RN to MSN - Advanced Generalist, RN to MSN - Informatics Track, RN to MSN - Nurse Educator Track, RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Track

Mission Statement

The mission of the College of Nursing is to provide evidence-based and innovative nursing education toculturally diverse learners; preparing nurses to provide quality and compassionate care that is responsive tothe needs of the community and the global society.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, RN to MSN students will:

1. Integrate the various sciences from nursing and such other fields as physiology, statistics, psychosocial,political, financial, genetics, public health and the organizations sciences in the continued improvement ofnursing across the continuum of various health care settings.

2. Provide leadership in a variety of settings that promote high quality safe patient care that also incorporatesethical decision making and effective working relationships across a variety of disciplines.

3. Demonstrate the skills needed to effect quality improvement that incorporates the various models,standards and performance measures necessary to apply quality principles, within any type of
organization.

4. Apply evidenced based research in clinical practice by identifying actual or potential practice problems in asetting and resolving them through the role of change agent.

5. Demonstrate proficiency in computer skills both technical and in the application of informatics to enhance,deliver, communicate and integrate and coordinate patient care.

6. Recognize the need for and ability to affect policy changes by using the policy development process andadvocacy strategies to influence health and health care.

7. Communicate and coordinate with a variety of health professionals in a variety of settings to manage andcoordinate care.

8. Identify and integrate the various evidenced based practices of health promotion and disease preventionusing client centered, culturally and age appropriate concepts in the nursing process of
services to individuals, families and broad based aggregate populations.

9. Demonstrate an advanced level of nursing and relevant sciences and the ability to integrate that knowledgeinto nursing practice that influences health care outcomes for individual, families, populations or systems. 

RN to MSN

The RN-MSN program promotes foundational competencies that are core to advanced nursing practice in anever-changing and globally reaching healthcare environment. Academic, practice experience, andinterpersonal preparation are characterized by increased depth in organizational and systems’ leadershipwithin a culture of integrity and personal accountability in a community that values the dignity andcontributions of all members. Standards of ethical behavior and decision-making are essential foundations ofthe education programs that guide individuals to distinguish ethical principles and understand theconsequences and implications beyond personal and organizational self-interest.

This RN-MSN degree programs build upon prior nursing clinical knowledge and experience and focuses on thecore knowledge, skills and abilities that are essential to meet the complexities of today's healthcareenvironment.  Academic, practice experience, and interpersonal preparation are characterized by increaseddepth in organizational and systems' leadership within a culture of integrity and personal accountability in acommunity that values the dignity and contributions of all members.

The core courses and practice experience offer expanded study in the health care areas of advocacy, programmanagement, education, clinical practice, research, and health policy formulation. Graduates will be able toformulate an inspirational perspective of nursing, incorporating a wide range of theories from nursing andother sciences. The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing (AACN, 2011) provides a foundation for thetheoretical and clinical emphasis of the RN- MSN program.

RN to MSN Nurse Informatics Track

The Informatics track focuses upon preparing students for an exciting career in the development andmanagement of healthcare information technology, incorporating the tools and skills to design and improvethe use of informatics into practice, education, administration and research.  This program helps preparegraduates to assist in the creation, analysis, and testing of applications utilized in electronic health records,provide support and training and act as a liaison between all departments involved in the introduction and useof healthcare technology, as well as facilitate the analysis of clinical data for performance improvementprograms and enhance the continuity of care.  

RN to MSN Nurse Educator Track

The Nurse Educator track focuses on the development of the nursing professional who can integrateenhanced leadership skills with nursing education in he academic or service setting, to formulate aprofessional commitment to learning and to make a contribution to quality improvement.  There is a criticalshortage of nursing faculty in the United States and this program provides students with advanced contentessential for today's contemporary nurse educator.  The program integrates content related to adult learning,curriculum design, simulation and evaluation of nursing courses and programs in a variety of settings.  Theprogram also includes opportunities to explore contemporary educational modalities.  The knowledge andexpertise gained through this program are applicable in a variety of settings.  

RN to MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Track

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track is designed to build on the experiences of the registered nurse andprepare the student to meet the health care needs of the family by providing health assessments, direct care,and guidance, teaching, or counseling as appropriate, particularly around family self-care.  The FNP typicallyworks collaboratively with family primary care physicians and other professionals within the health caresystem.  FNPs work in a variety of health care settings, such as private practice, clinics, community healthorganizations, schools and hospice care.  The demand for more Nurse Practitioners continue to grow as theypresent a viable solution to the growing trend of fewer family practice physicians entering practice.  Theprogram is aligned with standards set by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and theAmerican Association of Colleges of Nursing.  FNP certification is through the State of California and nationallythrough the American Nurses Credentialing Center.