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

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

Course List

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

1. When a student's academic performance does not meet minimum standards, the instructor should send an academic alert to the student.
2. A student is placed on academic warning at the end of any semester when their cumulative or semester program/major GPA is less than 3.0.
3. A student, placed on academic warning for a second time (not necessarily consecutive semesters) will be academically dismissed, for poor scholarship.
4. A student, will be academically dismissed if their Term GPA is 0.00 in any given semester.
5. A graduate student, who is dimissed from Aurora University for poor scholarship may apply for readmission after one full semester away (Spring, Summer, or Fall).
6. To be considered for readmission, a new application for admission and a petition for readmission are both required to be filed no less than 30 days prior to the requested semester of return, with the Office of Admissions.
7. The petition will be reviewed by an academic program committee, comprised of the academic program director/chair and two faculty designated by the Jurisdictional Academic Dean, to make a determination based on the academic standards of the program.  The academic program committee may require an in person meeting with the student as deemed necessary.
8. Should readmission be granted, the student will be readmitted on Academic Warning.  Should the cumulative program GPA fall below 3.0 in a subsequent semester, the student will be dismissed from the university.
9. A student who had already had their petition for readmission denied by the academic program may appeal the decision to the Jurisdictional Academic Dean over the program.  The step must be completed in the form of a written request to the Academic Dean within one calendar week after the student has been informed of the program committee decision.  The Academic Dean will appoint two faculty members to serve on an ad hoc committee working to review the student's appeal. The ad hoc appeal committee will review all relevant materials and meet with the student and others, as deemed necessary. The decision of this ad hoc appeal committee is final.  The ad hoc appeal committee will then report back to the program and the University Registrar regarding the final decision and its reasoning.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the MSN graduate will be able to:

1. Integrate theory from nursing, arts and sciences in the planning and delivery of patient-centered, population-focused care.
2. Identify and utilize best practice evidence to inform practice in education, leadership, care coordination, and management of quality care outcomes.
3. 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.
4. Safely and appropriately utilize technology to assist in the critical analysis and application of information and research to improve the quality of healthcare outcomes.
5. Utilize communication and collaborative skills as a leader, advocate and change agent to enhance the delivery of health care and influence health policy.
6. Develop and implement transformational leadership strategies within the interprofessional team to improve health outcomes.
7. 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.
8. Incorporate strategies for prevention, wellness, and risk reduction for diverse populations across the continuum of care.
9. Develop a level of scholarship that lays the foundation for doctoral study.