Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

At this time, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is the only track available in the MSN program.

Program Description

The purpose of this master’s program is to prepare nurses with advanced nursing theory and clinical experiences in the advanced practice nursing role of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Students are prepared to assess the health needs and health risks of all family members, apply family theories, and analyze legal, ethical, economic, leadership, and professional issues pertinent to nurse practitioners. Graduates from this program will be qualified to practice in mid-level primary care practice settings within the changing patterns of health care; assume leadership roles in multidisciplinary health groups; and practice family nursing in primary and secondary health care settings. Graduates will be prepared to apply for doctoral programs in nursing.

The content of this program includes advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology; analysis, utilization, and evaluation of theories of nursing; research methodology; role development; care of vulnerable populations; health care policy and delivery systems; leadership; and application of advanced knowledge in providing nursing care for clients representing a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds in both urban and rural community settings. Students complete a culminating experience (comprehensive examination) which demonstrates their competence in the conduct of scientific inquiry related to clinical problem solving. Students must complete the requirements for the Master’s degree before they can pursue FNP certification from the California State Board of Registered Nursing.

The Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/FNP) degree program at California State University, Bakersfield is approved by the

California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)
PO Box 944210
Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
916-322-3350. 

The MSN/FNP degree program is accredited by the

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
202-887-6791.

Master’s Degree Program Objectives

The program objectives are to prepare students for graduation who can:

1. Expand knowledge and evaluate nursing theories and theories from related disciplines as a basis for advanced roles and nursing practice.
2. Utilize nursing concepts, theories, and knowledge to support advanced practice roles and evidence-based nursing practice.
3. Demonstrate expertise in advanced roles in nursing.
4. Apply evidence-based research findings to advanced roles and nursing practice.
5. Utilize the steps of scientific inquiry to evaluate and integrate research, theory, and practice.
6. Advance practice through the development and implementation of strategies for improving nursing care and initiating changes in the health care system.
7. Actively engage in collaborative relationships with other members of the health care team to improve health care and influence health care policies.
8. Assume responsibility for contributing to the advancement of the nursing profession.
9. Utilize technology to enhance the effectiveness of managing client and clinical information.
10. Acquire a foundation for doctoral study in nursing.

Family Nurse Practitioner Program Objectives

Upon graduation or entry to advanced practice, the Family Nurse Practitioner should demonstrate competence in the following:

1. Synthesize theoretical, scientific, and contemporary clinical knowledge for the assessment and management of both health and illness states for the purposes of health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment of the individual, the family, aggregate groups, and the community.
2. Demonstrate a personal, collegial, and collaborative approach which enhances the Family Nurse Practitioner’s effectiveness in patient care.
3. Function as a licensed independent practitioner by using best available evidence to continuously improve quality of clinical practice.
4. Demonstrate a commitment to the implementation, preservation, and evolution of the Family Nurse Practitioner role.
5. Implement clinical reasoning and build collaborative, interdisciplinary relationships to provide optimal health care to the patient.
6. Oversee and direct the delivery of clinical services within an integrated system of health care to achieve improved health outcomes for patients, communities, and systems.
7. Ensure quality of health care through consultation, collaboration, continuing education, certification, and evaluation (eligible for state and national certification upon completion of the program.
8. Provide culturally competent care, deliver patient care with respect to cultural and spiritual beliefs, and make health care resources available to patients from diverse cultures.

(Adapted from the Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, April 2017)

Additional information regarding the following Department of Nursing policies is available at: www.csub.edu/nursing:

1. Eligibility Criteria and Application Procedure
2. Physical and Mental Health Requirements
3. Health Clearance for Newly Admitted and Continuing Graduate Nursing Students
4. Admission Requirements
5. Program Progression
6. Requirements Related to Program Completion

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements to be considered for the MSN program:

1. Be a graduate of an accredited baccalaureate nursing program
2. Be in good standing at the last college/university attended
3. Have an overall baccalaureate GPA of at least 3.0
4. Hold an active, unrestricted California RN license, unencumbered, unrestricted, with no disciplinary action pending or imposed
5. Hold a current American Heart Association BLS certification
6. Employed full-time as an RN for at least two years.

Preferred qualifications

1. 3 years full-time, acute care nursing experience in the last 5 years
2. Reside in the CSUB Service Area
3. Previous nursing experience serving underserved and/or rural populations

Application Process

1. Submit an application to CSUB through Cal State Apply
2. Submit a complete nursing application through Nursing CAS during the application submission period
3. Submit an MSN-FNP Program Evaluation Fee to the Department of Nursing (please see the Nursing application for more details)

Admission Requirements

Once accepted, students must complete the following requirements to be fully admitted and continue in the MSN program:

1. Initial Requirements
   1. Complete a background check
   2. Complete a drug screen
   3. Complete all annual requirements (below)
2. Annual Requirements (copies of documentation must be submitted each August or by listed deadlines)
   1. Submit a copy of recent (within 6 months) Physical Examination Report before the first of each fall semester using approved physical examination form.
   2. Possess the physical and mental qualifications necessary for clinical setting (submit Essential Functions form)
   3. Hold a current registered license from the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), unencumbered, unrestricted, with no disciplinary action pending or imposed
   4. Hold current American Heart Association BLS certification
   5. Purchase CSU Bakersfield Student Professional Liability Insurance
   6. Complete respiratory fit (mask fit) testing
   7. Maintain personal health insurance (or submit a completed Medical Insurance Declination form)
   8. Maintain required immunizations (submit Vaccination Status form)
   9. Submit an updated Student Information Form
   10. Submit a copy of signed Honor Commitment Form
   11. Additional details will be listed in the Verified Credentials

Student Classification

Classified Graduate Standing

For classified status, the student must meet all the eligibility and admission requirements.

Conditionally Classified Graduate Standing

An applicant may be admitted as a Conditionally Classified Graduate Student if, in the judgment of the graduate admissions committee, the applicant has a potential for successful completion of all the conditions specified by the faculty for admission as a Classified Graduate Student and potential for successful completion of all the requirements for the graduate program. Upon satisfactory completion of all conditions specified by the faculty, the student’s status will be administratively changed to Classified Graduate Student.

Advancement to Candidacy

The candidate must:

1. Attain Classified status.
2. Complete 22 units of graduate nursing courses within the approved plan of study with a GPA of 3.0 or better (on a scale of A=4.0).
3. File a petition for Advancement to Candidacy with the Department of Nursing Graduate Program Director and be approved.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core Courses
NURS 5200	Advanced Health Assessment (Theory)	2
NURS 5201	Advanced Health Assessment (Clinical)	1
NURS 5220	Theoretical Foundations of Nursing	2
NURS 5240	Human Diversity and Health Care Policy	3
NURS 5250	Transformational Leadership and APRN Role Development	3
NURS 6260	Advanced Nursing Research	2
NURS 6290	Culminating Experience: Comprehensive Examination	3
NURS 6300	Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurses	3
NURS 6310	Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses	3
Required Clinical Preparation Courses: Family Nurse Practitioner Track
NURS 6320	Advanced Practice Nursing Care for Individuals and Families Across the Lifespan I	3
NURS 6321	Advanced Practice Nursing Care for Individuals and Families Across the Lifespan I	3
NURS 6330	Advanced Practice Nursing Care for Individuals and Families Across the Lifespan II (Theory)	3
NURS 6331	Advanced Practice Nursing Care for Individuals and Families Across the Lifespan II (Clinical)	2
NURS 6340	Advanced Practice Nursing Care for Individuals and Families Across the Lifespan III (Theory)	3
NURS 6341	Advanced Practice Nursing Care for Individuals and Families Across the Lifespan III	4
NURS 6351	Advanced Practice Practicum	4
Elective Course
NURS 5230	Educational Principles and Methodology Applied to Nursing	2
NURS 6315	Pharmacotherapeutics Review for Advanced Practice Nurses	1
Total Units		47

Students who wish to challenge any of the required courses based on prior course or clinical experience should contact the Graduate Program Director.

Note: A credit hour is equivalent to one hour of classroom study or three hours of clinical/laboratory experience and appropriate outside preparation; or a combination of the foregoing, times the number of weeks in the quarter. A semester credit hour is equivalent to 15 hours of classroom contact, 45 hours of clinical/laboratory experience plus appropriate outside preparation; or a combination of the foregoing.