Master of Science in Nursing
PHSSN offers a Master of Science in Nursing with functional tracks for Administration, Education, and Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP), as well as a Post-master Family Nurse Practitioner Certification. This program provides in-depth, advanced study to nurses interested in expanding their knowledge of health care delivery.
Graduate Purpose
The purpose of the MSN program is to prepare nurses to assume leadership roles in advanced family nurse practitioner positions, or managers of patient care services within a variety of institutions or health care agencies. In addition, students are guided to incorporate theory and the research process in a variety of roles and practical settings.
Graduate Philosophy
The Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing functions within the structure of an educational consortium consisting of Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University. Thus, we accept the underlying philosophies and objectives of the consortium universities: individuals will be educationally prepared in a manner that promotes the development of intellectual, cultural, moral and religious values.
Because graduates will assume participating roles in a society which responds to the rapidly changing and increasingly complex needs of people, men and women shall be educationally prepared in a manner that promotes the development of intellectual, cultural, moral and religious values.
Nurses have an obligation to participate in the comprehensive planning and development of the health care system, recognizing that individuals are ultimately responsible for their own health care. The complexity of today’s health care system requires nurses with developed leadership skills and superior critical thinking abilities who will collaborate with others to achieve quality health care services for all citizens.
The faculty of PHSSN is cognizant that its professional function encompasses more than contributions to formal teaching. The faculty accepts the responsibility to:
- Maintain open channels of communication among faculty, students and consortium universities.
- Promote and maintain the intellectual environment of the campus and contribute to the knowledge of nursing through research.
- Contribute to improvement of health services in the community.
- Promote continuing education in nursing.
- Encourage and facilitate the achievement of professional goals.
- Ensure that educational opportunities are not denied on the basis of race, creed, sex or national origin.
Students who satisfactorily complete the requirements will graduate from ACU or HSU with the Master of Science in Nursing degree. The MSN graduate will assume leadership roles in diverse positions such as Family Nurse Practitioner, administrator, or patient care manager. Additionally, graduates of the Family Nurse Practitioner option are prepared to take a national certification exam.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate proficiency in a specific practice area.
- Develop strategies that incorporate theories and models from nursing and related disciplines for advanced practice.
- Implement scientific inquiry to replicate, validate, and test theories relevant to nursing.
- Analyze cultural, social, ethical, economic, and political perspectives that influence the health care delivery system.
- Integrate the multi-roles of the nurse for interdisciplinary practice and advancement of optimum health care delivery.
- Integrate critical thinking skills into oral and written communications.