Graduate Nursing

The graduate program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (202-887-6791). Courses are offered all year to facilitate completion of degree requirements. Evening and online classes accommodate working professionals. Faculty and students collaborate in selection of practicum sites.

Admission Requirements - Graduate Nursing

Admission to all Nursing programs within the College of Graduate studies begins with submission of required application forms, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts of previous college and university studies.

Criteria for regular admission are:

1. B.S. degree with an upper-division nursing major from an accredited program.
2. Undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which at least a minimum of 30 hours was completed.
3. Anyone applying to become a student at Indiana Wesleyan University must provide proof that all nursing licenses – whether current or inactive – are unencumbered. Potential students with encumbered nursing licenses will not be considered eligible for enrollment at Indiana Wesleyan University.
4. Evidence of personal and professional qualifications from three persons familiar with applicant's academic ability, work experience, professional nursing contributions, and potential to achieve in graduate school.
5. Original transcript from the degree granting institution.
6. Personal statement of goals for graduate study.
7. At least one year of professional practice. Students applying for admission to the Primary Care Program must have 500 hours of direct contact and/or care for patients within the year prior to admission. Students applying for admission to the Nursing Administration or Nursing Education majors must have 1000 hours of direct contact and/or care for patients within the three years prior to admission.
8. Two criminal history background checks will be conducted on all enrolled students. The first will be conducted upon initial enrollment to Graduate Studies in Nursing. The second will be conducted prior to the student's first practicum experience. (Costs for these checks are included in student fees.) Progression in the program may depend on the results of these checks.
9. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not first language. A score of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (Internet-based) is required for regular academic admission.
10. Master's Degree in Nursing for Post-Master's degree Certificate.

Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) may be required for students with a GPA below 3.0.

Progression Policy - Graduate Nursing

1. Successful completion of GNUR-528 is prerequisite to GNUR-559.
2. Successful completion of all Core Courses with a minimum grade of "C" is prerequisite to entering the major.
3. A minimum grade of "B" must be obtained in all Major Courses.
4. Successful completion of all courses is prerequisite to GNUR-590.
5. A grade of "I" in GNUR-590 will require the student to register for GNUR-595 for up to two times. Failure to remove the "I" in GNUR-590 after two registrations in GNUR-595 will result in the grade of "I" being changed to an "F."
6. Any student found to have falsified clinical/practicum hours will be immediately dismissed and not allowed to re-enter any graduate program at IWU.
7. Students must have health clearance for TB, Rubella, and Hepatitis B and any other requirements from the practicum sites for practicums and any other client contact.
8. Students who maintain continuous enrollment, who make normal progress toward a degree, and who earn their degree within a maximum of four years from the date of enrollment may meet the graduation requirements as stated in the bulletin under which they enrolled.

Readmission Policy - Graduate Nursing, Primary Care Majors

A Primary Care student wishing to re-enroll must achieve a grade of 87% or better on the competency exams required by his/her advisor. Competency exams are offered for PYC-512, PYC-514, or PYC-552. If the student does not achieve this score, he/she is required to audit the course. The student will then retake the competency exam and must achieve an 87% or better before re-enrolling in the Primary Care program.

Practicum Contintuation Courses

Students who have satisfactorily completed the didactic portion of a clinical course and have completed all required clinical hours but whose practice skills are not commensurate with faculty/preceptor expectations will be required to register for a Practicum Continuation course. The course will be 10-weeks, and the number of credit hours will be based on the number of clinical hours the student needs to improved skill proficiency based on faculty/Coordinator recommendation (1 credit = 70 clinical hours). Students who fall into this category will receive a grade of "I" for the original course. If the Practicum Continuation course is not completed satisfactorily within 10 weeks, a grade of "NC" will be awarded for the continuation course, and the grade of "I" for the original course will be changed to an "F."

Primary Care Nursing

The Master of Science degree with a major in Primary Care Nursing prepares registered nurses as Family or Gerontological Nurse Practitioners (NP). The focus of Primary Care is the interrelationship of theory, research, and evidence-based practice. Opportunities for development of critical thinking and clinical problem-solving skills are provided throughout the program. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for nurse practitioner certification by the appropriate credentialing body.

Nursing Education and Nursing Administration

The Nursing Education major is designed to provide a solid theoretical foundation in the art and principles of effective education. It includes a student teaching component as well as courses in curriculum design, adult education and program evaluation. Graduates will become part of the solution to the current nursing shortage as they take jobs in schools and divisions of nursing. However, they will also be prepared to take on educational leadership positions within hospitals, communities and other areas where their skills are needed. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for certification by the appropriate credentialing body.

The Nursing Administration major is designed to develop sound fiscal and personnel managers who are effective stewards of health care resources. It includes a practicum component as well as courses in organizational behavior, financing and role development. Graduates will be prepared to assume leadership roles within a variety of health care settings. They will also have the foundation necessary to work as a nurse educator within the university setting. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for certification by the appropriate credentialing body.

Post Master’s Degree Certificate Options

An individual with a Master's Degree with a major in Nursing from an accredited nursing program may apply to complete a post master's degree certificate in any of the graduate nursing majors. Master's Degree prepared nurses who complete the course of study are eligible to seek certification from the appropriate credentialing body.

Students applying for a post master's certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Gerontological Nurse Practitioner must have 500 hours of advanced practice direct contact and/or care for patients with the year prior to admission. Students applying for a post master's certificate in Nursing Education or Nursing Administration must have 1000 hours of direct contact and/or care for patients within the three years prior to admission.

The following plans of study apply only if a student fits one of the following categories:

• Is not a Nurse Practitioner
• Is an Adult Nurse Practitioner
• Is a Family Nurse Practitioner
• Is a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

Any other category will require evaluation by the Graduate Nursing Department.

* practicum course

* practicum courses

**student may choose to take an exam (exam score must be at least 87%) or take the course to fulfill this requirement

* practicum courses

* practicum courses

* practicum courses

**student may choose to take an exam (exam score must be at least 87%) or take the course to fulfill this requirement

* practicum courses

*practicum courses

*practicum courses

Graduate Nursing Course Descriptions

GNUR-505 Advanced Nursing Seminar 3

Provides students with an understanding of the Graduate Nursing Program and the mission of IWU, expectations of graduate level education, policies, and available student services. Introduces development of a personal professional portfolio. This course must be passed with a grade of "B" or higher to continue in the program.

GNUR-510 Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice 3

Introduces philosophy, conceptual frameworks, models, and theories which provide a theoretical foundation for advanced nursing practice. Discusses strategies of theory development, relationship of theory-research-practice, and criteria for evaluating theories. Considers the philosophical, ethical, and cultural aspects of nursing theories. Prerequisite: GNUR-505

GNUR-557 Ethics in Health Care 3

Assists the student in applying ethical theories to decision-making within the scope of practice for nurse managers, educators and administrators in institutional, community, and cross-cultural settings. Students will develop an ethical decision-making model and an ethical code of conduct which is compatible with Christian values. Prerequisite: GNUR-510

GNUR-544 Health Policy: Process and Analysis 2

Examines the process of public policy information in health care and provides techniques for analysis. The focus is on application of knowledge to specific health policy issues. Prerequisite: GNUR-557

GNUR-521 Trends and Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing 2

Analyzes the impact of contemporary issues on health care and advanced practice nursing in diverse settings, integrating biblical Christian perspectives. Prerequisite: GNUR-544

GNUR-523 Foundations of Adult Education 3

Examines various adult education and learning theories with application to learning and management within diverse health care environments. Prerequisite: GNUR-521

GNUR-528 Biostatistics and Epidemiology 3

Focuses on examination and application of statistical methods used in behavioral and social science research and the public health sciences. Prerequisite: GNUR-544 for Primary Care students; GNUR-523 for Nursing Administration/Education students

GNUR-559 Research Methods 3

Considers research in the field of nursing, health, and human services and the relationship of research to knowledge and practice, including cross-cultural research in national and international communities. Emphasizes conceptual understanding of design, methodology, and the development of a structural investigation of a problem. Prerequisite: GNUR-528.

GNUR-562 Professional Role Development for the Nurse Educator 2

Provides understanding of the professional role of the advanced practice nurse educator, including the ability to collaborate effectively in diverse interdisciplinary partnerships. Fosters professional role development necessary to provide leadership in the delivery of health care education. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Core Courses.

GNUR-564 Curriculum Design 3

Introduces curriculum design, instruction and assessment in diverse learning environments within the framework of relevant standards, criteria for evaluation, and accountability. Challenges the student to assume a leadership role in curriculum development. Prerequisite: GNUR-562

GNUR-566 Program Evaluation and Assessment 3

Emphasizes the process of analysis and modification of educational programs to promote compliance with relevant standards, criteria for evaluation, and accountability. Prerequisite: GNUR-564

GNUR-568 Teaching and Learning Strategies 3

Introduces the analysis and application of various teaching techniques and strategies in diverse learning settings. Students will explore various methods and theories of instructional assessment and classroom management. Prerequisite: GNUR-566

GNUR-569 Advanced Nursing Instruction 5

Provides the opportunity to partner with a professional educator to apply acquired knowledge and skills in a supervised educational setting. Includes final evaluation of student's professional portfolio.

Prerequisite: GNUR-568

GNUR-569C GNUR-569 Practicum Continuation 1-3

GNUR-570 Professional Role Development for the Nurse Administrator 2

Provides understanding of the professional role of the nurse administrator, including the ability to collaborate effectively in diverse settings with interdisciplinary partnerships. Prepares the nurse administrator to lead and manage the administration of health care/services. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Core Courses.

GNUR-572 Management of Health Care Delivery Systems 3

Prepares the student to apply theoretical foundations of business, health law, marketing and human resources to the administration of health delivery systems. Prerequisite: GNUR-570

GNUR-574 Organizational Behavior 3

Prepares the student to effectively apply organizational behavior theories and concepts in an administrative role. Prerequisite: GNUR-572

GNUR-576 Organization and Finance of Health Care 3

Prepares the student for efficient stewardship of resources and organizational management within diverse health care settings. Prerequisite: GNUR-574

GNUR-578 Advanced Nursing Management 5

Provides the student with the opportunity to integrate administration and management knowledge, skills and dispositions in a 70-hour collaborative capstone project. Includes final evaluation of student's professional portfolio. Prerequisite: GNUR-576

GNUR-578C GNUR-578 Practicum Continuation 1-3

GNUR-590 Nursing Investigation 3

Designs an applied nursing project for a specific educational, administrative, or primary care practice setting. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all courses.

GNUR-595 Nursing Investigation Continuation 1

Continuation of the process involved in completing the requirements for GNUR-590, Nursing Investigation.

PYC-500 Advanced Transitions 1

A reentry course designed for applicants to the primary care major who have a Master's degree from a program other than Indiana Wesleyan University. Students will participate in seminars designed to enhance current understanding of issues, theories, and research related to primary health care.

PYC-509 Clinical Procedures for Advanced Practice Nursing 2

This course is designed to provide the advanced practice student with essential knowledge and introductory skill in procedures commonly performed in advanced practice nursing care settings. The course involves both lecture and laboratory practice. Laboratory fees are charged for this course. Prerequisite: PYC-530

PYC-511 Laboratory Techniques, Procedures, and Interpretations for Nurses in Advanced Practice 2

This course is designed to acquaint advanced practice nursing students with current laboratory practices in diverse settings. The course will include guidelines for ordering and interpreting laboratory tests.

PYC-512 Advanced Pharmacology for Primary Care 3

Explores various pharmacological agents used to treat common recurrent health problems; indications, contraindications, side, and interactive effects of commonly prescribed drugs. Legal and prescriptive regulations will be considered. Prerequisite: PYC-514

PYC-514 Advanced Pathophysiology 3

Provides understanding of disease and its treatment as a basis for advanced nursing management of patient care. Major disease entities will be examined. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Core Courses.

PYC-530 Primary Care of Adults 7

Primary Care of Adults is designed to prepare the advanced practice student with the theoretical, scientific and technical foundations required to function as an adult nurse practitioner. Emphasis will be placed on health promotion, disease prevention, education, and the diagnosis and management of common acute and stable chronic disease states of the adult client. Primary health care needs for specific populations including women, men, and the elderly will be identified. Primary care for a supervised clinical experience will enable the advanced practice student to develop the advanced clinical and decision-making skills required. A highly participative practicum experience with a departmentally approved preceptor focusing on primary care of adults beginning at the age of 14 years will be arranged. Students will gather physical assessment data, establish differential diagnoses, propose treatment plans, deliver patient education, and provide follow-up when feasible. Advanced practice role development is a fundamental component of the experience. Prerequisites: PYC-512, PYC-514, and PYC-552

PYC-530C PYC-530 Practicum Continuation 1-3

PYC-532 Primary Care of Children 5

This course is designed to prepare the advanced practice student with the theoretical, scientific, and technical foundations in care of children and families needed for optimal functioning as a family nurse practitioner. Emphasis will be placed on health assessment, health promotion, and disease prevention and the diagnosis and management of common congenital, acute, and stable chronic conditions in children. A supervised clinical preceptorship experience enabling the advanced practice student to develop advanced clinical judgment, technical skills, and decision-making skills is required. Prerequisite: PYC-530

PYC-532C PYC-532 Practicum Continuation 1-3

PYC-535 Primary Care of the Family 4

This course is designed to expand the skills of the advanced practice student with the theoretical, scientific, and technical foundations needed for optimal functioning as a family nurse practitioner. Emphasis will be placed on health promotion, disease prevention and education of clients across the lifespan as well as the impact of acute/chronic illness on the family unit. The course will include 140 hours of supervised clinical practicum in family practice including care across the lifespan in primary care settings. A minimum grade of "B" is required. Prerequisites: PYC-530 and PYC-532

PYC-535C PYC-535 Practicum Continuation 1-3

PYC-536 Primary Care of Older Adults 8

An in-depth, research-based course in assessment and management of older adults by the advanced practitioner. Emphasis is on health maintenance, illness or disability, legal and ethical concerns related to practice with geriatric populations. Prerequisite: PYC-556

PYC-536C PYC-536 Practicum Continuation 1-3

PYC-545 Advanced Practicum in Primary Care Nursing 1-5

Designed to provide the advanced practice student opportunity to gain additional primary care clinical experience related to the role of a nurse practitioner. Prerequisites: PYC-530, PYC-532, PYC-535

PYC-552 Advanced Health Status Assessment 3

This course is designed to provide an enhancement of the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a thorough health assessment on clients of all ages. A 70-hour clinical practicum will enable the student to perform multiple assessment techniques resulting in both normal and abnormal findings. Prerequisite: PYC-512

PYC-554 Primary Care of Older Clients with Psychiatric Co-Morbidity 2

This course prepares the advanced practice nurse in gerontology to manage the geriatric client with co-morbid psychiatric illness. Emphasis upon research, pharmacology, behavioral interventions, and caregiver support will be incorporated. The utilization of the interdisciplinary team will be a focus of this content as it is applied to geriatric clients in a variety of community-based settings. Prerequisite: PYC-530

PYC-556 Concepts of Advanced Pharmacology in Geriatrics 2

This course prepares the advanced practice nurse to prescribe medications for the complex medical problems of the geriatric client, with a special emphasis on minimizing side effects. Advance application of pharmacokinetics and pharma-codynamics as well as the unique issues of compliance in older populations will be addressed. Prerequisite: PYC-554

PYC-560 Primary Care Nursing-Independent Study 1-3

An elective course in which the student can focus on an area of nursing pertinent to individual career goals.