2013-2014 Catalog Year

The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (One Dupont Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20036-1120; telephone number 202-887-6791).

Traditional

1. Submit a FGCU graduate application and satisfy all applicable university admission requirements.
2. Provide an official academic transcript showing the award of a BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program.
3. Applicants will be required to submit GRE scores within the last five years that are competitive on quantitative, verbal and analytical.
4. Show evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in the undergraduate nursing program.
5. Show evidence of completion of the following undergraduate courses with a grade of C or above:
   1. Statistics course.
   2. Health assessment course.
   3. Pathophysiology
6. Provide evidence of current and unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with eligibility for Florida RN licensure.
7. Provide evidence of a minimum one year current practice experience as a registered nurse.
8. Submit a current resume and statement of career goals.
9. For applicants who have attended, but not completed another MSN program, provide a letter of standing from the dean of the school of nursing (or designee) that addresses the following:
   1. Performance in the prior program.
   2. Potential for success in graduate coursework.
   3. Interpersonal communication skills.
   4. Other information as determined by the dean.
      
      

Applicants must also provide a waiver granting the Graduate Admission and Progression Committee permission to contact the program(s) attended to verify information.

RN-MSN Pathway

The RN-MSN pathway is for highly qualified RNs with an associate degree in nursing.  Students are admitted to FGCU as undergraduates (pre-nursing).  Following the satisfactory completion of twenty-two (22) credit hours of specified bridging course work at the undergraduate level, students are transitioned into the M.S.N. program.  Thirty-eight (38) hours of required coursework is then completed at the graduate level.  Note that the bachelor's degree is not conferred in this program.

1. Submit a FGCU graduate application and satisfy all applicable university admission requirements.
2. Provide an official academic transcript showing the award of an associate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program.
3. Provide an official academic transcript showing the award of an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a Florida public college or university.  Students who do not have an AA degree will be required to meet with all FGCU general education requirements.
4. Complete the following coursework with a grade of C or above:
   • BSC 1085C Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4)
   • BSC 1086C Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4)
   • CHM XXXX Chemistry (3) or BCH XXXX, BSC XXXX, PCB XXXX, PHY XXXX
   • DEP 2004 Principles of Development (3)
   • HSC 2577 Nutrition Human Health and Wellness (3)
   • MCB 2010C Microbiology with Lab (4)
   • PSY 2012 General Psychology (3) or PSY XXXX, SOP XXXX, SYG XXXX
   • STA 2023 Statistical Methods (3)
5. Complete the following RN-MSN Bridge courses (22 credits) with a grade of B or above:
   • NUR 4807 Transition to Professional Nursing (2)
   • NUR 3065C Health Assessment (3)
   • NUR 3125 Pathophysiology (3)
   • NUR 3833 Patient Care Management in Nursing (3)
   • NUR 4169 Evidence-Based Nursing Practice in Symptom Management (3)
   • NUR 4636 Community & Public Health Nursing (3)
   • NUR 4636L Community & Public Health Nursing Clinical (2)
   • IHS 4504 Research Methods in Health Care (3)
6. Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate coursework.
7. Provide evidence of current and unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with eligibility for Florida RN licensure.
8. Provide evidence of a minimum one year current practice experience as a registered nurse.
9. Applicants will be required to submit GRE scores within the last five years that are competitive on quantitative, verbal, and analytical components.
10. Submit a current resume and statement of career goals.
11. For applicants who have attended, but not completed another BSN or MSN program, provide a letter of standing from the dean of the school of nursing (or designee) that addresses the following:
    • Performance in the prior program.
    • Potential for success in graduate coursework.
    • Interpersonal communication skills.
    • Other information as determined by the dean.
      
      
Applicants must also provide a waiver granting the Graduate Admission and Progression Committee permission to contact the program(s) attended to verify information.

Traditional and RN-MSN Pathway

• NGR 6002 Health Appraisal and Interpretation (3)
• NGR 6002L Health Appraisal and Interpretation (1)
• NGR 6141 Pathophysiology I (2)
• NGR 6144 Pathophysiology II (2)
• NGR 6460 Pharmacology I (4)
• NGR 6701 The Academic Role of the Nurse Educator (3)
• NGR 6710 Teaching & Assessment Strategies for Nursing Education (3)
• NGR 6712 Foundations of Nursing Education (3)
• NGR 6811 Scholarly Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
• NGR 6894 Global Trends & Practice Perspectives (3)
• NGR 6905 Independent Study in Nursing Education (2)
• NGR 6930 Special Topics (3)
• NGR 6941L Nurse as Educator Practicum (3)
• Select one of the following:
  • HSC 6258 Curriculum Development in Health Prof Education (3)
  • NGR 6713 Designing & Evaluating Curricula (3)

• Apply for graduation by deadline indicated in the university calendar.
• Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Satisfactorily completion of Nurse Educator capstone project.

Students in the program must meet specific progression, clinical, and graduation requirements.  See Nurse Educator Program Guidebook.