Sharon Chappy, RN, PhD, CNOR, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director and Assistant Dean joins us today to discuss the Master's of Science in Nursing Program at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
1. Tell us about the Master's of Science in Nursing programs offered at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWOSH)? We offer several nursing master's emphases. The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) emphasis prepares advanced nurse generalists to manage a group of patients at the microsystem level (any setting where patients and healthcare providers meet). There is a focus on quality, safety, evidence based practice, and improving patient and staff outcomes. Clinical Nurse Leaders' clinical projects and learning experiences are tailored to meet healthcare agencies' strategic goals and initiatives.
The Nurse Educator (NE) emphasis prepares nurses to assume educator positions in a variety of healthcare or academic settings.
While we currently offer a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) master's emphasis, beginning in fall 2012, our FNP emphasis will be transitioned to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
2. What's the typical duration for your full time and/or part time programs? After completion of the BSN portion of the curriculum, students can complete the MSN portion in 2 years of full time or 3 years of part time study.
3. What sets your post-graduate program apart from other universities? Our CNL and NE emphases are offered 100% online taught by faculty well versed in online education. We offer a comprehensive orientation for new students to assure they are acclimated to the online environment (offered via Desire 2 Learn [D2L]).
UWOSH boasts a 100% pass rate on the CNL certification exam. The CNL curriculum is cutting edge with clinical experiences arranged at the student's own workplace. Many CNL students are put in a CNL "fellow" or "intern" role while still in school so they can easily transition to the CNL role upon graduation.
Our NE students complete clinical experiences at academic institutions or healthcare settings close to their homes. With the current severe nursing faculty shortage, most of our NE students are offered employment while they are still in school.
Our FNP emphasis is highly successful and that success will certainly continue when it transitions to the DNP. Our graduates are highly recruited and are touted in the healthcare community as excellent practitioners.
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? Our masters' level programs are a great academic value. Courses are taught by faculty with doctoral degrees or by instructional academic staff who are certified in their specialty. Most are working in their specialty area and we can confidently say that our curriculum is relevant to current and future healthcare needs. Graduates of our programs are offered competitive salaries and flexible work schedules. We encourage students to pursue the MSN early in their nursing careers to allow them to reap the benefits of that degree for many years in their profession! An average car costs $20,000 and depreciates significantly after it is driven off the lot. Students can get a MSN degree for less than the price of a new car and have it last for a lifetime. The value of that degree only grows over time.
5. Does the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh offer financial assistance available for graduate students? We offer some scholarships and traineeship grants to graduate nursing students. We are continually seeking grant funds for our students through federal and other sources. Financial aid information is available through http://www.uwosh.edu/fin_aid/
The online option allows students the flexibility to keep working while in school to maintain their income. Online course offerings eliminate the costs associated with travel to campus.
6. Is accreditation important to your incoming students? Accreditation should be important to incoming students. Students want to be sure that the school they choose is accredited so that the school's mission and philosophy, resources, curriculum, and program outcomes have been evaluated. In order to be accredited, schools must meet high expectations that are set by accrediting agencies.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh College of Nursing Undergraduate and Graduate Programs were surveyed by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in April 2010. At that time, we were awarded a full 10-year accreditation, the maximum a school can receive.
7. What are the key elements of your admissions requirements?
Admission requirements include: (a) graduation from a NLNAC or CCNE accredited baccalaureate program, (b) current Wisconsin licensure as a RN, and (c) completed an acceptable statistics course with a grade of B or higher in the past 5 years. Other admission requirements can be found at http://www.uwosh.edu/con/graduate/master-of-science-in-nursing/graduate/master-of-science-in-nursing/admissions
8. Can you offer any advice for veterans or mid-career applicants who are returning to school? We have an excellent Veteran's Resource Center on campus. Information can be found at http://www.uwosh.edu/registrar/veterans/. The online courses give those people who are at a distance from our campus greater flexibility in attending school. This is important for veterans and mid-career applicants who often have homes and families that are well established in their own communities.
9. Do you currently have or plan on offering a DNP program? We currently offer a MSN to DNP program for advanced practice nurses and advanced administrators. We will be transitioning our master's FNP emphasis to the DNP beginning in fall 2012.
10. What do you enjoy most about your position at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh? I am very proud to be the Graduate Program Director at a school that has such an excellent reputation. Our FNP students are highly regarded in our community, around the state, and beyond. I am excited to be a part of the transition to the DNP Program. Our CNL and NE programs are blossoming due to the increasing complexity in healthcare and the great demand for nurse educators. It's a fantastic time for graduate education in nursing!
For more information on the Master's in Nursing Program available at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, please visit them online.
Thank you Sharon, for sharing and participating in our interview.
Sharon Chappy, RN, PhD, CNOR, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director and Assistant Dean joins us today to discuss the Master's of Science in Nursing Program at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
1. Tell us about the Master's of Science in Nursing programs offered at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWOSH)? We offer several nursing master's emphases. The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) emphasis prepares advanced nurse generalists to manage a group of patients at the microsystem level (any setting where patients and healthcare providers meet).
