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Current Year: 2009-2010
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Nursing

College of Health and Human Services

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Nursing - Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Nursing

The master of science degree is available to qualified students who desire advanced preparation in a variety of clinical speciality areas. The program is approved by the Board of Registered Nursing, and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (1 Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC, 20036-1120, phone: 202-887-6791).

The philosophy of graduate nurse education is that the practice of nursing is constantly changing as health needs and health delivery systems are altered. Integral to nursing is an ability to work effectively and cooperatively with other disciplines and community services to promote health.

The focal point in this curriculum is the nursing process with strong components of clinical medical knowledge complemented by behavioral science concepts. Courses are interdependent and have been structured to provide clinical depth in the area of student’s choice.

The graduate will have the knowledge and skill to function as an advanced practice nurse in one of several speciality areas. Nursing research skills and the application of nursing theory to practice are major emphases of the curriculum. Each applicant should request a copy of the official transcript of all college course work be sent to the department graduate program of nursing in addition to the copies required by the Office of Admissions and Records.

Prerequisites

  1. A bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred: A bachelor’s degree in a related field will be considered;
  2. Current license to practice as a registered nurse in California; PHN Certificate needed for concurrent MSN/MPH program;
  3. Admission to graduate standing in nursing at the University;
  4. An upper division or graduate course in statistics;
  5. A physical assessment course which includes clinical practice (all speciality areas except concurrent MSN/MPH and MSN/MSHCA);
  6. An upper division or graduate level course in pathophysiology (all speciality areas except concurrent MSN/MPH and MSN/MSHCA);
  7. An upper division public health nursing course;
  8. An overall GPA of 2.75 or better in the last 60 units of the undergraduate BSN Program.

Advancement to Candidacy

  1. Satisfy the general University requirements for advancement to candidacy;
  2. Completion of all undergraduate deficiencies;
  3. Fulfillment of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR);
  4. Approval of the department graduate advisor and Director of Graduate Studies and Research, College of Health and Human Services.

The M.S. in Nursing requires completion of the required courses in one of the following speciality areas: Adult-Geriatric, Family, Pediatric, Psychiatric-Mental Health, Women's Health Care.

Master of Science in Nursing (code NRSGMS01)

Core Requirements

  1. Completion of a minimum of 38 units in approved upper division and graduate courses;
  2. An overall GPA of 3.0 or better;
  3. Completion of an approved thesis, directed project or comprehensive examination.

Nurse Practitioner Specialty Areas: Family, Pediatric, Adult-Geriatric, Women's Health Care, and Psychiatric-Mental Health

Requirements

Core courses: NRSG 510, 520, 530, 530L, 540, 550, 560, 596.

Theories for Advance Practice Nursing I and II: NRSG 667 and 668, or 682 and 683, or 684 and 685, or 686 and 687, or 688 and 689

Clinical Studies in Advance Practice Nursing I-IV: NRSG 667A/B and 668A/B, or 682A/B and 683A/B, or 684A/B and 685A/B, or 686A/B and 687A/B, or 688A/B and 689A/B; and 692 or 695 or 698

Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health (code NRSGMN01)

The Departments of Nursing and Health Science offer a concurrent Master of Science and Master of Public Health degree available to qualified students who desire advanced preparation in the area of public health nursing with a practice focus of primary prevention, illness prevention, and health promotion. The concurrent program leading to both degrees represents the core accreditation requirements of each degree. Coursework is integrated between the two Departments in each semester in order to provide an intense learning experience.

The Master of Science and Master of Public Health (Health Education Option) provides the opportunity for students to increase competence in designing, implementing, and evaluating behavior change programs in preparation for serving in various health agencies. The curriculum will prepare graduates for eligibility for a California Clinical Nurse Specialist certification and for taking the national Clinical Nurse Specialist certification examination.

Prerequisites

  1. An ethics course
  2. A cultural diversity course
  3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - verbal and quantitative scores.
  4. Current professional resume describing applicant’s relevant experience.

Requirements

  1. A minimum of 57 units of approved Nursing and Health Science upper division and graduate level courses including: HSC 500 or MICR 429; HSC 503 or BIOL 565; HSC 508, 528, 535, 570, 581, 624, 625; NRSG 560, 565, 670, 671, 672, 670L, 671L, 672L; NRSG 596 or HSC 696; NRSG 698 or HSC 697.
  2. An overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses
  3. A thesis or a directed project (Department of Health Science only)
  4. If a student after entering the concurrent MSN/MPH program returns to a single degree program, all requirements for the single degree program must be met.

Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Science in Health Care Administration (code NRSGMC01)

The Department of Nursing and Health Care Administration Programs offer a concurrent Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Health Care Administration dual degree available to qualified students who desire advanced preparation in the areas of nursing and health care administration with a practice focus as Advanced Practice Nurses in administration. The concurrent program leading to both degrees represents the core accreditation requirements of each degree. Coursework is integrated between the two degree programs each semester in order to provide an intense learning experience.

The philosophy of graduate nurse education is that the practice of nursing is constantly changing as health needs and health delivery systems are altered. Integral to nursing is an ability to work effectively and cooperatively with other disciplines. The joint Master of Science in Health Care Administration and the Master of Science in Nursing provides the opportunity for students to specialize as advanced practice nurses with emphasis in administration and increasing competence in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs in preparation for serving in various health agencies. An important career path for advanced practice nurses is as nurse executive in the variegated segments of the health care industry including entrepreneurial activities. Courses are interdependent and have been structured to provide clinical depth in the areas of nursing and administration.

Each applicant should request that a copy of official transcript of all college course work be sent to the Nursing Department Graduate Advisor and to the Office of Admissions and Records.

Prerequisites

  1. Public Health Nurse Certificate, or eligibility for certificate in California.
  2. An overall GPA of 3.0 or better; an upper division nursing GPA of 3.0 or better and a science GPA of 3.0 or better. Students who fall below these averages will be evaluated on an individual basis.
  3. Submission of quantitative and verbal scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).
  4. Current professional resume describing the applicant’s relevant experience.

Advancement to Candidacy

A joint committee, consisting of Nursing and Health Care Administration faculty involved in the program, will review files and make a determination to advance the candidate to graduate status.

Requirements for Completion

  1. A minimum of 56 units of approved Nursing and Health Care Administration upper division and graduate level courses including: The Program of Study: NRSG 559, 560, 596, 676, 676L, 677, 677L, 678, 678L, 692 or 698, HCA 502, 505, 510, 515, 524, 530, 535, 550.
  2. An overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses.
  3. Directed project or a thesis.
  4. *Graduate degrees obtained previously may be accepted toward meeting a portion of the unit requirements of the concurrent MSN/MSHCA degree program.
  5. If a student after entering the concurrent MSN/MSHCA program returns to a single degree program, all requirements for the single degree program must be met.

* 60% of units must be earned in residence.

Master of Science in Nursing, Option in Clinical Nurse Specialist – Adult (code NRSGMS02)

This program is designed to expand the scope of nursing practice within acute and chronic care settings. The courses are designed to increase the graduate's clinical skills and knowledge in order to enhance the opportunities for career advancement and quality patient care. The programs was developed to allow each student to identify and define their clinical specialization in acute and chronic care areas such as perioperative, oncology, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, medical surgical, or rehabilitative nursing. The programs will prepare graduates to practice in collaborative and leadership roles within hospitals, clinics and community health care organizations as advanced practice nurses. The curriculum will prepare graduates for eligibility for taking the national clinical nurse specialist certification examination.

Prerequisites

Bachelor's degree in nursing preferred. A bachelor's degree in a related field will be considered if the applicant has completed an upper division public health nursing course and meets all other prerequisites.

  • 1. Current license to practice as a registered nurse in California.
  • 2. Admission to graduate standing in nursing at California State University, Long Beach.
  • 3. Upper Division or graduate course in statistics.
  • 4. Physical assessment course which includes clinical practice taken within the past five years.
  • 5. Upper Division course in pathophysiology.
  • 6. Overall GPA of 2.75 or better in the last 60 units of the undergraduate BSN Program.

Requirements for Completion

  • 1. A minimum of 47-48 units of approved upper division and graduate level courses including:
    • Core Requirements: NRSG 511A, 521A, 530, 530L, 540, 550, 560, 596
    • Concurrent Requirements: NRSG 556A, 556B, 556L
    • Clinical Courses Requirements: NRSG 673, 673L, 674, 674L, 675, 675L
    • Culminating Course Requirement: NRSG 698 or 692
  • 2. An overall GPA of 3.0 or better in graduate coursework.
  • 3. Directed project or thesis.

Nurse Practitioner Certificate (code NRSGCT01)

A Nurse Practitioner Certificate is awarded to students who complete 31 units of post-masters course work in one of four Nurse Practitioner specialty areas. Applications from students who hold a masters degree in nursing as a nurse practitioner will be reviewed individually.

Admission

  1. Copies of transcripts of Baccalaureate in Nursing and Masters in Nursing degrees.
  2. Copy of State of California RN licensure.
  3. Three letters/checklists of references
  4. Completion of the Department of Nursing Graduate Program Application.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Requirements

  • Completion of NRSG 510, 520, 530, 530L, 540, 550, 560, 682, 682 A&B, 683, 683 A&B.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Requirements

  • Completion of NRSG 510, 520, 530, 530L, 540, 550, 560, 684, 684 A&B, 685, 685 A&B.

Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

Requirements

  • Completion of NRSG 510, 520, 530, 530L, 540, 550, 560, 686, 686 A&B, 687, 687 A&B.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Requirements

  • Completion of NRSG 510, 520, 530, 530L, 540, 550, 560, 688, 688 A&B, 689, 689 A&B.    

Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner

Requirements

  • Completion of NRSG 510, 520, 530, 530L 540, 550, 560, 667, 667 A&B, 668, 668 A&B

School Nurse Credential (code 600)

The Post-Baccalaureate School Nurse Services Credential Program consists of 24 units of specific coursework that prepare nurses who have completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing to be effective providers of health care within the school setting. Students will develop practical and theoretical expertise in the field of school nursing. This allows them to initiate, coordinate, maintain and evaluate a comprehensive health program so that children’s ability to learn in school is maximized. The Post-Baccalaureate School Nurse Services Credential Program at California State University, Long Beach was developed for nurses who seek only the credential.

Admission Requirements

  1. Completion of Post-Baccalaureate Application for School Nurse Services Credential Program.
  2. Official transcript of Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited university. Candidates must have aminimum overall GPA of 2.75 in their undergraduate program.
  3. Copy of State of California Registered Nurse License and California Public Health Nursing Certificate.
  4. Copy of current unexpired cardiopulmonary resuscitation card (adult, child, and infant) and copy of unexpired first aid card.
  5. Basic Physical Assessment course completed within 5 years.
  6. One-page written statement describing motivation and purpose for obtaining the Post-Baccalaureate School Nurse Service Credential.
  7. Three letters of recommendation.

Requirements

Completion of 24 units of course work with a grade of “B” or better:

Required: (18 units): NRSG 535, 536 and 536L, H SC 430, EDSP 350, C D 373

Elective: 6 units from the the following: FCS 409, EDP 432, H SC 427, H SC 460, C D 432.

Health Services (School Nurse) Credential (code 600)

The Health Services (School Nurse) credential is required of registered nurses working in the California school system.

Admission

  1. Copies of transcripts of Baccalaureate in Nursing and Masters in Nursing (with a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner speciality) degrees;
  2. Copy of State of California RN licensure and entitlement as a Nurse Pracitioner;
  3. Three letters/checklists of reference;
  4. Completion of the Department of Nursing Graduate Program Application.

Requirements

Completion of the following with a grade of "B" or better: NRSG 680C and 680L; H SC 430; CD 373.