The RN-MSN accelerated
degree program is designed for the registered nurse who holds an
Associate's Degree in Nursing and has now decided to pursue graduate
nursing education. The program is one that builds upon the student's prior training,
provides content and clinical experiences in community health nursing
and leadership/management and moves the student directly into graduate
nursing education. Although students will enter the program without an
earned bachelor's degree, as they progress through the course of study,
they will meet the program outcomes of the MSN program. The total curriculum requirement is 46 units.
All graduates of the program will meet the AACN CNL master's degree
outcome competencies and practice standards and be eligible for
certification by the national American Nurses' Credentialing Center
(ANCC) as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL).
A clinical
nurse leader is (CNL) is a masters' prepared nurse generalist who
assumes accountability for the healthcare outcomes of a specific group
of patients within a unit or setting through the assimilation and
application of research-based information to design, implement, and
evaluate patient outcomes at the point of care. The emerging role of
the CNL is a national initiative in response to patient care needs and
the current health delivery environments. The CNL is a provider and a
manager of care. S/he designs, implements, and evaluates care by
coordinating, delegating, and supervising the care provided by the
health care team, including licensed nurses, technicians, and other
health professionals.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of the program the graduate will be able to:
- Design, coordinate and evaluate care to individuals, families,
groups, communities, and populations; understand the rationale for care
a competently deliver this care to an increasingly complex and diverse
population in multiple environments.
- Provide care at the point of care to individuals across the
lifespan with particular emphasis on health promotion and risk
reduction services.
- Synthesize data, information and knowledge to evaluate and achieve optimal client outcomes.
- Ensure that clients, families and communities are well
informed included in care planning and is an informed leader for
improving care.
- Advocate for the client by taking action if decisions or
activities are against the wishes or interests of the client; give the
client the opportunity to make informed decisions about health care
before it is provided. Serve as an advocate for the profession and the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Use appropriate teaching principles and strategies as well as
current information, materials and technologies to teach clients,
groups and other health care professionals under their supervision.
- Use information systems and technology that put knowledge at the point of care to improve health care outcomes.
- Participate in systems review to improve quality of client
care delivery and at the individual level to critically evaluate and
anticipate risks to client safety with the aim of preventing medical
error.
- Delegate and manage the nursing team resources (human and
fiscal) and serve as a leader and partner in the interdisciplinary
health care team.
- Assume accountability for the ongoing acquisition of
knowledge and skills to effect change in health care practice and
outcomes and in the profession
Admission Criteria
Admission to the program is
based on an overall appraisal of the applicant's ability to undertake
master's study and of their potential contributions to the discipline
of nursing as evidence by the following:
- Official transcripts from colleges/universities attended
- Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Resume
- Documentation of professional license
- TOEFL scores if needed/Certificate of Finances/Copy of Passport (International Students Only)
Highlights of the School of Nursing and Health Professions
- The first private university nursing program in the State
- Accredited by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- One application - no separate application required for the School of Nursing and Health Professions
- Admission of nursing students in the fall and spring semester at the Main Campus
- The Graduate School of Nursing and Health Professions was ranked in the top 40 best nursing programs in the nation by US News and World Report
- The RN-MSN degree program was designed for the working adult. Theory courses will be taught on one day a week each semester.
- Earn your MSN degree in two years.
- Program will also be offered at selected branch campuses as well
- Financial Assistance for those who qualify
MSN Projects Description
For more information
San Francisco Main Campus - (415) 422-2806
Sacramento Branch Campus - Barbara Godoy-Poladian, (916) 920-0157 sacramentocampus@usfca.edu
Pleasanton Branch Campus - Desiree Shaw, (925) 867-2711, shawd@usfca.edu
Santa Rosa Branch Campus - Judy Farrell, (707) 527-9612 x100, jrfarrell@usfca.edu
San Jose Branch Campus - Natasha Odama, (408) 343-7100, nyodama@usfca.edu
