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2013-2014 University Catalog


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DR. F.M. CANSECO SCHOOL OF NURSING
GRADUATE DEGREES

GRADUATE DEGREES

Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration

DR. F. M. CANSECO SCHOOL OF NURSING

The purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing degree program in the Canseco School of Nursing of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences is to produce culturally competent nursing leaders who are prepared with role specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The curriculum is designed to prepare nurses for an increasingly active role in evidence based practice to improve patient/client care outcomes by translating research into practice. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take national certification examinations in their specialty.

CURRICULUM

The curriculum includes coursework required by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) to be qualified as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). The Texas Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) defines APNs as:

 

"registered nurses who hold authorization from the board to practice as advanced practice nurses based on completing an advanced educational program acceptable to the Board. The term includes a nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, nurse anesthetist, and a clinical nurse specialist. The advanced practice nurse is prepared to practice in an expanded role to provide health care to individuals, families, and/or groups in a variety of settings including but not limited to homes, hospitals, institutions, offices, industry, schools, community agencies, public and private clinics, and private practice. The advanced practice nurse acts independently and/or in collaboration with other health care professionals in the delivery of health care services." (http://www.bne.state.tx.us/default.htm)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

See Academic Regulations-Graduate Degrees for Specific TAMIU regulations.

Admission: To be admitted to the School of Nursing, applicants must submit an application for Graduate Studies. The Office of Graduate Studies and Research receives, processes and forwards the application and any additional documentation to Graduate Admissions Committee and informs the applicant of the program admission decision. A complete application includes:

  1. A valid RN license without restrictions in the State of Texas.
  2. A minimum of one year of work experience as a Registered Nurse.
  3. A baccalaureate nursing degree from a nationally discipline accredited college or university.
  4. Successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course.
  5. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) for all college work and a 3.0 in all upper division courses.
  6. A personal interview with a faculty member.
  7. Three academic and professional references indicating achievement and motivation for graduate study. At least one reference should be from a faculty member who taught in the applicant's baccalaureate degree.
  8. Special conditions:
    1. Degree-seeking students who are Registered Nurses with baccalaureate degrees in disciplines other than nursing and who meet all other requirements for admission into the MSN degree program are required to enroll in 27 hours of undergraduate nursing coursework, designated as follows: NURS 3314, NURS 3315, NURS 4375, NURS 4440, NURS 4470, NURS 4463 and NURS 4622.
    2. Graduates of baccalaureate level foreign nursing schools may be eligible to enroll in collaborative MSN degree programs between TAMIU and collaborating schools of nursing in Mexico and Latin America.

In addition, the following must be submitted separately to the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences:

1. Immunizations: DT (Diptheria/Tetanus), Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B vaccine or informed refusal, TB Skin Test, Varicella.
2. Verification of drug and criminal background screening by a designated company or agency at student expense.

Provisional Admission Requirements: If the requirements for full admission are not met, provisional admission may be available. The Admissions Committee of the School of Nursing will review any application for provisional admission.

Special Student Enrollment: Based on certain circumstances, it may be appropriate for an individual to enroll for coursework in Master of Science in Nursing courses as a special non-degree seeking student. Enrollment would be limited to selected courses and would not grant the student admission to the degree program.

Leave of Absence: Under unusual circumstances, a student may petition for a leave of absence. The student’s Advisory Committee Chairperson and the Chair of the Department must approve the petition. If the petition is granted, the registration requirement will be set aside during the period of the leave and will not count towards the requirement that the student complete a master’s degree within a period of five years or within the time specified for the particular program. Leaves will be granted only under conditions that require the suspension of all activities associated with the thesis.

PROGRESSION, RETENTION, SUSPENSION
1. Students must repeat a course in which they earn an F and will be placed on academic probation if their GPA falls below 3.0.
2. Academic probation status will be removed in accordance with University policy.
3. Students earning a grade of F, W or I (Incomplete) may not progress to courses for which that course is a prerequisite.
4. Students who earn a third C or below in the program cannot progress further and will be required to withdraw from the program.
5. Administration and faculty reserve the right to dismiss students without previous warning for unsafe and/or unprofessional behavior. The conduct of nursing students should meet ethical standards as defined by the American Nurses Association (ANA) in Code for Nurses. Personal integrity is reflected in professional judgments. Consequently, the Canseco School of Nursing reserves the right to dismiss students from the program for unprofessional or unsafe behavior. (See Canseco School of Nursing Student Handbook for examples.)
6. Reapplication may be considered after 12 consecutive months following withdrawal or dismissal. Readmission is competitive and based upon availability of space in the program. Students must meet the standards for minimal performance and progression established by Texas A&M International University (See catalog section on Academic Regulations - Graduate).

REPETITION OF A COURSE
Repetition of a Course to Raise a Grade: A course in which the final grade is C may be repeated for a higher grade. A graduate student may retake a maximum of two courses during graduate study at the University. The student may repeat each course only one time. Only the final grade received for the course will be computer in the grade point average although the initial grade will remain on the transcript.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE WORK
Good Standing: Graduate students, including degree-seeking, certificate-seeking, and non-degree-seeking students, are considered in "good academic standing," making satisfactory academic progress, if they maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all graduate course work; and earn a 3.0 semester average on all course work.
Minimum grade requirement: Only grades of A, B, C, S (Satisfactory), and CR (Credit) are acceptable for graduate credit. Grades of F, U (Unsatisfactory) or NC (No credit) are not accepted for graduate credit. No more than two grades of C earned at this University will be accepted as credit for any nursing graduate program.

ACADEMIC PROBATION AND SUSPENSION
Placement on Academic Probation: A nursing graduate student will be placed on academic probation if, at the end of any semester or term, the student's cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 and/or the student's semester grade point average is below 3.0. A nursing graduate student receiving a second C grade or lower will be placed on academic probation.
Removal from Academic Probation: A student must achieve a cumulative 3.0 GPA while in the graduate nursing program to be removed from academic probation if academic probation was due to unsatisfactory GPA.
A student who receives two grades of C or less may be removed from academic probation if the student achieves a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
A student will not be placed on academic probation in a graduating semester if the cumulative GPA is 3.0 or higher and there are no more than two C's for courses on the degree plan.
Placement on Academic Suspension: A student who is on academic probation will be placed on academic suspension if
• The student's grade point average for the subsequent semester falls below 3.0 or
• The student receives a third grade of C or lower.
Reinstatement: A student on academic suspension may not enroll in any graduate program for a minimum of 12 consecutive
months. A student must reapply, meet current requirements for degree-seeking students, and be accepted by the University
and the program to enroll for graduate studies following the period of academic suspension. The application may be
submitted prior to the requested enrollment date.

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