Master of Science in Nursing
Mission and Purposes
Within the environment of a small, independent, liberal arts institution and strengthened by a commitment to Judeo-Christian values, the mission of the School of Nursing is to educate nurses to assume by choice and preparation a professional nursing role in an everchanging society and health care system. The division is committed to: A. delivering high quality and innovative educational programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; B. fostering the development of intelligent, creative problem solving that promotes the health of a diverse society; C. developing a commitment to continuous lifelong learning and to a system of values which insures professionalism and personal integrity in practice; and D. the provision of service to the community.
The purposes of the master's nursing program are:
- To prepare nurses for advanced nursing practice in adult or family health as nurse practitioners;
- To provide a foundation for doctoral study.
To achieve these purposes Mount Saint Mary College offers four master's programs and in advanced practice nursing: a nurse practitioner program in the following specialties: adult nurse practitioner gerontology (AGNP), family health nurse practitioner (FNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), and nursing education. There are four postmasters’ certifications in adult nurse practitioner gerontology (AGNP), family health nurse practitioner (FNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and nursing education. The clinical master’s programs require a minimum of 540 hours of precepted clinical practice for the major and an additional 60 hours for Physical Assessment, for a grand total of a minimum of 600 clinical precepted hours. Masters in Nursing Education has a practicum that consists of 120 hours consisting of 60 in academia and 60 in a practice. The college awards the master of science degree with a major in adult gerontology, family health, psychiatric mental health, or nursing education. Completion of the program allows graduates to sit for national certification exams in adult, family health, or psychiatric mental health.
Degree Completion
Based on the most recent data, 90% of students typically complete the Master of Science in nursing degree within four years of entrance. Responses to a survey administered six months after graduation reported that 100% of the respondents who received a Master of Science in nursing degree were employed full time.