Degree Title and Name:  Master of Science in Nursing

Program Name and Number:  Nurse Educator Track – MS1213 (hybrid) & MS1225 (online)

Department/Unit:  School of Nursing

Delivery Mode:  Online; Hybrid

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall, Spring

Program Overview:  The Ohio University School of Nursing (MSN) promotes excellence in the profession of nursing through education, scholarship, and service. The School provides quality educational experiences, utilizes clinical partnerships and facilitates regional collaboration that enhances the health of diverse communities.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program consists of both didactic and practice-based or clinical performance courses. The didactic courses present the nursing knowledge, theoretical concepts, models, and research that inform patient care and evidence-based practice. The practice-based courses provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge; practice skills; plan, implement and evaluate interventions and programs; and learn the full scope of the role for which they are preparing.

The Nurse Educator track prepares students to be eligible for certification as a National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). Graduates of this track may teach in academic, clinical, or healthcare education settings. Teaching practicum experiences occur in both academic and direct care settings with qualified preceptors for a total of 200 hours.

Program Learning Outcomes: 

Students will be able to:

• Synthesize knowledge derived from a scientific foundation and evidence-based practice to demonstrate expertise in advanced nursing practice.
• Analyze health care policies to enhance and improve population health outcomes across diverse clinical practice settings.
• Demonstrate leadership and interprofessional collaboration for improving clinical prevention and health outcomes.
• Synthesize and apply quality improvement strategies to promote positive health outcomes.
• Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and confidence for entry-level advanced nursing practice.
• Integrate knowledge and skills related to healthcare informatics in the advanced nursing practice role.

Opportunities for Graduates: Nurse educators are critical to creating a robust, comprehensive educational experience for new nursing students and for those pursuing graduate studies to expand their professional opportunities. Nurse educators serve as leaders of the learning process, guiding students and producing a nursing workforce prepared to thrive in a diverse, ever-changing healthcare environment. Nurse educators work in both the classroom and the practice setting, where they prepare and mentor current and future generations of nurses. These nursing professionals design, implement, and evaluate academic and continuing education programs for nurses at all levels. Nurse educators prepared at the master’s and doctoral levels teach in a wide array of settings, such as:

• Colleges/universities
• Junior/community colleges
• Nursing/technical schools
• Healthcare facilities
• Community health agencies
• Home care agencies
• Long-term care facilities
• Online/distance-based programs and courses

Link to Program:  https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nursing/graduate/masters/msn-nurse-educator

Graduation Requirements:  

Minimum semester hours required = 33

• Thesis requirement: No
• Qualifying exam: Yes
• Comprehensive exam: Yes
• Expected time to degree completion for a full-time student is six semesters

Required courses:

• NRSE 6010:Theoretical Basis for Practice (3)
• NRSE 6210:Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
• NRSE 6021:Assessment and Intervention in Family Care (3)
• NRSE 6805:Analysis of EBP for the APN (3)
• NRSE 6230:Advanced Pharmacology (3)
• NRSE 6220:Advanced Health Appraisal (3)

Nurse Educator Track Courses:

• NRSE 6610:Curriculum Development in Nursing (3)
• NRSE 6620:Teaching Strategies in Nursing (3)
• NRSE 6630:Academic Nursing (3)
• NRSE 6928:Nursing Educator Practicum (3)
• NRSE 6934:Capstone Experience for Nurse Educators (2)

Culminating Experience:  Nurse Educator certificate students complete NRSE 6934 in which a comprehensive portfolio documenting achievement of specific national standards is developed. In addition to the portfolio completion, the culminating experience for this certificate includes a teaching simulation and a certification predictor exam.

Admission Requirements:  In addition to the standard Graduate College admission requirements, potential MSN students must also supply/document the following:

• Specified health status requirements (immunization status, Tb screening, etc. as delineated in the current MSN Student Handbook)
• Awarded Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from regionally accredited institution.
• FBI/BCI background checks free from disqualifying offenses under Senate Bills 38 and
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0
• Statement of professional goals
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to complete graduate-level coursework and practice abilities. A minimum of 2 of these must be from individuals prepared at or above the Master’s level. One must be from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse.
• Evidence of the equivalent of two years full-time experience working as an RN within the past five years.
• Residents of and evidence of valid, unencumbered RN licensure in one of the following states: California, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
• An admission interview with faculty, held online through communications programs like Adobe Connect.

International Students:  This program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.