Master of Science in Nursing @ Maryville University

The Maryville University Nursing program offers a 36-45 credit hour program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing degree within the School of Health Professions. The graduate program offers four
emphasis areas: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Education. The curriculum is designed to provide maximum flexibility for full-time or part-time study.

Class size facilitates personal interaction with our faculty and allows students the opportunity to develop the relationship with teachers necessary for success. Courses are offered in a variety of formats on-line and in 8 week accelerated format in the evenings and traditional semester formats. The program provides an active learning environment with state of the art resources.

Accelerated RN to MSN Degree:
This program is offered for registered nurses to obtain both the Bachelor of Science (BSN) and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The program has been specifically designed for professionals working in the field and offers flexibility in meeting individual needs. Transfer credit and validation credit support early entry into the graduate program. Undergraduate degree requirements include: completion of an associate's degree or nursing diploma from an accredited program. Students may choose from the following specialty tracks:

Adult Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner

Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

Nursing Education

MSN Degree with emphasis in Adult Primary Health Care:
The purpose of the nurse practitioner program is to prepare registered nurses with a BSN degree for advanced practice positions in Adult Primary Health care. Within each track, students focus on the client at various states of wellness in selected community settings. Students may choose from one of three tracts:

Adult Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

MSN Degree with emphasis in Nursing Education:
The Master of Science (MSN) with an emphasis in Nursing Education prepares nurse educators who can teach undergraduate students in schools of nursing, are prepared to assume leadership roles in staff development and can create and deliver innovative programs in health education. The nurse educator specialization track curriculum builds upon knowledge and competencies of baccalaureate education and experiences as a practicing professional nurse.

With over 100,000 vacant positions and a ever-growing need for healthcare workers, the career outlook is excellent for the nursing field. To learn more, visit the U.S. Department of Labor's Statistics on Registered Nurses.

Because of the increasing need for nurses, some hospitals are offering signing bonuses of up to $14,000 for experienced nurses. To get more facts about the nursing shortage and its effect on careers in healthcare, visit the Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow site.

Nursing is a highly regarded profession. A 2004 Gallup Poll announced that the public again voted nurses number one for "honesty and ethical standards of various professions." (source: http://gallup.com/poll/content/login.aspx?ci=14236)

The National Student Nurse's Association has many articles on becoming a nurse, from where to begin to what to do for your first job. Check it out at:

http://www.nsna.org/career/
http://healthcare.careerbuilder.com/?siteid=discnursing

You can also browse Monster.com's section on the nursing profession:

http://healthcare.monster.com/nursing/
http://healthcare.monster.com/nursing/archives/
http://featuredreports.monster.com/nursing04/resumesample/

Master of Science in Nursing

Required Courses:	Credits
Graduate Nursing Core (18 credits)
NURS 600 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice	3
NURS 601 Research Methods	3
NURS 602 Health Care Policy	3
NURS 603 Professional Role Development	3
NURS 604 Sociocultural Influences on Health	3
NURS 610 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	3

Advanced Nurse Practitioner Core (9 Credits)
NURS 611 Advanced Pathophysiology	3
NURS 612 Advanced Health Assessment	3
NURS 615 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics	3

Specialty Tracks:
Adult Nurse Practitioner Core (12 Credits)
NURS 620 Adult/Geriatric Health Care I	3
NURS 621 Adult Nurse Practitioner Practicum I	3
NURS 623 Adult/Geriatric Health Care II	3
NURS 624 Adult Nurse Practitioner Practicum II	3

Family Nurse Practitioner Core (18 Credits)
NURS 620 Adult/Geriatric Health Care I	3
NURS 621 Adult Nurse Practitioner Practicum I	3
NURS 623 Adult/Geriatric Health Care II	3
NURS 624 Adult Nurse Practitioner Practicum II	3
NURS 629 Pediatric/Family Health Care	3
NURS 630 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum	3

Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Core (15 Credits)
NURS 620 Adult/Geriatric Health Care I	3
NURS 622 Psychosocial Issues, Health and Illness in the Elderly	3
NURS 623 Adult/Geriatric Health Care II	3
NURS 627 Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Practicum I	3
NURS 628 Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Practicum II	3

Nurse Educator Core (18 Credits)
NURS 631 Education: Learning Theory & Philosophy	3
NURS 632 Teaching Strategies in Nursing Education	3
NURS 633 Curriculum Development and Nursing Education	3
NURS 634 Measurement and Evaluation	3
NURS 645 Teaching Practicum I	3
NURS 646 Teaching Practicum II	3