Master of Science in Nursing, MScN
Overview
The Master of Science in Nursing (MScN) program produces graduates who have the knowledge, values, attitudes and competencies reflecting the philosophy, nature and scope of nursing in northern rural and remote areas. The program provides learners with opportunities to understand discovery, integration, application and dissemination of knowledge delimited by rigor and ethical integrity. The learner will develop a richer understanding of the discipline of nursing and its relationship to the context of health care service delivery and policy issues. The program also broadens learners' understanding of nursing by encouraging them to engage with scholars from other departments and disciplines as well as those with other professional experiences.
There are two streams in the MScN program, a thesis stream and a major research project stream. The thesis stream places emphasis on developing research abilities. The project stream focuses on the application and utilization of research evidence in practice. Both streams prepare the learner for research/academic career paths and dealing with nursing challenges.
The program consists of four core courses and two electives. Additionally, the thesis stream involves completion of two thesis courses. In contrast, the major research project stream involves completion of a clinical project in two Advanced Practice courses. Learners are expected to design their program of study to align with faculty expertise and available resources. Graduates of either stream would be eligible for doctoral programs.
The faculty's purposeful use of educational technologies enables learners to study from a distance. Depending on the course, however, learners may be required to come to campus a few times during the term for face-to-face interaction between learners and faculty. Throughout the graduate nursing curriculum, a variety of creative teaching/learning activities are implemented. Most notably, the integration of technology into the process of teaching and learning is enabling new methods and models of instructions. Using technology (e-mail, electronic bulletin board system, teleconferencing) allows learners to exchange knowledge, access expertise and reference material, and interact for peer support.
Program Duration
The MScN program is normally taken over a minimum of two years of full-time study and four years for part-time learners. Full-time learners must normally complete all degree requirements within four years of the original date of admission. Part-time learners are allowed up to six years. Learners are expected to enrol in each of three academic terms annually to avoid being withdrawn from the program.
Core courses and electives are offered in a combination of full-time and part-time studies, over three semesters. It is anticipated that electives will compliment the learner's course of study. The electives offered each year may vary and are subject to resources and demands. The program consist of 30 credits, including 12 credits of core course, 12 credits of thesis or advanced practice plus 6 credits of electives.
Program of Study
Core Courses:
I. Thesis Stream
II. Advanced Practice Stream (non-thesis stream)
III. Core Courses
IV. Nursing Electives
|
Course Descriptions
The focus of this course is development of the learner’s thesis. To enable this development, the student will prepare thesis-related objectives in consultation with his or her thesis supervisor. Objectives should be realistic and action-oriented and directed toward attainment of ethical approval by the end of a semester. The course will also foster learning in research by: reviewing the typical elements of a thesis; recognizing the meaning of a thesis; developing a proposal through critical examination of nursing theory and evidence; critiquing the research process in relation to the posed questions; developing peer review skills; and submitting a proposal for ethical review.
The focus of this course remains the student’s thesis. In consultation with their supervisor and their peers, the student continues to work towards completion of their research project. As well, in preparation for defense of the thesis, this course provides students with the opportunity to participate in a mock defense involving their graduate colleagues and faculty.
NURS 5055 - Advance Practice Nursing I [ program of study ]
This course is intended to provide students with a broader understanding of advanced nursing practice within the context of its historical, current and future health care realities. Students will examine a variety of philosophical and critical perspectives in order to analyze and synthesize theoretical perspectives of advanced nursing practice. A focus will be on historically relevant and current issues that have been integral in shaping role development of andvanced nursing practice in Canada and the United States. Practice related competencies will extend beyond the scope of individually-focused nursing to include innovative leadership, collaborative practice and organization change. Students will be challenged to synthesize in-depth knowledge of relevant theory, research and practice within the context of their own evolving advanced nursing practice.
NURS 5065 - Advance Practice Nursing II [ program of study ]
This course is a clinical internship or practicum that is based on the work done by students in the NURS Nursing Research II course and allows students to implement a nursing intervention/program in a selected practice setting.
NURS 5106 - Nursing Research I [ program of study ]
In this course nursing research will be examine in relation to problem formulation, research theory and design and the utilization of nursing research. Complex and changing health care systems require the nurse to critically analyze models of inquiry as well as the philosophical perspective of the nurse researcher. From a critical-analytical perspective, students will be guided in advancing their knowledge of quantitative approaches used to investigate nursing research questions in various health care settings. As well, the course emphasizes research as a strategy for developing evidence-based nursing practice.
NURS 5107 - Nursing Research II [ program of study ]
This course is similar to the structure of NURS 5106 with one exception, its emphasis is qualitative nursing methodology and methods. From the same critical-analytical perspective, students will be guided in advancing their knowledge of qualitative nursing approaches used to investigate nursing research questions in various health care settings. This course also emphasizes qualitative research as a means for contributing to evidence-based nursing practice.
NURS 5126 - Health Care Policy and Nursing Practice in Northern, Rural, and Remote Environments [ program of study ]
The intent of this course is to critically appraise the provision of nursing services in northern, rural and remote settings. This course begins with examination of a variety of meanings of northern, rural and remote found in the literature. Examples of topics include rural community health problems; special populations; issues in delivery of health care; community-based models of care; clinical practice challenges; population health; and determinants of health. Class discussion will highlight that nursing practice must take into consideration health, social and economic policy and therefore, considerations for implementation of evidence-based practices. By identification of a challenge for northern and rural nursing, students will clarify and further develop their praxis.
NURS 5136 - Nursing Science and Theory [ program of study ]
This course examines the development and organization of nursing knowledge. Patterns of knowing may seem irreconcilable to nursing praxis in our current healthcare systems. It is therefore important to examine philosophical underpinnings so as to deepen the meaning and the nature of nursing, of nurses’ doing and being, and ultimately, resultant contributions to the discipline of nursing. Nursing’s ontological and epistemological pursuits will be critically examined. To this end, students will be guided in deepening their patterns of thought and to relate it in examining the gap between theory and practice.
This course explores the family as both client and context. The family is examined as health care client and negotiator, expressor of cultural diversity, a system, and an environment for individual development. Family structure, process, function, and coping are discussed in relation to health, illness, and transition. The focus is on critical examination and application of knowledge in practice and aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
NURS 5216 - Gerontological Nursing [ program of study ]
This course focuses on the study of older persons in the context of health promotion, health maintenance, and disease prevention. The purpose is to promote and understanding of advanced practice in gerontological and geriatric nursing. the course will challenge the student to consider the comprehensive care of older adults using a variety of sources to increase the depth and breadth of knowledge and skill. Opportunities will be provided for the critical analysis and synthesis of theoretical, research and experiential knowledge in the provision of nursing care to older adults and their families.
NURS 5226 - Cardiovascular Nursing [ program of study ]
This course focuses on the analysis, integration and evaluation of the scientific knowledge underlying the nursing management of human responses of adults to potential or actual physiological alterations in their cardiovascular health status. This course emphasizes clinical decision-making in setting priorities and in selecting therapeutic interventions across the trajectory of health and illness. The effects of multiple interacting environments upon the ill adult are examined.
NURS 5236 - Occupational and Environmental Nursing [ program of study ]
This course focuses on the analysis, integration, and evaluation of the scientific knowledge underlying the nursing management of injury prevention and safety management of systems. This course emphasizes decision-making in setting priorities and in selecting and evaluating interventions for injury prevention and safety management of systems.
NURS 5246 - Oncology Nursing [ program of study ]
This course focuses on the analysis, integration and evaluation of the scientific knowledge underlying the nursing management of human responses of adults experiencing oncologic disorders. This course emphasizes clinical decision- making in setting priorities and in selecting therapeutic interventions across the trajectory of health and illness for patients experiencing cancer and their families. The effects of multiple interacting environments upon the ill adult are examined.
NURS 5256 - Leadership and Management in Nursing [ program of study ]
This course analyzes concepts related to nursing leadership and management in the context of healthcare delivery systems, and examines leadership and management roles in relation to tradition, change and socially responsible nursing practice.
NURS 5266 - Mental Health Nursing [ program of study ]
This course examines the theoretical and research bases for mental health nursing of vulnerable populations across the lifespan. Mental health issues for individuals, families and groups are explored within their environmental and cultural context.
NURS 5276 - Health Promotions [ program of study ]
This course examines the theoretical and research bases for health promotion across the lifespan. Population health, the determinants of health, health indicators, etc., are explored in the context of individual, aggregate, community, and global health issues. Emphasis is on the self-reflective aspect of critical thinking as it pertains to health promotion.
NURS 5286 - Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology [ program of study ]
This course will address the following epidemiological topics utilizing
occupational and environmental examples. Topics to be addressed will include an overview of study designs, measures of risk and principles of analysis, causation and meta-analysis, occupational and environmental exposure assessment, design and execution of an epidemiological study, and use of biomarkers in epidemiology.
NURS 5296 - Rural Health Policy [ program of study ]
This course will emphasize policy analysis, critical examination of research regarding issues in health human resources, the evaluation of programs and models of health services delivery, and other current issues in health services delivery Students will understand that contextual differences in demography, history values, institutional structures, and competing interests influence our healthcare delivery systems and present challenges to effective, efficient and equitable delivery of services. They will develop knowledge about particular sectors and issues in the system and an understanding of the policy-making role. They will develop critical thinking skills and methodological rigour nee...
Admission
Application process for the MScN program [PDF]
School of Graduate Studies: Admission
Confidential Referee Appraisal Form [PDF]
Admission Deadline
Applications must be forwarded by February 1st.
Please forward your submission to:
Admissions Department
Laurentian University
935 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
P3E 2C6
Further Information
Enquiries regarding candidature, research or advanced practice supervision and requests for scholarships should be addressed to:
Roberta Heale
Assistant Professor
B.Sc.N. (Toronto), M.N. (Athabasca), R.N.(E.C.)
Webpage
Office: L-923
Telephone: (705) 675-1151, ext. 3971
Email: rheale@laurentian.ca
Sylvie Larocque
Associate Professor
Inf., B.Sc.N. (Laurentienne), M.Sc. (Montréal), Ph.D. (Alberta)
Office : L-851
Telephone : (705) 675-1151, ext. 3804
Email : slarocque@laurentian.ca
[ back to top ]