Clinical Options
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- School Nurse
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Nurse Education
Post-master's Certificates
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Nurse Education
School Nurse Licensure
- School Nurse
MSN Program Director
Dr. Valerie O’Dell
3132 Cushwa Hall
(330) 941-2177
vmodell@ysu.edu
Program Description
The Master of Science in Nursing program is designed for baccalaureate-prepared nurses who have strong undergraduate foundations in critical thinking, decision-making, and nursing practice. The program consists of five options, with specialization in clinical nursing for chronic illness care, nurse anesthesia, school nursing, and nurse education. The core curriculum centers on professional nursing issues, nursing science, and research methods for building nursing knowledge. The advanced practice chronic illness care option focuses on the delivery of comprehensive care to individuals and groups experiencing chronic illnesses. The nurse anesthetist option focuses on the administration of anesthesia to individuals requiring surgical and nonsurgical diagnostic procedures. The school nurse option focuses on delivery of comprehensive care to individuals in the school environment. The nurse education option focuses on delivery of nursing and patient education to individuals in academic, health-care delivery, and community settings.
The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). In addition, the nurse anesthetist option is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). For additional information regarding accreditation, contact the ACEN:
ACEN
3343 Peachtree Road NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: (404) 975-5000
The Master of Science in Nursing in nurse anesthesia is a cooperative program between Youngstown State University and St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists, Inc. All courses are taught by YSU graduate faculty. Humility of Mary Health Partners supports the program by providing clinical and other resources at St. Elizabeth Health Center. Students gain experience in the use of many anesthetic agents and techniques and are supervised by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Staff Anesthesiologists from Bel-Park Anesthesia Associates, Inc. Upon successful completion of the degree program, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. Once certified, CRNAs must apply for a Certificate of Authority to practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse in the State of Ohio or abide by the laws of the state in which they intend to practice.
Acceptance into the YSU Master of Science in Nursing program is contingent upon acceptance into the St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists, Inc. For additional admission information specific to the Nurse Anesthetist option please contact Beverly A. Rodgers:
Dr. Beverly A. Rodgers, CRNA, DNAP
Program Director
St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists, Inc.
(330) 480-3444
brodgers@belpark.net
Admission Requirements
All nursing applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Regular admission requires a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Satisfactory completion of undergraduate courses in health assessment, statistics, and research methods
- Hold a B.S.N. degree from an accredited program
- Current Ohio Registered Nurse license and minimum of one year professional work experience
- Current CPR certification, current immunizations, drug screening, and criminal background checks are to be maintained while in the program.
- All nurse anesthetist applicants must submit an official report of Graduate Record Examination (General Test) scores completed within the past five years.
- Applicants with a cumulative grade point average of less than 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) must submit an official report of Graduate Record Examination (General Test) scores completed within the past five years.
- Successful/satisfactory interview is required for all MSN nursing applicants meeting minimum requirements.
- Students not meeting regular admission requirements may be provisionally admitted. See the Graduate Catalog under Provisional Admission.
Applicants must submit the following items to Graduate Admissions in Coffelt Hall:
- Official transcripts from each college or institution of higher learning attended (other than YSU)
- Three satisfactory Recommendation Reference Forms: one each from a faculty member, an employer, and a colleague
- Letter of intent (300 words maximum) stating one’s professional career goals and how graduate education in nursing will help fulfill said goals
- Resume or curriculum vita (including education, work and/or research experience, publications, certifications, licenses, grants, professional affiliations, awards, honors, presentations, and/or courses taught)
Application deadline for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) option: February 1. The FNP option is a cohort-based program (beginning each Fall).
Terri L. Coffee, D.N.P., Clinical Assistant Professor
Gerontology; surgery; addiction
Patricia L. Hoyson, Ph.D., Professor
Diabetes; critical thinking; patient education; nursing education
Nicole Kent-Strollo, M.S.N., Clinical Instructor
Women's health; athletics
Susan A. Lisko, D.N.P., Associate Professor
Critical thinking; nursing simulation; medical-surgical nursing
Valerie Marie O'Dell, D.N.P., Associate Professor
Maternal-child nursing; simulation scenario development; nursing education
Jill E. Rankin, D.N.P., Clinical Assistant Professor
Pediatrics; community health; health advocacy
Pamela A. Schuster, Ph.D., Professor
Clinical nursing research; research in nursing education
Kimberly A. Serroka, D.N.P., Professor
Pediatric issues; children and families; simulation in nursing education; motivating nursing students; preceptorships
Cynthia M. Shields, D.N.P., Clinical Associate Professor
Critical care nursing; nurse practitioner education and practice
Nancy Wagner, D.N.P., Professor
Pediatrics; educational research/simulation; transcultural
Amy Weaver, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Geriatric education; geriatrics; simulation
The areas of coursework in the M.S.N. program include core courses (16 semester hours), and one of the following options:
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist option (30 semester hours),
- Family Nurse Practitioner option (37 s.h.),
- School Nurse option (27 semester hours),
- Nurse Anesthetist option (34 semester hours),
- Nurse Education option (27 semester hours).
The breakdown of these course requirements is as follows:
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| NURS 6900 | Professional Issues in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 6901 | Nursing Science and Research 1 | 3 |
| NURS 6902 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 6906 | Advanced Statistics | 3 |
| NURS 7002 | Nursing Science and Research 2 | 2 |
| NURS 7005 | Capstone Practicum | 2 |
| Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Courses | ||
| NURS 6903 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 6904 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NURS 6905 | Advanced Health Assessment Practicum | 5 |
| NURS 6998 | Anatomy and Physiology of Aging | 3 |
| NURS 7000 | Adult and Gerontology Care | 3 |
| NURS 7001 | Adult-Gerontology Care Practicum | 5 |
| NURS 7003 | Role Development | 3 |
| NURS 7004 | Role Development Practicum | 5 |
| Total Semester Hours | 46 | |
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Option
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| NURS 6900 | Professional Issues in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 6901 | Nursing Science and Research 1 | 3 |
| NURS 6902 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 6906 | Advanced Statistics | 3 |
| NURS 7002 | Nursing Science and Research 2 | 2 |
| NURS 7005 | Capstone Practicum | 2 |
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Option Courses | ||
| NURS 6903 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 6904 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NURS 7003 | Role Development | 3 |
| NURS 7004 | Role Development Practicum | 5 |
| NURS 7024 | Family and Women's Health | 3 |
| NURS 7025 | Family and Women's Health Practicum | 4 |
| NURS 7026 | Infant, Child and Adolescent Health | 3 |
| NURS 7027 | Infant, Child and Adolescent Health Practicum | 5 |
| NURS 7028 | Adult and Older Adult Health | 3 |
| NURS 7029 | Adult and Older Adult Health Practicum | 5 |
| Total Semester Hours | 53 | |
School Nurse Option
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| NURS 6900 | Professional Issues in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 6901 | Nursing Science and Research 1 | 3 |
| NURS 6902 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 6906 | Advanced Statistics | 3 |
| NURS 7002 | Nursing Science and Research 2 | 2 |
| NURS 7005 | Capstone Practicum | 2 |
| School Nurse Option Courses | ||
| FOUN 6902 | Sociological Bases of Education | 3 |
| NURS 6907 | Health Assessment of School Children | 3 |
| NURS 6908 | Health Assessment of School Children Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 7008 | Schools and Health | 3 |
| NURS 7014 | Health Management in Schools | 3 |
| NURS 7015 | Health Management in Schools Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 7016 | School Nurse Role | 3 |
| NURS 7017 | School Nurse Role Practicum | 5 |
| SPED 6900 | Issues, Trends & Foundations in Special Education | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 43 | |
Nurse Anesthetist Option
The total semester hours required for the nurse anesthetist option are greater than the usual hour requirements for other master’s programs at YSU. The increased number of hours is necessary in order to meet the COA requirements for a nurse anesthesia program.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| NURS 6900 | Professional Issues in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 6901 | Nursing Science and Research 1 | 3 |
| NURS 6902 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 6906 | Advanced Statistics | 3 |
| NURS 7002 | Nursing Science and Research 2 | 2 |
| NURS 7005 | Capstone Practicum | 2 |
| Nurse Anesthetist Option Courses | ||
| NURS 6910 | Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia | 3 |
| NURS 6911 | Pharmacology 1 for Nurse Anesthetists | 3 |
| NURS 6912 | Pharmacology 2 for Nurse Anesthetists | 3 |
| NURS 6913 | Medical Chemistry and Physics for Nurse Anesthetists | 3 |
| NURS 6914 | Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology 1 for Nurse Anesthetists | 3 |
| NURS 6916 | Anesthesia Principles 1 | 2 |
| NURS 7010 | Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology 2 for Nurse Anesthetists | 3 |
| NURS 7011 | Anesthesia Principles 2 | 6 |
| NURS 7012 | Anesthesia Principles 3 | 8 |
| Total Semester Hours | 50 | |
Nurse Education Option
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| NURS 6900 | Professional Issues in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 6901 | Nursing Science and Research 1 | 3 |
| NURS 6902 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 6906 | Advanced Statistics | 3 |
| NURS 7002 | Nursing Science and Research 2 | 2 |
| NURS 7005 | Capstone Practicum | 2 |
| Nurse Education Option Courses | ||
| NURS 6904 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NURS 7018 | Nursing Curriculum Design | 3 |
| NURS 7019 | Nursing Instructional Methods | 3 |
| NURS 7020 | Evaluation in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NURS 7021 | Nurse Educator Role | 4 |
| NURS 7022 | Nurse Educator Role Practicum | 5 |
| Cognates: Education Technology | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Technology in Instructional Settings | ||
| Instructional Design | ||
| Instructional Multimedia Authoring | ||
| Distance Education and Online Information Dissemination | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 43 | |
School Nurse Licensure
Youngstown State University’s School Nurse Licensure Program is designed to build upon undergraduate education and to prepare the school nurse to be an effective member of the professional school community. This program requires 15-17 semester credit hours with courses taught by both the Nursing Program and the College of Education. Included in the program are 300 practicum hours (5 s.h. credit) in a school setting under the supervision of a licensed school nurse preceptor and a university faculty member. This practicum may be taken in increments to accommodate the working student. Opportunities for practicum hours to be waived (up to 200 hours) are considered on an individual basis for nurses with school nurse experience. Courses are either online or hybrid, meeting about 4 times during the semester.
Students seeking admission into the School Nurse Licensure Program must have a baccalaureate degree with course work in growth and development, psychology, sociology, and community health. Students must be licensed to practice nursing in Ohio, or eligible to be licensed (graduate of an approved school of nursing). The Ohio RN license is necessary prior to practicum placement.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| School Nurse License Required Coursework | ||
| SPED 6900 | Issues, Trends & Foundations in Special Education | 3 |
| NURS 6907 | Health Assessment of School Children | 3 |
| NURS 7014 | Health Management in Schools | 3 |
| NURS 7016 | School Nurse Role | 3 |
| NURS 7017 | School Nurse Role Practicum | 3-5 |
| Total Semester Hours | 15-17 | |
For further information about School Nurse Licensure, contact Dr. Valerie O'Dell, Department of Nursing at (330) 941-2177 or at vmodell@ysu.edu .
Nurse Education Certificate
Youngstown State University offers a nurse education certificate designed to prepare post-baccalaureate nurses with professional development opportunities to enhance and refine skills by providing education that prepares them for nurse educator roles in academic and service settings. At the completion of this certificate program, students will be eligible to sit for the National League for Nursing, Nurse Educator Certification examination.
See the Graduate Certificates section of this Catalog for additional information about the Nurse Education Certificate, or contact Dr. Valerie O'Dell, Department of Nursing at (330) 941-2177 or at vmodell@ysu.edu .
Learning Outcomes
All graduates of the program are prepared to:
- utilize appropriate theories to provide high quality nursing care
- provide cost-effective, ethical, and quality management of health care resources in diverse settings
- apply knowledge of the Health Care Delivery System through utilization of appropriate system mechanisms
- synthesize research findings for practice utilization
- conduct and participate in nursing research studies
Upon successful completion of the MSN program, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examinations. Once certified, graduates must apply for a Certificate of Authority to practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse in the State of Ohio or in the state in which they intend to practice.
Graduates of the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist option are prepared to:
- practice in advanced nursing roles and provide care to the entire adult/older-adult age spectrum across the continuum of care from wellness to acute care. The patient population of the Adult-Gerontology CNS practice includes young adults (including late adolescents and emancipated minors), adults, and older adults (including young-old, old, and old-old adults)
- incorporate a variety of theories from nursing and related fields into adult-gerontological nursing practice and management roles.
- analyze social issues related to the health care delivery system and advanced nursing practice.
Graduates of the School Nurse option are prepared to:
- work in the clinical practice specialty of school health utilizing advanced practice nursing roles.
- incorporate a variety of theories from nursing and related fields into nursing practice and management roles.
- analyze social issues related to the Health Care Delivery System and advanced nursing practice.
Graduates of the Nurse Anesthetist option are prepared to:
- administer anesthesia in a variety of practice settings to patients needing anesthesia care.
- utilize advanced practice nursing roles within the Health Care Delivery System.
Graduates of the Nurse Education option are prepared to:
- practice in advanced nurse educator roles within Academic, Health Care Delivery and Community settings.
- incorporate a variety of theories from nursing and related fields into nursing practice and education roles.
- analyze social issues related to Health Care Delivery Systems and nursing education.
Graduates of the Family Nurse Practitioner option are prepared to:
- provide primary care to families and persons of all ages within the health care delivery system
- incorporate a variety of theories from nursing and related fields into the nurse practitioner role
- analyze social issues related to the health care delivery system and advanced nursing practice