Nursing Degrees Online

The Master of Science in Nursing (MS) program is designed to prepare nurses for advanced practice roles. Our graduates are prepared to formulate clinical, administrative or policy decisions to promote health with clients experiencing wellness, acute or chronic illness, and to develop, manage, and evaluate the care within communities and health care systems.

Our program is structured to provide a foundation for career paths for future leaders in advanced nursing practice. This program is dually accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The MS program offers students a choice in course offerings. We offer most required courses in both on-line and classroom formats ranging from one day a week on campus to intensive sessions of 1-3 days. Over a half of our MS courses are available online, and two MS Specialty Options are offered completely online: Public Health and Health Care Informatics.

Fast Facts about our Masters Programs
Admitting into 11 different specialty options
The US News & World Reports ranks many of our options in the top ten in the US!

Nurse Practitioner-Pediatric 3rd in US
Nurse Practitioner-Family 5th in US
Clinical Nurse Specialist 6th in US
Nurse Practitioner Adult 8th in US
MS Program overall 15th in US
Birth place of the “Nurse Practitioner movement”. Over 40 years of excellence in nurse practitioner education.
Center of the caring movement in nursing.
One of the leading schools in the nation teaching relationship-centered care, humanities, ethics and complementary-alternative modalities of healing within the nursing curriculum.
One of the largest nursing faculty practices in the United States. Our students have clinical experiences in our nurse managed health centers or faculty practice sites.
One of the national projects in the Campus-Community Partnerships Initiative demonstrating integration of community service and student learning.
One of the Robert Wood Johnson national demonstration projects called “Partnerships for Quality Education” funded to prepare advanced practice nurses with the skills needed for future health care delivery systems.
A research university with a strong faculty engaged in research to improve health and health care.
A 25 year history of commitment to distance learning across the state of Colorado. Interactive television to deliver classes in over 9 locations across the state.
Leader in online education since 1996. Over half of our courses may be taken online. Students may complete most MS options through distance learning.

In an effort to meet the exceptional demands on health care practitioners, Salisbury University’s Department of Nursing provides a rigorous, science-based preparation for advanced nursing practice. Students who have an undergraduate nursing degree and who are licensed as a registered nurse can earn the M.S. in nursing as a family nurse practitioner or health care leader from a program that fosters excellence.

Taught by distinguished full-time faculty who practice what they teach, classes are conveniently scheduled for evenings and offer close faculty-student working relationships. Faculty advisors assist each student to design a personalized progression plan and to identify and encourage learning experiences that are responsive to student interests and learning goals.

Full-time students can earn their degree in two years; part-time study can be completed in as little as three years. Graduates of Salisbury University’s Master’s in Nursing programs are in demand and valued for their expertise and contributions.

The graduate program in the Department of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is proud to have educated many of the nursing leaders of the mid-Atlantic region and to continue professional relationships with many SU graduates.
Core Graduate Nursing Courses

All graduate nursing students must complete a core of courses that prepares them for evidence-based advanced nursing practice. Core courses include epidemiology, qualitative and quantitative research, applied statistics and completion of a capstone/thesis requirement.
Family Nurse Practitioner Track

The Family Nurse Practitioner track prepares students for advanced certification as family nurse practitioners. In addition to the core courses, students in this track complete courses in advanced human physiology, advanced health assessment, family nursing, pharmacotherapeutics, adult health care management, women’s and children’s health care management, and issues in advanced nursing practice. The required courses include a total of 600 hours of clinical practice.

A post-master’s family nurse practitioner certificate is offered to individuals with a previous master’s degree in nursing. Students in this program must complete the following courses: advanced human physiology, advanced health assessment, adult health care management, women’s and children’s health care management and issues in advanced nursing.

Students completing the family nurse practitioner program are eligible to take the AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners) or the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) certification exam required for practice as a family nurse practitioner.

Licensed practical nurses are integral health team members who provide expert care for challenging patients under the direction of the RN. This is a 10 1/2 month program that prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-PN examination to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Work and employment

Graduates of the program are qualified to work in healthcare facilities such as nursing homes, home healthcare, physicians’ offices, and ambulatory care.

Career advancement

Licensed Practical Nurses can use their education and experience toward an associate degree in nursing at RVC. The LPN Bridge for the Associate Degree Nursing program allows LPNs to complete the nursing program without repeating courses taken in the LPN program. For details, see “LPN Bridge.”

Program approval and vocational licensure

The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN according to the requirements for licensure in the Illinois Nursing and Advanced Nursing Practice Act.

Information sessions

Students interested in the nursing program should attend a nursing information session to familiarize themselves with specific admission procedures, requirements, and standards. Information about the Nursing program and applications may be obtained by calling (815) 921-3261.

Testing and transcripts

Applicants who have not attended college before will need to call (815) 921-2382 to schedule an appointment for an assessment test. Transfer applicants should submit all transcripts to the Rock Valley College Admissions and Records Office with indication of the intent to apply to the nursing program

The nursing information systems specialists are able to combine their knowledge of computer science, information science and nursing science to assist in the management and process of nursing data, information and knowledge to support nursing practice and to improve the delivery of nursing care.

Required Core Courses (7 credits)

NURS6600
Introduction to Advanced Nursing Practice:Philosophy & Theories 3
NURS7701
Theory Development and Advanced Research 3
NURS7752
Master Project Seminar 1

Advanced Information Systems Specialization Courses (9 credits)
NURS6640
Clinical Nursing Information Systems and Applications 3
NURS7740
Entrepreneurial Practice in Nursing Informatics 3
NURS7745
Practicum in Nursing Informatics 3

Engineering (3 Credits)
EENG7704
Computer-based Instrumentation 3

Support Courses (12–15 credits)
CSCI5505
Introduction to Computer Programming 3
CSCI5525
Introduction to Computer Science 3
CSCI5550
Business Programming Techniques and Data Structures 3
CSCI5555
Data Structure 3
CSCI6623
Database Systems * 3
CSCI6720
Management Information Systems * 3
CSCI6733
Decision Support Systems 3
CSCI6741
Modeling and Simulation of Continous Systems 3
CSCI6759
File Management Systems 3
Total 31-34

The nurse educator M.S.N. program prepares nurses as teachers in collegiate programs, in associate or bachelor’s degree nursing education. Students acquire knowledge and skills in teaching that enables them to work effectively with students, patients and consumers. Students complete a preceptored practicum that is individually tailored to student goals and exposes them to all aspects of the faculty academic and clinical teaching role.

Required Core Courses (7 credits)

NURS6600
Introduction to Advanced Nursing Practice:Philosophy & Theories 3
NURS7701
Theory Development and Advanced Research 3
NURS7752
Master Project Seminar 1

Advanced Nursing Educator Courses (25 credits)
NURS7702
Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURS7705
Educational and Learning Theory 3
NURS7706
Teaching Strategies for the Learning Environment 3
NURS7713
Curriculum Development and Theory 3
NURS7714
Measurement and Evaluation 3
NURS7717
Teaching Practicum 4
NURS7771
Seminar in Nursing Education 3

Total 32

Graduates of the adult nurse practitioner program will be qualified to diagnose and treat clients with a wide variety of illnesses. Students graduate with an advanced practice nursing (APN) degree and are eligible to to take the adult nurse practitioner certification exam (AANP or ANCC) to become certified in the field. Required Core Courses (8 credits)

NURS6600
Introduction to Advanced Nursing Practice:Philosophy & Theories 3
NURS7701 Theory Development and Advanced Research 3
NURS7752 Master Project Seminar 2
Advanced Nursing Practice Courses (22 credits)
NURS6615 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS6620 Advanced Nursing I: Health Assessment Theory 2

NURS6621 Advanced Practice Nursing I: Health Assessment Practicum 2
NURS6680 Primary Care I 3
NURS6681 Primary Care I Practicum 1
NURS7702 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURS7728 Primary Care II 3
NURS7729 Primary Care II Practicum 1
NURS7757 Primary Care III 3
NURS7758 Primary Care III Practicum 1

Total 30

Graduate Core (9 s.h.) NURS 601 Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice 3
NURS 602 Professional Role Development 3
NURS 603 Advanced Nursing Research 3

Advanced Practice Core (11 s.h.)
NURS 620 Advanced Pathophysiology 4
NURS 621 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 622 Advanced Health Assessment 4

Specialty Curriculum (23 s.h.) Practica Courses (17 s.h.)
NURS 670 Family Nurse Practitioner Theoretical Principles and Clinical Management I 5
NURS 671 Family Nurse Practitioner Theoretical Principles and Clinical Management II 5
NURS 672 Family Nurse Practitioner Theoretical Principles and Clinical Management III 5
NURS 698 Clinical Residency 2

Support Courses (6 s.h.)
NURS 660 Theoretical Concepts of Health & Aging 3
NURS 661 Advanced Gerontological Nursing Practice 3
NURS 662 Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practice 3
NURS 663 Advanced Women’s Health Nursing Practice 3

Capstone 3 (s.h.) NURS 699 Capstone Project 3

Graduate Core (9 s.h.) NURS 601 Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice 3
NURS 602 Professional Role Development 3
NURS 603 Advanced Nursing Research 3

Advanced Practice Core (11 s.h.)
NURS 620 Advanced Pathophysiology 4
NURS 621 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 622 Advanced Health Assessment 4

Specialty Curriculum (21 s.h.) Practica Courses (15 s.h.)
NURS 640 Theoretical Principles and Clinical Management I 5
NURS 641 Theoretical Principles and Clinical Management II 5
NURS 642 Theoretical Principles and Clinical Management III 5

Support Courses (6 s.h.)
NURS 643 Teaching in Nursing 3
NURS 644 Nursing Education Methods & Measurement 3
NURS 645 Nursing Education Practicum 3
NURS 660 Theoretical Concepts of Health & Aging 3
NURS 661 Advanced Gerontological Nursing Practice 3

Capstone 3 (s.h.) NURS 699 Capstone Project 3

Upon completion of the graduate nursing program the graduate will have the competencies to:

-synthesize theoretical concepts from nursing and related disciplines as a basis for advanced practice
-assume an advanced nursing practice role in the health care delivery system
-initiate opportunities to implement the advanced practice role among diverse populations
-exemplify leadership roles within the health care team and the nursing profession
-utilize scientific inquiry to validate and refine nursing knowledge
-incorporate research activities in clinical practice
-evaluate the impact of individual and societal issues within one’s clinical practice
-establish intra and interdisciplinary relationships in clinical practice
-provide education for patients, families, and communities in a culturally competent manner
-engage in ongoing personal and professional development.

Graduate nursing education program goals are to: 1) expand the knowledge and clinical expertise of baccalaureate prepared nurses; 2) prepare the nurse to meet the health care needs of society in an advanced practice role; 3) prepare nurses who not only anticipate change but who actively seek to effect change; and 4) provide the foundation for post-master’s and doctoral study.

The master’s graduate of the College of Nursing and Allied Health is an advanced practice nurse who functions in a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner role. The advanced practice nurse assumes a leadership role in the profession and in health care delivery. The graduate incorporates education, research, and clinical expertise into a practice that is reflective of the dynamic needs of a diverse population. Through the advanced professional role the graduate becomes instrumental in ensuring health promotion, health maintenance, and health restoration for society in the new millennium. Through scientific inquiry and collaborative relationships the advanced practice nurse continually augments and refines the science of nursing.

Program Goals

The College of Nursing and Allied Health graduate program was developed to provide an educational program, which will prepare the graduate nurse to:

-incorporate advanced practice concepts into nursing practice
-function in an advanced nursing practice role in a variety of settings and within diverse populations
-demonstrate clinical expertise in a Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner role
-demonstrate leadership and management strategies for advanced practice
-participate in the development and refinement of nursing science
-engage in research activities that promote the advancement of health care
-analyze the individual and societal issues that influence health care
-demonstrate the ability to engage in collaborative relationships in the advanced practice role
- pursue post-master’s and doctoral study.