Nursing

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Department of Nursing
2180 William S. White Building
(810) 762-3420
FAX: 810-766-6851
MSN Web Address: http://www.umflint.edu/nursing/MSN/index.htm

Assistant Director for Graduate Program: Connie Creech

Program Faculty: Associate Professors Janet Barnfather, Marilyn McFarland; Assistant Professor Hiba Wehbe-Alamah; Clinical Assistant Professor Kristi George; Adjunct Professor John Thornburg; Lecturers Charles Johnston, D. Kay Taylor; Adjunct Clinical Lecturer Diane Towers.

The University of Michigan-Flint Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) part time program produces skilled nurse practitioners in Primary Health Care. As Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) the graduates: 1. Make independent and collaborative health care decisions; 2. Engage in active practice as expert clinicians who perform history and physical exams, interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests, treat common illnesses and injuries, prescribe medications (depending on state practice laws) and evaluate outcomes; 3. Demonstrate leadership as consultants, educators, and beginning researchers; and 4. Participate in legislative and professional activities to promote professional advancement and health related social policies. Career opportunities for APNs are continually expanding and include positions in hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health care agencies, schools, universities, industry, nursing homes, wellness centers, employee health programs, physicians’ office practices, community mental health agencies, public health agencies and private practice.

The program consists of three tracks: the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track, the Adult/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track, and the Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) track. The FNP track prepares advanced practice nurses who provide nursing and selected medical servicesto individuals, families and groups, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention across the life span. They manage acute and chronic illnesses and treat minor injuries. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner national certification examination. Credentialed to practice independently, they value and seek ongoing consultative relationships with the interdisciplinary health care team.

The Adult/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track is unique and on the cutting edge of mental health care. Changes in the Michigan Mental Health Code have paved the way for new opportunities for PMHNPs. PMHNPs are capable of medical, pharmacological and psychotherapeutic intervention in acute, crisis and chronic situations, as well as being skilled in disease prevention and health maintenance planning. Credentialed to practice independently, they value and seek ongoing consultative relationships with the interdisciplinary health care team. Graduates will be qualified to sit for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification examination as well as the  Adult Nurse Practitioner examination.

The Adult Nurse Practitioner is a provider of direct health care services. Within this role, the ANP synthesizes theoretical, scientific and contemporary clinical knowledge for the assessment and management of both health and illness states. The population in adult primary care practice includes adolescents and young, middle and older adults. The particular expertise of the adult primary care nurse practitioner emphasizes disease prevention, health promotion, and the management of patients with acute and chronic multi-system health problems. Delivering patient care with respect to cultural and spiritual beliefs and making health care resources available to patients from diverse cultures is an important role component. An interdisciplinary collaborative model of delivering care is valued. Graduates will sit for the Adult Nurse Practitioner certification examination.

The MSN program faculty are sensitive to students’ busy lives and as such have designed the program for the part time student. Lecture/discussion courses are generally offered on a single day each week. The research/theory component has been designed as five (5) one-credit courses, which will culminate in a completed Masters Thesis. Students are permitted to work in pairs to accomplish their scholarly project. Students are expected to complete the program in three years. A “rolling” admission policy allows applications to be submitted throughout the year. Completion of the MSN application is required through the Office of Graduate Programs. Once the student completes the application packet, the packet is reviewed. Upon favorable review of the materials, the candidate is invited for a personal interview with a faculty team comprised of two graduate faculty members. This is followed by a letter to the student supporting the acceptance or rejection of the candidate. The application deadline for priority acceptance is May 1.

Transfer Credit

Up to nine hours of graduate credit may be accepted for transfer into the MSN program. Transfers are made in accordance with the policies of the MSN graduate program committee.

Program Mission and Assessment

The mission of the University of Michigan-Flint’s Masters of Science in Nursing Program is to prepare advanced practice nurses who will deliver high quality, cost effective primary health care. Our graduates meet the health care needs of society in general and underserved populations specifically, through theory based nursing practice and scholarly endeavors. The graduate program faculty promote the mission and vision of the University of Michigan-Flint and the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Nursing by supporting the further development of critical thinking, humanistic and scientific inquiry, and understanding human and cultural diversity. The mission is enhanced by faculty maintaining clinical expertise, academic excellence and a sensitivity to our partners in the diverse communities which we serve. The Program participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes is available at http://www.umflint.edu/assessment/.

Grading System

The following grading system is used by the MS in Nursing program. Courses in which a C or below is earned cannot be used in fulfillment of degree requirements.

Cumulative grade point averages are computed by dividing the total number of honor points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. A final cumulative grade point average of at least 5.0 is required for successful completion of the Master of Science in Nursing program. See student Progression Statement in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Accreditation

The curriculum for the University of Michigan-Flint Master of Science in Nursing Graduate Nurse Practitioner Program is grounded in criteria for advanced nursing practice developed by five major nursing organizations:

• National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education

The UM-Flint Master of Science in Nursing was granted full 10- year accreditation in April 2006 by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the accrediting body of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. You may contact them at CCNE; One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120; telephone (202) 887-6791; fax (202) 887-8476.

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