Program Objectives

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares nurses in advanced nursing theory and provides them with experience in specialized nursing roles within the changing patterns of healthcare. Graduates are equipped to assume leadership roles in interprofessional health groups and conduct independent nursing research or clinical projects.

The graduate of the Master's Degree Nursing program will be prepared for the professional role as a Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, or Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist and will be able to: (Source - AACN Essentials of Master's Education, 2011)

1. Integrate scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing care across diverse settings (Essential I).
2. Use organizational and systems leadership skills in promoting safe and quality patient care, emphasizing ethical and critical decision making and effective working relationships (Essential II).
3. Employ performance measures and standards related to quality to monitor outcomes and apply quality principles within an organization (Essential III).
4. Apply research outcomes within the practice setting, resolve practice problems, work as a change agent, and disseminate results (Essential IV).
5. Use patient-care technologies to deliver and enhance care and use communication technologies to integrate and coordinate care (Essential V).
6. Participate in policy development in the organization and employ advocacy strategies to influence health and health care (Essential VI).
7. Use effective communication, collaboration, and leadership skills as a member and leader of interprofessional teams to manage and coordinate care (Essential VII).
8. Apply broad, organizational, client-centered and culturally appropriate concepts in the planning, delivery, management, and evaluation of evidenced-based clinical prevention and population care and services to individuals, families, and aggregates/identified populations (Essential VIII).
9. Show understanding of advanced level nursing and relevant sciences, integrate knowledge to direct or indirect patient care areas, and intervene and influence healthcare outcomes for individuals, populations, or systems (Essential IX).

Mission and Curriculum

The Master of Science in Nursing program is based on Mount St. Mary’s mission of providing a superior education enhanced by an emphasis on building leadership and fostering a spirit to serve others. The curriculum incorporates the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing.