Graduates from international nursing programs or non-accredited programs will be considered on an individual basis.  (BSN to DNP only).
6. Submit evidence of current certification in an area of Advanced Nursing Practice: nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, or clinical nurse specialist.  (Post-Master's only).
7. Complete a minimum of clinical practice experience that equates with one year of full-time experience.  
8. Hold a current unencumbered RN license in the state in which clinical practicums will occur within the United States.  (Post-Master's only).
9. Have a cumulative GPA of all previous graduate-level education course work of 3.25 (on a 4.00 scale) or above.  Students who have less than a 3.25 cumulative GPA must submit verbal, quantitative, and analytical scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE).  See current Graduate Catalog Admission section for minimum GRE requirements.
10. Submit evidence of current health and professional liability insurance.
11. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification.  Students taking CPR for the first time or whose CPR certification has expired must take a 4 hour face-to-face American Heart Association BLS Healthcare for Provider's CPR course.  Online didactic course and written test are available at OnlineAHA.org for a fee for those students show need to recertify.  No online practice and skills testing will be accepted.  
12. Complete all prerequisite courses; healthcare infomatics, epidemiology (Post-Master's only), and a graduate course in statistics with a grade of "C" or higher before the program begins.  Admission will be contingent on the student completing prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in DNP courses.
13. Meet the Department of Nursing technical standards of the DNP program to successfully undertake the course of study (available by request from the program).
14. Submit evidence of current immunizations or immune status (MMR, Tetanus, Varicella, Hepatitis B series) and a PPD (or chest X-ray or documentation of appropriate follow up for PPD positive individuals).  Individual agencies may have additional requirements.
15. Be prepared to meet the technical and technology proficiency requirements for online courses. 

Admission Process

For applicants with complete admission packet

1. Applicant's who demonstrate a match between their project goals and the areas of expertise of the faculty will be given priority in the admission process. (Post-Masters only)
2. Competitive applicants will be invited to interview with the DNP Admission Committee. An interview is required to determine the fit between the candidate's goals, and the DNP program and faculty.

Selection Factors

Admission into the Doctorate of Nursing Practice Program is highly selective and competitive, and a limited number of students will be admitted each year.  Completion of all admission requirements does not ensure admission to the Program.  The DNP Admission Committee will consider the following characteristics of competitive applicants:

• Academic potential to successfully complete the program within the required time frame
• Understanding of and commitment to the role of the advanced practice nurse
• Personal maturity
• Interpersonal communication skills, including written and verbal
• Quality and quantity of health care experiences
• Quality of leadership and service activities
• Capacity for performance of the technical functions and tasks required of the advanced practice nurse.

Additional Requirements of the Program

Students will be required to initiate and pay for any additional security checks and drug screenings required for placement into agencies for clinical experiences. Some agencies require annual screening and affidavits.

Admission is contingent on completing the following immediately after acceptance to the program:

1.  Payment of a clinical tracking fee.  See the Department of Nursing website for a full list of program costs.

2.  Applicants must apply and pay for the state/federal Background Check and receive a response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as an advanced practice nurse or completion of clinical experiences in clinical settings.

3.  Pay for and complete a urine drug screen without disqualifying offenses.

RETENTION POLICIES

To remain in the DNP program, the student must:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 with no more than 3 credit hours of graduate work below a grade of "B" (3.00) and no hours of graduate work below a grade of "C".  Receive a "pass" in all clinical evaluations.
2. Not repeat more than one course.
3. Complete all requirements for the program by the (a) 5th year after admission into the BSN to DNP program, or (b) 3rd year after admission into the Post-Master's program.
4. Demonstrate acceptable levels of maturity and integrity, as well as behaviors and attitudes normally expected of professional nurses in advanced nursing roles.
5. Demonstrate acceptable professional progression in application of skills and knowledge throughout the program.
6. Maintain current Healthcare Provider Course (BLS) certification, RN licensure, health and liability insurance, and all immunizations required by clinical agencies throughout the program.
7. The student must notify the Department of Nursing within 5 days in the event of any legal infractions or any actions taken against their nursing license, or any investigation of such incidences.
8. While the student's grades are important, retention in the DNP program is based on a composite picture of the student's ability to perform at a satisfactory level in the academic and clinical component of the educational program.

The Department of Nursing reserves the right to refuse enrollment or program continuation to any student.  This refusal will be determined by the judgment of the DNP Admission, Progression, and Graduation (APG) Committee and the Department Head of Nursing and based on the student's ability to successfully complete academic or clinical assignments or function effectively in the roles required in the DNP program.  This includes the demonstration of characteristics associated with a professional nurse, including behaviors involving professionalism, ethics and integrity.

TECHNOGOLICAL REQUIREMENTS

The Missouri State University BSN-DNP Program uses a combination of online and on-campus modalities.  Didactic online content is delivered using asynchronous and synchronous formats.  Applicants to the DNP program must be proficient using Blackboard (or other course platform systems), word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentation graphics software.  Students are expected to be able to manage files, navigate the internet, access resources, locate scholarly references from the library, use a headset/microphone, computer camera, scanner and fax machine.  Students who have deficiencies in these areas must seek training before the start of the program.

The Department of Nursing uses a Blackboard course management system for all courses.  Additionally, the Adobe Macromedia software is used for synchronous course offerings and other experiences.  Videoconferencing may be used with Adobe Macromedia or Skype software.  Access to a personal computer with broadband (Cable or DSL) connections, a web camera, microphone with headset, and a laptop computer with wireless capabilities that meet the minimal hardware is required.  Our multimedia content is optimized for Internet Explorer and Firefox.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCES

Clinical experiences for BSN to DNP students are individually arranged with preceptors, who have the appropriate educational and experiential qualifications.  Students can complete their clinical experiences in their local community if appropriate sites and preceptors are available.  However, students may need to travel outside of the local community for clinical experiences.  All clinical sites and preceptors must be approved in advance by the DNP Program Director and a contract must be established with the clinical site before any clinical experiences occur.

For the Post-Master's DNP:  Students are required to be on-campus minimum of two times during the program.  The date and times for these on-campus visits will be published annually, prior to the start of the academic year.

Course Requirements:  Post Master's DNP (29 hrs)

Summer 1

Fall 1

Spring 1

Summer 2

Course Requirements:  BSN to DNP (82 hrs)

Summer Year 1

Fall Year 1

Spring Year 1

Summer Year 2

Fall Year 2

Spring Year 2

Summer Year 3

Fall Year 3

Spring Year 3

Admission Process

Admission to the Nurse Educator specialization is a two step process.

1. The applicant first applies to the Graduate College as a MSN Major.  See admission requirements below.
2. Once accepted into the MSN program, an application to the specialization is submitted to the Nursing Department.  See Nurse Educator specialization admission criteria below.

Students may take up to 9 credit hours of course work towards their specialization before full admission to the specialization.  Students may take:

1. NUR 635 Healthcare Informatics
2. NUR 640 Advanced Human Pathophysiology
3. NUR 700 Epidemiology
4. NUR 703 Population Health:  A Local to Global Perspective
5. NUR 711 Advanced Roles and Leadership in Nursing
6. NUR 765 Applications of Advanced Pathophysiology
7. PSY 627 Advanced Psychological Statistical Methods

Because of the limited resources, admission to the MSN program and the specializations are competitive and selective.  Admission to the MSN program does not guarantee admission to the specialization.

Additional Requirements

Admission to the MSN Program

1. Acceptance into the Graduate College at Missouri State University.
2. Submit an application to the MSN Program.
3. A cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in the last 60 hours of college course work attempted.
4. If the student's cumulative GPA is less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required.  See the Graduate College Admission section for current guidelines.
5. Completion of a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) accreditation agencies.
6. Successful completion with a grade of "C" or higher in undergraduate statistics, nursing research, and health assessment courses.  Students who don't have these courses must take them prior to submitting an application.
7. Licensure as a registered nurse (RN) without disqualification and eligible for licensure in Missouri.
8. Applicants who: (a) have a bachelor's degree in nursing from a non-accredited program, or (b) have a bachelor's degree in nursing from a foreign country, will be considered on an individual basis.
9. Applicants who are RNs and have a non-nursing degree or a degree without upper division nursing courses will be evaluated on an individual basis prior to applying to the MSN program.

Admission to the MSN Specializations

Evidence of:

1. Admission to the MSN program.
2. A one-page essay that addresses the applicant's professional career goals and how the MSN program will help accomplish these goals.
3. Current immunization (MMR, Tetanus, Varicella, complete Hepatitis B series) and a PPD (or evidence of appropriate medical follow-up for PPD positive individuals).
4. Current health insurance and nursing liability insurance for nurse educators or FNP student liability insurance for family nurse practitioner applicants.
5. Successful completion of prerequisites with a grade of "C-" or higher to include a graduate level or multivariate course in statistics, a course in nursing or healthcare informatics, and for family nurse practitioner students only, advanced human pathophysiology.
6. Current infant, child and adult CPR certification.
7. Drug screening test and a criminal record check* provided by the Department of Nursing and receive response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to Section 660.317 RSMO or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as a registered nurse.

*Students who fail these checks or procedures will be subject to further review by the Department of Nursing Graduate Admission, Promotion and Graduation Committee.  This may result in dismissal from the MSNA program and specialization.

Students with complete application materials for full admission will be reviewed by a departmental selection committee.  Selection of students for the MSN program is on a competitive basis.

Nurse Educator Specialization

Students accepted into the MSN Program and with a completed application to the Nurse Educator specialization will be considered for admission.  Acceptance into the Nurse Educator specialization is ongoing and applications will be taken until the class is filled.  

Additional Requirements of the Program

Students will be required to initiate and pay for any additional security checks and drug screenings required for clinical agencies.

Probational Admission to the Program

1. Probational admission may be granted to the applicant with a GPA below 3.00, or academic deficiencies.
2. During the probationary period, the student shall receive no course grade lower than a "B-" for the first nine hours of graduate course work attempted.
3. Students on probationary status will be evaluated each semester by the Nursing Admission, Promotion, and Graduation Committee (APG), and a decision will be made on the student's status and a letter will be sent to the student regarding dismissal or continuation in the program.

Retention Requirements

After admission into the MSN program and continuing through full admission into the Nurse Educator specialization, students must achieve the following for retention in the program:

1. Maintain a GPA of 3.00, with no more than 3 semester hours of graduate work below a grade of “B-”, and no hours of graduate work below a grade of “C”.  Receive a “pass” in all clinical evaluations.
2. No more than one course may be repeated.
3. Students must complete all requirements for the degree by their 5th academic year after admission into the MSN specialization.
4. Demonstrate acceptable levels of maturity and integrity, as well as behaviors and attitudes normally expected of professional nurses in advanced nursing roles.
5. Demonstrate acceptable professional progression in application of skills and knowledge in the area of specialization.

Technological Requirements

The Missouri State University MSN Program uses a combination of online and on-campus modalities. Didactic online content is delivered using asynchronous and synchronous formats. Applicants to the MSN program must be proficient using Blackboard (or other course platform systems), word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentation graphics software. Students are expected to be able to manage files, navigate the internet, access resources, locate scholarly references from the library, use a headset/microphone, computer camera, scanner and fax machine. Students who have deficiencies in these areas must seek training before the start of the program.

The Department of Nursing uses a Blackboard course management system for all courses. Additionally, the Adobe Macromedia software is used for synchronous course offerings and other experiences. Videoconferencing may be used with Adobe Macromedia or Skype software. Access to a personal computer with broadband (Cable or DSL) connections, a web camera, microphone with headset, and a laptop computer with wireless capabilities that meet the minimal hardware is required. Our multimedia content is optimized for Internet Explorer and Firefox.

Degree Requirements (Minimum of 34 or 37 hours)

Academic Advisor.  After admission to the graduate program, the student will be assigned an academic advisor who will supervise the student’s graduate program and chair the candidate’s graduate committee.

Core Courses

Nurse Educator Option

Students should contact the Department of Nursing for information on optional clinical focus requirements.

Research Requirement.  Completion of a thesis or a non-thesis approved by the advisor or Thesis committee.

Non-thesis Project Option.  Three credit hours in NUR 797 Non-thesis Project will count toward a degree.  A formal oral presentation of the project is required.  The seminar paper must be approved by the student’s Advisor and the Dean of the Graduate College before the degree is granted.

Thesis Option.  Six credit hours in NUR 799 Thesis will count toward the degree.  A formal oral presentation and defense of the thesis is required.  The thesis must be approved by the student’s Advisory Committee and the Dean of the Graduate College before the degree is granted.

Research Experience.  (Maximum of 6 hours) NUR 798 Research (1-6 hrs) will not count toward the degree requirements.

Comprehensive Examination.   A comprehensive examination administered during the student’s final semester of course work must be passed by the candidate before a degree will be granted. 

Entrance Requirements

Students must apply to the Accelerated RN to MSN Option when they first apply for admission to the BSN completion program and prior to enrolling in nursing or supporting courses required in the BSN. Students may not enter the RN-MSN option after they begin taking courses for the BSN completion program. After successful completion of BSN requirements, all students in this Nurse Educator option will receive the BSN and may be granted full admission to the Graduate College.

Admission requirements include:

1. Junior standing;
2. Licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in good standing and eligible for licensure in Missouri;
3. Meet all admission requirements for the BSN completion program;
4. A pre-admission interview;
5. Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores are required. 
6. 2 letters of recommendation (faculty or employer preferred);
7. A written statement of goals;
8. The equivalent of at least one (1) year of full-time experience in direct patient care as a registered nurse;
9. An overall GPA of 3.25 or higher;
10. Current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers certification.  No online courses are accepted.

Additional Requirements of the Program

1. Students will be required to initiate and pay for any security checks and drug screenings required for clinical agencies.
2. Apply for criminal record check and receive response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to Section 660.317 RSMO or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as a registered nurse.
3. Students who fail these checks or procedures will be subject to further review by a Department of Nursing Graduate Faculty Committee.  This may result in dismissal from the RN-MSN program.

Retention and Progression

In order to remain in the accelerated master’s program and progress to the MSN program, students must:

1. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher;
2. Earn a grade of “B” or higher in all undergraduate nursing courses attempted;
3. Earn a grade of “B” or higher in all graduate courses attempted.

Students not meeting the criteria for progression in the RN-MSN, Nurse Educator option, may complete the requirements for the BSN degree, but will be removed from the accelerated option.  In the final year of the BSN program, the student must make application to the nurse educator option.  

Credit Course Options

The accelerated RN to master’s option allows several courses to be taken to meet undergraduate (RN) requirements and pre-requisites to the graduate program.

Before enrolling in a course to be counted toward both undergraduate and graduate credit and to count the course toward the masters degree, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated program and receive prior approval from the graduate advisor, Department Head of Nursing, and the Dean of the Graduate College.  Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the semester.

In addition to the Master of Science in Nursing degree described previously, the Department offers a Post-master’s Nurse Educator Certificate Program for nurses who have a Master’s Degree in Nursing in another specialty.  The Certificate Program consists of five courses, totaling a minimum of 12 credit hours and 192 clinical hours that can be completed in 2 semesters.

Admission Requirements

1. Admission to the Graduate College at Missouri State University.
2. Master’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing graduate program, that includes, at a minimum, graduate courses in nursing theory and research.
3. Completion of a graduate clinical course with a grade of “B” or higher.  Students with no graduate clinical courses may satisfy this requirement by enrolling in NUR 781 and NUR 783 during their Certificate Program.
4. Completion of a graduate health assessment course with a grade of “B” or higher.  Students with no graduate health assessment course may satisfy this requirement by enrolling in NUR 707.
5. Graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher.
6. Licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in good standing, and eligible for licensure in the State of Missouri.
7. Evidence of current liability insurance.
8. Evidence of current health insurance.
9. Admission interview
10. Evidence of immunization or vaccination for vaccine-preventable diseases.
11. Provide documentation of negative tuberculosis status or evidence of appropriate follow-up.
12. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification.  Students taking CPR for the first time or whose CPR certification has expired must take a 4 hours face-to-face American Hearth Association BLS Healthcare for Provider's CPR course.  Online didactice course and written test are available at OnlineAHA.org for a fee for those students who need to recertify.  No online practice and skills testing will be accepted. 
13. Submit drug screening test and a criminal record check* and receive response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to Section 660.317 RSMO or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as a registered nurse.

* Students who fail these checks or procedures will be subject to further review by the Department of Nursing Graduate Admission, Promotion and Graduation.  This may result in dismissal from the MSN program.

Because of course constraints, only a limited number of students will be admitted to the Post-master’s Nurse Educator Certificate Program.  Complete applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.  Admission is on a space available basis.  Students may pursue either part-time or full-time study; however, all course work in the Post-Master’s Nurse Educator Certificate Program must be completed within 5 years.

Additional Requirements of the Program

Students will be required to initiate and pay for any security checks and drug screenings required for clinical agencies.

Required Courses (12 hours)

Retention Requirements

After admission into the Post-Master’s Family Nurse Educator Certificate Program, the students must achieve the following for retention in the program:

1. Maintain a GPA of 3.00, with no more than 3 semester hours of graduate work below a grade of “B”, and no hours of graduate work below a grade of “C”.  Receive a “pass” in all clinical evaluations.
2. No more than one course may be repeated.
3. Complete all requirements within five years after admission into the nurse educator option.
4. Demonstrate acceptable levels of maturity and integrity, as well as behaviors and attitudes normally expected of professional nurses in advanced nursing roles.
5. Demonstrate acceptable professional progression in application of skills and knowledge in the area of option.
6. Receive satisfactory final clinical evaluations.
7. Maintain current infant, child, and adult CPR certification, immunizations, negative tuberculosis status or evidence of appropriate follow-up, and nursing liability insurance.
8. Students must maintain an active RN license, in good standing, in the state or states in which the student does clinical or practicum experiences.