Dr. Susan Barnes, Director of Graduate Education and Assistant Professor, joins us today to discuss the Master’s of Science in Nursing program at Oklahoma City University’s Kramer School of Nursing.

1.    Tell us about the Master’s of Science in Nursing programs offered at Kramer School of Nursing (KSN)?
Oklahoma City University KSN offers two tracks to the Master’s of Science in Nursing.  The MSN in Education prepares the graduate to teach nursing in either an educational institution or in a hospital setting.  The MSN in Administration is offered in conjunction with the internationally renowned Meinder’s School of Business.  The program prepares nurse administrators.  There is also an MSN/MBA option for the individual who wants a dual degree.

In addition, there is a fast track for RN to MSN for those holding a bachelors degree in another field.

All courses are offered on Thursday after 2 PM to allow for work schedules.  Limited courses are available online.

2.    What’s the typical duration for your full time and/or part time programs?
The MSN in Nursing Education is 33 hours and may be done full or part time.  The program may be completed in 17 months with full time study.

The MSN in Nursing Administration is a 39 hour program and may be completed as a full time student in 22 months.

The MSN/MBA is 66 hours and may be completed in less than 3 years depending upon the course arrangement which is done in conjunction with the Meinder’s School of Business.

3.    What sets your post-graduate program apart from other universities?
Kramer School of Nursing is rated by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing as in the top 10% of nursing schools in the nation.  The graduate programs at Kramer School of Nursing are rated by U.S. News and World Report in the top 33%.  KSN is known for its individualized attention to students, the faculty to student ratio which allows for mentoring, and the standards for academic excellence.  Faculty are well qualified and hold advanced degrees and specialization in the area taught.

4.    There’s a lot of discussion about costs and benefits of college degrees today.  Do you consider your masters’ level programs a good academic value?
The academic value of an education at KSN is the greatest in the region.  Because of the individualized attention and faculty availability, students can be assured that they will come out of the program with an excellent foundation for advanced practice in teaching or administration.

5.    Does Kramer School of Nursing have the ability to make financial assistance available for graduate students?
OCU and KSN are able to put together a financial aid package to make a graduate degree affordable.  Many scholarship opportunities are available and do not always depend upon financial need alone but also upon future goals and previous academic and clinical success.

6.    Is accreditation important to your incoming students?
Accreditation is an important consideration for students considering where to attend school.  Accreditation assures the student that the program meets national standards for the profession. In the case of KSN, students may be assured that we meet and exceed national standards.  We are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC).

7.    What are the key elements of your admissions requirements?
Students must have a BSN.  (Students with an ADN and a Bachelor’s in another field may choose a fast track option to the MSN).
Students must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale.  Requests for exceptions are considered by the Chair of MSN Programs on a case by case basis.
Students must have an RN license or meet the credentialing standards of his/her country of origin (for international students from countries that do not require licensure).
Students for whom English is not the mother tongue must score 550 or the equivalent on TOEFL.

8.    Can you offer any advice for veterans or mid-career applicants who are returning to school?
Many clinical experts are afraid to return to school because they feel they may not be up to the academic rigor.  The best reflection I can offer is that the MSN program is a very different process than the original nursing preparation.  It is creative, fun, and intellectually engaging.  There is an opportunity to pursue issues of personal and professional interest and there is a great deal of camaraderie among the students and faculty.

9.    Do you currently have or plan on offering a DNP program?
Yes.  We have DNP completion tracks for both advanced practice nurses and nurse executives, as well as a BSN to DNP program for those wishing to become Family Nurse Practitioners.

10.     What do you enjoy most about your position at Kramer School of Nursing?
I enjoy the interaction I have with students.  Education is a change process—and I love to see students of all ages come into the program and then develop into the advanced practice nurse they hoped to be!  The process may not always be easy, but it is very rewarding.

For more information on the Master’s in Nursing Program available at Oklahoma City University’s Kramer School of Nursing, please visit them online.

Thank you Dr. Barnes, for sharing and participating in our interview.