MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
In 1979, the first Advanced Practice (AP) Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program began with a Burn, Emergency Trauma clinical nurse specialist role (CNS) which was one of three nationally. Specialties of administration, adult and critical care nursing were offered over the next decade. The Family Nurse Practitioner Program, offered on the Harrisburg began in 1994 and on the Main Campus in 1995.
An accelerated masters through doctoral program MSN/DNSc began in 2004, combining advanced practice clinical MSN (FNP or CNS) with the doctorate in nursing science with an emphasis on the preparation of the nurse educator/scholar.
Today, the Master's program (MSN) focuses on preparation of advanced practice nurses as:
- Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in Adult Health (AHN).
- Community-HealthNursing (CHN).
- Emergency/Critical Care (ECC).
- Psychiatric/Mental Health (P/MH),
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
All advanced practice areas prepare graduates to take the appropriate national certification examinations.
A nurse educator role may be selected within the CNS specialties instead of the AP clinician role.
The Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) degree offered since 1983, was retitled to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree effective July 1, 2008 to more accurately reflect the research based curriculum for the preparation of nurse scholar leadership roles in acadime.
Curriculum
The 39-42 credit CNS advanced practice specialties may be completed in 12 to 18 months of fullor part-timeincluding summer. Core courses and support courses for the advanced practice CNS options are offered on both the Harrisburg and Main Campuses. A minimum 500 hours of clinical practice are required.
The 46-credit FNP program may be completed on either the Harrisburg or Main Campus in 20 months of full-time study or 24 months part-time study including summer. A minimum 672 hours of clinical practice are required. Post-masters certificates are available for each of specialty options. Credits required vary with the option.
The course of studies for the options can be viewed in the online School of Nursing bulletin which can be found on the bulletin page.
Curriculum information for each of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) options as well as the FNP and accelerated options follow.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Mary Walker
Assistant Dean of Graduate Students
tel: 610-499-4207
mbwalker@widener.edu
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