Webster University, MSN, Nursing (Off-site)

Form OS

OFF-SITE DELIVERY OF AN EXISTING PROGRAM FORM

Sponsoring Institution (s): Webster University
Name of Institution (Campus or off-campus residential center in the case of multi-campus institutions).
Program Title: Master of Science in Nursing
Degree/Certificate: M.S.N.
Institution Granting Degree: Webster University
Delivery Site(s): Kansas City Metropolitan Campus, 1200 E. 104th St., Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64131
Mode of Program Delivery: traditional campus-based learning
Geographic Location of Student Access: greater Kansas City area
CIP Classification: 511699 (Please provide CIP code)
Implementation Date: Spring 2004
Semester and Year
Cooperative Partners: none

AUTHORIZATION
James Staley, Vice President for Academic Affairs (signed copy mailed) 06/12/08
Name/Title of Institutional Officer Signature& Date

Susan A. Heady, PhD, RN 314-968-7176
Person to Contact for More Information Telephone

2. Need:
i. Estimated enrollment for first five years. Program is designed primarily for part-time students.

Form SE

STUDENT ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS

ii. Since enrollment is limited by the number of RNs with BSN degrees, it is unlikely that enrollment will need to be capped.

B. Market Demand:
i.. There is a national, state, regional, and local shortage of nurses. This shortage is expected to increase related to the aging of the U.S. population. Corresponding to this is a need for master's prepared nurse educators and nurse leaders. This program prepares RNs with BSN degrees for nurse educator and nursing leadership roles.

C. Societal Need:
i. In this case, market needs reflect societal needs. (See "B- i " above).

D. Methodology used to determine "B" and "C" above

The growing nursing shortages of nurses and of nurse educators are well documented. Key sources of data include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Health Resources and Services Administration, American Hospital Association, and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (Please see attached, "Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet" for additional sources.)
In addition, Webster University received a significant number of inquiries to the Kansas City Metropolitan campus requesting a master's in nursing be offered.

3. Duplication and Collaboration

Other MSN programs exist in Missouri, however many focus primarily on educating advanced practice nurses for practice in primary care. This program focuses on preparing nurses for positions in nursing education and leadership while offering a unique clinical background in family systems nursing. In addition, this program is offered in a part-time evening format allowing nurses to remain employed while continuing their formal education.

The delivery of this program does not involve a collaborative effort with any external institution or organization.

4. Financial Projections: Not applicable.

5. Program Characteristics and Performance Goals: (Please note that the program characteristics and goals are the same for this site as the on-campus program.)

Form PG

PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFORMANCE GOALS
Institution Name: Webster University
Program Name: Master of Science in Nursing
Date June 12, 2008

Student Preparation
Special admissions requirements are as follows:

1. A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) accredited by National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
2. Current licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States and eligibility for licensure in Missouri
3. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
4. Completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better
5. A minimum of one year of clinical experience in nursing
6. Completion of the MSN program along with the application fee and official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and schools of nursing
7. Three academic and/or professional recommendations
8. A curriculum vitae describing scope, responsibility, and function of all work experience
9. A brief essay (500 words or less) clearly describing the applicant's educational and professional objectives for graduate study
10. A personal interview

Population served includes all students who meet admission requirements.

Faculty Characteristics
Special Requirements
Nursing faculty are required to have a minimum of a master's degree with a major in nursing. The majority of the faculty must have earned doctorates from regionally accredited institutions. Rationale must be provided for any exception to these credentials.

Estimated Percentage of Credit Hours Assigned to Full Time Faculty
Approximately 30 % of the credit hours are assigned to full-time faculty.

Expectations
Faculty must have and maintain academic and experiential expertise in their areas of teaching responsibility.

Enrollment Projections
FTE not calculated as major is designed for part-time study. Part-time enrollment is currently and projected to be 30-45 students enrolled in the program at one time.
Enrollment is 95 to 100% part-time.

Student and Program Outcomes
Number of graduates per annum at 3 years after implementation is 25. After 5 years is expected to be 45 to 50.

Special skills of the graduates are preparation for either nurse educator or nurse leader roles in a variety of settings.

Students are academically prepared to sit for certification as nurse educators or nurse leaders once they obtain related work experience.

Performance on assessment tests is not applicable as certification is not required for practice in nurse educator or nurse leader roles.

Graduates responding to surveys and contacting the program informally post graduation indicate employment in related fields.

Transfer rates, continuous study. Approximately 3 percent of the students have transfer credits from other programs upon application. The remainder completes all coursework at Webster University.

Program Accreditation
Webster University's MSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC), 61 Broadway-33rd Floor, New York, New York 10006 to Fall of 2015.

Alumni and Employer Survey
The expected program satisfaction rates for alumni are a mean rating for each item and overall of less than or equal to 2.0 (mostly satisfied), using a Likert scale of 1.0 (very satisfied) to 4.0 very dissatisfied. Mailed surveys are sent one year after graduation.

The expected satisfaction rates for employers are a mean rating for each item and overall of less than or equal to 2.0 (same Likert scale as described above). Mailed surveys are sent one year after graduation.