Bronson School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Bronson School of Nursing
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5345 USA
(269) 387-8150

Applications to the MSN program are currently suspended.

 

The Master of Science in Nursing program at the WMU Bronson School of Nursing is designed specifically for RNs who want to expand their knowledge and expertise. Our graduates are leaders in promoting health care in individuals and communities.

Why MSN at WMU?

  • Two great concentrations: addiction and nurse educator

  • Our courses are 100% available online

  • Highly engaged faculty who are experts in the field

  • Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and incorporates the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing

Prerequisite courses

* Required for any applicant who does not have a BSN degree.

  • Undergraduate course in descriptive and beginning inferential statistics (can be obtained at WMU or another academic institution)
  • NUR 3330 - Health Informatics
  • NUR 3400 - Transition to Professional Nursing
  • NUR 3430 - Nursing Research-RN

NUR 3330 - Health Informatics
This course is designed to familiarize the undergraduate student with the present and potential impact of information and its systems on the allied health disciplines. Additionally, this course will explore informatics processes, tools, and systems in terms of providing solutions to health care stakeholders in education and practice. An emphasis is placed upon the student's role as a leader and advocate for change in this rapidly emerging field

NUR 3400 - Transition to Professional Nursing
This transition course introduces the associate degree or diploma nurse to Professional Practice. Theoretical foundations, concepts of evidence-based practice and critical thinking are introduced and applied.

NUR 3430 - Nursing Research-RN
This course is designed to provide a foundation for the use of research findings as a basis for nursing practice. The course focuses on nursing research as it relates to the theoretical foundations of the discipline of nursing and the development of a scientific basis for nursing practice. It prepares the learner to understand the language of science and the processes of scholarly inquiry. It also prepares the learner to read, interpret and evaluate selected nursing studies and appropriately determine the clinical (nursing) relevance of study findings and their implications for practice. The primary goals of the course are to explore the impact of research upon the profession of nursing, and to examine the research process as it relates to the practice of nursing.

Required courses

  • NUR 5010 - Advanced Pathophysiology
  • NUR 5020 - Advanced Physical Assessment
  • NUR 5030 - Advanced Pharmacology
  • NUR 5300 - Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
  • NUR 6320 - Health Policy and Advocacy
  • NUR 6400 - Professional Inquiry: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
  • NUR 6410 - Methods for Measuring Quality in Health and Educational Systems
  • NUR 6420 - Quality and Safety in Promoting Health

Course descriptions for all nursing courses are available in the WMU Graduate Catalog View Course Descriptions

Concentrations

Addiction Concentration

  • NUR 6640 - Field Practicum

And three of the following:

  • ADA 6200 - Introduction of Substance Use and Addiction
  • ADA 6330 - Cultural Humility and Social Justice in the Addiction Field
  • ADA 6350 - Addiction Treatment Services
  • ADA 6400 - Co-Occurring Disorders and Addictions
  • ADA 6410 - Addiction in Family Systems and Primary Relationships

Nurse Educator Concentration

  • NUR 6600 - Curriculum and Teaching of Theory in Health Disciplines
  • NUR 6610 - Clinical Teaching and Evaluation in Health Disciplines
  • NUR 6630 - Role Development of the Nurse Educator
  • NUR 6640 - Field Practicum
     

MSN Graduate Program Outcomes (adapted from AACN Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing, March 21, 2011)

  • Integrate scientific findings from nursing biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing practice across diverse settings.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills that emphasize ethical and critical decision-making, effective working relationships, and a systems-perspective.
  • Use the methods, tools, performance measures and standards related to quality, as well as apply quality principles within an organization.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply research outcomes within the practice setting, resolve practice problems, work as a change agent, and disseminate results.
  • Use patient-care technologies to deliver and enhance care and use communication technologies to integrate and coordinate care.
  • Demonstrate the ability to intervene at the system level through the policy development process and employ advocacy strategies to influence health and health care.
  • Engage as a member and leader of interprofessional teams, communicate, collaborate, and consult with other health professionals to manage and coordinate care.
  • Applies patient-centered and culturally responsive evidence-based strategies in the delivery of clinical prevention and health promotion interventions and/or services to individuals, families, communities, and aggregates/clinical populations.