Nursing, Nurse Educator Option, M.S.N.

MSN Program Goals:

1. Develop within students a commitment to professional nursing excellence.
2. Prepare nurses who synthesize knowledge, skills, and values for professional practice in a global community; and
3. Foster a community of life-long learners who are able to envision and shape the future of nursing and health care.

MSN Expected Student Outcomes:

Graduates of the Master of Science in Nursing program at Millikin University are able to:

1. Develop core knowledge for nursing practice competencies and values modeling person centered care within diverse populations which span the continuum of prevention to disease management. (Domain 1, 2, 3)
2. Relate a commitment to ongoing personal professional development through a scholarship of nursing that will transform health care through a core value of quality and safety to minimize risk of harm to patients and providers. (Domain 4, 5)
3. Integrate system-based practice through the use of evidence-based practice, interprofessional partnerships and healthcare informatics to provide safe, high quality and efficient health care services. (Domain 6, 7, 8)
4. Demonstrate nursing professionalism through personal, professional and leadership development utilizing self-reflection to foster personal health, resilience, and well-being while developing skills of life-long learning. (Domain 9, 10)

The School of Nursing offers graduate courses leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree for individuals (nurses and non-nurses) who want to advance their careers beyond the baccalaureate level. Graduates of this program are well-positioned to be successful in doctoral study. Two options in the MSN are offered:

The Nurse Educator (NE) option is for Registered Nurses with their BSN (part-time & full-time options):

The Nurse Educator option is designed for nurses who seek opportunities teaching in a school of nursing, a continuing education program, or staff development role. A strong emphasis is placed on experiential learning opportunities focusing on teaching pedagogy and assessment of learning. Students will gain a strong foundation in curriculum development, methods of inquiry, nursing theory, the role of education in health care, research, and evidencebased practice to enhance outcomes. A requisite residency consisting of a minimum of 200 hours will be arranged collaboratively with the student, faculty, and a skilled educator mentor.

The Master’s Entry into Nursing Practice (MENP) option is for individuals who have earned a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing and desire a degree in nursing. Graduates will hold an advanced degree in nursing (MSN) and be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse (R.N.) (full-time option only).

• Coursework in the MENP track prepares a beginning level nursing generalist with specialized skill in integration of care and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Qualified candidates for MENP track leading to the MSN degree are highly motivated individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree in another field and have completed the pre-requisite courses.
• Students in the MENP track are enrolled with a cohort group. Progression must be continuous and full-time within the curriculum.
• The MENP Track consists of 81 credit hours and includes 800 hours of clinical practice and residency.
• MENP-specific clinical classes are scheduled Monday through Thursdays. MENP students are enrolled in MSN core courses on Fridays. Theory and practice schedules are set by each faculty member.

MSN Admission:

• Application forms are available online at https://millikin.edu/apply or through https://www.nursingcas.org
• A maximum of 9 graduate credit hours may be transferred into the program from another university; and,
• A student may take up to 9 credits as non-degree seeking before matriculation in the program with approval of the program director.

Graduate applicants must:

• Complete the MSN application (NE or MENP)
• Send official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions attended and demonstrate a minimum undergraduate grade point average of: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or discretion of the Associate Director/Director/Dean)
• Provide evidence of successful completion (grade of C or better) of courses in undergraduate nursing research & health assessment (NE)
• Provide evidence of successful completion (grade of C or better) of a course in undergraduate introductory statistics (NE & MENP)
• Provide evidence of successful completion (grade of C or better) of courses in the following undergraduate pre-requisite courses (MENP)
  • Anatomy & Physiology I and II
  • Microbiology with a lab
  • Organic Chemistry with a lab
  • Lifespan Development
• Possess an unencumbered/unrestricted license as an RN in Illinois or be eligible and obtain one upon admission (NE)
• Provide three (3) written recommendations as described on the web site from: individuals who can speak to
  • the applicant’s integrity, potential for success in a graduate program, leadership, and clinical nursing performance (NE). At
  • least one recommendation must be from a direct supervisor and/or a former nursing instructor.
  • the applicant’s integrity, potential for success in a graduate program and leadership skills (Track: MENP). At least one
  • recommendation
  • must be from a direct supervisor or faculty member.
• Submit a written statement (see MSN application web site for details) (NE & MENP)
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae (NE & MENP)

Important Dates - Admission Timeline:

Nurse Educator Track:

• See the School of Nursing website for deadlines.
• The Graduate Studies Committee forwards all names of recommended admissions to the SON Associate Director.
• Letters of acceptance subsequently will be mailed to each admitted applicant.
• Normally, a full-time student will begin graduate coursework in August.
• Part-time students may begin either spring or fall semesters, but the courses available to them are dictated by the pre-requisites of the courses.

Master’s Entry into Nursing Practice Track:

• See the School of Nursing website for deadlines.
• The Graduate Studies Committee forwards all names of recommended admissions to the SON Associate Director.
• Letters of acceptance subsequently will be mailed to each admitted applicant. The MENP fulltime graduate coursework begins in July.

MSN Progression:

• Students must maintain both a GPA of 3.0 for progression and successfully complete coursework, the residency/practice requirement, and the advanced nursing project to be eligible for graduation.
• Continuous enrollment must be maintained until all graduation requirements are met. Students who fail to do so must apply for readmission.
• To remain in good academic standing, MSN nursing students must earn a minimum of a B in each course.
  1. If a student earns less than a B in any graduate course, the student must initiate a discussion with his/her academic advisor or department chair.
  2. A student may receive one course grade of C in a course and progress in the program contingent upon a student-initiated meeting with their advisor.
  3. A second course grade of a C results in dismissal from the graduate program regardless of GPA.
  4. Graduate students may petition the SAPR Committee to have extenuating circumstances considered on a case-by-case basis. The committee may require additional conditions for continuance or readmission to the program.
  5. If a student receives a course grade below B in the MENP track of the MSN, the student will be placed on probation until the end of the semester (NU 501 will be considered with NU 514).

Incomplete Grades:

See the University policy on incomplete grades. An incomplete grade may impede progression in the subsequent semester and consequently the sequential courses.

Drop, Withdrawal, and Grade Policy:

Each student is enrolled for courses on a semester basis. The student is financially responsible for all enrolled courses. Students may access their accounts and schedule through MU Online. Students who wish to drop or add a course after the registration process is complete must notify their advisor and the SON Director in writing via e-mail or hard copy. 

• If a student withdraws from a class in the term, they must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing. A student may reapply to the program according to the standard application process. The SON Graduate Program will determine the student’s ability to rejoin the program at a later date, while assessing the applicability of any previous work completed.
• Students should be aware that withdrawal from a course will affect the student’s credit hours for the semester and will likely affect financial aid eligibility and/or financial aid awards.
• It is strongly recommended that students consult with the Student Financial Center (217) 424-6317 prior to dropping a course or withdrawing from a program. Financial aid eligibility and/or financial aid awards may be affected.
• No refunds will be processed without written notification to the SON Director within the guidelines communicated earlier in this Bulletin.
• Leaving the program requires an OFFICIAL withdrawal process.
• Contact the Office of the Dean of Students so proper paperwork can be completed.
• Tuition costs apply according to the refund policy.
• Fees are not refunded.
• Transcripts will NOT be released if a balance is due.
• Students who wish to reenter the graduate program at a later date must reapply for admission. Contact the School of Nursing office for instructions regarding the readmission process.

Readmission:

Students who, for a valid and unanticipated reason, are forced to interrupt their coursework have two years to reapply for readmission to the program. Depending on their circumstances, readmitted students may be required to retake the entry tests and/or repeat some coursework. All readmission requests will be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee