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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

This program has two concentrations. The first educates family nurse practitioners to provide primary care in medically under served areas in western Pennsylvania. Graduates are prepared to work in physician offices, extended care facilities, ambulatory health centers, health care clinics, and similar settings where they provide clients with continuous, comprehensive care through physician collaboration and referrals. The second concentration prepares nurse educators to teach in undergraduate nursing programs and in settings such as hospital-based educational programs.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of the Master of Science in Nursing Program is derived from the philosophies of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs of Clarion, Edinboro and Slippery Rock Universities, which are complementary in nature. It is consistent with the stated missions of Clarion, Edinboro and Slippery Rock Universities. The Master of Science in Nursing Program affords the advanced practice nurse the opportunity to assume multiple roles in a variety of settings within the community.

Human beings reflect diverse cultures and life styles as they interrelate with family, community, and social systems. The individual's life experiences influence health beliefs, choices, and practices. Each individual has the right and the responsibility to make decisions affecting health and to be supported in those decisions. Each individual is unified, dynamic and continually interacts with the environment.

Environment is the aggregate of influences that interrelate with individuals. Multiple environmental factors--legal, ethical, political, socio-economic, and historical--affect both the level of health of humans and their ability to acquire health care services. Advanced practice nurses impact health care services and practices through change making endeavors.

Health, as an ever-changing process, encompasses well-being and illness, and is an evolving potential that cannot be quantified. Nursing interfaces with health as nurse professionals work with clients to direct, organize and monitor individuals' progress toward maximum well-being.

Nursing is a consumer-focused profession that addresses the health care needs of individuals and communities. Advanced nursing practice involves inquiry and a variety of ways of knowing. As an evolving discipline with a clinical focus, nursing is grounded in theory and research and encompasses professional standards of practice. The scope of advanced nursing practice remains fluid.

Advanced practice nurses are leaders who function autonomously and interdependently assuming the roles of nurse practitioner, clinical specialist, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse educator, and nurse administrator. Nurse practitioners are case managers who are responsible for health promotion, disease prevention, caring/healing, and teaching/coaching through interdisciplinary communication and collaboration. They are qualified to perform acts of medical diagnosis or prescription of medical therapeutic or corrective measures in collaboration with and under the direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine in this Commonwealth (Pennsylvania Code 49§21:251). Nurse educators prepare the clinicians of the future.

Graduate nursing education builds upon the knowledge and skills that individuals obtain in baccalaureate nursing programs and prepares graduates to be critical thinkers and use diagnostic reasoning in their professional role. Learning includes research methodology for application to nursing problems and participation in research studies. The educational process provides for role development and opportunities to apply advanced nursing knowledge and related theories to practice and educational settings.

The Master of Science in Nursing Program affords its graduates, as advanced practice nurses, the opportunity to contribute to research and practice in a technologically dynamic society. The nursing program provides the foundation for a life-long process of personal and professional growth as well as for post-graduate education.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

The terminal objectives of the joint Master in Science in Nursing Program reflect the ability of the graduate to:

• Synthesize knowledge from nursing, the sciences, and humanities into advanced nursing practice

• Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning in decision-making activities.

• Use theoretical knowledge and research findings as a foundation for advanced nursing practice.

• Incorporate professional/legal standards and moral/ethical values into a culturally sensitive practice.

• Apply nursing knowledge and related theories to nursing and health through advanced clinical practice and/or nursing education.

• Build a professional system that includes interdisciplinary communication, collaboration and teamwork.

• Participate in legislative and policy-making endeavors that influence health care services and practices.

• Contribute to nursing knowledge through advanced clinical practice and/or education and research.