Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Nursing Education
Meet the high demand for educators of tomorrow’s nurses.
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Nursing Education, MSN Overview
Prepare for a career in an academic, community, hospital or agency environment with the online master’s in nursing education from the University of West Florida. You’ll learn instructional strategies and curriculum design skills that will help you gain a competitive advantage when seeking high-demand teaching opportunities in nursing. The online program helps you discover how to use your real-world experience to train other nurses in modern healthcare best practices.
With a curriculum tailored for working nurses, the program’s asynchronous online format allows you to fit your coursework into your busy schedule. Dedicated to your success, highly qualified nurse educators will provide you with individualized attention throughout the duration of your program.
Topics of study include:
- Curriculum development using learning theories, resources, instructional strategies and technology that’s appropriate for all learning styles
- Developing curriculum that reflects trends in nursing education, modern standards and regulations and conforms to an organization’s mission, vision and values
- Programmatic assessment, accreditation of nursing education and nurse educator scholarship
- Examining, diagnosing and managing a patient’s health issues in a quality, safe and cost-effective approach
- Theoretical and clinical principles for health assessment in advanced nursing practice
- Disordered physiology and the process of the production of the symptoms and signs of various disease states
Our online master’s in nursing education additionally includes three practicum courses in which you will gain practical experience through applying complex theories and concepts in classroom and clinical settings.
Accreditation
The master’s degree in nursing at UWF is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Nurses wanting to educate others in a university, hospital or healthcare setting
- Working RNs who are seeking better employment opportunities
- Nurses looking to increase their salary potential
You Will Be Able To:
- Promote positive health outcomes by encouraging safe and efficient nursing practices within your classroom or organization
- Implement research- and evidence-based practice, advanced healthcare technologies and informatics
- Comprehend the role of a nurse educator as a whole in clinical and classroom environments
Courses and Requirements
UWF’s online master’s in nursing education includes a total of 39 credit hours. Through a combination of common core and specialization courses, you’ll gain a well-rounded education in advanced nursing topics and nursing education.
- NGR 6111 - Foundations of Nursing Science
3 Credit Hours
Foundations of Nursing Science
The course includes the synthesis of concepts, principles and theories of nursing and related disciplines as applied to the role of the nurse in advanced practice.
- NGR 6803 - Integration of Evidence in Advanced Nursing Practice
3 Credit Hours
Integration of Evidence in Advanced Nursing Practice
This course explores complex concepts and theories including rapid critical appraisal of evidence in preparation for translation to nursing practice. The course includes the evidence-based practice process and steps in evidence-based quality improvement project implemention. The course prepares the nurse to function as a catalyst for change.
- NGR 6893 - Health Systems Leadership and Policy Strategies
3 Credit Hours
Health Systems Leadership and Policy Strategies
This course assists the learner to synthesize organizational theory and leadership to influence health policy within the context of current complex healthcare systems. The learner will analyze policy from a socio-economic, ideological, political, historical and technological perspective while integrating clinical management processes and utilization of community resources. Content will focus on the organizational structure of healthcare systems, healthcare financing and economic implications and the role of the provider in policy making.
- NGR 6638 - Population Health Promotion and Management
3 Credit Hours
Population Health Promotion and Management
The purpose of this course is to involve the learner in recognizing diverse influences of varying global populations and issues surrounding access to healthcare. It will distinguish between health, wellness, illness, disease and disability while examining relevant ethical issues and health disparities in current practice regulations. The content will compare levels of prevention (primary, secondary and tertiary) for health consumers across the lifespan. The student will analyze the Healthy People 2020 Initiative to determine its status and impact on the health status of vulnerable populations.
- NGR 6835 - Project Evaluation and Dissemination
2 Credit Hours
Project Evaluation and Dissemination
This course promotes basic skills in research utilization and scholarly writing by an in-depth exploration of a nursing topic or problem. A evidence-based project is completed under the guidance of a graduate faculty member.
- NGR 6111 - Foundations of Nursing Science
- NGR 6172 - Advanced Pharmacology
3 Credit Hours
Advanced Pharmacology
This course is designed to expand the advanced practice student's knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics. Broad categories of pharmacological agents are examined. Skills to assess, diagnose and manage a client's common health problems in a safe, high quality and cost-effective manner are emphasized.
- NGR 6002 - Advanced Health Assessment
3 Credit Hours
Advanced Health Assessment
This course will build upon health assessment skills developed in the professional nurse's basic education program. The theoretical and clinical basis for assessment in advanced nursing practice will be developed. The process whereby the advanced nurse utilizes comprehensive physical, psychological and cultural assessment across the life span to gather specific data relevant to common health problems is demonstrated.
- NGR 6140 - Advanced Pathophysiology
3 Credit Hours
Advanced Pathophysiology
This course is designed to present an orientation to disease as disordered physiology. It is intended to enable those in advanced nursing practice to understand how and why the symptoms and signs of various conditions appear. In approaching disease as disordered physiology, this course analyzes the mechanism(s) of production of the symptoms and signs of different disease states. In doing so, it recognizes that those in advanced nursing practice need to understand the mechanism(s) underlying the disease and its clinical manifestations so that rational therapies can be devised. Thus, appropriate screening and diagnostic laboratory evaluation methods will also be included.
- NGR 6710 - Nursing Education Seminar I
2 Credit Hours
Nursing Education Seminar I
This initial seminar course builds on core course content in the development of the nurse as an educator in both the classroom and clinical settings in the student's area of expertise. It explores complex theories and concepts in nursing education and begins the preparation of the student for the nurse educator role. The student will begin to explore curriculum development with examining learning theories,teaching strategies, resources and technology appropriate for the different learning styles. Prerequisite: NGR 6002 AND NGR 6111 AND NGR 6140 AND NGR 6172 AND NGR 6638 AND NGR 6803 AND NGR 6893. Co-requisite: NGR 6710L.
- NGR 6710L - Nursing Education Practicum I (90 clinical hours)
2 Credit Hours
Nursing Education Practicum I (90 clinical hours)
This initial practicum course introduces the learner to the nurse educator role in classroom and clinical environments. The course will focus on the application of learning theories, teaching strategies, resources and technology appropriate for the different learning styles and environments. Prerequisite: NGR 6002 AND NGR 6111 AND NGR 6140 AND NGR 6172 AND NGR 6638 AND NGR 6803 AND NGR 6893. Co-requisite: NGR 6710.
- NGR 6715 - Nursing Education Seminar II
3 Credit Hours
Nursing Education Seminar II
This course continues the analysis and synthesis of teaching learning and related theories in classroom and clinical settings for the emerging nurse educator. The focus of the course is the application of theories in the development of courses and curricula that reflect the mission, vision and values of the parent organization, current and emerging standards and regulations, as well as issues and trends in nursing education. Emphasis is on institutional purposes, goals, nursing curricula, and designing instruction for classroom and clinical settings. Prerequisite: NGR 6710. Co-requisite: NGR 6715L.
- NGR 6715L - Nursing Education Practicum II (135 clinical hours)
3 Credit Hours
Nursing Education Practicum II (135 clinical hours)
This practicum course continues to immerse the learner in the nurse educator role in clinical and classroom settings. Learners will focus on instructional planning, teaching strategies and curricula development. Learners will have the opportunity to facilitate a learning session in the clinical or classroom environment. Prerequisite: NGR 6710/L. Co-requisite: NGR 6715.
- NGR 6718 - Nursing Education Seminar III
3 Credit Hours
Nursing Education Seminar III
This final seminar course focuses on programmatic evaluation, accreditation of nursing education and scholarship of the nurse educator. Synthesis of curriculum, evaluation, accreditation and the nurse educator role are primary course components. Prerequisite: NGR 6715/L. Co-requisite: NGR 6718L.
- NGR 6718L - Nursing Education Practicum III (135 clinical hours)
3 Credit Hours
Nursing Education Practicum III (135 clinical hours)
The final nurse educator practicum course prepares the learner to synthesize the role of the nurse educator. Learners will focus on programmatic evaluation, accreditation of nursing education and scholarship of the nurse educator. Prerequisite: NGR 6715/L. Co-requisite: NGR 6718.
- NGR 6172 - Advanced Pharmacology
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into UWF’s master’s of nursing education online, you must:
- Have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an NLNAC, ACEN or CCNE accredited nursing program with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale or a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of coursework on the BSN
- Successfully complete an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better
- Possess a current unencumbered U.S. registered nurse license (express admission students are required to become licensed as a registered nurse to practice in a state or territory of the United States by the end of the first semester of enrollment to progress in the program)
How to Apply
To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for graduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission into University of West Florida. In addition, you must:
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended
- Submit a copy of your curriculum vitae that includes your work history, educational background and community service involvement
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Connect with one of our knowledgeable enrollment counselors.
Costs & Financial Aid
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to six semesters to complete, depending on transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 844.372.9390 or request information.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Military Students
UWF proudly serves active duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant of the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
After earning your master’s of nursing education online, you can pursue a variety of careers within the field.
* Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.
Nurse Educators
Typically collaborating with hospital administrators, nurse educators manage the continuing educator for an organization’s nursing staff. They develop and implement programs at their institution and perform evaluations of staff. Nurse educators also may have to create educational materials such as training guides and manuals. The average salary for the role is $73,619 per year.
Undergraduate Nurse Instructors
Undergraduate nurse instructors help students improve their knowledge in the field of nursing in classroom and clinical settings. They develop curricula and instructional strategies, and they evaluate student progress through coursework and exams. With employment for postsecondary teachers expected to grow 15 percent through 2026, nurse instructors currently earn a median salary of $71,260 per year.
Clinical Educators
Clinical educators are licensed healthcare professionals who teach others in a specific field, such as nursing. They work with other instructors within the field to develop curricula to provide continuing education for other clinical or nursing staff. Clinical educators earn an average salary of $74,394 per year.