Nursing
Francesca A. Armmer,
Chair, Department of Nursing
Accredited by National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 3343 Peachtree Rd., N.E., Suite 500, Atlanta, GA, 30326, (404) 975-5000. www.nlnac.org; and Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, 222 S. Prospect Ave., Suite 304, Park Ridge, Illinois, 60068.
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 four majors: nursing administration, nurse administered anesthesia, nursing education, or MSN-General. The nurse administered anesthesia major is offered in cooperation with Decatur Memorial Hospital. Registered nurses who currently have a master's degree or higher may earn a certificate in nurse-administered anesthesia. 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. Enrollment in the nurse administered anesthesia internship must be on a full-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 Nurse Administered Anesthesia
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 nurse administered anesthesia will be eligible to write the certification examination. 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.
- Nursing Administration
The 36-semester-hour curriculum has three components: core, research, and nursing administration. - Nurse Administered Anesthesia
The 48-semester-hour curriculum has three components: core, research, and nurse administered anesthesia. - Nursing Education
The 36-hour curriculum has three components: core, research, and nursing education. - MSN-General
The 30-hour program has selected core and internship courses.
Admission
Admission to the MSN program with a major in Nursing Administration, Nurse Administered Anesthesia, or Nursing Education is based on a thorough review of each applicant’s documents. Requirements include:
- B.S.N. from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program.
- licensed or license-eligible as a registered nurse in Illinois.
- 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).
- 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.
- completion of at least one year of work as a professional nurse; nurse administered anesthesia applicants must have worked at least one year in an adult critical care setting.
- completion of a statistics course with a grade of “C” or better.
- completion of a course in health assessment or its equivalent.
- completion of an undergraduate nursing research course.
- completion of undergraduate organic and inorganic chemistry courses (nurse administered anesthesia major applicants only).
- completion of the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) within five years prior to admission.
- for unconditional admission: a GRE combined score (verbal & quantitative) of 1000 or a minimum MAT score of 391.
- for conditional admission: a GRE combined score (verbal & quantitative) of 850 or a minimum MAT score of 374.
- completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 (foreign applicants only).
- evidence of a satisfactory interview with a graduate faculty member in the relevant major; applicants for the nurse administered anesthesia major will also have an additional interview with anesthesia faculty members.
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.
Nurse Administered Anesthesia Major: Written comprehensive examinations are administered at the end of the second and third year of the course of study.
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.
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
Nurse Administered Anesthesia Major - 31–33 hrs.
- PHY 541 Physics Basics - 2 hrs.
- CHM 522 Clinical Chemistry - 2 hrs.
- BIO 525 Advanced Physiology - 3 hrs.
- BIO 526 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 hrs.
- NUR 500 Health Assessment - 4 hrs.
- Electives - 3–5 hrs.
- NUR 670 Nurse Administered Anesthesia Principles I - 3 hrs
- NUR 671 Nurse Administered Anesthesia Principles II - 3 hrs.
- NUR 672 Pharmacology I - 4 hrs.
- NUR 673 Pharmacology II - 4 hrs.
- NUR 675 Nurse Administered Anesthesia Internship - 0 hrs.
Total Program Semester Hours: 48
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 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.
- The Graduate Record Examination (or Miller Analogies Test) is not required.
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 hours
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 hours
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 hours
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 hours
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 hours
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 hours
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: 23 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 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.
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 23 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 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 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:
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 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:
- Current Illinois RN license.
- 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.
- The Graduate Record Examination (or Miller Analogies Test) is not required for admission to this program.
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 Nursing Administration Program
RN 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.
Electives 2–4 hrs.
Total Program Semester Hours:
- Undergraduate minimum - 124 hrs.
- Graduate - 36 hrs.
RN to MSN Nursing Education Program
RN 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 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:
Certificate Program in Nurse Administered Anesthesia
The certificate program in Nurse Administered Anesthesia (NRAN) is a two-year program that has developed to respond to the need for certified registered nurse anesthetists. Registered nurses who currently have a master's degree or higher will be given an opportunity to earn a certificate in nurse-administered anesthesia. By earning the certificate, the individual will be eligible to take the certification examination that would result in the designation of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Because certificate students and NRAN majors will take the same selected courses, enrollment in the certificate program will be very limited.
Required Courses
- BIO 525 Advanced Physiology - 3 hrs.
- BIO 526 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 hrs.
- CHM 522 Clinical Chemistry - 2 hrs.
- PHY 541 Physics Basics - 2 hrs.
- NUR 670 Nurse Administered Anesthesia Principles I - 3 hrs.
- NUR 671 Nurse Administered Anesthesia Principles II - 3 hrs.
- NUR 672 Pharmacology I - 4 hrs.
- NUR 673 Pharmacology II - 4 hrs.
- NUR 675 Nurse Administered Anesthesia Internship - 0 hrs.
Total Semester Hours: 24
This is the official catalog for the 2011-2012 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.