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FAQ & Answers

How can I determine if your program is right for me?

The answer to this question will rely primarily on your career goal and objectives. Holistic, community-based, and competent are words that describe our graduate nursing program.

If you are seeking an advanced practice nursing role focused on primary care; if you want autonomy with prescriptive authority, your own patient caseload and fee for service reimbursement; if you have an interest in working in a clinic setting either in a rural area or with a diverse, underserved population in the metropolitan area, then our one of our nurse practitioner tracks may be right for you.

Do you want to get at root causes and educate patients so their overall health care is improved? Are you interested in nursing leadership and management? Or, are you interested in becoming active in the political arena for the nursing profession? Would you like to know more about health policy and how you can contribute to vital changes? Then, our programs to prepare the nurse educator or the nurse leader may be right for you.

We know our program may be right for many of you. Please attend a Program Information Meeting or contact us through this website for application information.

I am unclear whether I need a MSN or a DNP to become a Nurse Practitioner?

Practice focused doctoral degree programs in nursing are not a recent development within the nursing field, however, are relatively new in our region. The DNP will become the required preparation for certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse. Individuals with MSN degrees will be eligible to sit for the certification examination provided they graduated prior to 2015. Metropolitan State University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences will accept students into the MSN, NP tracks in 2010. Students will need to complete their studies by 2014.

Will all graduate work be at the DNP level in the future?

No. Master of Science in Nursing Degrees prepare graduates for a variety of roles. Individuals interested in a variety of nursing roles, such as roles in leadership, management, or education. The leadership/management and nurse educator tracks at Metropolitan State University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences prepare individuals for many different roles.

Our Leadership and Management, Master of Science in Nursing offers both graduate nursing and management courses. The LMN graduate can anticipate a career in nursing administration the corporate clinic setting, hospital administration, or with government and public health policy entities.

Our Nurse Educator, Master of Science in Nursing prepares graduates for roles in staff development or clinical within health care organizations or nursing faculty roles within community colleges or other programs. This is a strong preparation for individuals interested in pursuing a PhD.

How do I pick a track?

The track you pursue should relate to your strengths and interests. Each track prepares you for a different nursing role. Many students find it helpful to shadow someone in the role they are considering.

What if I wish to change tracks during my program?

It may be possible to change tracks provided the track you wish to pursue has openings, however, space is often limited. A change in track may lengthen the time necessary to complete your program. Therefore, it is best to make the most informed decision possible before applying.

May I choose my own preceptor?

We encourage students to work with us to develop a clinical experience that meets their personal as well as the educational goals. All preceptors must be approved prior to beginning clinicals with them.

Can I do my clinical hours at my work site?

It is possible to complete your clinical hours at your work site provided your clinical experience is clearly defined and separated from your regular work assignments. Your direct supervisor may not serve as your preceptor. We do recommend students consider a site which is not their work setting in order to add diversity to the experiences.

What is the final project?

Students complete a scholarly paper as part of their degree requirements. They present this work at an end of program presentation.

How long does it take to complete a MSN?

The programs offer different options for completion ranging from 2+ to 4 years. Students completing a NP track must complete their program by 2014. 

For the ANP/GNP or FNP program, completion can be accomplished in three on full-time progression. Students must successfully complete this program by 2014. There are three semesters of didactic courses, followed by three semesters of clinical rotations.

For the Leadership/Management or the Nursing Educator programs, you can complete the program in two years at a full-time pace if you complete the graduate-level statistics course requirement prior to admission.

Students complete a degree plan and work with their advisor to progress in their program

How do I change my degree plan?

Students should discuss the planned changes with their advisor and then revise their degree plan. It is important to consider course size and schedule, as well as prerequisites and progression when changing your degree plan.

What are the expectations for in-class and on-line time?

Much of the course work can be completed on-line with clinical and lab work being completed on campus and at the specific clinical sites. It is best to anticipate the need for occasional trips to this location.

What fulfills the requirement for statistics and where can I get that?

Graduate-Level Statistics Requirement

Please note that this pre-requisite is a course requirement for our graduate-level Advanced Nursing Research course (NURS 604); it is not an admission requirement for the program.

The statistics prerequisite for NURS 604, Adv. Nursing Research, is: “An upper-division inferential or graduate-level inferential statistics course (covering content through one-way ANOVA) completed within the previous five (5) years.”

This component is not included in all graduate-level statistics courses; however, students may meet this requirement by taking one of the following courses. Graduate-level statistics courses may require an undergraduate-level statistics course as a pre-requisite. Please plan carefully.

Classroom Statistics Courses

Nursing students are advised to take the course below as an on-campus option.

PSYC 307 Data/Statistical Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences

Although this is an undergraduate course offered by the Metropolitan State University Psychology Department, it does include the essential one-way ANOVA component. As such, it meets the requirement for both nursing research courses (graduate and undergraduate).

Online Statistics Courses

There are three online courses which have been previously approved and are available to meet the equivalent of Metropolitan State’s STAT 500, Statistics II and the one-way ANOVA content for our graduate NURS 604 Nursing Research course. They are:

Other courses may be equivalent. If you find one you’d like to take, please verify its equivalency with by requesting a review of the syllabus prior to registering for the course. Address this request to the Graduate Program Director.

Can I complete a MSN program while working full time?

While our program is designed for working nurses, clinical courses require additional time and a specific schedule.  We recommend work hours be reduced, if possible so you can gain as much as possible from this academic experience.

Do I need a baccalaureate degree in nursing to be admitted?

Yes, if you are interested in enrolling in a nurse practitioner, nursing educator or leadership/management track.

If you are a registered nurse and wish to complete your BSN, please consider our RN to BSN program.

If you have a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing, we have a program to prepare you to enter nursing. Please see the Entry Level MSN program materials

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is January 15 every year for admission the following fall semester.

Do I have to do any graduate entrance exams?

No, neither the GRE nor the MAT is required.

May I take graduate nursing courses without being admitted?

Yes; there is a procedure to follow: you must speak with the academic advisor about special student status. Then, you will obtain the instructor’s permission to register for the course. If space is available after admitted students have had an opportunity to register, then you may register. Our graduate advisor will inform you if space is available. Tuition payment is due within 24 hours of being added to the course

What does the program cost?

See Current tuition and fee schedules. Financial aid and scholarship questions should be directed to the Financial Aid Office.