Course descriptionThe School of Nursing offers a two-year course of graduate study leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) designed to prepare registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing for advanced practice. The M.S.N. Advanced Practice/Postlicensure program prepares nurse administrators, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. Students in the M.S.N. advanced practice program contribute to improving nursing care through research, which includes analysis, articulation, and documentation of the nursing process. The curriculum is designed for students to obtain theoretical and practical knowledge of the foundations for specialized practice, as well as an opportunity to implement that knowledge through advanced clinical practice. Each area of specialization has requirements over and above the minimum core requirements for the degree.
Advanced practice specialties offered through the UCLA School of Nursing are as follows:
Nursing Administration
* Nursing Administration
* Nursing Administration/Occupational and Environmental Health
* M.B.A./M.S.N. in Nursing Administration
Nurse Practitioner
* Family Nurse Practitioner
o Underserved Populations Subspecialty
* Occupational and Environmental Health Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner or Dual CNS/NP
* Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner or Dual Certification
* Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner or Dual Certification
* Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner or Dual Certification
* Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner or Dual Certification
Neuropsychiatric Nurse Practitioner Subspecialty
The Neuropsychiatric Nurse Practitioner Subspecialty provides additional coursework, which may be combined with the following nurse practitioner specialties: Acute Care, Family, Gerontology, Occupational and Environmental Health, Oncology, or Pediatrics.
Underserved Populations Subspecialty for FNPs: a summer intensive program of theory and clinical courses, followed by additional integrated learning experiences during the second year designed to build leadership/advocacy and cultural competence in delivery of primary health care to vulnerable populations.
A modified M.S.N. curriculum is available for the student who completed a certificate program and is currently certified as an Adult, Family or Pediatric nurse practitioner.
Advanced Practice Nurse Program Goals
The advanced practice nurse (APN)/postlicensure program option prepares nurse practitioners, nurse administrators, and clinical nurse specialists. In their practice these advanced practice nurses use logic and reason distinguished by intellectual curiosity and individual creativity. Advanced practice nurses apply multidisciplinary theories including biologic, behavioral, management, social/environmental, and organization theories to develop, implement and evaluate models of patient care and quality of services. They are able to competently assess, diagnose, plan, implement, manage and evaluate the care of patients, groups of patients, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. The curriculum prepares students for careers in advanced practice or management.
After completing the Advanced Practice Nurse/postlicensure M.S.N. degree program within an area of advanced practice, graduates are able to complete the following objectives:
1. Evaluate and apply, in a variety of settings, advanced theoretical knowledge in order to deliver healthcare to clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, including organizations and communities
2. Demonstrate communication skills through collaboration with clients in healthcare plans
3. Evaluate existing nursing research, utilize research findings to advanced nursing practice, and participate in the development of new knowledge
4. Demonstrate leadership skills and critical thinking that contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of nursing and healthcare
5. Develop and maintain a practice environment based on the principles of ethics and law in which ethical dilemmas are rightfully resolved
6. Consult and collaborate with clients and other health professionals in the development, implementation, and evaluation of healthcare delivery, policies, and programs at the local, state, and national levels
In addition, functional objectives for each area of advanced practice in the M.S.N. degree program allow
1. Nurse practitioners to deliver advanced nursing care through the assessment, diagnosis, and management of health/illness needs in primary healthcare, assuming responsibility and accountability for the continuity of healthcare in both health and illness states
2. Nurse administrators to provide leadership and perform administrative roles, including direct healthcare administration, risk management, quality improvement, case management, education, or research support within acute, long-term, ambulatory, and community settings with a focus on improving patient and organizational outcomes
3. Clinical nurse specialists deliver advanced nursing care in a clinical specialty and perform advanced practice consultative, educative, leadership, and research roles in inpatient and outpatient settings