Nursing, Forensic Nursing, (Online), M.S.

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Nursing (Forensic Nursing) Online

Graduate Program Chair

Robert Dumas, PhD, RN

Graduate Committee

Arlana Arsenault, MS, RN
Robert Dumas, PhD, RN, Chairperson
Ann Scannell, ND, RN
Deborah A. Stone, MS, RN

Program Description

The Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program is designed for registered nurses who wish to pursue advanced leadership positions in the community and the health care system. The graduate is prepared to contribute to the development of nursing science, and the improvement of health care, and to pursue doctoral study. The program is offered completely online. The master of science degree in nursing at Fitchburg State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation).

Graduate Terminal Outcomes

Graduates will:

integrate knowledge from the sciences and the humanities into the provision of advanced nursing care to diverse populations.
be proficient in organizing and planning programs which bring together clients, patients, providers, and the communities, with an emphasis on ethical and critical decision making.
design systems-change strategies that maintain and improve the quality of care.
as change agents apply relevant research in the evolving healthcare environment.
use technology guided by ethical and legal principles for the improvement of patient-care.
identify, formulate, and promote policies to improve public health and advance the nursing profession.
use effective communication strategies to develop, participate, and lead inter-professional teams.
integrate equitable and evidenced based prevention services for individuals and groups with forensic needs.

The specialty in forensic nursing prepares nurses to apply:

Knowledge and skills of nursing and forensic science to the investigation of trauma concurrently with emergency care and emotional support for victims of violent crime
The nursing process to public or legal proceedings
Aspects of health care to the scientific investigation and treatment of trauma
Sensitivity to the health needs and concerns of diverse populations
Direct services such as legal documentation to individual and group clients, including insurance companies and law firms
Consultation and education for groups, related agencies and communities
Expert witness skills in investigations related to violence and trauma
Skills for varied settings, including emergency health services, schools, correctional facilities, varied community health agencies, employee assistance programs in occupational health settings and law enforcement agencies

Admissions Standards and Criteria

To apply for enrollment in the Master of Science in Nursing Program, a student must submit documents as outlined in the graduate admissions section as well as:

An official transcript as a graduate of an accredited baccalaureate nursing program. An alternative portfolio entry pathway is available to RN, with non-nursing BA/BS degrees
Three letters of recommendation including documenting a minimum of one year of recent successful clinical practice or part-time equivalent
A current US RN license (Applicants who reside and/or work outside the U.S. are not required to hold a US RN license but instead must possess a current license from the country they reside in or in which they will complete clinical coursework hours.)
Written two-part essay to include:

Part I (no more than 300 words): Your reasons for wishing to attend graduate school or your reason for pursuing a post-master’s certificate in a specialty area.

Part II (at least 1200 words): Your specific interests, the type of work you would like to pursue in this field, and how you intend to pursue employment or volunteer work in this area.

CORI-Criminal Offense Record Investigation may be required by certain clinical agencies; the cost of funding a CORI may be at the student’s expense

Program of Study— Master’s Degree

The program is currently planned on a part-time, 6-7 credit per semester cycle. All courses are delivered online. The course sequence is designed to:

Complete a majority of core nursing courses with the exception of the scholarly inquiry requirement prior to or concurrent with any clinical specialty nursing course
Provide students the opportunity to select a research project
Cap the program with a practicum experience

It should be noted that nursing courses and required cognates may have prerequisite undergraduate or graduate course work.

Core Nursing Courses

Scholarly Inquiry Requirement

Subtotal 15 cr.

Required Cognates

Subtotal 6 cr.

Required Courses in Nursing, MS

Total for Degree 39 cr.

Note:

* These courses have a clinical component for a total of 420 hours.

Health Requirements and Liability Insurance

Health Requirements and Records should be sent to the graduate program chair and must be received prior to the commencement of any graduate nursing courses with clinical components

Annual physical exam documentation
Annual PPD (TB test) and proof of a negative chest X-ray if the PPD test was positive
Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or serologic proof of immunity
A booster dose of TD within the last 10 years
Three (3) doses of hepatitis B vaccine and a copy of dated immune titer and Proof of chicken pox or immunization

Personal Liability Insurance

Students must have professional malpractice coverage if enrolled in any clinical course. Currently, the University provides this personal liability coverage for all nursing students. If this University coverage should change, students will be responsible for purchasing their own professional liability insurance.

CPR

Current CPR Certification /recertification for health professionals (The department recommends that certification be through the American Heart Association’s Health Care Provider certification process).