GRADUATE DEGREES
Master of Science in Nursing
- Family Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration
ACCREDITATION
The graduate programs in the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences are accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Nursing Education, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, P. 404.975.5000, F. 404.975.5020, www.acenursing.org.
DR. F. M. CANSECO SCHOOL OF NURSING
The purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Canseco School of Nursing is to produce culturally competent nursing leaders who are prepared with role specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Nursing Administrator (NADM). Such study, be it in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program or in the Nursing Administration Program, leads to greater breadth and greater depth of knowledge in the field selected. Emphasis is placed on (1) how to find knowledge, (2) how to evaluate and synthesize knowledge, (3) how to organize it, and (4) how to apply the knowledge.
The curriculum is designed to prepare nurses for an increasingly active role in evidence based practice to improve patient/client care and healthcare system 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 Nursing (TBON) and professional accrediting organizations. This coursework is competency bases for both the FNP and NADM programs. Core competencies utilized for the Family Nurse Practitioner program have been developed by The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). Competencies for the NADM program have been developed by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE). The AONE competencies and the American Nurses Association (ABA) Nursing Administration: Scope and Standards of Practice, are the foundation for the NADM program. Both organizations, NONPF and AONE, provide certification examinations for practice in the chosen role. The TBON defines Advanced Practice Nurse (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)
The NADM role definition and program competencies are derived from The AONE Nurse Executive Competencies: Communication Knowledge, Leadership, Professionalism Business Skills (AONE, 2005). The role of the nurse administrator is one of leadership; both the nurse executive and nurse manager(s) are leaders who promote shared governance, leverage those who s(he) supervises, identify the consumer services as the focus of nursing services, identify budgeting and finance as integral to nursing services, and innovate to accomplish organizational goals while promoting quality and safety.
ANA defines (broadly) the nurse administrator as a registered nurse who orchestrates and influences the work of others in a defined environment to enhance the shared vision of an organization or institution. The nurse administrator role varies in and among institutions. Common themes that permeate all roles include advocacy, leadership, mentorship, shared vision, knowledge of business practices and processes, high quality and safe care, positive outcomes, and dedication to the profession (ANA, 2011).
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
See Academic Regulations-Graduate Degrees for Specific TAMIU regulations.
Admission Requirements Policy
To be considered for admission, the nursing masters student must meet both the general requirements listed at http://www.tamiu.edu/catalog/2014-2015/acadreg-grad.shtml and the specific requirements set by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Canseco School of Nursing.
Procedure:
a. Submit an application to the Office of Graduate Studies by April 30th for Fall admission, Summer I and Summer II admissions. Spring semester deadline for application is October 1st.
b. Comply with all requirements identified under Graduate Admission Requirements as defined in the catalog for the year of admission.
c. Registered Nurses seeking admission to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program must complete the on-line “Apply Texas” application at the following site: https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX. Admission to the University does not automatically guarantee admission to the School of Nursing. In addition to completing all requirements for general admission to the University, the student must submit/complete the following information to College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Canseco School of Nursing:
I. A valid RN license without restrictions in the State of Texas
II. Evidence of a minimum of one year of work experience as a Registered Nurse.
III. Evidence of a baccalaureate nursing degree from a nationally accredited college or university.
IV. Evidence of successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course.
V. Official transcripts identifying 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.
VI. A personal interview may be required during the interview process.
VII. 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.
VIII. Required immunizations and criminal and drug screening data must be submitted separately to the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
IX. Immunizations: DT (Diphtheria/Tetanus), Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B vaccine or informed refusal, TB Skin Test, Varicella.
X. Verification of drug and criminal background screening by a designated company or agency at student expense. (Contact the admissions counselor or advisor for questions).
XI. Submit a signed release of information form for release of information to the Canseco School of Nursing. Contact the counselor or advisor for this form.
d. 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 26 hours of undergraduate nursing coursework. The required courses are:
1. NURS 2414 (Pathopharmacology)
2. NURS 3315 (Health Assessment)
3. NURS 4263 (Ethics and Legal Issues)
4. NURS 4340 (International/Global Health)
5. NURS 4570 (Care of the Critically Ill Across the Life Span)
6. NURS 3405 (Scholarly Inquiry/Research) and
7. NURS 4522 (Community Public Health)
e. 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.
f. Provisional Admission Requirements: If the requirements for full admission are not met, provisional admission may be available. The Admissions and Progression Committee of the School of Nursing will review any application for provisional admission.
g. 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.
h. Leave of Absence: Under unusual circumstances, a student may petition for a leave of absence. The student must petition the CSON Admission & Progression Committee for approval. 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.
Academic Progression
Students must meet the standards for minimal performance and progression established by Texas A&M International University and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Canseco School of Nursing.
1. Grading Policy
Alpha Grade Numeric
A 90-100
B 81-89
C 75-80
F 74 and below
Graduates must maintain a GPA of B or above to progress and graduate from a master’s program in the CONHS. Students must pass both clinical and theory components of a course in order to pass that course. A master’s student in the CONHS may receive no more than two C’s during the course of graduate study.
2. Procedures for students when GPA falls below 3.0, 2 C’s are earned during the course of study, F, W, I grades are earned, or unprofessional conduct is evidenced.
a. 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.
b. Academic probation status will be removed in accordance with University policy.
c. Students earning a grade of F, W or I (Incomplete) may not progress to courses for which that course is a prerequisite.
d. Students who earn a third C or below in the program cannot progress further and will be required to withdraw from the program.
e. 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.
Probation, Suspension, Dismissal, Expulsion Policy
The recommendation to suspend, dismiss or expel a student because of scholastic deficiency must be made in writing to the Dean of the Office of Graduate Studies by the College. These procedures emphasize support for the University procedures and extend beyond those of the University given the ethical issues surrounding nursing practice.
a. A student is placed on probation if she/he does not maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00. The final grade report will carry official notice of academic probation.
b. A GPA must be returned to a minimum of 3.00 to remove probationary status.
c. Students who fail to attain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average for two full time consecutive semesters will be suspended from the Canseco School of Nursing.
d. Students may also be dismissed from graduate study for any of the following reasons:
I. Academic misconduct such as any act of dishonesty involving academic work.
II. Unsafe clinical practice.
III. Falsification of credentials.
IV. Conduct unbecoming to a student as described in the University Student Conduct Code.
Expulsion for Unprofessional/Unsafe Conduct Policy
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. The Canseco School of Nursing and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty reserve the right to dismiss students from the program for unprofessional or unsafe behavior.
Procedure for expulsion for unprofessional/unsafe conduct:
a. Individual (faculty, preceptor, peer) witnessing the unsafe or unprofessional behavior by a student will report that behavior to the appropriate person (ie., peer evidencing behavior to faculty advisor, preceptor to clinical faculty, etc.).
b. The unprofessional conduct will be reported to the CSON Admission and Progression Committee through the CONHS Office of the Dean.
c. The student will be contact related to the event by the CONHS Admissions and Progression Committee Chair.
d. The student has the option of submitting a written rebuttal statement to the CSON Admission and Progression Committee through the CONHS Office of the Dean.
e. The committee meets to discuss the event and makes a recommendation to the Dean for continuation without reprimand, continuation with reprimand, removal from the program permanently or for a period of time set by the committee. The Dean of the CONHS may approve or disapprove the recommendation of the committee. The Dean of the CONHS notifies the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research of the outcome.
Repetition of a Course Policy
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.
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Appendix
A - Appendix B - Appendix C - Appendix D