The purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program is to educate students toward an MSN degree. The program will do so by engaging degree seekers in graduate courses, including practicum courses, that provide them with broad and multiple perspectives on nursing, academics, and health care delivery systems. It will concomitantly engage them with a range of courses that will improve their communications skills, improve their understanding of decision making in health care and academic settings. Graduates of the MSN will be prepared to become advanced-practice nurses who will augment care and education in our region and state.
The MSN program will have two tracks emerging from a central core of classes. One track will prepare students to become Family Nurse Practitioners; the second track will prepare students to become Nursing Educators. Graduates from both of these tracts are needed within the community, state and nation. FNP graduates will provide primary care health services locally, within the Commonwealth of Virginia, and beyond. Graduates of the Nursing Education track will fill the escalating vacancies for faculty in colleges and hospitals within our area and state.