Program Overview
The Master's Entry into Nursing Practice program prepares those who hold a non-nursing baccalaureate degree for the practice of nursing. As such, the student will earn the degree of Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree after successful completion of the program. In the program, students will develop an understanding of the discipline of nursing in order to provide care in the four spheres of care (disease prevention/promotion of health and wellbeing, chronic disease care, regenerative or restorative care, and hospice/palliative/supportive care). Additionally, students will achieve advanced expertise in nursing leadership, health care policy, ethics, informatics, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional collaboration. Successful completion of the six-semester graduate degree program qualifies graduates to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination-RN (NCLEX-RN), required for licensure as a registered professional nurse (RN). The Master's Entry into Nursing Practice program attracts early to mid-career individuals who desire a new career path. Graduates of direct-entry programs are prized by employers who value the layers of skill and education these graduates bring to the workforce.
Admission Requirements
| Admissions Requirements | Non-AU Applicants | AU Alumni (*graduated from AU within 5 years of application) |
|---|---|---|
| A baccalaureate degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale | X | X |
| Prerequisite courses completed prior to the start of the first term, with a "C" or better: 1) Introductory Statistics, 2) Anatomy & Physiology I & II, 3) Microbiology, 4) General Chemistry with lab, and 5) a psychology or sociology course | X | X |
| Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended | X | Center for Graduate Studies will request applicant's official AU transcripts on their behalf |
| A current professional resume or curriculum vitae | X | X |
| If applicant has ever been issued a professional license by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), license must be in good standing | X | X |
| Three letters of recommendation that can speak to: 1) The candidate's integrity and potential for success in a graduate program, 2) At least one letter must be from a direct supervisor or faculty member | X | Waived |
| A personal essay addressing candidate's professional attributes, ability to manage a rigorous curriculum and career goals (max. 500 words) | X | Waived |
| Students who submit all required admission materials and meet acceptance criteria, but are missing prerequisite courses, may be admitted on a provisional basis. This admission is pending receipt of final, official transcripts notating successful completion of all prerequisite coursework. | X | X |
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NUR-5100 & NUR-5101Z & NUR-5102Z | Principles of Nursing I and Principles of Nursing I Lab and Principles of Nursing I Clinical | 6 |
| NUR-5105 | Introduction to Professional Nursing and Interprofessional Collaboration | 2 |
| NUR-5135 | Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology | 4 |
| NUR-5165 & NUR-5166Z | Advanced Physical Assessment and Advanced Physical Assessment Lab | 4 |
| NUR-5200 & NUR-5201Z & NUR-5202Z | Principles of Nursing II and Principles of Nursing II Lab and Principles of Nursing II Clinical | 6 |
| NUR-5220 | Advanced Pharmacology | 4 |
| NUR-5230 & NUR-5232Z | Mental Health Nursing and Mental Health Nursing Clinical | 4 |
| NUR-5310 | Scientific Inquiry and Research | 3 |
| NUR-5320 | Nursing Informatics | 3 |
| NUR-5400 & NUR-5402Z | Medical Surgical Nursing I and Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical | 7 |
| MTH-5420 | Applied Statistical Methods | 3 |
| NUR-5480 | Leadership and Professional Role Development | 3 |
| NUR-5500 & NUR-5502Z | Medical Surgical Nursing II and Medical Surgical Nursing II Clinical | 6 |
| NUR-5520 & NUR-5522Z & NUR-5523Z | Nursing Care of the Family and Nursing Care of the Family OB Clinical and Nursing Care of the Family Pediatric Clinical | 7 |
| NUR-6430 & NUR-6432Z | Clinical Prevention and Population Based Practice and Clinical Prevention and Population Based Practice Clinical | 4 |
| NUR-6500 | Health Care Policy and Ethical Principles | 3 |
| NUR-6630 & NUR-6632Z | Practicum: Role Concentration and Practicum: Role Concentration Clinical | 5 |
| NUR-6640 | Preparation for Professional Practice | 1 |
| Total Credits | 75 | |
Graduate Degree Requirements
- Completion of all coursework specified by the graduate program.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or higher if specified by the graduate program.
- Submission of all pre-graduation materials required by the graduate program.
- Acceptance of thesis or other required final project by the graduate program.
- Submission of two copies of approved thesis or project in a specified form together with payment of binding fee where applicable.
- Submission of Application for Graduation and payment of any graduation fees assessed by the university.
- In the case of certification programs, submission of all governmental forms.
- Residency Requirement: A minimum of 25% percent of the total credits required for the completion of the graduate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate or credential must be earned at Aurora University. Individual programs may establish more extensive residency requirements, including requirements that specific coursework be completed at Aurora University.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, the MSN graduate will be able to:
- Integrate theory from nursing, arts and sciences in the planning and delivery of patient-centered, population-focused care.
- Identify and utilize best practice evidence to inform practice in education, leadership, care coordination, and management of quality care outcomes.
- Champion ethical decision-making and social justice in alI aspects of practice as related to self, patients, family, populations, health care delivery systems and educational systems.
- Safely and appropriately utilize technology to assist in the critical analysis and application of information and research to improve the quality of healthcare outcomes.
- Utilize communication and collaborative skills as a leader, advocate and change agent to enhance the delivery of health care and influence health policy.
- Develop and implement transformational leadership strategies within the interprofessional team to improve health outcomes.
- Exhibit an understanding of complex micro and macro organizational systems and demonstrate the ability to use relevant theory to design, deliver and evaluate health care.
- Incorporate strategies for prevention, wellness, and risk reduction for diverse populations across the continuum of care.
- Develop a level of scholarship that lays the foundation for doctoral study.