2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
College of Nursing
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Graduate Programs
Master’s of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)
MSN Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the MSN program, the graduate nurse will:
- Analyze and integrate theories of nursing, education, leadership, and other sciences to guide professional role development and improve nursing practice across diverse settings.
- Provide organizational and system leadership that emphasizes the importance of professional accountability, ethical decision making, collaborative relationships, and protection of human dignity and diversity.
- Synthesize and apply the principles, methods, tools, performance measures, and standards related to quality and safety within the healthcare system.
- Contribute to nursing knowledge by applying current research outcomes within the practice setting: resolving practice problems; working as a change agent; and disseminating results.
- Integrate patient-care and communication technologies to improve delivery and enhance coordination of care.
- Analyze the impact of system policies on healthcare, participate in policy development, and use advocacy strategies to influence the quality of health care.
- Communicate, collaborate, and consult with clients and health professionals to manage and coordinate care as a member and leader of interprofessional teams.
- Integrate organizational, client-centered, and culturally appropriate concepts in the planning, delivery, management, and evaluation of evidence-based health promotion and population care.
- Demonstrate and integrate advanced nursing knowledge and relevant sciences into safe advanced nursing practice.
MSN Admissions Requirements
Applicants who are current students or alumni of Radford University Carilion may contact Sarah Boswell, Director of Admissions, at srboswell@jchs.edu to apply. No formal application or transcripts are necessary. These applicants should submit the following with their e-mail to the Director of Admissions:
- A current resume,
- An essay,
- Three references.
Application Information for All Other Prospective Students
- The recommended deadline for priority admission is November 1; however, applications are always accepted.
- Application Information for All Other Prospective Students
- Must apply through NursingCAS The Centralized Application for Nursing Programs. Radford University Carilion does not require a supplemental application. The application through NursingCAS can be found at http://www.nursingcas.org. The recommended deadline for priority admission is November 1; however, applications are always accepted.
- The completed Application for Admission – digitally signed online and submitted.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities in which you have enrolled.
- Three completed Graduate Recommendation Forms from individuals who are knowledgeable regarding your suitability for graduate work.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher recommended (based on a 4.0 scale) • Current unrestricted RN license from any state or territory in the United States • College level Statistics course (3 credits) with a grade of C or higher.
- Recommendation from three professional references who can address the applicant’s potential for advanced practice nursing. At least one reference should be from a former faculty member if possible.
- A two page essay describing career goals and how a graduate credential will assist in meeting professional goals. The writing style (i.e. grammar, punctuation, spelling, word use) and content of the essay will be used in the overall evaluation of the application.
- Curriculum vitae or resume. This document should include education and professional practice.
- Official MAT or GRE scores if no master’s degree (School codes: GRE/5099; MAT/2522). Requirement is waived if Cum GPA is 3.0 or greater.
- Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a field of study other than nursing must meet the following program course prerequisites
- Completion of NSG 490 , Contemporary Nursing Issues with a B or better
- Completion of a college level research course with a C or better
The number of credits a student may transfer will be determined on an individual basis, but will be no greater than 35% of the total program credits.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P)
Radford University’s College of Nursing offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) program for the B.S.N. or Master’s (M.S.N.) prepared registered nurse (RN) for advanced nursing practice or nursing leadership. Theory and research-based courses prepare graduates to work in a variety of settings, including community and population-based service, home care, clinics, hospice care, hospitals, long-term care, education, administration, and policy. The DNP program culminates in a residency tailor-made to the student’s learning needs and career goals. The program tracks are either online or hybrid to promote maximum flexibility while maintaining quality student connections.
DNP Tracks:
This DNP concentration educates nurses who will be qualified to provide primary health care in homes, clinics, ambulatory care facilities, long-term care facilities and other health care agencies. Upon completion of this concentration, graduates are prepared to sit for a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification exam.
This DNP concentration is to prepare nurses for advanced practice in psychiatric mental health nursing. Nurses will be qualified to work in hospitals, clinics, and mental health facilities. The psychiatric courses will qualify students to sit for the Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) exams.
This DNP concentration is for students holding either an MS or MSN in systems, management, or administration. It is designed to educate nurses to meet the complex needs that exist in the healthcare environment and expand upon skills that are executive in nature yet focused in nursing.
This DNP concentration is designed to educate nurses to meet the complex needs that exist in the healthcare environment and expand upon skills that are executive in nature yet focused in nursing. Upon completion of this concentration graduates are prepared to sit for the nurse executive certification.
DNP Admissions Requirements
- Undergraduate course requirements in statistics, health assessment, and nursing research;
- Minimum of 2,000 hours RN clinical practice;
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (B.S.N.), master’s degree in nursing (M.S.N.), or graduate degree (M.S.) in another discipline;
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale at the undergraduate level, 3.5 GPA at the graduate level;
- Current certification in BLS or ACLS;
- Completed graduate college application;
- Resume or curriculum vitae that includes prior education and professional practice;
- 3-5 page essay outlining applicant’s vision for a career as a D.N.P. and how the D.N.P. program would help the applicant achieve this goal;
- A sample of previous academic writing or publication;
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended;
- Three letters of reference from professional contacts (at least one must be from a former nursing faculty member);
- Three recommendation forms (these forms may be completed by the same 3 contacts who provide your letters of reference);
- Personal interview with Graduate Nursing Faculty.
Prospective students can apply online at the Graduate College website at http://gradcollege.asp.radford.edu.
Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC)
The PMHNP graduate certificate will prepare the advanced practice nurse with the expertise and skills to diagnose and treat individuals suffering with psychiatric and mental health disorders. The graduate certificate courses will provide the APN with the skills to prescribe psychotropic medication and provide psychotherapy to individuals across the lifespan. Upon completion of the approved courses, the certificate seeking student will be eligible to take the PMHNP American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification exam.
It is projected that a full-time student can complete the certificate in one year and part-time students may require 18 to 24 months for completion.
Admissions Criteria:
- A master’s degree in nursing (M.S.N.) or doctoral degree in nursing (Ph.D. or D.N.P.)
- Current certification as a Nurse Practitioner and a license to practice as a registered nurse
- Cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale at the graduate level
- Current certification in BLS or ACLS
- Completed Graduate College application
- Resume or curriculum vitae that includes prior education and professional practice
- Professionally written letter describing career goals and how certification will assist in achieving those goals
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
- Three letters of reference from professional contacts
- Personal phone interview with graduate nursing faculty
Please note: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to students in a number of forms. In addition to awards based on demonstrated financial need, Radford University offers scholarships focused on leadership, character and academic achievements.
Withdrawal
A graduate nursing student may not withdraw from more than three different graduate courses. Any withdrawal beyond the third withdrawal will result in an automatic “F.” In addition, a student may not withdraw from the same course more than once. A second withdrawal from a course will result in an automatic “F.”
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