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 RN to BSN Completion option is offered on campus, on line and through selected outreach sites.

Upon completion of the baccalaureate program in nursing the graduate will:

Integrate into practice theories and evidence-based 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 culturally competent, compassionate, holistic care to promote healthy outcomes for diverse clients (individuals, families, communities, and populations) during all life phases;
Apply best evidence from nursing research and related professions to enhance care and guide professional practice;
Utilize interpersonal communication to enhance the nurse/client relationship and the nursing role in an interprofessional health care team;
Integrate principles of client education, management, and leadership when 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 lifelong personal, professional, and intellectual development; and,
Utilize technology to meet the health needs of a community in a culturally competent manner within a global society.

Approved: BSN Faculty, 2008

Masters 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.

Building on baccalaureate nursing education, and on completion of the MSN program, students will be able to:

Demonstrate integration of advanced knowledge and skills within the context of an advanced professional role;
Provide leadership with inter-professional colleagues engaging strategic partners to improve health care outcomes and patient safety;
Integrate informatics in the design, implementation and evaluation of population-specific interventions;
Evaluate research findings to implement and disseminate evidence basedprofessional nursing practice; and,
Provide ethically grounded, culturally competent health promotion* with diverse populations (Approved by the MSN Program Committee, 4/4/08).

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; and,
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.

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; and,
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)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program was initiated in 2008 and prepares nurse leaders at the highest level for advance nursing practice including clinical and translational analysis for the improved practice outcomes. The program is offered cooperatively with the Schools of Nursing at UM-Columbia and UM-Kansas City. Specific information about the program may be found here.

The DNP program is designed for graduates to attain the following program outcomes:

Generate integrated clinical and translational strategies to improve health care delivery and health outcomes in the region and in complex clinical environments.
Use clinical scholarship and analytical methods in collaboration with multiple disciplines to shape healthcare delivery and policy.
Lead the health care community by providing excellence in advanced clinical nursing practice.

Approved by graduate faculty, Nov. 2007.

College of Nursing