MSN Program – Leadership and Education for Practice, 4+1 Option

Curriculum Requirements for Master of Science in Nursing – Leadership and Education for Practice

4+1 Option for Current CSB/SJU Bachelor of Science – Nursing Students

Program Credit Hours: 42

Nurses must know and do more now than ever. With increasing expectations and responsibilities, nurses are often required to step in to leadership roles early in their career. Whether you have just graduated with your first nursing degree or have been in practice for a number of years, furthering your education opens new doors to practice, leadership, and education roles. The Master of Science in Nursing program is built on our rich tradition of the liberal arts and Catholic Benedictine values and traditions, offers an innovative graduate program that will expand your nursing practice and prepare you for leadership roles as a preceptor, manager, director, care coordinator, staff educator, and clinical faculty. We seek graduate students who are curious, passionate about nursing, want to expand their nursing skills and lead the next generation of nurses towards providing quality compassionate care.

Eligibility

• Cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher
• Personal Statement
• Advisor recommendation
• Space available
• Students will be required to have an unencumbered registered nursing license by Aug. 15 following graduation from the CSB/SJU baccalaureate nursing program to continue into the Master of Science program.

Application to take graduate course senior year

• Available Feb. 15 annually
• In-house application

Tuition cost

• No additional cost up to 18 credits in the senior year
• Graduate per credit cost and program fees assessed beginning summer after graduation from the CSB/SJU baccalaureate nursing program

Year 1

Fall (Undergraduate Senior Yr)

* NRSG 312 or NRSG 402 Informatics

Spring

* NRSG 317 or NRSG 413 Global Perspectives
* NRSG 318 or NRSG 414 Ethics, Health Policy and Advocacy
* NRSG 319 or NRSG 415 Health Care Systems and Org Leadership

Summer

* NRSG 454 the Influential Nurse Leader
* NRSG 404 Evaluation and Translation of Evidence

Year 1 Total Credit Hours: 18

Year 2

Fall

* NRSG 403 Theoretical Basis for Program Evaluation And Quality Improvement
* NRSG 435 Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology
* NRSG 436 Advanced Pharmacology I *NRSG 420 Practicum I (120 hrs)

Spring

* NRSG 439 Advanced Health Assessment
* NRSG 421 Practicum II (240 hrs)
* NRSG 465 Facilitating Learning in the Health Care Environment

Summer

* NRSG 468 Advanced Clinical Knowledge
* NRSG 422 Practicum III (120 hrs)
* NRSG 466 Transition to Advanced Professional Practice (40 Practicum)

520 Clinical Practicum hours
meets requirements to sit for NLN Nurse Education Certificate

Year 2 Total Credit Hours: 24

Biostatistics not required for enrollment. UG Statistics course strongly recommended. Global Health Course include biostatistics content from an epidemiologic prospective.

FAQ for MSN Leadership and Education for Practice, 4+1 Option

Who is this program for?

• Anyone who is committed to providing exceptional high quality nursing care and desires to expand their nursing knowledge, increase their leadership skills, and enter nursing practice with increased competence and confidence. You need not have aspirations to continue beyond the MSN, but many of you may choose a specialty later in your career and further your education. Regardless this degree will open doors for advancement in any practice environment. Here are some highlights of the program.
  • 600 hours of additional clinical experience.
  • Emphasis on Evidenced Based Practice
  • Emphasis on Leadership.
  • Emphasis on Education: Staff and nursing students’ development, and patient education.
  • Networking – see below
  • Earn your first certification! As a certified nursing educator.

What are the advantages to taking graduate courses in my senior year?

Cost savings.

• Graduate courses taken in the senior year are considered part of the full-time undergraduate tuition fees, up to 18 credits. Post-graduation, these courses will cost $830-1200 per credit, depending on the program and location.
• If you continue with your MSN at CSB, you will have significant tuition cost savings. If you choose to return to CSB within 5 years to pursue a DNP (FNP, or Leadership), your credits will transfer, pending acceptance in to the program.
• If you decide the MSN at CSB is not right for you and you choose a graduate nursing program at a different location, some courses may transfer. The graduate courses chosen for the senior year are part of the DNP core and may transfer depending on the chosen program, curriculum, and policies for transfer credits.*

*The number and credits of graduate course transfers varies, but is usually limited.

Networking, Experience and Flexibility

• The addition of a graduate level QI course and Clinical Practicum, in the Fall senior year, will provide you the opportunity to network with leaders in nursing around the state of Minnesota who are pursuing their leadership and FNP doctorates at CSB. You will be in the same courses as these exceptional leaders. The Practicum course will provide an additional 120 clinical practice hours for you to expand your nursing knowledge and leadership skills as a designer of care at the bedside. You will graduate with increased confidence as you assume your first BSN position.
• In the spring, senior year, you will continue to network with the same cohort of outstanding nursing leaders in three courses. Networking may lead to professional opportunities.
• All graduate courses taken in the senior year are hybrid in delivery. There are two synchronous meetings (in person or online) per course, with the majority of the course delivery asynchronous online, with weekly assignments and discussion. Scheduling time for NCLEX review, job searching and interviewing, and preparing and studying for courses is less cumbersome as you do not have to work around 3 traditionally scheduled courses on campus.

Can I still study abroad my senior year?

YES! The NRSG 303 team has provided an exciting opportunity for a study abroad in Zambia for Spring 2025. If this is not an option for you, other outstanding local and perhaps state side opportunities will be open to you as well. There will be no difference in the Fall and Spring immersion offerings for NRSG 303, except for locations abroad.