Department of Graduate Nursing

Dr. Sattaria Dilks and Dr. Ann Warner, Co-Coordinators

The Department of Graduate Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing degree with concentrations in family nurse practitioner, psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, and nursing education. The department also offers a Post-Master’s Certificate, which prepares nurse practitioners to credential with the population focus of psychiatric mental health nursing. Finally, the department offers a post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice, which prepares advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in the population focus of psychiatric mental health nursing.

Master of Science in Nursing and Post-Master’s Certificate

The McNeese State University Master of Science in Nursing program and the Post-Master’s Certificate, offered in cooperation with the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN), offers a program of advanced nursing studies. The program reflects the missions of McNeese State University, the College of Nursing and Health Professions, and the ICMSN.

Mission of the ICMSN

The mission of the ICMSN is to prepare a diverse group of nurse practitioners, educators, and leaders by fostering a culture of nursing excellence for improving health-related outcomes.

The ICMSN is committed to the core values of:

• Accountability
• Caring
• Collaboration
• Diversity
• Leadership
• Practice
• Lifelong learning

The scope of advanced nursing practice is derived from the American Nurses Association Scope and Standards of Advanced Practice Registered Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Curriculum Guidelines and Programs Standards for Nurse Practitioner Education. Graduates of the program are prepared to assume leadership roles in nursing education and advanced clinical nursing practice.

The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K St NW Ste 750, Washington, DC 20001-2399, (202) 887-6791.

Purpose

The Master of Science in Nursing program will develop graduates who are:

1. Critical thinkers who engage in scholarly inquiry using current research to improve healthcare outcomes for individuals, families, populations, and systems;
2. Practitioners, educators, and leaders who engage in professional discourse through written and verbal venues;
3. Nursing professionals who advance the culture of nursing excellence and best practices in healthcare through professional achievement and practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and lifelong learning;
4. Nursing leaders who can direct interprofessional teams in advanced practice, education, and administrative roles in healthcare systems and diverse settings to promote quality improvement and effect positive change; and
5. Ethically responsible nursing leaders who advocate for health policy to improve healthcare in all populations.

Licensing and Credentialing Requirements

Completion of the program will prepare the graduate to practice as an advanced practice nurse or to teach at the undergraduate college level. Students who successfully complete the MSN curriculum meet educational requirements to take the following national certification examinations. Graduates of the nurse practitioner concentrations are eligible to apply for advanced practice licensure after successful completion of the certification examination.

• Family Nurse Practitioner (AANP or ANCC)
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (ANCC)
• Nursing Education (NLN)

Admission and Progression

The Master of Science in Nursing degree is offered as part of a consortium agreement with McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Students seeking admission to the consortium must apply and pay appropriate fees at the institution at which the student plans to pursue the nursing major.

The student selects a functional area in nursing education or a nurse practitioner role concentration in family or psychiatric mental health.

The College of Nursing and Health Professions reserves the right to limit the number of students to be admitted to the graduate nursing courses based on faculty and clinical resources.

Students seeking admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program must meet all the requirements for admission to the William J. Doré, Sr. School of Graduate Studies. Transfer students must meet the same admission requirements and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing Program

An applicant must have:

1. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLNAC/ACEN- or CCNE-accredited school. The transcript should demonstrate completion of a 3 semester hour or 4 quarter hour statistics course with a C or better. Students who will complete their BSN in the semester prior to anticipated enrollment may apply; however, acceptance will be contingent upon successful completion of the BSN.
2. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.8 on 4.0 scale for all undergraduate coursework or a combined verbal, quantitative, and writing GRE score of 290.
3. Eligibility for unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in Louisiana or Texas. All precepted clinical experiences will be completed in either Louisiana or Texas.
4. Two letters of professional recommendation from faculty members, professional colleagues, or work supervisors. These letters should address the prospective student’s ability to be successful in a graduate nursing program.
5. A 500-word essay detailing professional goals. The essay should include motivation for pursuing graduate nursing education as well as long- and short-term professional goals that demonstrate understanding of the future nursing role.
6. Current resumé that includes work experiences and evidence of leadership.
7. Submitted completed application materials by May 1 to be considered for fall admission and by November 1 to be considered for spring admission.
8. Candidates selected for admission must provide proof of an acceptable background check and drug screen by the end of the first semester.

Admission to the Post-Master’s Certificate Program

An applicant must have:

1. A current unencumbered advanced practice nursing license from Louisiana or Texas (all precepted clinical experiences will be completed in Louisiana or Texas);
2. A Master of Science in Nursing from an NLNAC/ACEN- or CCNE-accredited school;
3. A 500-word essay describing how the post-master’s certificate will enhance current practice.
4. The core requirements obtained through a previous degree, which is evaluated through a gap analysis.
5. Two letters of professional recommendation from faculty members, professional colleagues, or work supervisors. These letters should address the prospective student’s ability to be successful in the post-master’s certificate program.
6. Current resumé.
7. Submitted completed application materials by May 1 to be considered for fall admission and by November 1 to be considered for spring admission.
8. Candidates selected for admission must provide proof of an acceptable background check and drug screen by the end of the first semester.

Conditional Status

An applicant who meets all requirements for regular admission to the master’s degree program except the grade point average of 2.8 on all undergraduate courses attempted may seek conditional admission status. For acceptance to conditional status, the student must have a minimum of 290 on the combined GRE verbal, quantitative, and writing examinations as well as a minimum GPA of 2.5 on all undergraduate courses in the nursing curriculum. To be removed from conditional status, the student must earn a grade of B or higher in each graduate-level course in the first 12 hours. If a grade of C is earned, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Admission and Progression Requirements for the Advanced Practice Role Concentration

Admission means that the student is eligible to progress to clinical coursework. The application to clinical courses requires that the student submit the following by August 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester:

1. Proof of current Healthcare Provider CPR;
2. Proof of OSHA Training;
3. Health insurance or a signed waiver;
4. Preceptor agreement forms;
5. Agency affiliation agreements;
6. Nurse practitioner student malpractice insurance in the amount of $1 million for each occurrence and $3 million annual aggregate; and
7. Additional immunizations may be required depending upon site of precepted experiences.

Once admitted to clinical courses, the student is expected to follow the full-time or part-time degree plan which becomes a part of their record. Students who do not follow their degree plan may lose a clinical position and have to reapply.

Program Length

The program is four to six semesters in length dependent upon which role is selected. Students who attend full-time may complete the nursing education concentration in four semesters, the family nurse practitioner concentration in five semesters, the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner concentration in six semesters, and the psychiatric mental health post-master’s certificate in four to five semesters. Part-time students may complete their program in four to six years.

Retention and Progression Requirements

1. A student must earn a grade of B or higher in each course in the program to be eligible for progression.
2. A student who has regular admission status and who earns a grade below B will be placed on probation and must repeat the course within two regular semesters and earn a grade of B or higher. If the student does not repeat the course within two semesters, the student may be subject to program dismissal. If a grade below B is earned in a subsequent course, the student will be dismissed. Students whose GPA for the semester falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Once on academic probation, a student will continue on probation until the cumulative and term GPA rises to 3.0. Students on academic probation whose GPA for any term falls below 3.0 will be suspended from further graduate study. Suspended students may be re-admitted on probation with the recommendation of the graduate coordinator and the approval of the director of the Graduate School.
3. A student who has conditional admission status who earns a grade of C or lower in the first 12 hours of coursework will be dismissed from the program.
4. A graduate student who makes a grade of F in any course taken for graduate credit will be ineligible to register for further graduate work. A student who receives an F because of extenuating, non-academic reasons may appeal through the established graduate school process (see Graduate School Regulations ).
5. Students who have not been enrolled during the preceding semester must apply for readmission to the Graduate School; however, they do not have to meet all admission requirements as listed above (please contact the Department of Graduate Nursing for more information). Students who have not been enrolled during the preceding calendar year must apply for readmission and meet graduate nursing admission requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
6. A student may not receive more than two grades of W. A student may appeal progression for extenuating circumstances to the graduate nursing program.

Graduation Requirements

To earn the Master of Science in Nursing degree, the student must:

• Complete all degree requirements including:
  • A minimum of 42-45 credit hours for the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration.
  • A minimum of 40-43 credit hours for the Nursing Education concentration.
  • A minimum of 48-51 credit hours for the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration.
• Complete a focused scholarly project or a thesis; and
• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 at all times.

To earn the Post-Master’s Certificate, the student must:

• Earn a minimum of 20 credit hours for the Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; and
• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 at all times.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

McNeese State University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is designed to educate advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to perform at nursing’s highest practice level in service to a specific patient population. This practice-focused program will allow the APRN to provide for transformative change in the delivery and outcomes of healthcare services to disenfranchised patients, families, and communities. Building on the knowledge and competencies of a master’s degree in advanced practice nursing, DNP graduates will deliver patient-centered care as a leader of an interdisciplinary team which emphasizes evidence-informed practice, quality improvement, and healthcare informatics.

The DNP program at McNeese State University incorporates the eight essential competencies required by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) for nurses prepared with Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees:

1. Scientific underpinnings for practice;
2. Organization and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking;
3. Clinical scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice;
4. Information systems/technology and patient care technology for the improvement and transformation of healthcare;
5. Healthcare policy for advocacy in healthcare;
6. Interprofessional collaboration for improving patient and population health outcomes;
7. Clinical prevention and population health for improving the nation’s health; and
8. Advanced practice nursing.

Purposes

Graduates of the DNP program at McNeese State University will:

1. Practice as experts using knowledge from the natural and social sciences, information technology, healthcare policy and ethics to provide evidence-based care for patients, families, and populations;
2. Use translational science, data analytics skills, and quality improvement methodologies to develop as clinical scholars and improve nursing practice;
3. Use effective communication and collaboration to lead and influence interprofessional and intraprofessional teams to improve healthcare safety and quality;
4. Develop leadership skills to develop, analyze, and shape health policy within healthcare and nursing arenas that is equitable, ethical, and fair;
5. Provide leadership to improve clinical prevention and population health; and
6. Manage micro and macrosystems-level data to develop, implement, and evaluate healthcare outcomes that are sensitive to diverse groups, accountable for patient safety, and which improve overall quality of care.

Licensing and Credentialing Requirements

This degree prepares the graduate to be the premier nursing practice experts of the future who, along with nurse scientists, exemplify excellence in the practice of nursing. This degree prepares APRNs with a population focus of psychiatric mental health advanced practice nursing.

Admission and Progression

Students seeking admission to the DNP program must meet all the requirements for admission to the William J. Doré, Sr. School of Graduate Studies. Transfer students must meet the same admission requirements and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The College of Nursing and Health Professions reserves the right to limit the number of students to be admitted to the graduate nursing courses based on faculty and clinical resources.

Admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program 

An applicant must have:

1. Submitted completed application materials by March 1 to be considered for admission to the fall cohort, including official transcripts from each degree-granting institution previously attended.
2. A master’s degree in nursing from an NLNAC/ACEN- or CCNE-accredited school as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse midwife with evidence of a 3-semester hour or 4-quarter hour graduate-level statistics course with a grade of B or higher.
3. Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
4. A current unencumbered advanced practice nursing license from Louisiana or Texas. All precepted clinical experiences will be completed in either Louisiana or Texas.
5. Two professional references from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s capacity for doctoral study as well as clinical expertise and competency.
6. Completed an electronic interview with the selection committee.
7. A current resumé or curriculum vitae that includes work experiences and evidence of leadership.
8. A two- to three-page, double-spaced personal statement that:
   1. Identifies immediate and long-range professional goals;
   2. Explains how a DNP will enhance future practice;
   3. Highlights the applicant’s current leadership, professional accomplishments, and scholarly work; and
   4. Describes the applicant’s academic challenges and strengths.
9. An example of the applicant’s scholarly writing. This can be from previous coursework, a published work, or a short paper that discusses a clinical issue and uses professional references.

Prior to enrollment, applicants accepted into the program will be required to:

1. Provide a recent background check and drug screen;
2. Meet program health requirements;
3. Attend an on-campus orientation (and subsequent semester intensives); and
4. Verify APRN practicum hours.

Progression Requirements for the Advanced Practice Role Clinical Experience 

Prior to attending precepted clinical experiences, students must submit the following:

1. Proof of current Healthcare Provider CPR;
2. Proof of OSHA Training;
3. Health insurance or a signed waiver;
4. Preceptor agreement forms;
5. Agency affiliation agreements;
6. Nurse practitioner student malpractice insurance in the amount of $1 million for each occurrence and $3 million annual aggregate; and
7. Additional immunizations as required depending upon site of precepted experiences.

Program Length 

The DNP program takes three years to complete based upon part-time, year-round enrollment.

Retention and Progression Requirements

1. A student must earn a grade of B or higher in each course in the program to be eligible for progression.
2. A student who earns a grade below B will be placed on probation and must repeat the course the next time the course is offered and earn a grade of B or higher. Students whose GPA for the semester falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Once on academic probation, a student will continue on probation until the cumulative and term GPA rises to 3.0. Students on academic probation whose GPA for any term falls below 3.0 will be suspended from further graduate study. Suspended students may be re-admitted on probation with the recommendation of the graduate coordinator and the approval of the director of the Graduate School.
3. A graduate student who makes a grade of F in any course taken for graduate credit will be ineligible to register for further graduate work. A student who receives an F because of extenuating, non-academic reasons may appeal through the established graduate school process (see Graduate School Regulations ).
4. Students who have not been enrolled during the preceding semester must apply for readmission to the Graduate School; however, they do not have to meet all admission requirements as listed above (please contact the Department of Graduate Nursing for more information). Students who have not been enrolled during the preceding calendar year must apply for readmission and meet graduate nursing admission requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

Graduation Requirements

To earn the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, the student must complete all degree requirements including:

• A minimum of 20 hours of Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing competencies;
• A minimum of 34 hours of Doctor of Nursing Practice essentials;
• Completion of the Doctor of Nursing Practice clinical project; and
• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 at all times.

Programs

• Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration, MSN
• Nursing, Nursing Education Concentration, MSN
• Nursing, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration, MSN

• Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, DNP

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, PMC