Nursing (NURS)

https://chhs.unh.edu/nursing/

Degrees Offered: M.S., D.N.P., Graduate Certificate

This program is offered in Durham.

The Department of Nursing offers the master of science degree in nursing under two programs: Graduate Program in Nursing and Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing. We also offer the Post-­Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program, the Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program, and the Online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program.

Graduate Program in Nursing

The Graduate Program in Nursing offers four clinical practice tracks: clinical nurse leader (CNL^sm), evidence-based nursing (EBN), family nurse practitioner (FNP and Post-Master's FNP), and Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PM-PMHNP). Depending on track, programs are designed to be completed in three to four semesters of full­-time study including one summer. Individual plans of study are available for those wishing to pursue part-­time study. Although no guarantees are given, the department will try to accommodate student requests to the fullest extent possible. All tracks prepare nurses for evidence­-based practice through critical inquiry using a variety of instructional modalities.

Academic Standards

Graduate or post-master’s students receiving failing grades in six or more credits will be recommended to the Graduate School for dismissal. Students on conditional or provisional status or admitted with stipulations must meet the conditions as stated in the letter of admission in order to remain in the Graduate School.

Research and Scholarly Activities

The graduate faculty of the university’s nursing program believe learning is a creative process wherein students are active participants in their education, growth, and development. Faculty members are facilitators and mentors to students within a supportive scholarly environment. Students are prepared to be skilled, knowledgeable, and reflective leaders in health care who practice as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse leaders, or clinical educators.

The generation, dissemination, and application of evidenced-based nursing knowledge and practice are a central mission for the nursing department. Faculty engage in scholarly inquiry across diverse topics such as care­-giving, acute symptom management, clinical decision-making, adolescent pregnancy, elder care­-giving, and cultural diversity. Faculty publications, research, public policy initiatives, and other consultative/professional activities may be viewed at the department’s website.

Academic Standards

Graduate or post-master’s students receiving failing grades in six or more credits will be recommended for dismissal from the graduate or post-master’s program in nursing to the Graduate School. Students on conditional or provisional status or admitted with stipulations must meet the conditions as stated in the letter of admission in order to remain in the Graduate School.

Admission Requirements

Individuals interested in the Graduate Program in Nursing at UNH apply to the University of New Hampshire Graduate School. Applicants must complete the Graduate School application, which can be found at www.gradschool.unh.edu. All applicants who are not native English speakers are required to demonstrate a sufficient level of proficiency in the English language to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School. Proficiency can be demonstrated by the receipt of a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university in another country where English is the primary language of instruction. All other non-native speakers must achieve a minimum score of 550 (paper-­based), 213 (computer-­based), or 80 (Internet-­based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are not required.

Graduate Program in Nursing Admission Requirements

Registered nurses (RNs) who have successfully passed the NCLEX­-RN, currently hold an unencumbered, active RN license in the United States, and who hold a baccalaureate degree in either nursing or another field can be considered for admission. Applicants are required to have a good academic record and completion of coursework in statistics and research.  The following is required:

1. Unencumbered, active RN license in the United States
2. Baccalaureate degree in nursing or another field
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in associate and baccalaureate programs
4. Nursing experience is preferred but not required for Clinical Nurse Leader and Evidence-Based Nursing tracks; one-two year's RN experience is required in order to apply to the Family Nurse Practitioner track.
5. Successful completion of undergraduate statistics course and undergraduate research course
6. 3 letters of recommendation (1 academic and 2 from current nursing professionals with graduate education)
7. Interview may be requested

RNs whose baccalaureate degree is in a field other than nursing may apply to the master of science degree in nursing (MS) program and will be considered for the track that is commensurate with their clinical experience based on faculty discretion.
If a Master of Science Degree in Nursing has been conferred, students may apply to the Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program, if desired.

Letters of recommendation should be substantial.  Referee's credentials should be included on reference form. Letters of recommendation from family or friends are not acceptable. 

Faculty in the Department of Nursing review completed applications on a rolling basis.

Accelerated Master's Program for Current UNH Senior Students

Graduate Program in Nursing Accelerated Master's

Qualified senior nursing students at the University of New Hampshire may be admitted to the Graduate School provided they have followed normal application procedures; they must have been admitted for the semester in which they wish to enroll in courses for graduate credit. A 3.2 cumulative grade-­point average is normally required to be considered for the accelerated master’s program. Such seniors are normally admitted prior to the start of their last undergraduate semester. Seniors who have been admitted under accelerated master’s program may register for a maximum of three courses for up to 12 graduate credits.

When seniors admitted to the accelerated master's program have registered for graduate courses, they must maintain a grade­ point average of 3.20, complete their undergraduate degree as planned, and pass graduate courses taken for credit with a grade of B-­ or better. If these conditions are not met, admission is withdrawn.

Students accepted under accelerated master’s follow the clinical nurse leader or evidence-­based nursing track. Undergraduate students accepted as graduate nursing students under accelerated master’s guidelines, are admitted with the stipulation that their RN license must be obtained prior to beginning any clinical course. Stipulation is removed upon verification of the RN license provided to the department of nursing.

Admission is provisional: must have RN license before registering for NURS 952C, Clinical Nursing Leadership Clinical, or NURS 955, Practicum in Advanced Nursing Practice.

Graduate Program Offerings

Clinical Nurse Leader Track

Students graduate as an advanced generalist as a clinical nurse leader (CNL) with a master of science degree. Graduates are eligible to sit for the clinical nurse leader national certification examination. The CNL is a role in the field of nursing designed to provide master's­-prepared, point-of-care nurse leaders with the ability to manage and solve complex patient problems within a systems framework.

Evidence-Based Nursing Track

The evidence-based nursing track focuses on developing advanced generalist nursing practice in a focused area of study, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering life-long learning, and preparing students for the leading edge of health care knowledge and delivery. Students strengthen knowledge and skills in clinical decision making, the application of nursing interventions, and their ability to critique and appropriately use evidence as a foundation for practice. In this graduate track, students study nursing as an applied discipline, advancing their knowledge of theoretical perspectives for clinical practice, with an emphasis on leadership; the cultural, social, and political context of health and illness; and quality improvement methodologies. Students are mentored in the enactment of leadership strategies to improve quality care in nursing practice through an intensive clinical practicum.

Family Nurse Practitioner Track

This program prepares family nurse practitioners (FNPs) with specialized knowledge and clinical competency to practice as licensed independent practitioners across the life span. FNPs practice in ambulatory and long-term care as primary providers to individuals, families, and groups. The UNH program prepares these advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to diagnose and manage acute episodic and chronic illnesses across the life span and simple-to-complex continuum. Health promotion, disease prevention, teaching, counseling, and coaching are emphasized. At the completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for national certification as a family nurse practitioner. Students are also prepared to enter doctoral study. Upon licensure, FNPs may practice autonomously as well as in collaboration with other health professionals.

Post-Master's Certification Offerings

Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program Admission Requirements

The certificate of advanced practice is designed for those individuals with a master's degree in nursing who wish to expand their practice into the role of a family nurse practitioner. The PM-FNP specialty area prepares nurses to provide comprehensive care that includes health promotion, maintenance and restoration for persons across the life span.

In addition to the standard Graduate School requirements, the Nursing Department requires:

1. Unencumbered, active RN license in the United States;
2. Master's degree in Nursing;
3. Two letters of reference. References should be substantial with one academic, if available, and one current professional with graduate education background. Letters of recommendation from family or friends are not acceptable;
4. Updated resume; and
5. Course description for any course you request waived, if taken outside UNH.

Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program Admission Requirements

This Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Certificate Program is designed for the nurse practitioner with a master’s degree and one year of clinical practice experience who is looking to effectively care for patients with complex psychiatric and physical health needs. The aim of the program is to prepare nurse practitioners to add advanced psychiatric skills of therapy, prescribing psychiatric medications and clinical management needed to treat patients with mental illness and chronic medical co-morbidities.
Courses will embrace a lifespan perspective in psychiatric mental health diagnostic reasoning, psychopharmacology, individual psychotherapies and management of complex psychiatric illnesses giving the student an evidence­-based framework for comprehensive psychiatric-mental health care.

In addition to the standard Graduate School requirements, the Nursing Department requires:

1. Unencumbered, active RN license in the United States;
2. Master's Degree in Nursing;
3. Nurse practitioner certification with one year of practice experience in a primary care setting;
4. Two letters of reference. References should be substantial with one academic, if available, and one current professional with graduate education background. Letters of recommendation from family or friends are not acceptable; and
5. Updated resume.

Direct Entry Master's in Nursing

Direct Entry Master's in Nursing Accelerated Master's

The Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing Program is an accelerated, full-time, five-semester, 71-credit course of study designed for non­-RN students who hold a B.S. or B.A. or higher degree in a field other than nursing.  The curriculum begins in January and includes two summer sessions.  Students graduate as an advanced generalist with a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in nursing. Students are admitted with the stipulation that they must submit final transcript with degree conferred prior to enrolling in fall semester courses and pass NCLEX-RN prior to completing the program. The stipulation is met once the final transcript and RN license are received. Students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN after completing a total of 62 credits of accelerated study. Students are prepared to take the CNL certification examination in their final semester.

Direct Entry Master's in Nursing Admission Requirements

A grade point average of 3.0 or better is suggested. Previous course work and professional experience is taken into consideration. Experience in health care is not required.  Pre-requisite courses include Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology at the cellular level, and Statistics with a grade of B or better.   Students who have not completed all pre-requisite courses at the time of application may be admitted with the stipulation that all pre-requisite courses are completed with a B or better prior to starting the program. 

Knowledge of the basic processes and methods of research is necessary for students entering the DEMN program. While many undergraduate programs include a research methods course, if a student does not have a background in research, he or she should enroll in an introductory research course or introductory nursing research textbooks may be used as self­-study resources prior to matriculation in the DEMN program.

Letters of recommendation should be substantial with at least one academic reference and two references from current professionals with graduate education background. Letters of recommendation from family or friends are not acceptable. 

Direct Entry Master's in Nursing Accelerated Master's Program for Current UNH Junior Students

The Direct Entry Master's in Nursing Program provides an opportunity for accelerated admission to the graduate program for full time undergraduate UNH students who are not current nursing students and meet admission criteria.  Students may apply during the second semester of their junior year by the posted application deadline.  Application review continues until all seats are filled.  To be considered, undergraduate students must have completed all major requirements by the fall of their senior year. Direct entry courses taken during the spring of the senior year of undergraduate program will fulfill elective credits to complete B.A./B.S. degree requirements at UNH.  A grade point average of 3.2 or better is required. Previous course work is taken into consideration. Pre-requisite courses include Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology at the cellular level, and Statistics with a grade of B or better.  Applicants who are in the process of completing a pre-requisite course spring semester must have instructor submit grade to date directly to the Department of Nursing by April 8.  Students who have not completed all pre-requisite courses at the time of application may be admitted with the stipulation that all pre-requisite courses are completed with a B or better prior to starting the program. 

The curriculum begins in January and includes two summer sessions.  Students graduate as an advanced generalist with a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in nursing. Students are admitted with the stipulation that they must submit final transcript with degree conferred prior to enrolling in fall semester courses and pass NCLEX-RN prior to completing the program. The stipulation is met once the final transcript and RN license are received. Students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN after completing a total of 62 credits of accelerated study. Students are prepared to take the CNL certification examination in their final semester.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with the Graduate Program in Nursing coordinator and their discipline-specific adviser early on in their undergraduate program to plan this course of study.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses for the highest level of specialized nursing practice. https://online.unh.edu/doctor-of-nursing-practice.  DNP graduates are prepared to translate evidence into practice, improve systems of care, and measure health outcomes in diverse settings. Graduates of the DNP program are prepared for culturally competent, evidence-based, system-based care, interprofessional collaboration and leadership. DNP graduates are distinguished by their abilities to:

1.         Affect practice
2.         Design and implement programs that improve health and healthcare deliver
3.         Apply data management and informatics skills to evaluate programs, outcomes, and care systems
4.         Influence health policy

Doctor of Nursing Practice Admission Requirements

1.  Applicants must hold a master's degree.  A minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA for graduate work is preferred.
2.  Registered Nurse licensure: An unencumbered registered nurse license in the United States
3.  Letters of recommendation: Three letters of reference pertaining to academic ability, professional competency, and personal character are required.
4.  Updated resume
5.  Professional statement: The professional statement must include a written essay responding to each of the following:

a.  How will a doctor of nursing practice degree from the University of New Hampshire help you attain your professional goals?
b.  Describe your current advanced nursing role, or if you are pursuing a new specialty, explain what you are planning to do with your nursing career in your specialty after you complete the doctor of nursing practice.
c.  In addition to the information contained in your resume, what strengths do you possess that would contribute to your success in the doctor of nursing practice program and in a community of interprofessional scholars?
d.  Identify one scholarly inquiry from your practice you would like to explore as part of the DNP program (e.g., quality improvement initiative, evidence­-based practice guidelines, new model of care, policy analysis). 

6.  Interview: After initial review of the application, applicants may be contacted for an interview.

Nursing (NURS)

See https://chhs.unh.edu/directory/all for faculty.