2006-2008 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2006-2008 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Nursing


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The purpose of graduate education in nursing is to prepare professional leaders with specialized knowledge and skills to meet the nation’s needs in clinical practice, nursing administration, and nursing education. The aim of the program is to prepare nurses to practice at an advanced level in nursing as a nurse educator, administrator, or clinician which includes clinical nurse leader, neonatal nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Achievement of this aim includes study in related fields and the use of research in the examination of nursing problems.

NOTE: The College of Nursing has agreements with the University of Missouri-Kansas City for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner courses and the University of Missouri-Columbia for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner courses. Students in these specializations receive their degree from SDSU.

Program Objectives
The graduate of the Master of Science in Nursing program will:

  1.  Incorporate knowledge and theories from nursing and other supportive disciplines into advanced nursing practice.
  2. Display competence within the legal scope of practice for the chosen specialization.
  3. Evaluate and utilize research within advanced practice nursing.
  4. Use leadership, administration, and teaching strategies to improve nursing practice and health care delivery.
  5. Assume accountability to influence health policy, improve health care delivery, address the diversity of health care needs, and advance the nursing profession.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees
Master of Science:
Option A 40-54 hours
Option B 34-51 hours
Option C in NP specializations only 36-54 hours

See Master’s Degrees and Options for descriptions of available options.

Core Requirements


Additional Admission Requirements


GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Department requirement of 560 paper-based, 220 computer-based, 83 Internet-based

In addition to meeting basic requirements for admission to the Graduate School, applicants for graduate study in nursing must have:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program with an upper division major in nursing with a “B” average (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system).
  2. Current licensure as an RN or eligibility for licensure.
  3. Professional nursing liability insurance.
  4. 1500 hours of nursing practice experience.
  5. Beginning April 2006, students wishing admission to the Master’s in Nursing at SDSU in the Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization, or wishing to change to that specialization, must have had 4000 hours (two years FTE) of direct patient care practice within the past four years, with preferably at least one of those years in broad-based clinical setting such as a medical, surgical, or critical care unit.
  6. An approved course in statistics.
  7. An additional application to the Graduate Nursing program and the Immunization and Physical Examination Form. These documents may be requested from the College of Nursing, SDSU, Box 2275, Brookings, SD 57007. Telephone: 605/688- 4114.
  8. FBI background check. Drug screening.

Total enrollment in the Master of Science in Nursing program may vary depending upon available clinical facilities and qualified faculty. Applicants are selected competitively from those qualified for the master’s program. Applicants should check with the Graduate Nursing office for application deadlines.

Graduate students must consult with their advisor before registering for graduate work.

Post Master’s Certificates


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