The program leading to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is designed to build on baccalaureate education to prepare the graduate for the advanced nursing roles of nurse manager, nurse educator, or school nurse; and serves as a foundation for doctoral study. In accordance with The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and relevant professional standards and guidelines, the MSN graduate will have acquired the ability to:

1. Use informatics and technology:

Use technology to enhance communication, planning, and action by accessing, sharing, and advancing information to mitigate error, improve nursing practice, and empower patients and practitioners.

2. Design innovative nursing practices:

Guide the planning, delivery, and evaluation of exemplary patient-centered care that values the inherent dignity of all humans and reflects advanced, comprehensive knowledge, insight, and commitment to culturally competent care of unique individuals in a global society.

3. Lead change to improve quality outcomes:

Serve as a leader in advancing the practice of nursing through integrating, planning, and coordinating research translation, education, management, exemplary patient care, and the development and ethical implementation of health policy.

4. Advance a culture of excellence through lifelong learning:

Practice as a responsible, autonomous member of the nursing profession, committed to lifelong learning and the pursuit of doctoral education, accountable for decisions, and able to reflect on actions and outcomes of care delivery for the profession.

5. Build and lead collaborative interprofessional care teams:

View and engage in nursing practice as part of an extended group activity that is rooted in mutual respect, effective communication, awareness of diversity, and commitment to building teams with common goals and values.

6. Navigate and integrate care services across the healthcare system:

Recognize and practice nursing’s role in navigating and integrating micro- and macro-systems, power structures, and operations of group dynamics in a multidisciplinary health care delivery process.

7. Translate evidence into practice:

Acquire and extend nursing knowledge through research application that reflects expertise in problem identification, data collection and evaluation, and analysis of findings in order to disseminate and apply information to practice challenges.

8. Implement the role of the advanced prepared nurse to guide health team members in the application of theory and advanced knowledge in a variety of settings of professional nursing practice.