Nursing

Francesca A. Armmer, Chair
Department of Nursing

Accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Rd., N.E., Suite 850, Atlanta, GA, 30326, (404) 975-5000. 

The purpose of the graduate program is to educate the professional nurse for advanced nursing practice in hospitals, community health settings, nursing homes, and other health-related agencies. The curriculum provides a foundation for doctoral study.

Bradley University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Students may choose one of three majors: nursing administration, nursing education, or MSN-General. Bradley also offers a combined BSN/MSN program and an RN to MSN program. Both of these programs offer emphases in nursing administration or nursing education.

Degree requirements can be met on a full-time or part-time basis. Graduation requirements must be fulfilled within five years of enrollment.

The student must maintain an academic average of 3.0 (4.0 scale), achieve a “B” or better in each required nursing course, and earn a “C” or better in each course applied to graduation requirements.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing (BSN/MSN) Combined Programs

RN to BSN/MSN Nursing Combined Programs

Certificate Program in Nursing Education

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Graduates with a major in nursing administration are prepared for first line management as executives in a variety of health care settings. Graduates with a major in nursing education are prepared to meet the minimum State of Illinois Nurse Practice Act requirements for teaching nursing. The MSN-General major addresses the needs of advanced practice nurses who hold certificates/diplomas of advanced practice, but who do not have a master’s degree.

The curriculum is subject to continuous review and evaluation which may necessitate revision of courses and requirements.

1. Nursing Administration
   The 36-semester-hour curriculum has three components: core, research, and nursing administration.
2. Nursing Education
   The 36-hour curriculum has three components: core, research, and nursing education.
3. MSN-General
   The 30-hour program has selected core and internship courses.

Admission

Admission to the MSN program with a major in Nursing Administration, or Nursing Education is based on a thorough review of each applicant’s documents. Requirements include:

1. B.S.N. from an NLNAC, ACEN, or CCNE accredited program.
2. licensed or license-eligible as a registered nurse in Illinois.
3. three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to comment on the applicant’s ability to successfully complete graduate study (employers, supervisors, and former instructional faculty members are suitable references).
4. an undergraduate last-60-hour grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale and a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average in nursing courses based on a 4.0 scale.
5. completion of a statistics course with a grade of “C” or better.
6. completion of a course in health assessment or its equivalent.
7. completion of an undergraduate nursing research course.
8. completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 (foreign applicants only).
9. evidence of a satisfactory interview with a graduate faculty member in the relevant major.

Applicants with deficiencies in the requirements will be evaluated on an individual basis. A flexible entry option is available for graduates of non-BSN programs.

Thesis/Directed Research

Students may meet program requirements by completing either a thesis (4 semester hours) or directed research (2 semester hours).

Comprehensive Assessment

Nursing Administration Major: A written comprehensive examination is administered during the last semester of administration theory. 

Nursing Education Major: Written comprehensive examination is administered during the last semester of nursing education theory.

MSN-General Major: A comprehensive assessment, as determined by the department, must be completed by all students in this major.

Core Component - 8 hrs.

• NUR 501 Nursing Theories: Analysis and Development - 3 hrs.
• NUR 505 Leadership in the Health Care System - 3 hrs.
• NUR 510 Legal Issues in Nursing - 2 hrs.

Research Component - 7–9 hrs.

• NUR 520 Research Methods in Nursing - 3 hrs.
• NUR 525 Nursing Research Seminar - 2 hrs.
• NUR 699 Thesis - 4 hrs. or 
  NUR 698 Directed Research in Nursing - 2 hrs.

MSN Nursing Administration Major - 19–21 hrs.

• NUR 630 Nursing Administration I, Theory - 3 hrs.
• NUR 631 Nursing Administration I, Practicum - 4 hrs.
• NUR 632 Nursing Administration II, Theory - 3 hrs.
• NUR 633 Nursing Administration II, Practicum - 4 hrs.
• Electives - 5-7 hrs.

Total Program Semester Hours: 36

MSN Nursing Education Major - 18 hrs.

• NUR 660 Seminar in Nursing Education - 3 hrs.
• Nursing 661 Education Practicum I - 4 hrs.
• NUR 662 Nursing Education Practicum II - 4 hrs.
• ETE 651 Curriculum Theory and Development or ETE 655 Instructional Theory - 3 hrs.
• Electives - 4 hrs.

Total Program Semester Hours: 36

MSN-General - 13–15 hrs.

• NUR 683 Advance Practice Nurse Internship - 6 hrs.

Electives - 7–9 hrs.
(Nine hours required if NUR 698 is taken; seven are required if NUR 699 is taken.)

Total Program Semester Hours: 30

Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing (BSN/MSN) Combined Programs

The combined BSN/MSN programs provides the opportunity for incoming freshman nursing students to transition from baccalaureate to graduate education in the senior year of nursing. The overall goal of the program is to prepare nurse administrators or nurse educators at the master’s level to meet the minimum State of Illinois Nurse Practice Act requirements and to prepare for future doctoral study. Students choose either the BSN/MSN Nursing Administration Program or the BSN/MSN Nursing Education Program.

Admission to a BSN/MSN program will be available to students at the end of the junior year. Incoming freshmen students may indicate an interest in the program upon admission to Bradley. Admission recommendations will be made by Department of Nursing faculty to the Graduate School based on the following:

• 2 letters of recommendation
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 minimum
• Completion of 100 credit hours, junior nursing courses, and all general education requirements prior to senior year.
• Personal interview

Students will complete the BSN with a minimum of 124 hours and all university and department of nursing undergraduate requirements. NUR 520 and 525 will be taken during the senior year, after which the BSN will be conferred. NUR 520 and 525 will be counted as dual credit for the BSN and MSN degrees. 

In addition, students will be required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) during the summer following the senior year in order to continue in the program.

Students enrolled in a BSN/MSN program will be required to apply to the Graduate School when they apply for undergraduate graduation. Applicants must meet all admission requirements for the Graduate School. In addition the Department of Nursing requires:

• An undergraduate last-60-hours grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale and a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average in nursing courses, based on a 4.0 scale.

Students will complete the MSN with a minimum of 36 hours and all university and department of nursing graduate requirements.

Students interested in the BSN/MSN programs will complete the first three years of undergraduate coursework as outlined below. Senior- and graduate-level coursework for the BSN/MSN Nursing Administration Program and the BSN/MSN Nursing Education Program is then listed separately for each program.

BSN/MSN Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Requirements

Freshman Year

First Semester

• COM 103 Oral Communication Process  - 3 hrs.
• PSY 104 Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.
• CHM 100, 101 Fund. of Gen. Chem.  - 4 hrs.
• BIO 111 Cell Biology - 3 hrs.
• MTH 111 Statistics - 3 hrs.
  16 hrs.

Second Semester

• ENG 101 Composition - 3 hrs.
• CHM 150 Fund. of Organic Chemistry - 2 hrs.
• CHM 160 Fund. of Biochemistry  - 2 hrs.
• BIO 202 Microbiology and Immunology - 4 hrs.
• SOC 100 Social Perspectives  - 3 hrs.
  14 hrs.

Summer

General Education Courses/Electives - 3 hrs.

Sophomore Year

First Semester

• BIO 200 Anatomy & Physiology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 203 Anatomy & Physiology Lab - 2 hrs.
• NUR 200 Fundamentals of Nursing (T)  - 4 hrs.
• NUR 203 Fundamentals of Nursing (P) - 2 hrs.
• FCS 301 Nutrition Today - 3 hrs.
  14 hrs.

Second Semester

• BIO 205 Pathophysiology - 3 hrs.
• NUR 204 Intro. to Health Assessment  - 2 hrs.
• NUR 206 Adult Health I (T)  - 3 hrs.
• NUR 207 Adult Health I (P)  - 2 hrs.
• PSY 304 Developmental Psychology - 3 hrs.
• General Education Courses/Electives  - 3 hrs.
  16 hrs.

Summer

General Education Courses/Electives - 3 hrs.

Junior Year

First Semester

• NUR 306 Maternal/Newborn Nursing (T) - 3 hrs.
• NUR 307 Maternal/Newborn Nursing (P) - 2 hrs.
• NUR 308 Nursing of Children (T) - 3 hrs.
• NUR 309 Nursing of Children (P) - 2 hrs.
• NUR 318 Pharmacology and Implications - 2 hrs.
• PSY 445 Abnormal Psychology - 3 hrs.
  15 hrs.

Second Semester

• NUR 303 Research in Nursing - 3 hrs.
• NUR 314 Psychiatric Nursing (T) - 2 hrs.
• NUR 315 Psychiatric Nursing (P) - 2 hrs.
• NUR 316 Adult Health II (T) - 4 hrs.
• NUR 317 Adult Health II (P)  - 2 hrs.
• ENG 300  Composition - 3 hrs.
  16 hrs.

Summer

General Education Courses/ Electives - 3 hrs.

Total hours: 100

BSN/MSN Nursing Administration Program Senior-year and Graduate-level Requirements

The BSN/MSN Core Components listed below will be completed during the student's senior year. The remainder of the courses will be completed after acceptance to the Graduate School. NUR 520 and 525 will be counted as dual credit for the BSN and MSN degrees. 

BSN/MSN Core Component: 25 hrs.

Taken during the student's senior year.

• NUR 404 Community Health Nursing (T) - 2 hrs.
• NUR 408 Adult Health III: Medical-Surgical Nursing (T) - 3 hrs.
• NUR 409 Senior Practicum I (P) - 5 hrs.
• NUR 410 Adult Health IV: Nursing Care of the Patient with Multi-System Challenges (T)  - 3 hrs.
• NUR 414 Senior Seminar I - 1 hr.
• NUR 417 Senior Practicum II (P) - 5 hrs.
• NUR 418 Nursing Leadership (T) - 1 hr.
• NUR 520 Research Methods in Nursing - 3 hrs.
• NUR 525 Nursing Research Seminar - 2 hrs.

MSN Core Component: 11 hrs.

• NUR 501 Nursing Theories: Analysis and Development - 3 hrs.
• NUR 505 Leadership in the Health Care System - 3 hrs.
• NUR 510 Legal Issues in Nursing - 2 hrs.
• NUR 522 Health Policy - 3 hrs.

MSN Research Component: 2–4 hrs.

• NUR 699 Thesis  - 4 hrs. or NUR 698 Directed Research in Nursing - 2 hrs.

Nursing Administration Program: 14 hrs.

• NUR 630 Nursing Administration I, Theory - 3 hrs.
• NUR 631 Nursing Administration I, Practicum  - 4 hrs.
• NUR 632 Nursing Administration II, Theory  - 3 hrs.
• NUR 633 Nursing Administration II, Practicum  - 4 hrs.

Electives 2–4 hrs.

Total Program Semester Hours:

• Undergraduate minimum - 124 hrs.
• Graduate minimum - 36 hrs.

BSN/MSN Nursing Education Program Senior-year and Graduate-level Requirements

The BSN/MSN Core Components listed below will be completed during the student's senior year. The remainder of the courses will be completed after acceptance to the Graduate School. NUR 520 and 525 will be counted as dual credit for the BSN and MSN degrees. 

BSN/MSN Core Component 25 hrs.

Taken during the student's senior year.

• NUR 404 Community Health Nursing (T) - 2 hrs.
• NUR 408 Adult Health III: Medical-Surgical Nursing (T) - 3 hrs.
• NUR 409 Senior Practicum I (P) - 5 hrs.
• NUR 410 Adult Health IV: Nursing Care of the Patient with Multi-System Challenges (T) - 3 hrs.
• NUR 414 Senior Seminar I - 1 hr.
• NUR 417 Senior Practicum II (P) - 5 hrs.
• NUR 418 Nursing Leadership (T) - 1 hr.
• NUR 520 Research Methods in Nursing - 3 hrs.
• NUR 525 Nursing Research Seminar - 2 hrs.

MSN Core Component 11 hrs.

• NUR 501 Nursing Theories: Analysis and Development - 3 hrs.
• NUR 505 Leadership in the Health Care System - 3 hrs.
• NUR 510 Legal Issues in Nursing - 2 hrs.
• NUR 522 Health Policy - 3 hrs.

MSN Research Component 2–4 hrs.

• NUR 699 Thesis - 4 hrs. or NUR 698 Directed Research in Nursing - 2 hrs.

Nursing Education Program 14 hrs.

• NUR 660 Seminar in Nursing Education - 3 hrs.
• NUR 661 Nursing Education Practicum I - 4 hrs.
• NUR 662 Nursing Education Practicum II - 4 hrs.
• ETE 651 Curriculum Theory & Development or ETE 655 Instructional Theory - 3 hrs.

Electives 2–4 hrs.

Total Program Semester Hours:

• Undergraduate minimum 124 hrs.
• Graduate minimum 36 hrs.

RN to BSN/MSN Nursing Combined Programs

The RN to BSN/MSN nursing programs provide the opportunity for licensed registered nurses who currently hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing to complete the BSN and MSN degrees. The overall goal of the program is to prepare nurse administrators or nurse educators at the master’s level to meet the minimum State of Illinois Nurse Practice Act requirements and to prepare for future doctoral study. Students may choose either the RN to BSN/MSN Nursing Administration Program or the RN to BSN/MSN Nursing Education Program.

Licensed registered nurses must meet the admission requirements of the University and of the Department of Nursing. Applicants must submit a transcript from an approved school of nursing and verification of current Illinois licensure.

RN students will complete all university and nursing department undergraduate requirements. Upon satisfactory completion of NUR 300, 303, and 310, the RN student may receive 31 hours of proficiency credit without examination for previous nursing education.

NUR 404, 417, 510, 520, and 525 will be taken during the last year of the undergraduate course work, after which the BSN will be conferred. NUR 510, 520 and 525 will be counted as dual credit for the BSN and MSN degrees.

Students enrolled in the RN to BSN/MSN programs will be required to apply to the Graduate School when they apply for undergraduate graduation. Applicants must meet all admission requirements for the Graduate School. In addition the Department of Nursing requires:

1. Current Illinois RN license.
2. An undergraduate last-60-hours grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale and a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average in nursing courses based on a 4.0 scale.

All RN to BSN/MSN students must complete the nursing core requirements listed below. Additional requirements for the programs in nursing administration or nursing education are then listed separately for each program.

Nursing Core Requirements

Up to 66 semester hours may be transferred from a community college to satisfy the following university general education requirements and Nursing Department prerequisite courses:

• English Composition - 6 hrs.
• Speech - 3 hrs.
• Fine Arts - 3 hrs.
• Human Values - 3 hrs.
• Western Civilization - 3 hrs.
• Non-Western Civilization - 3 hrs.
• Math (statistics) - 3 hrs.
• Chemistry - 7 hrs.
• Microbiology - 4 hrs.
• Anatomy and Physiology - 5 hrs.
• Pathophysiology - 3 hrs.
• Nutrition - 3 hrs.
• Psychology - 9 hrs.
• Sociology - 3 hrs.

RN to MSN  Program

BSN Core Component 17 hrs.

• NUR 300 Conceptual Basis for Professional Nursing Practice - 3 hrs.
• NUR 303 Nursing Research - 3 hrs.
• NUR 310 Health Assessment - 1 hr.
• NUR 404 Community Health Nursing - 2 hrs.
• NUR 417 Adult Health IV Practicum - 5 hrs.
• NUR 522 Health Policy - 3 hrs.

MSN Core Component 8 hrs.

• NUR 501 Nursing Theories: Analysis and Development - 3 hrs.
• NUR 505 Leadership in the Health Care System - 3 hrs.
• NUR 510 Legal Issues in Nursing - 2 hrs.

MSN Research Component 7–9 hrs.

• NUR 520 Research Methods in Nursing - 3 hrs.
• NUR 525 Nursing Research Seminar - 2 hrs.
• NUR 699 Thesis - 4 hrs. or NUR 698 Directed Research in Nursing - 2 hrs.

Nursing Administration Program 14 hrs.

• NUR 630 Nursing Administration I, Theory - 3 hrs.
• NUR 631 Nursing Administration I, Practicum - 4 hrs.
• NUR 632 Nursing Administration II, Theory - 3 hrs.
• NUR 633 Nursing Administration II, Practicum - 4 hrs.

Nursing Education Program 14 hrs.

• NUR 660 Seminar in Nursing Education - 3 hrs.
• NUR 661 Nursing Education Practicum I - 4 hrs.
• NUR 662 Nursing Education Practicum II - 4 hrs.
• ETE 651 Curriculum Theory & Development or ETE 655 Instructional Theory - 3 hrs.

Electives 2–4 hrs.

Total Program Semester Hours:

• Undergraduate minimum - 124 hrs.
• Graduate - 36 hrs.

Certificate Program in Nursing Education

The nursing education certificate is designed to help address the shortage of nurse educators. Nurses who have already earned an MSN can gain valuable academic skills in instructional theory and nursing education pedagogy. To enroll in the certificate program, nurses must have an earned MSN, a current RN license in the state of Illinois, and meet the stated admission requirements for the Graduate School.

Required Courses

• NUR 660 Seminar in Nursing Education – 3 hrs.
• NUR 661 Nursing Education Practicum I  – 4 hrs.
• NUR 662 Nursing Education Practicum II – 4 hrs.
• ETE 651 Curriculum Theory and Development or ETE 655 Instructional Theory – 3 hrs.

Total: 14 hrs.

This is the official catalog for the 2013-2014 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.