For program information, contact Graduate Program Dean Mary Bourke, PhD, at 765.455.9326 or mbourke@iuk.edu.  Admission to the Indiana University Kokomo School of Nursing master's program requires approval by the faculty and is based on the applicant's qualifications as evidence by grade point average, admission personal statement/essay, official transcripts, references, etc.  Acceptance into the program is competitive.  Residents of Howard and adjacent counties may be given preference in the admission process.

MSN Program Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, each student will have met the following learning outcomes:

1. Model excellence in nursing leadership to improve nursing practice within a complext health care system.
2. Conduct advanced nursing practice within ethical-legal guidelines, professional policies and regulations, and standards of practice associated with a specialty area of practice.
3. Synthesize knowledge from nursing as well as biological, behavioral, social, administrative, educational, and communication sciences for application to a chosen domain of advanced practice nursing.
4. Demonstrate scholarly inquiry and reflection that exemplifies critical, creative, and systems thinking to advance the practice of nursing.
5. Frame problems, design interventions, specify outcomes, and measure achievement of outcomes while balancing human, fiscal, and material resources to achieve quality health outcomes.
6. Use information technology and knowledge-based resources to manage and transform data that inform clinical practice.
7. Systematically apply evidence from research findings to answer clinical questions, solve clinical problems, and develop innovative nursing interventions for selected patient populations.
8. Demonstrate collaborative practice and interpret nursing science within an interdisciplinary context.
9. Articulate the effects of culture, diversity, values, and globalization in the design, delivery, and evaluation of health services.
10. Engage in lifelong learning activities that contribute to professional development as well as to the advancement of nursing.

MSN ADMINISTRATION AND EDUCATION TRACKS

The IU Kokomo Master of Science in Nursing Program administration and education tracks are a 39 credit hour curriculum designed to prepare registered nurses with advanced practice nursing knowledge in the areas of nursing education or nursing administration. Students begin their study with classroom-based didactic courses in a hybrid format, building the theoretical and contextual background necessary for advanced nursing practice. Students progress to specific courses in either nursing education or nursing administration. 

MSN Admission Requirements (Administration & Education tracks only) 
The following criteria must be met for unconditional admission:

1. Graduate from an accredited baccalaureate degree program in nursing.
2. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Valid, unencumbered RN license in the state where practicum will be completed.  International students pursuing the administration or education tracks must meet the practice or licensing requirements in their country of origin.
4. At least one year experience as an RN or currently working as an RN.
5. Complete an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better.
6. Complete a criminal background check.
7. Submit an official college transcript (degree granting and graduate courses if applicable).
8. Submit the following:
   • Personal Statement:  Provide a statement (approximately 500 words) that identifies your academic goals, career objectives, why you are applying to this program, and the qualifications you have that make you a strong candidate for this program.  In addition, provide answers to the following questions (maximum of 500 words)
     • What experiences (as it relates to clinical, leadership, or research in nursing) do you feel have prepared you for Master's education?
     • Describe significant life experiences that have contributed to your development, such as honors, activities, and accomplishments that make you a unique applicant.  Be sure to include cross-cultural experiences, travel, hobbies, etc., that might influence your contributions to advanced practice nursing.
   • Professional references:  Provide two names and contact information (e-mail preferred) for people who know you professionally.  Professional references are references from individuals who can attest to your skills, qualifications, and abilities.
   • CV/Résumé
9. Pay application fee.

The MSN program administration and education tracks are comprised of three components:

1. Nursing core courses:

• NURS-I 630 Introduction to Nursing Informatics
• NURS-N 502 Nursing Theory
• NURS-R 500 Nursing Research
• NURS-R 505 Measurement and Data Analysis
• NURS-Y 510 & NURS-Y 520 Advanced Practice Nursing Concepts I and II
• Education or Administration track

  Administration track courses:

• NURS-L 530 Legal Environment of Health Care
• NURS-L 574 Administrative Management in Nursing
• NURS-L 579 Nursing Administration Practicum
• NURS-L 671 Financial Management
• NURS-N 504 Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice
• NURS-R 590 Scholarly Project
• NURS-T 675 Nursing Elective ( 3 cr.)

Administration track graduates will be prepared to serve in nursing leadership and nursing administrative roles that may provide opportunities for enhanced health care delivery systems and ultimately improved health for the citizens of our regions.

Education track courses:

• NURS-T 615 Curriculum in Nursing
• NURS-T 617 Evaluation in Nursing
• NURS-T 619 Computer Technologies for Nurse Educators
• NURS-T 670 Teaching in Nursing
• NURS-T 675 Nursing Elective (3 cr.)
• NURS-T 679 Nursing Education Practicum and NURS-R 590 Scholarly Project

Education track graduates will be prepared to serve in the nurse educator role by teaching in schools of nursing or as educational staff for clinical agencies.

3. A culminating experience for Administration track or Education track.

Completion time: Approximately 2 years depending on how many credits a student chooses to take at a time and course availability. Courses include traditional classroom, hybrid, and online delivery formats.

In addition to the MSN admission requirements listed above, international students and students for whom English is not their primary language must submit TOEFL-iBT scores with a required total minimum of 80, and at least 20 for each section.  See application for international students.

MSN FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER (FNP) TRACK

The MSN FNP track is a 42-credit hour didactic and 600 practice hour track designed by doctorally-prepared faculty to prepare registered nurses with advanced practice skills.  The goal of the FNP track is to provide our region with primary healthcare providers to facilitate access to quality healthcare services for underserved populations.  Advanced practice nurses are also needed to meet the growing regional demand for healthcare, as well as address critical shortages of primary care providers.  These nurses will provide and enhance access to healthcare for the community, improve the delivery of healthcare in Indiana regional areas, and ultimately improve the health of its citizens.  They will also serve in leadership and administrative roles, and implement changes in the healthcare delivery system.

Students will begin their study with classroom-based didactic courses in a hybrid format, building the theoretical and contextual background necessary for advanced nursing practice. Students will then progress on to didactic courses with clinical components to include 75 practice hours per semester.  Note:  The final didactic clinical course includes 375 mandatory practice hours as a primary care provider.  Classes and labs will primarily be scheduled on Thursdays, and clinical practice hours will be scheduled based on availability of practice sites.

MSN Admission Requirements for FNP Track Only

The following criteria must be met for unconditional admission:

1. Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale from an NLNAC, CCNE, ACEN or CNEA accredited program.  Students who apply to the Iu Kokomo MSN program who have graduates from an undergraduate nursing program that does not use/report grade point average (GPA) will be considered for admission if they meet all other crieria and their transcripts contain other indicators of academic success such as dean's list, academic honors, and grades from other degree programs, etc.  Additional considerations for admission include the following:  nursing experience, nursing leadership, writing skill, personal reference recommendations.E
2. Copy of current Indiana RN license:  Current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse (RN).  Applicant must also complete a form attesting that there are no action(s) pending or any have been taken against their license in Indiana or any other state they currently hold or have held a license to practice nursing or other healthcare profession.
3. Three (3) years recent, relevant RN-ASN or BSN-experience required (medicaul/surgical, ICU, ER, etc.).
4. All applicants must submit evidence of having completed a 3-credit (16-week semester) undergraduate (300 or 400 level) or higher statistics course with a B- (80%) or higher grade by the application deadline.
5. A master's level statistics course is required to graduate from the FNP track.  The course may be taken prior (within the last five years) to applying or within the plan of study.
6. Essential abilities:  Applicants must agree to the essential abilities policy of the School of Nursing.  The policy states that students must demonstrate essential abilities in a variety of areas (judgment, neurological function, emotional coping skills, intellectual/conceptual skills, and other behavioral attributes) as well as meeting all progression criteria.
7. Computer skills:  Verification of ability to use computer technologies including accessing, retrieving, receiving, and communicating information.
8. Criminal backgroun check:  Applicants must provide verification of a federal criminal backgroun check per program requirements.  The official site for students to use is as follows:  https://portal.castlebranch.com/IA55 
9. Submit an Official College Transcript (Degree granting and graduate courses, if applicable).
10. Submission of the following:
    1. Essay:  a two-page Family Nurse Practitioner Track Admission Essay is required.  You are required to write a 2-page maximum essay as part of the admissions process.  Within the essay you are to address the following:
       • The mission of Indiana University Kokomo is to promote diversity within our region; and to that end, articulate how you will contribute to diversity* at IU Kokomo. (*The concept of diversity includes the following dimensions:  race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, and religious beliefs.)
       • Tell us about experiences in your past that will prepare you to care for diverse populations.
       • Describe your plans for future FNP practice.
       • What do you want us to know about yourself?
       • Give an example of how you work under pressure.
       • If a fellow colleague were asked about your strengths and weaknesses what would they say?
       • The Family Nurse Practitioner track will be a very intense and rigorous academic program.  How will you juggle your responsibilities such as work, family and other responsibilities?
    2. References:  Applicants must provide three professional references (one from your supervisor) who can speak to your clinical expertise and leadership.  They must be included with your application.
    3. CV/Resume
11. Application fee of $40

The MSN program family nurse practitioner (FNP) track is comprised of three components:

1. MSN core courses:

• NURS-F 570 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
• NURS-N 502 Nursing Theory
• NURS-N 504 Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice
• NURS-R 500 Nursing Research
• NURS-R 590 Scholarly Project
• NURS-Y 515 Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
• NURS-Y 612 Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan

2. FNP track core courses:

• NURS-F 580 Primary Care I:  Acute Illness Processes
• NURS-F 581 Primary Care II:  Acute and Stable Chronic Illness Processes
• NURS-F 582 Primary Care III:  Chronic and Complex Illness Processes
• NURS-Y 535 Dynamics of Family Health Care
• NURS-Y 620 Advanced Primary Care and Office Management

      3.  Culminating population focused experience:

• NURS-F 578 Primary Health Care of Families

Completion time: 7 semesters  Courses require time in traditional classroom, simulation, and practice settings.

Semester 1

• NURS-N 504 Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr.)
• NURS-Y 515 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 cr.)

Semester 2

• NURS-N 502 Nursing Theory (3 cr.)
• NURS-Y 535 Dynamics of Family Health Care (3 cr.)

Semester 3

• NURS-F 570 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
• NURS-Y 612 Applied Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Science (3 cr.)

Semester 4

• NURS-F 580 Primary Care I:  Acute Illness Processes (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 500 Nursing Research (3 cr.)

Semester 5

• NURS-F 581 Primary Care II:  Acute and Stable Chronic Illness Processes (3 cr.)
• NURS-Y 620 Advanced Primary Care and Office Management (3 cr.)

Semester 6

• NURS-F 582 Primary Care III:  Chronic and Complex Illness Processes (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 590 Scholarly Project (3 cr.)

Semester 7

• NURS-F 578 Primary Health Care of Families (6 cr.)