PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM
Program Objectives
The College offers a baccalaureate program with three options: traditional four-year, accelerated, and RN to BSN Completion. Specific information related to available options may be found on our web site.
Each option has a strong emphasis on community-based nursing practice.
The RN to BSN Completion option is offered on campus, on line and through selected outreach sites.
The graduate of the undergraduate nursing program is expected to achieve the following objectives:
- Integrate into practice theories and concepts from nursing, the arts, sciences and humanities to provide comprehensive nursing care in a variety of settings;
- Integrate critical thinking and problem solving in professional practice;
- Administer competent, compassionate, holistic care to a diverse population of individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Apply research from nursing and related disciplines to enhance care and guide professional practice;
- Utilize interpersonal communication, and educational strategies that enhance the quality of personal and professional relationships;
- Integrate principles of management and leadership in organizing, coordinating, and directing outcome-based professional practice;
- Assume responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions based on intrapersonal values, ethical and legal obligations, standards of practice, and economics;
- Participate in professional and community organizations to effect societal change;
- Exhibit motivation and self-direction in activities that contribute to personal, professional, and intellectual development.
Approved: January 1998
MASTER’S OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM
Program Objectives
The College offers a master’s program with three clinical specialty options: advanced practice, nurse leader (administrator) and nurse educator. All students complete a common core that is based on AACN Essentials of Master’s Education (1996). Specific information related to available options may be found on our web site. All emphasis areas are offered on campus; the FNP option is also offered at selected Outreach sites. Online study is available for selected courses.
The objectives for the MSN Program are that graduates are prepared to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge, values and skills in a selected area of nursing;
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge, values, and skills in a selected functional role;
- Apply the process of systematic inquiry (research) to validate and expand nursing practice;
- Integrate theory, research, and advanced practice nursing; and,
- Demonstrate increased responsibility and involvement in professional nursing activities.
Advanced Practice Option
The advanced practice option prepares both nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists in adult, children, family, neonatal, or women’s health. Admissions are currently on hold in the clinical nurse specialist option, and in the neonatal nurse practitioner option due to decreased demand for these options.
Competencies
Upon completion of the program, the Advanced Practice Nurse will be able to:
- Demonstrate competency in the role of management of client health/illness status;
- Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making;
- Assess, diagnose, monitor, coordinate, and manage the health status of clients over time;
- Communicate the client’s health status verbally or in writing, using appropriate terminology and format;
- Provide anticipatory guidance for expected changes, potential changes, and situational changes;
- Apply principles of epidemiology and demography in clinical practice;
- Use community assessment in evaluating client needs and program planning;
- Apply/develop a theory based conceptual framework to guide practice;
- Apply/conduct research studies pertinent to health care management;
- Select and recommend appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and regimens with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability, and efficacy;
- Perform and interpret common laboratory tests;
- Diagnose and manage acute and chronic diseases while attending to the illness experience;
- Demonstrates competency in the role of monitoring and ensuring the quality of health care practice;
- Manage rapidly changing situations.
Nurse Leader Option
The leader option presents basic concepts essential for senior managers. Admissions are currently on hold for this option due to decreased demand.
Competencies
Upon completion of the program, the Nurse Leader will be able to:
- Develop and articulate a vision for nursing practice in an organization in the context of complex health care delivery systems;
- Employ management skills that facilitate collaborative relationships;
- Select and use advanced analytical problem solving and communication skills;
- Make sound decisions that value effectiveness and parsimony in use of resources,
- Think globally using information and communication technology;
- Assume risk-taking behavior for the purpose of enhancing quality health care;
- Advocate for consumers and community partners;
- Demonstrate creativity in defining and solving problems;
- Foster and implement team-building strategies that create partnerships and collaboration within nursing across health care disciplines;
- Embrace change and manage it effectively;
- Negotiate and resolve conflict;
- Effectively market the nursing practice enterprise;
- Demonstrate effective public speaking;
- Establish relationships with community groups around the issue of health.
Nurse Educator Option
The Nurse Educator option presents concepts essential for the basic educator or staff development educator.
Competencies
Upon completion of the program, the Nurse Educator will be able to:
- Describe a personal educational philosophical base that is reflected in and consistent with learning theories and instructional methods;\
- Devise instructional methods that are consistent with adult education principles;
- Differentiate various learning theories;
- Relate learning needs, learning theories, instructional methods, and evaluative outcomes;
- Demonstrate effective public speaking that is enhanced by technology;
- Demonstrate creativity in defining and solving problems;
- Serve as a student/client advocate;
- Use a theoretical and research base for nurse educator practice;
- Design method(s) for nurse educator evaluation;
- Create various methods for student evaluation;
- Critique each method of student evaluation.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN NURSING PROGRAM
Program Objectives
The College offers a PhD program that focuses on establishment of a strong foundation in scientific inquiry with emphasis on clinically relevant research. The program is offered cooperatively with the Schools of Nursing at UM-Columbia and UM-Kansas City. Specific information regarding the program may be found on our web site.
The PhD program prepares beginning level nurse scientists through a rigorous program of study and research experiences that can be accessed at the post-baccalaureate or master’s levels.
Upon completion of the PhD program, graduates are expected to:
- Develop skills and knowledge to establish a program of research and scholarship.
- Design, conduct and disseminate a dissertation that contributes to nursing knowledge.
- Translate nursing research into practice and policy.
- Assume leadership roles in nursing and health care by collaborations and partnerships with institutions in the greater St. Louis region.
- Improve the health care quality of life of individuals/families/communities regionally, nationally and internationally.
Approved by PhD Faculty Committee, (2006-07)