11: School of Graduate Nursing

General Information | M.S. in Nursing | Ph.D. in Nursing | Course Descriptions | Faculty

Philosophy | Characteristics of Graduates | Admission | Academic Regulations
Program Description | Clinical Nurse Specialist | Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | Health System Management | M.S.N.-M.B.A. Joint Degree
Post-Master's Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | Post-Master's Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Admission | Grades | Nurse Practitioner Program Completion Requirements

Characteristics of Graduates

The disciplinary and professional domains of nursing give direction to current and evolving nursing practice. Advanced practice nurses demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills in nursing and health care systems with diverse populations. Components of their roles are expert clinical practice, assessment of outcomes, research, teaching, collaboration, and consultation within health care systems. Nurses prepared through graduate nursing programs with advanced practice knowledge, critical thinking and decision making skills can function in a variety of nursing roles. Examples of such roles include clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse educator/teacher, and nurse manager/administrator. Nurses implementing these advanced practice roles demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills. That is, nurses engaged in advanced clinical practice conduct in-depth assessments and demonstrate expertise in judgement and decision-making for purposes of health promotion/disease prevention, intervention and follow-up in specified populations. Implementation of a particular role may emphasize some role attributes more than others, and reflect the advanced practice nurse's area of expertise.

As advanced practice nurses, graduates of the MSN program are expected to:

  1. Integrate theoretical and research based knowledge in an advanced nursing practice specialty.
  2. Provide care and comfort to individuals, families and groups experiencing complex health care needs.
  3. Provide care that reflects sensitivity to differences among culturally and ethnically diverse populations.
  4. Assume a leadership role in establishing and monitoring standards of practice to improve patient care in collaboration with other nursing experts.
  5. Use ethical principles to guide decision-making in nursing practice.
  6. Evaluate clinical practice in relation to professional practice standards and relevant statutes and regulations.
  7. Apply the research process to improve clinical practice and contribute to knowledge development.
  8. Engage in self-directed and purposeful activities in seeking necessary knowledge and skills to enhance career goals.
  9. Examine economic, political, and social forces affecting nursing care delivery in complex health care systems.
  10. Promote multidisciplinary collaboration to insure quality, cost-effective care.
  11. Contribute to the development of peers, colleagues and others to improve patient care and foster the growth of professional nursing.
  12. Act as change agents to create environments that promote effective nursing practice and patient outcomes.

These core characteristics are in accordance with professional standards of advanced practice nursing specialties.

Continue to: Admission
Return to: Chapter 11 Index