Admission Requirements

1. Completed free online application: apply.chatham.edu
2. Copy of official transcripts of all completed college level coursework from all schools attended with proof of completion of an RN degree (associate or diploma) with a minimum 3.0 GPA
3. Proof of active, unencumbered RN license in your state
4. Current résumé/curriculum vitae
5. Admissions essay (to be mailed or e-mailed as a Word document to GradAdmission@chatham.edu):
   • Describe the evolving role of the MSN prepared nurse in the practice setting.

Admissions Materials may be submitted to:
Chatham University
Berry Hall/SCPS Admission
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Fax: (412) 365-1609
Email:GradAdmission@chatham.edu

Learning Outcomes

BSN Program Outcomes

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing and other related disciplines in acquisition and application of nursing knowledge, competencies, and values for professional practice.
2. Demonstrate knowledge for nursing leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety in order to provide high quality care.
3. Integrate evidence-based findings into professional nursing practice.
4. Apply skills related to information management and patient care technology in order to deliver quality patient care.
5. Comprehend the influence of healthcare policies and finance on healthcare system operations.
6. Utilize interprofessional collaboration and communication with other health team members in planning, coordinating, providing, and evaluating care.
7. Apply concepts of clinical prevention and health promotion to individuals, families, and communities in a global society.
8. Provide professional, culturally competent, and ethically congruent care that reflects dignity and uniqueness of individuals and groups in diverse global populations.
9. Utilize the nursing process and health care resources in the protection, promotion, and optimization of health in care of individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.

MSN Program Outcomes

1. Integrate scientific findings from nursing and other fields for continual improvement of nursing care.
2. Synthesize organizational and systems leadership principles to promote high quality and safe patient care.
3. Implement methods and tools of QI principles to promote high quality and safe patient care.
4. Critique EB literature with a basic understanding of quantitative and qualitative research to guide decision-making.
5. Analyze current and emerging trends and technologies to support quality health care.
6. Analyze and synthesize innovative approaches to complex issues in health care delivery at the local, state and national level based on understanding of health policy and principles of advocacy.
7. Construct effective communication strategies for working effectively in teams and collaboratively with other health care providers.
8. Design evidence-based and culturally relevant clinical prevention interventions.
9. Conduct a comprehensive and systematic assessment as a basis for decision-making.
10. Obtain expertise in the role of educator, informatics and leadership.

Curriculum

+Major Requirements

47 credits including

RN-BSN Program (each course = 3 credits unless indicated)
IND175	Introduction to Nursing Resources This course will teach nursing students how to develop and apply skills in locating, evaluating, and synthesizing information from a variety of library and information resources. The work completed in this course will help nursing students become more efficient in areas of evidence-based practice.	1
NUR402	Health Policy and Finance for Nurses This course will explore foundations of policy, finance, legislation, and regulation in complex systems of healthcare. Policy related to health equity, health disparity, and social justice will also be analyzed. Students will strengthen nurse advocacy skills and understanding of the Registered Nurse Scope and Standards of Practice.	3
Substitute:
NUR507	Health Policy & Advocacy In this course students analyze and synthesize innovative approaches to complex issues in health care delivery at the local, state, and federal levels. Concepts such as politics, policy, market forces, and advocacy are used to assess how system approaches can affect health care delivery.	3
NUR403W	Women's Health Nursing This course will present an overview of issues relevant to women’s health nursing. Nursing assessment techniques specific to female clients will be explored. Specific nursing interventions to promote women’s health will be covered including: HIV, early detection of female cancers, reproductive health, mental health issues, osteoporosis, pharmacokinetics, nutrition, physical fitness.	3
Substitute:
NUR505	Health Assessment and Promotion Across the Lifespan This course provides an exploration of key concepts in pathophysiology, physical assessment, and pharmacotherapy across the lifespan for the masters prepared nurse. Cultural and genetic influences of health will be analyzed and applied for health promotion, person-centered care, and population health.	3
NUR407	Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice This course will enable students to critically review nursing research, choose a relevant clinical issue to examine, explore literature, and utilize nursing research in clinical practice. Ethical principles of nursing research, particularly protection of human subjects and other ethical accountabilities focusing on research utilization and evidence-based practice will be explored.	3
Substitute:
NUR501	Scientific Underpinnings for Practice This course examines principles and processes of evidence based practice as a strategy to guide clinical decision making, initiate practice change and improve nursing practice, including translating, evaluating and disseminating the evidence. Course elements include gaining knowledge of research design, statistical concepts and search strategies.	3
NUR409	Clinical Prevention, Population and Environmental Health This course provides a framework for the development of nursing interventions promoting population and environmental health for individuals and communities. Health promotion will be a significant focus of this course.	3
NUR412	Nursing Communication and Quality Improvement This course will prepare the student for effective communication and collaboration amongst the interprofessional team with the goal of practicing high quality, safe, patient-centered care. Topics of quality improvement and interprofessional communication will be emphasized.	3
Substitute:
NUR506	Professional Role: Communication & Collaboration for Improving Pt. Outcome This course will assist nurses to develop, analyze and apply skills in collaboration and communication, including the Interprofessional Education Collaborative's core competencies, effective communication strategies based on complexity and transformational leadership theory, skills of presentation and publication to improve patient care and advance nursing practice.	3
NUR410	Global Cultural Diversity and Specialty Population Nursing This course is focused on various cultural and specialty populations. Multiple aspects of culture, vulnerability, and needs of individual populations will be analyzed and discussed. Content includes issues of ethics, social justice, health literacy, and barriers to care.	3
NUR411	Geriatric Nursing Multiple aspects of geriatric health and the aging population will be explored. Specific nursing interventions to promote older adult health will be covered including pharmacological considerations, nutrition, elder abuse, sexuality, coping with loss and grief, health and wellness promotion and the continuum of care.	3
NUR499W	Nursing Leadership and Professional Practicum This culminating course, which fulfills Chatham's internship requirement, encompasses various aspects of professionalism and leadership that students will encounter and utilize at all levels of nursing. Students will apply leadership concepts and decision-making skills while they complete their capstone project.	4
Subtotal BSN course credits: 14 credits
Note: If a student has not completed a total of 120 college-level credit hours after completing these core courses they will need to complete additional courses. Contact your academic advisor for further information or questions.
MSN Program (each course 3 credits)
NUR501	Scientific Underpinnings for Practice This course examines principles and processes of evidence based practice as a strategy to guide clinical decision making, initiate practice change and improve nursing practice, including translating, evaluating and disseminating the evidence. Course elements include gaining knowledge of research design, statistical concepts and search strategies.	3
(count for both BSN and MSN)
NUR503	Informatics Foundation and Health Care Technology This course focuses on technology and informatics in healthcare delivery. Students will evaluate current and emerging technologies used for data driven decision-making to support quality healthcare outcomes. Key to this foundational knowledge will be skills developed to effectively communicate, coordinate, and analyze change resulting from the utilization of technology.	3
NUR504	Introduction to Organizational Leadership in Nursing Emphasizing leadership decision making, this course includes an overview of theories, research, and applications that focus on managing organizational behavior, quality improvement, and systems leadership across health care delivery systems. Students will learn how patient care systems are structured, processes developed, and outcomes affected by actions of leaders and employees.	3
NUR505	Health Assessment and Promotion Across the Lifespan This course provides an exploration of key concepts in pathophysiology, physical assessment, and pharmacotherapy across the lifespan for the masters prepared nurse. Cultural and genetic influences of health will be analyzed and applied for health promotion, person-centered care, and population health.	3
(count for both BSN and MSN)
NUR506	Professional Role: Communication & Collaboration for Improving Pt. Outcome This course will assist nurses to develop, analyze and apply skills in collaboration and communication, including the Interprofessional Education Collaborative's core competencies, effective communication strategies based on complexity and transformational leadership theory, skills of presentation and publication to improve patient care and advance nursing practice.	3
(count for both BSN and MSN)
NUR507	Health Policy & Advocacy In this course students analyze and synthesize innovative approaches to complex issues in health care delivery at the local, state, and federal levels. Concepts such as politics, policy, market forces, and advocacy are used to assess how system approaches can affect health care delivery.	3
(count for both BSN and MSN)
NUR632	Curriculum Design and Evaluation in Nursing Education This course focuses on the processes of curriculum development and evaluation that are critical responsibilities of nurse educators in schools of nursing, patient education programs, or staff development. Course goals include how the curriculum provides guidelines for program delivery and methods for evaluating program effectiveness.	3
NUR642	Professional Role and Responsibility of the Nurse Educator The professional role and responsibility of the nurse educator course focuses on diverse roles and practice environments experienced by nurse educators. The course will provide novice and experienced nurse educators with guidelines for practice in classroom, clinical, staff development, and various educational settings. Academic and institutional policies, protocols and legal aspects will be explored.	3
NUR652	Teaching Strategies and Information Technology for the Nurse Educator This course will focus on strategies to develop knowledge and skill sets in pedagogy, teaching-learning theories, testing and measurement, and various educational technologies. An in-depth introduction to information technology that supports practice and improves patient care and outcomes will be explored.	3
NUR662	Healthcare Education Practicum During this practicum course, students integrate program content and create a practice change project by working with professionals directly involved in improving patient care through quality, organizational processes, or safety. Course includes 60 practice experience hours that incorporate direct patient care for the advanced practice nursing role.	3
NUR672	Healthcare Education Capstone During this capstone course, students transition to the advanced practice nursing role while implementing their practice change project. Course includes 60 practice experience hours completed in collaboration with their preceptor and other identified healthcare professionals involved with direct patient care.	3
Subtotal MSN additional courses to complete MSN degree: 33 credits
Total RN-BSN to MSN Dual Degree Program credits: 47 credits
Note: RN-BSN Program = 26 credits and MSN Nurse Educator Program = 33 credits Taken separately = 59 credits