Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is designed for registered nurses with a BSN who wish to pursue advanced knowledge necessary for one of two roles: educatior or leader. In addition to specific courses relevant to nursing leadership or education students take core courses in nursing theory, nursing research, policy and politics, population health, organization and systems leadership, and quality and safety. All students complete a synthesis project.
Graduates of the MSN program are prepared for positions in nursing education or leadership roles in a variety of settings. The program requires the completion of 36 credit hours. Courses are scheduled in an eight-week format. It is designed to be a part-time program that students can complete in three years.
The MSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 3343 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326, 404-975-5000. The program is available at the St. Louis and Kansas City campuses.
Upon completion of the program, students should be able to:
- Integrate knowledge from science and humanities to improve practice across diverse settings.
- Apply organizational and systems leadership skills to promote quality health care.
- Apply quality and safety principles within an organization.
- Analyze evidence and research for improvement of practice.
- Implement information and health care technologies to coordinate care.
- Apply knowledge of policy and advocacy strategies to influence health and health care.
- Collaborate with other health professionals to coordinate care.
- Apply prevention and population health concepts to implement culturally relevant care.
- Integrate advanced knowledge and skills in a practice role.
The 36 credit hours required for the MSN must include the following courses:
| NURN 5000 Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing (Requisite Course) | 3 hours |
| NURN 5050 Policy and Politics in Nursing | 3 hours |
| NURN 5550 Advanced Nursing Research | 3 hours |
| NURN 5340 Population Health I | 3 hours |
| NURN 5350 Population Health II | 3 hours |
| NURN 5360 Organization and Systems Leadership | 3 hours |
| NURN 5370 Quality and Safety in Healthcare | 3 hours |
| NURN 6000 Integrated Studies in Nursing | 3 hours |
In addition, the degree-seeking student must complete one of the following options:
Educator Focus
Students planning to pursue a position in nursing education and selecting this option must complete the following courses:
| NURN 5210 Instructional Methods in Nursing | 3 hours |
| NURN 5220 Curriculum Development and Evaluation | 3 hours |
| NURN 5230 Teaching Practicum in Nursing I | 3 hours |
| NURN 5240 Teaching Practicum in Nursing II | 3 hours |
Leader Focus
Students planning to pursue a position in nursing leadership and selecting this option must complete the following courses:
| NURN 5410 Leadership in Nursing | 3 hours |
| NURN 5420 Financial Issues for Nurse Leaders | 3 hours |
| NURN 5440 Leadership in Nursing Practicum I | 3 hours |
| NURN 5450 Leadership in Nursing Practicum II | 3 hours |
The student in this graduate program is subject to the policies and procedures for graduate studies and the MSN program.
Students who are interested in applying to this degree program should see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MSN program is based on intellectual capacity, academic record, professional performance, clarity of goals, initiative, and other qualities appropriate to graduate study in nursing. These qualities are difficult to measure in absolute terms, and the decision to offer admission is based on appraisal of the total application record.
The requirements for admission to the MSN program are as follows:
- A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE);
- Current licensure as a registered nurse in the United States and eligibility for licensure in Missouri;
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
- Completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better;
- A minimum of one year of clinical experience in nursing;
- Completion of the MSN program application along with the application fee and official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and schools of nursing;
- Three academic and/or professional recommendations;
- A curriculum vitae describing scope, responsibilities, and function of all work experience;
- A brief essay (500 words or less) clearly describing the applicant’s educational and professional objectives for graduate study;
- A personal interview
Send all admission materials to:
Office of Admission
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119
Students in the MSN program must maintain continuous and consecutive enrollment in this program at Webster University. Students who do not enroll for three or more consecutive eight- or nine-week terms will be withdrawn from the program. The student may request a waiver of this requirement.
In courses with a clinical/practicum component, students must receive a grade of “Satisfactory” in the clinical/practicum portion to pass the course. Unsatisfactory completion of the clinical/practicum component of the course results in automatic failure of the course.
Program Description
The Nurse Educator certificate is a 12-credit-hour program designed for the Registered Nurse who has completed a MSN and is interested in a nursing education focus.
The program is offered at the St. Louis and Kansas City campuses.
Requirements
| NURN 5210 Instructional Methods in Nursing | 3 hours |
| NURN 5220 Curriculum Development and Evaluation | 3 hours |
| NURN 5230 Teaching Practicum in Nursing I | 3 hours |
| NURN 5240 Teaching Practicum in Nursing II ** | 3 hours |
**An elective which focuses on education may be substituted with the approval of the MSN Coordinator.
Admission
Students who are interested in applying to this certificate program should also see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.
Admission Requirements
- 2.5 grade point average
- Master Degree in Nursing required
- Proof of RN licensure
- Minimum of one year of clinical experience
- Résumé describing scope, responsibility, and function of work experience
- Completion of application with fees
- Official transcripts
- Personal interview
Send all admission materials to:
Office of Admission
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119
Program Description
The Nurse Leader certificate is a 12-credit-hour program designed for the Registered Nurse who has completed a MSN and is interested in a nursing leader focus.
The program is offered at the St. Louis and Kansas City campuses.
Requirements
| NURN 5410 Leadership in Nursing | 3 hours |
| NURN 5420 Financial Issues for Nurse Leaders | 3 hours |
| NURN 5430 Legal Issues for Nurse Leaders | 3 hours |
| NURN 5440 Leadership in Nursing Practicum I | 3 hours |
Admission Requirements
Students who are interested in applying to this certificate program should also see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.
Admission Requirements
- 2.5 grade point average
- Master Degree in Nursing required
- Proof of RN licensure
- Minimum of one year of clinical experience
- Résumé describing scope, responsibility, and function of work experience
- Completion of application with fees
- Official transcripts
- Personal interview
Send all admission materials to:
Office of Admissions
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119
Certificate in Healthcare Education
The Healthcare Education certificate is an 18-credit-hour program designed for those who hold educational positions in healthcare and who have completed a bachelor’s degree and are interested in a healthcare education focus.
The program is offered at the Geneva campus.
Requirements
- HCED 5210 Instructional Methods (3 credit hours)
- HCED 5220 Curriculum Development and Evaluation (3 credit hours)
- HCED 5230 Teaching Practicum (3 credit hours)
- HEAL 5210 Program Development in Health Care (3 credit hours)
- HRDV 5610 Training and Development (3 credit hours)
- HCED 6000 Healthcare Education Case Studies
Admission
Students who are interested in applying to this program should also see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.
Admission Requirements
- 2.5 grade point average
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Minimum of one year of healthcare education experience
- Résumé describing scope, responsibility, and function of work experience
- Completion of application with fees
- Official transcripts
- Personal interview
Certificate in Healthcare Leadership
The Healthcare Leadership certificate is an 18-credit-hour program designed for those who hold leadership positions in healthcare, who have completed a bachelor’s degree and are interested in a healthcare leader focus.
The program is offered at the Geneva campus.
Requirements
| HCLD 5410 Leadership in Healthcare | 3 hours |
| HCLD 5420 Financial Issues for Healthcare Leaders | 3 hours |
| HCLD 5230 Legal Issues for Healthcare Leaders | 3 hours |
| HCLD 5440 Leadership in Healthcare Practicum I | 3 hours |
| HRDV 5620 Interpersonal and Organizational Communications | 3 hours |
| HCLD 6000 Healthcare Leader Case Studies | 3 hours |
Admission
Students who are interested in applying to this program should also see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.
Admission Requirements
- 2.5 grade point average
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Minimum of one year of healthcare education experience
- Résumé describing scope, responsibility, and function of work experience
- Completion of application with fees
- Official transcripts
- Personal interview
Send admission documents to:
Office of Admission
Webster University Geneva
Route de Collex 15
CH-1293 Bellevue, Switzerland
NURN 5000 Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing (3)
Students examine philosophical and theoretical foundations of nursing. Analysis of selected concepts and theories from nursing and related fields are emphasized. The role of the MSN is explored. Prerequisite: None.
NURN 5050 Policy and Politics in Nursing (3)
This course examines policy within the health care arena focusing on the policymaking process, the organization, delivery and financing of healthcare and the nurse’s role in advocacy. Conceptual models clarify aspects of policy problems suggesting explanations for decisions and consequences. Political advocacy and the health policy change process will be explored at the local, state, national and global level. This course reviews principles of health care economics affecting health policy. Prerequisite: None.
NURN 5210 Instructional Methods in Nursing (3)
This course is designed to explore a variety of teaching methods used by nurse educators in academia, staff development and/or community education. Learning theories, principles of adult learning and learning objectives are examined. Use of technology in nursing education is integrated throughout the course. Students develop, implement, and evaluate a lesson plan appropriate for adult learners. Prerequisites: NURN 5000 and NURN 5550 or permission of Coordinator.
NURN 5220 Curriculum Development and Evaluation (3)
Curriculum design, development, and evaluation are explored. The influence of research and societal, educational, ethical, and professional forces on the nursing curriculum is discussed. Students design a model curriculum, program evaluation, and outcome criteria to evaluate student achievement. Prerequisites: NURN 5000 and NURN 5550 or permission of Coordinator.
NURN 5230 Teaching Practicum in Nursing I (3)
Course content focuses on the development of lesson plans appropriate for defined learner populations. Students design, implement, and evaluate educational plans. Students collaborate with faculty and chosen preceptor on lesson plans. The role of the educator in a teaching setting is explored. Prerequisites: NURN 5210 and NURS 5220.
NURN 5240 Teaching Practicum in Nursing II (3)
A continuation of Practicum I. The student further designs, implements, and evaluates educational plans for selected student, staff, or client groups at the chosen practicum site. The role of the nurse educator in schools of nursing, staff development, and community settings is analyzed. Prerequisite: NURN 5230.
NURN 5410 Leadership in Nursing (3)
This course builds on the organizational and systems leadership course to provide an advanced knowledge of nursing leadership in complex healthcare environments. Legal issues, professional practice models, information technologies and leadership competencies are examined within the context of the nursing leadership role. Prerequisites: NURN 5350, NURN 5360, and NURN 5370 or permission of Coordinator.
NURN 5420 Financial Issues for Nurse Leaders (3)
This course focuses on financial and strategic management important to nurse leaders. Emphasis is on the interpretation and application of financial information from a departmental or organizational strategic plan. Basic financial decision-making principles, the role of money and financial markets in the economy, financial statement analysis, and the budget process are examined. Criteria for allocating resources that optimize quality cost effective care are explored. Prerequisites: NURN 5350, NURN 5360, and NURN 5370 or permission of Coordinator.
NURN 5430 Legal Issues for Nurse Leaders (3)
This course will examine legal issues important to nurse leaders. Legal issues such as labor relations, employment laws, privacy laws, patient rights, and risk management will be discussed. Requirements of governmental and accrediting bodies will be addressed. Prerequisites: NURN 5000 and NURN 5550 or permission of Coordinator.
NURN 5440 Leadership in Nursing Practicum I (3)
The practicum course is designed to explore the role of nurse leader in health care organizations. Students collaborate with faculty and preceptors to examine the role of nurse leader. Prerequisites: NURN 5410, NURN 5420, or permission of Coordinator.
NURN 5450 Leadership in Nursing Practicum II (3)
The practicum course builds on practicum I and further explores the role of nurse leader in health care organizations. Students collaborate with faculty and preceptors to examine the role of nurse leader. Prerequisite: NURN 5440 or permission of Coordinator.
NURN 5500 Professional Seminars (1-3)
Students participate in seminars designed to examine contemporary issues in nursing. The professional seminar supplements the core or focus area courses by focusing on issues of current and special interest. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs. Graduate students may apply a maximum of 3 credit hours of these seminars to meet the credit-hour requirements for graduation.
NURN 5550 Advanced Nursing Research (3)
Students systematically explore and evaluate current nursing knowledge for scientific and clinical merit. Utilization of nursing research is emphasized as it relates to changing and improving nursing practice. Nursing practice issues are identified and evidence is evaluated to change and improve practice. Prerequisite: NURN 5000.
NURN 5800 Family Systems Nursing (3)
This course provides the student with a theoretical foundation and model for family assessment and intervention. Students develop basic family interviewing skills through the use of taped interviews. Opportunities to practice nursing interventions in a supervised setting are provided. Prerequisite: NURN 5000, NURN 5550.
NURN 5810 Families in Transition (3)
Students focus on families experiencing common transitions. Students continue to practice family interviewing skills. The use of family systems interventions is emphasized. Prerequisites: NURN 5550 and NURN 5800.
NURN 5820 Families Experiencing Illness (3)
Students examine the interaction between family functioning and illness. The influence of beliefs on health and the healing process is addressed. Family interviewing skills and therapeutic nursing interventions are emphasized. Prerequisites: NURN 5550 and NURN 5800.
NURN 5990 Advanced Studies in Nursing (1-3)
Students with special interests or needs not met by existing curricula may request that a faculty member supervise a directed study. Content of the study and evaluation criteria are mutually decided on by the student and faculty. This course may be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: permission of department chairperson.
NURN 6000 Integrated Studies in Nursing (3)
Students will synthesize knowledge and integrate learning experiences from previous coursework through an in-depth, scholarly paper. The final paper will be suitable for possible publication and presentation. This is a semester long course. Prerequisite: Completion of 33 credits.
HCED 5210 Instructional Methods (3)
A variety of teaching methods are explored. Learning theories, principles of adult learning and learning objectives are examined. Use of technology in healthcare education is integrated. Students develop, implement and evaluate a lesson plan appropriate for adult learners.
HCED 5220 Curriculum Development and Evaluation (3)
Curriculum design, development, and evaluation are explored. Societal, educational, ethical, research, and professional forces which affect healthcare curricula are discussed. Students design a model curriculum, program evaluation, and outcome criteria to evaluate student achievement.
HCED 5230 Teaching Practicum (3)
Course content focuses on the development of lesson plans appropriate for defined learner populations. Students design, implement, and evaluate educational plans. The role of the healthcare educator is analyzed.
HCED 6000 Healthcare Education Case Studies
Students synthesize and integrate learning experiences from previous coursework through an in-depth case study addressing healthcare education issues.
HCLD 5230 Legal Issues for Healthcare Leaders (3)
This course will examine legal issues important to healthcare leaders. Legal issues such as labor relations, employment laws, privacy laws, patient rights and risk management will be discussed. Requirements of governmental and accrediting bodies will be addressed.
HCLD 5410 Leadership in Healthcare (3)
This course will provide the student with a theoretical foundation of healthcare leadership. Professional practice models and organizational philosophies will be explored within the context of current healthcare issues. The leadership skills of negotiation, delegation, conflict management, coaching and mentoring will be applied to healthcare. The role of communication will be examined across organization systems. The effect of gender and cultural diversity on communication will be discussed.
HCLD 5420 Financial Issues for Healthcare Leaders (3)
This course is based upon financial issues important to non-financial healthcare leaders. The primary focus is on the interpretation and application of basic financial information from a departmental or a general organizational point of view. Topics will include the general goals and functions of financial decision-making, the role of money and financial markets in the economy, financial statement analysis and the budget process. The class will include healthcare leader decision making criteria based upon the mission and goals of both for-profit and non-profit corporate health care delivery organizations.
HCLD 5440 Leadership in Healthcare Practicum I (3)
The practicum course is designed to explore the role of healthcare leader in an organizational or community setting. Students collaborate with faculty and preceptors to examine the role of the healthcare leader.
HCLD 6000 Healthcare Leader Case Studies (3)
Students synthesize and integrate learning experiences from previous coursework through an in-depth case study addressing healthcare leader issues.
HEAL 5210 Program Development in Health Care (3)
This course involves step-by-step methods of program development in health care. It includes a study of conceptual frameworks: philosophical basis, the student, the setting, the knowledge component, learning strategies, and evaluation.
HRDV 5610 Training and Development (3)
Rapid changes in technology and job design, along with the increasing importance of learning- and knowledge-based organizations, make training and development an increasingly important topic in human resources development. In this course, the student will learn how to 1) identify training and development needs through needs assessments, 2) analyze jobs and tasks to determine training and development objectives, 3) create appropriate training objectives, 4) design effective training and development programs using different techniques or methods, 5) implement a variety of different training and development activities, and 6) evaluate training and development programs.
HRDV 5620 Interpersonal and Organizational Communications (3)
Students in this course investigate the phenomenon of communication. Students learn the dynamics of the process of communication; the skills required to achieve successful communication; the importance of effective communication in work situations; methods of evaluating communication problems in the workplace; and methods for increasing productive communication in the workplace. The course affords students opportunities to explore a variety of personal and organizational methods of enhancing communication.
470 East Lockwood Avenue