Accelerated BSN

The accelerated baccalaureate program is a 12 month, three-semester program leading to a BS degree with a major in nursing for applicants with a Baccalaureate or higher degree in another field. Students selecting this option will complete all required courses in the nursing major in a sequence that provides accelerated progression to achieve the undergraduate program objectives.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Today's complex health care system requires the very best preparation for the professional practice of nursing. While nurses entering the field need to possess excellent technical skills, they must also be equipped to understand patient needs at all levels. Students enrolled in the Decker School of Nursing's traditional BSN program receive this preparation in a four-year course of study firmly grounded in the liberal arts and sciences.

Students begin the nursing major in the junior year. Most of the nursing courses have a clinical component, which provide students with the opportunity to apply theory to practice. Students care for patients in all age groups in hospitals, community health facilities, and long term care institutions. In the final semester of the senior year, students transition to practice as professional nurses through immersion in clinical experiences in practice settings in area hospitals and health organizations.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. The Decker School of Nursing (DSON) has a long history of excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses; this background provides a rigorous foundation for providing additional education in evidence-based practice, organizational management/leadership/quality improvement, systems thinking/health policy, biostatistics/epidemiology, and informatics among other key areas.

Students holding a master's degree (post-masters) in nursing seeking the DNP as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist may apply for admission for the fall 2010 and will be required to complete 38 credits. Students holding a BS degree (post-baccalaureate) in nursing seeking the DNP may apply for admission for the fall 2011 and will be required to complete 77 credits.

DNP in Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. The Decker School of Nursing (DSON) has a long history of excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses; this background provides a rigorous foundation for providing additional education in evidence-based practice, organizational management/leadership/quality improvement, systems thinking/health policy, biostatistics/epidemiology, and informatics among other key areas.

Students holding a master's degree (post-masters) in nursing seeking the DNP as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist may apply for admission for the fall 2010 and will be required to complete 38 credits. Students holding a BS degree (post-baccalaureate) in nursing seeking the DNP may apply for admission for the fall 2011 and will be required to complete 77 credits.

DNP in Community Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. The Decker School of Nursing (DSON) has a long history of excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses; this background provides a rigorous foundation for providing additional education in evidence-based practice, organizational management/leadership/quality improvement, systems thinking/health policy, biostatistics/epidemiology, and informatics among other key areas.

Students holding a master's degree (post-masters) in nursing seeking the DNP as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist may apply for admission for the fall 2010 and will be required to complete 38 credits. Students holding a BS degree (post-baccalaureate) in nursing seeking the DNP may apply for admission for the fall 2011 and will be required to complete 77 credits.

DNP in Family Clinical Nurse Specialist

This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. The Decker School of Nursing (DSON) has a long history of excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses; this background provides a rigorous foundation for providing additional education in evidence-based practice, organizational management/leadership/quality improvement, systems thinking/health policy, biostatistics/epidemiology, and informatics among other key areas.

Students holding a master's degree (post-masters) in nursing seeking the DNP as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist may apply for admission for the fall 2010 and will be required to complete 38 credits. Students holding a BS degree (post-baccalaureate) in nursing seeking the DNP may apply for admission for the fall 2011 and will be required to complete 77 credits.

DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner

This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. The Decker School of Nursing (DSON) has a long history of excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses; this background provides a rigorous foundation for providing additional education in evidence-based practice, organizational management/leadership/quality improvement, systems thinking/health policy, biostatistics/epidemiology, and informatics among other key areas.

Students holding a master's degree (post-masters) in nursing seeking the DNP as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist may apply for admission for the fall 2010 and will be required to complete 38 credits. Students holding a BS degree (post-baccalaureate) in nursing seeking the DNP may apply for admission for the fall 2011 and will be required to complete 77 credits.

DNP in Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist

This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. The Decker School of Nursing (DSON) has a long history of excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses; this background provides a rigorous foundation for providing additional education in evidence-based practice, organizational management/leadership/quality improvement, systems thinking/health policy, biostatistics/epidemiology, and informatics among other key areas.

Students holding a master's degree (post-masters) in nursing seeking the DNP as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist may apply for admission for the fall 2010 and will be required to complete 38 credits. Students holding a BS degree (post-baccalaureate) in nursing seeking the DNP may apply for admission for the fall 2011 and will be required to complete 77 credits.

DNP in Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. The Decker School of Nursing (DSON) has a long history of excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses; this background provides a rigorous foundation for providing additional education in evidence-based practice, organizational management/leadership/quality improvement, systems thinking/health policy, biostatistics/epidemiology, and informatics among other key areas.

Students holding a master's degree (post-masters) in nursing seeking the DNP as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist may apply for admission for the fall 2010 and will be required to complete 38 credits. Students holding a BS degree (post-baccalaureate) in nursing seeking the DNP may apply for admission for the fall 2011 and will be required to complete 77 credits.

DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. The Decker School of Nursing (DSON) has a long history of excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses; this background provides a rigorous foundation for providing additional education in evidence-based practice, organizational management/leadership/quality improvement, systems thinking/health policy, biostatistics/epidemiology, and informatics among other key areas.

Students holding a master's degree (post-masters) in nursing seeking the DNP as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist may apply for admission for the fall 2010 and will be required to complete 38 credits. Students holding a BS degree (post-baccalaureate) in nursing seeking the DNP may apply for admission for the fall 2011 and will be required to complete 77 credits.

DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. The Decker School of Nursing (DSON) has a long history of excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses; this background provides a rigorous foundation for providing additional education in evidence-based practice, organizational management/leadership/quality improvement, systems thinking/health policy, biostatistics/epidemiology, and informatics among other key areas.

Students holding a master's degree (post-masters) in nursing seeking the DNP as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist may apply for admission for the fall 2010 and will be required to complete 38 credits. Students holding a BS degree (post-baccalaureate) in nursing seeking the DNP may apply for admission for the fall 2011 and will be required to complete 77 credits.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

This program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. The Decker School of Nursing (DSON) has a long history of excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses; this background provides a rigorous foundation for providing additional education in evidence-based practice, organizational management/leadership/quality improvement, systems thinking/health policy, biostatistics/epidemiology, and informatics among other key areas.

Students holding a master's degree (post-masters) in nursing seeking the DNP as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist may apply for admission for the fall 2010 and will be required to complete 38 credits. Students holding a BS degree (post-baccalaureate) in nursing seeking the DNP may apply for admission for the fall 2011 and will be required to complete 77 credits.

Master of Science in Community Health Nursing

Within the specialized majors of family nursing, community health nursing, gerontological nursing, or psychiatric mental health nursing. Master of Science program students may choose to prepare for the following practice roles:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

The program is 48 credits and can be completed in two academic years of full-time study. Part-time study is an option with program plans for three or more years of study.

Master of Science in Family Nursing

Within the specialized majors of family nursing, community health nursing, gerontological nursing, or psychiatric mental health nursing. Master of Science program students may choose to prepare for the following practice roles:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

The program is 48 credits and can be completed in two academic years of full-time study. Part-time study is an option with program plans for three or more years of study.

Master of Science in Gerontological Nursing

Within the specialized majors of family nursing, community health nursing, gerontological nursing, or psychiatric mental health nursing. Master of Science program students may choose to prepare for the following practice roles:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

The program is 48 credits and can be completed in two academic years of full-time study. Part-time study is an option with program plans for three or more years of study.

Master of Science in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Within the specialized majors of family nursing, community health nursing, gerontological nursing, or psychiatric mental health nursing. Master of Science program students may choose to prepare for the following practice roles:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

The program is 48 credits and can be completed in two academic years of full-time study. Part-time study is an option with program plans for three or more years of study.

Nurse Administrator

Within the specialized majors of family nursing, community health nursing, gerontological nursing, or psychiatric mental health nursing. Master of Science program students may choose to prepare for the following practice roles:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

The program is 48 credits and can be completed in two academic years of full-time study. Part-time study is an option with program plans for three or more years of study.

Nurse Educator

Within the specialized majors of family nursing, community health nursing, gerontological nursing, or psychiatric mental health nursing. Master of Science program students may choose to prepare for the following practice roles:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

The program is 48 credits and can be completed in two academic years of full-time study. Part-time study is an option with program plans for three or more years of study.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Within the specialized majors of family nursing, community health nursing, gerontological nursing, or psychiatric mental health nursing. Master of Science program students may choose to prepare for the following practice roles:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

The program is 48 credits and can be completed in two academic years of full-time study. Part-time study is an option with program plans for three or more years of study.

PhD in Nursing

The purpose of the PhD program in nursing is to prepare nurse scholars whose focus is research and scholarship in the delivery of health care to rural residents. Graduates of the program will be able to generate theory that will extend the knowledge base of nursing in rural health care. The PhD program also prepares graduates to influence health care policy.

Current student research topics include:

• End of Life Preferences of Rural Female Veterans
• Cardiovascular Health of Rural Populations
• Farm Safety Knowledge Among Rural School Children
• Rural Parents Knowledge and Attitudes of HPV and Willingness to Vaccinate Their Male Children Against HPV
• Community Level Effects on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention
• Asthma and Rural Children

For students with a Master's degree in nursing the program requires 60 credits. A Post-baccalaureate option is also available.

Post-Master's Certificate in Advanced Nursing Educator Certificate

The Nurse Practitioner Certificates are 30 - 33 credits in duration, while the Educator certificate can be completed in as little as 16 credits Post Masters.

Online Option Available for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Masters Certificate

Prospective students who already have graduate-level nurse practitioner certification in another field may request a waiver for previously completed coursework and may qualify to complete only 21 credits of fully online courses.

Post-Master's Certificate in Community Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

The Nurse Practitioner Certificates are 30 - 33 credits in duration, while the Educator certificate can be completed in as little as 16 credits Post Masters.

Online Option Available for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Masters Certificate

Prospective students who already have graduate-level nurse practitioner certification in another field may request a waiver for previously completed coursework and may qualify to complete only 21 credits of fully online courses.

Post-Master's Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner

The Nurse Practitioner Certificates are 30 - 33 credits in duration, while the Educator certificate can be completed in as little as 16 credits Post Masters.

Online Option Available for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Masters Certificate

Prospective students who already have graduate-level nurse practitioner certification in another field may request a waiver for previously completed coursework and may qualify to complete only 21 credits of fully online courses.

Post-Master's Certificate in Forensic Nursing Certificate

The Nurse Practitioner Certificates are 30 - 33 credits in duration, while the Educator certificate can be completed in as little as 16 credits Post Masters.

Online Option Available for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Masters Certificate

Prospective students who already have graduate-level nurse practitioner certification in another field may request a waiver for previously completed coursework and may qualify to complete only 21 credits of fully online courses.

Post-Master's Certificate in Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

The Nurse Practitioner Certificates are 30 - 33 credits in duration, while the Educator certificate can be completed in as little as 16 credits Post Masters.

Online Option Available for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Masters Certificate

Prospective students who already have graduate-level nurse practitioner certification in another field may request a waiver for previously completed coursework and may qualify to complete only 21 credits of fully online courses.

Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The Nurse Practitioner Certificates are 30 - 33 credits in duration, while the Educator certificate can be completed in as little as 16 credits Post Masters.

Online Option Available for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Masters Certificate

Prospective students who already have graduate-level nurse practitioner certification in another field may request a waiver for previously completed coursework and may qualify to complete only 21 credits of fully online courses.

Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner Certificate - Disaster Management

The Nurse Practitioner Certificates are 30 - 33 credits in duration, while the Educator certificate can be completed in as little as 16 credits Post Masters.

Online Option Available for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Masters Certificate

Prospective students who already have graduate-level nurse practitioner certification in another field may request a waiver for previously completed coursework and may qualify to complete only 21 credits of fully online courses.

RN-to-BSN

Designed to meet the needs of RNs who are graduates of Associate degree or Diploma programs, as well as the needs of RNs who have earned Bachelor's or Master's degrees in other disciplines, this program offers varying levels of advanced placement to RNs seeking to earn the BS degree with a nursing major. Transfer credit and credit-by-examination may count toward the 128 credits required for the completion of the BS degree.