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2013-2014 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2013-2014 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing

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WSU-Rochester, 129-136 East Hall (EA), (507.285.7473) Fax: 507.292.5127
Nursing
Nursing Chairperson: Jo Stejskal
Graduate Program in Nursing Director: Sonja J. Meiers (507.536.5671)
Graduate Faculty: D. Forsyth, C. Jenson, W. McBreen, S. Meiers, A. Olson, J. Ponto, C. PilonKacir, C. Scherb, L. Schnepper, L. Seppanen, J. Stejskal, P. Thompson, M. Valen, M. Welhaven

Diane M. Forsyth, Professor, Nursing: BSN, Winona State University; MS, University of Wisconsin-Madison; PhD, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, 2006-
Carole Jenson, Assistant Professor, Nursing; BS, Winona State University; MS, Winona State University; DNP, Winona State University; 2009- 
Andrea B. Johnson, Assistant Professor, Nursing: BS, Winona State University; MS, Allen College; 2012-
William McBreen, Professor, Nursing; BSN, Mount Marty College Yankton, South Dakota; MSN., University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha; PhD, University of Texas at Austin; 2000-
Sonja J. Meiers, Professor, Nursing; BSN, College of St. Teresa; MS, Winona State University; PhD, University of Minnesota; 2009-
Ann Falkenberg Olson, Professor, Nursing, BS, Winona State University; MA, St. Mary’s University-Winona; MS, Winona State University, Rochester, MN; PhD, University of Arizona; 2007-
Christine E. PilonKacir, Professor, Nursing; BS, Mercy College of Detroit; MS, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; PhD, University of Missouri- Columbia; 1994-
Julie Ponto, Professor, Nursing, BSN, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; MS - ONC, University California, San Francisco; PhD, University of Utah,2005-
Cindy Scherb, Professor, Nursing; BSN, Mount Mercy College; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Iowa, 2001-
Lisa Schnepper, Professor, Nursing; BS, Winona State University; MSN, CNP, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; PhD University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; 2000-
Linda Seppanen, Professor, Nursing; BSN St. Olaf College; MSN, The Catholic University of America; PhD, University of Alabama; 1990-
Joanne Stejskal, Professor, Nursing; BSN, College of Saint Teresa; MSN, University of Wisconsin-Madison; EdD University of St. Thomas; 1975 -
Patricia Thompson, Professor, Nursing; BS, Winona State University; MSPH, PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; 1980-
Mieca Valen, Associate Professor, Nursing, BA Augustana College, MSN. South Dakota State University; DNP, Winona State University; 2005-
Mary Welhaven, Professor, Nursing; BS, Winona State University; MSN., PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; 1981-

Graduate Degrees Offered

Master of Science
Doctor of Nursing Practice - See Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 

Major

Nursing

Accreditation

The Graduate Programs in Nursing is accredited by: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120; Phone: (202.887.6791); American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Location

Classes for the Graduate Programs in Nursing are offered primarily on the Rochester campus with selected courses offered in Winona through ITV and/or other sites using distance education technology. View a map of the University Center Rochester campus. The nurse educator (NE) and nursing and organizational leadership (NOL) programs are offered primarily online with synchronous meetings approximately once per month either on campus or online.

Purpose 

The Master of Science degree in Nursing at Winona State University educates nurses for advanced nursing practice where change is constant. Students select from the programs of Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator, Family/Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Nursing and Organizational Leadership. The programs are designed so that each student will be able to:

  1. Employ evidence-based practice when planning, implementing, and evaluating health care for individuals, families, aggregates, systems, and organizations
  2. Integrate nursing theory, research, ethics and related sciences into the delivery of culturally competent advanced nursing care for diverse populations and health care systems
  3. Demonstrate professionalism within an advanced nursing role
  4. Demonstrate leadership with inter-professional teams to analyze complex practice and organizational issues
  5. Apply knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care in a variety of settings and for a variety of populations

* Approved March 2011 and implemented August 2011

Description of Program

The focus of the Graduate Programs in Nursing is to prepare graduates to work throughout the healthcare delivery system as nurse educators, healthcare organization leaders, and advanced practice registered nurses with the goal of improving health of individuals, families, and communities.

Graduates of the MS programs are prepared for a variety of advanced nursing roles (e.g. nurse educators, nurse leaders, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists). These graduates also have the foundation for continued graduate studies (i.e. DNP or PhD). Graduates of the DNP program are prepared for the highest level of clinical nursing practice.

Nursing science core courses, taken by all graduate students, build on students’ baccalaureate nursing knowledge to integrate scientific underpinnings for practice, understand nursing information management and decision making, and advocate for health promotion. Students develop evidence-based knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care while demonstrating leadership and professionalism. Courses within the selected programs of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner; Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist; Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner; Family Nurse Practitioner; Nurse Educator; or Nursing and Organizational Leadership provide specialized knowledge and practice opportunities in each advanced nursing role. A unique feature of this program is the targeted emphasis on the nurse’s use of advanced knowledge and skills of health promotion with individuals and families in diverse populations to address health care needs within complex environments.

Clinical Experiences

Faculty and graduate students in collaboration with the clinical placement coordinator select preceptors in healthcare settings and areas of nursing to meet the students’ individual learning needs. Student experiences commonly occur in hospitals and clinics affiliated with the Mayo Medical Center/Mayo Clinic Health System, North Iowa Mercy Health Center/System in Mason City; Gundersen/Lutheran and Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse; several Minneapolis/St. Paul facilities, and other hospitals, clinics, county public health agencies, senior citizen centers, schools of nursing, and health care agencies from a three-state area.

Master of Science Admission Requirements* 

Admission criteria for the Master’s Programs in Nursing include:

  1. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited program
  2. Undergraduate coursework in physical assessment
  3. Undergraduate courses in nursing research and statistics strongly recommended
  4. Computer literacy with knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and data base programs
  5. Transcripts of past education with GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale (1 official copy of transcript from each institution attended)
  6. Students with GPA less than 3.0 will be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis
  7. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within the last five years for foreign students
  8. Minimum of one year clinical nursing experience (recommended)
  9. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) applicants need to meet additional requirements:
    • One year critical care experience (e.g., ICU, ER, ICU/CUU, unit providing high acuity care with fast-paced decision making and complex procedures)
    • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification
    • ECG interpretation course required prior to beginning clinical courses.
  10. Evidence of current, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse. Minnesota licensure required for all clinical courses. Other state license also required for clinical experiences in those states
  11. Three professional and/or academic references from persons who can comment competently on the applicant’s background and suitability for graduate study. At least one professional reference should be a person who occupies the student’s chosen program (e.g. nurse practitioner, clinical nurses specialist, nurse administrator/leader, nurse educator). (Graduate Certificate candidates submit two references)
  12. Statement of professional goals
  13. Background check (clinical requirement after admissions) (fee assessed)
  14. Students requesting admission to the Graduate Programs in Nursing may be required to have a personal interview with program faculty
  15. Satisfactory scores on the TOEFL-test for international or non-English speaking students
  16. Differential tuition costs apply to all Graduate Nursing Program courses

Admission criteria for the Graduate Certificate Programs in Nursing include:

  1. Graduate degree from a nationally accredited graduate program in nursing
  2. Computer literacy with knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and data base programs
  3. Transcripts of past education with GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale (1 official copy of transcript from each institution attended)
  4. Students with GPA less than 3.0 will be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis
  5. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within the last five years for foreign students
  6. Minimum of one year clinical nursing experience (recommended)
  7. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) applicants need to meet additional requirements:
    • One year critical care experience (e.g., ICU, ER, ICU/CUU, unit providing high acuity care with fast-paced decision making and complex procedures)
    • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification
    • ECG interpretation course required prior to beginning clinical courses.
  8. Evidence of current, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse. Minnesota licensure required for all clinical courses. Other state license also required for clinical experiences in those states
  9. Two professional and/or academic references from persons who can comment competently on the applicant’s background and suitability for graduate study; At least one professional reference should be a person who occupies the student’s chosen program (e.g. nurse practitioner, clinical nurses specialist, nurse administrator/leader, nurse educator)
  10. Statement of professional goals
  11. Background check (clinical requirement after admissions) (fee assessed)
  12. Students requesting admission to the Graduate Programs in Nursing may be required to have a personal interview with program faculty
  13. Satisfactory scores on the TOEFL-test for international or non-English speaking students
  14. Applicants for all advanced practice programs (NP and CNS) and the nurse educator (NE) programs must have evidence of completion of advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment (60 hours faculty supervised and includes diagnostic reasoning), advanced health promotion and advanced pharmacology (within last three years required in some states for credentialing)
  15. Differential tuition costs apply to all Graduate Certificate Nursing Programs

Applications May Be Obtained From:

Graduate Programs in Nursing
Winona State University - Rochester
859 30th Avenue SE
Rochester, MN 55904
(507.285.7473) or (800.366.5418 x7473)

or

Office of Graduate Studies
Winona State University
PO Box 5838
Winona, MN 55987
(507.457.5038) or (800.342.5978 x5038)

or on the Nursing website

International students must also contact the International Student Office at 507.457.5303.

Progression (Master of Science)

Academic Advising and Credits

1. Advising

Students will be assigned an academic advisor after admission into the program. It is the student’s responsibility to contact their academic advisor during the first semester of coursework. The academic advisor is a member of the graduate faculty. If you are a newly admitted student or a graduate special student, please contact the Graduate Programs of Nursing Office for academic advising at 507.285.7473.

FUNCTIONS OF THE ACADEMIC ADVISOR INCLUDE:
    1.   Long range planning for the program of study
    2.   Short range planning, independent study, defining clinical and academic needs, transfer of credit
    3.   Support or referral for special services
    4.   Awareness of honors, awards, or financial assistance
    5.   The academic advisor may be a member of the student’s thesis/evidenced based practice project committee and may serve as major thesis/evidence based practice project advisor

If you wish to change academic advisors, you may do so by obtaining the consent of the faulty member chosen and reporting the request to the Administrative Assistant of the Graduate Programs in Nursing.

2. Admission to Graduate Candidacy

THE APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE:

Before completing 16 graduate credits (with a grade point of at least 3.0) and in consultation with advisor, students must submit a completed “Application for Admission to Candidacy for the Master Degree in Nursing” form. Any courses taken beyond 16 credits may not count toward degree requirements if they are not part of the approved plan of study. Students are responsible for initiating this procedure.

1. All courses already completed (including transfer courses)
2. Those courses needed to complete requirements for the degree and the proposed semester they will be taken
3. Approval signatures from advisor and Program Director

Any changes in the Plan of Study must be endorsed by your academic advisor, the Director of the Program, and the Office of Graduate Studies. You must file a “Supplement to Candidacy” form during the semester before graduation with the Office of Graduate Study. The Admission to Candidacy form must match your WSU graduate transcript.

Forms can be found on the Nursing website.
Graduate Certificate Students must submit a “Certificate Program Plan” form with approval signatures.

3. Double Counting Policy

Courses taken for previously earned graduate degrees at other institutions may be transferred and counted toward graduate degrees at Winona State University. The student must provide evidence (e.g. a syllabus or other documentation) that the previously taken course sufficiently replaces the required WSU course. The graduate faculty in the department from which the degree is to be awarded will decide the merit of the student’s petition. Up to ten graduate credit hours earned as part of a graduate degree completed outside the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system or up to sixteen graduate credit hours earned and applied to a graduate degree from a university within the MnSCU system may be transferred to Winona State University and used toward a graduate degree from Winona state University.

(Pending approval of Dean’s Council)

4. Intent to Return Form

Students who do not register each semester during the academic year must file an “Intent to Return” form with the Registrar’s Office the semester before planning to return.

A copy of this form may be found by visiting the Office of Graduate Studies website.

5. Admission Deferral Policy

Applicants who have accepted admission (via letter of intent) but do not enroll in nursing courses the subsequent semester as planned, will be removed from the admitted students list. Admittance to the upcoming academic year is not automatically granted. Applicants who have been removed from the admitted student list must reapply to the program in order to be considered for admission in the future. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Graduate programs in Nursing no longer allows accepts applicants to defer admission.

6. Change of Program

When admitted to the Graduate Programs in Nursing, you are admitted to the specific program area. The student must complete a new application process be reviewed for admission to the new program areas by graduate nursing faculty. Students submitting a new application will be considered along with the pool of all applicants to the new program.

7. Grades

Please view the “Grade Point Average (GPA)” and “In Progress (IP) Grades” section of the Graduate Catalog for the grading method at Winona State University.

Graduate Nursing Students are expected to register each semester for N690 Continuing Thesis/ Evidence-Based Practice in the intervening semesters after completing N614 Evidence-Based Practice and before the semester they complete the Thesis/EBP Project, when they register for N615 – Thesis/ EBP Project Seminar.

Graduate nursing students accepted into a program are expected to register each fall and spring semester unless a leave of absence has been approved by the student’s Advisor and the Director of the Graduate Programs in Nursing.

8. Graduate Credit

All degree requirements including credits to be earned or transferred, final examinations, thesis or evidence-based practice project, and all other program requirements must be completed within seven years of initial graduate enrollment.

Six credits or more per semester is considered full-time for financial aid purposes. No graduate student is permitted to enroll for more than 12 credits per academic semester or during summer session unless permission is received from the Office of Graduate Studies.

To request permission to enroll in more than 12 credits, a “Credit Overload Request” form needs to be submitted. The request needs advisor and department approval before submitting to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval. Forms are available on the Nursing website.

9. Independent Study

N685 Independent Study in Nursing provides an opportunity for students to work independently under the direction of an advisor. Often students will do a special project to enable them to register for a full load of credits. Students need to have permission from the faculty person who will be working with them before registration. The student also needs to develop a contract that includes learning objectives, plan for accomplishing learning objectives, and criteria for the project’s evaluation. Individual Study may be repeated for a total of nine (9) credit hours. See the Graduate Catalog for the policy on arranged classes.

10. Credit by Portfolio

Portfolio Review Process for MS Course Substitution
Portfolio Purpose: The portfolio review process is available to all MS and Graduate Certificate program students who believe that they can meet the learning objectives/competencies required of a specific nursing course within their program of study without taking and completing the course in the traditional manner. The portfolio is a mechanism used to validate the acquisition of knowledge and skills congruent with course expectations and student learning outcomes. The portfolio provides objective evidence that students have acquired the content and skills through prior learning and/or practice experiences. The decision to accept the documentation provided is based on determination of the equivalency of this prior knowledge and skills that the student would be expected to demonstrate at the completion of a specific course.

11. Conditions Leading to Dismissal from the Program

  1. Students, who are admitted on probation and who do not achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.00 on the first 12 WSU credits, may be dismissed
  2. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 will be placed on probation. Students will be given one semester to raise their GPA to 3.00. If students are placed on probation for a second time, their status will be reviewed regarding continuation in the program.
  3. Violation of academic or behavioral integrity policies, is grounds for dismissal
  4. Inability to provide safe patient care in clinical experiences, is grounds for dismissal
  5. Receiving two or more failing course grades, is grounds for dismissal
  6. Students who do not take classes for two (2) or more semesters who do not notify the department of their intent to return to the program, may be dismissed

12. Graduation Requirements

A STUDENT IS ELIGIBLE FOR GRADUATION UPON:

1. Completion of required courses found on the officially approved Admission to Candidacy Form
2. Completion of the thesis or evidence-based practice project (EBP) a minimum of two weeks before intended date of graduation
3. Oral Presentation of the thesis /EBP at least two weeks before intended date of graduation
4. Evidence that all college policies for graduation are met

The “Application for Graduation” form (MS degree) or “Certificate Program Completion” form (GC) must be submitted at least one semester prior to graduation. Students who graduate spring semester must participate in commencement exercises unless excused by the Dean of Nursing on presentation of proof that attendance at commencement will cause undue hardship.

PLEASE NOTE: The Master of Science degree will not be posted on your WSU transcript until your Thesis/EBP Binding Certificate has been received by the Graduate Office.

Graduate Programs in Nursing Core and Program Requirements

  1. General requirements of the University
  2. Successful completion of all required coursework
  3. Completed Thesis or Evidence-base Practice Project

Graduate Special Students

Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing and who wish to enroll in further undergraduate courses, graduate courses, or a combination of both but do not intend to pursue a Master’s degree may register as Graduate Special students.

Students may apply as a Graduate Special student to the Graduate Programs in Nursing. Students may take up to 12 credits as a Graduate student before acceptance into the program. Credits earned as a Graduate Special student can be applied toward graduation requirements as outlined in the Graduate Catalog. Courses open to Graduate Special Students include: 

  (3)

NURS 604 - Health Policy and Quality Health Care Delivery  (3)

NURS 606 - Nursing Information Management & Decision Making  (3)

NURS 608 - Organizational and Systems Leadership  (3)

NURS 616 - Molecular, Genetic and Immune Mechanisms in Disease  (3)

NURS 617 - Advanced Clinical Pharmacology  (3)

NURS 618 - Advanced Pathophysiology  (2)

Graduate Special applications are found on the graduate website (download “Graduate Special” and “Certificate of Baccalaureate Degree”). Or call the Graduate Studies Office to request an application be sent to you at 507.457.5038.

Specialized Programs

RN to MS Professional Pathway

Winona State University is known for its high quality baccalaureate and graduate programs in nursing. The RN to MS Professional Pathway is designed for highly motivated nurses who graduated with an associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing, who have nursing experience, and whose goal is to earn a Master’s Degree in Nursing. Graduate students will substitute Master’s-level credits for Baccalaureate-level credits in the RN to BS Completion program that count toward the BS degree. Students must take ten (10) credits of specified 400/600 level double numbered courses thus reducing the remaining master’s level credits to 33-46, dependent upon the number of credits required in the program to which the student is admitted. Students will substitute NURS 409/608 Organizational and Systems Leadership (3 credits), *NURS 419/612 Advanced Health Promotion for Families (3 credits), NURS 499/613 Advanced Health Promotion for Families Clinical (1 credit), and NURS 414/604 Health Care Policy/Quality Health Care Delivery (3 credits) for NURS 465 Population-Based Health Care II and NURS 491 Professional Development in the RN to BS Completion program. Students plan their streamlined program with advisors from both the baccalaureate and master’s programs in anticipation of formal admission to the master’s program. A separate application is required for admission to the Master’s Programs in Nursing.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

Please see Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 

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