MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NURSING POLICY # D-12 ASSOCIATE DEGREE REGISTERED NURSE (ADRN) TO MASTER OF NURSING (MN) DEGREE ADMISSIONS

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1 MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NURSING POLICY # D-12 TITLE: ASSOCIATE DEGREE REGISTERED NURSE (ADRN) TO MASTER OF NURSING (MN) DEGREE ADMISSIONS POLICY: The Graduate Academic Affairs Committee (GAAC) functions as the admissions committee for ADRN to MN degree (Clinical Nurse Leader, CNL) applicants. Faculty volunteers may be solicited. A final, prioritized list of applicants is recommended by GAAC to the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education. The Associate Dean recommends applicants for provisional admission to the Dean of the Graduate School. Those admitted to the ADRN to MN degree program will then begin a transition year of study. The Associate Dean notifies the Graduate School and, in turn, the Graduate School notifies the student when provisions are met. The number of admissions will be determined annually by the Dean and Associate Dean. Admission is a two-step process for applicants/students: 1) Admission to the ADRN to MN degree program: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 ( 1. ADRN earned from a nationally accredited program, which included supervised clinical practice in a variety of nursing settings. 2. Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse. If clinical education is to be completed in Montana, licensure in Montana is required. 3. Minimum of two years of clinical experience as a registered nurse that demonstrates increasing leadership in nursing. 4. Favorable recommendation from the College of Nursing admissions committee. 5. TOEFL score of 580 or computer equivalent, if applicable. 2) Provisions to become a MN-degree seeking (CNL) student: 1. Completion of CORE 2.0 at the undergraduate level 2. Completion of two ADRN to MN transition courses (NRSG 479 and NRSG 489) with a 3.0 GPA or better Materials gathered from the applicant: Application to the Graduate School (Graduate School form) Grade Point Average for Final Two Years Undergraduate Work calculation (Graduate School form) Cumulative Undergraduate Grade Point Average calculation (Graduate School form) College of Nursing Application ADRN to MN (Clinical Nurse Leader) Program (includes essays in space provided) (College of Nursing form attached) ADRN to MN Degree Applicant Resume (College of Nursing Resume Template form attached) Three letters of reference (The Graduate School online form) Official transcripts

2 Evaluation materials used by admissions committee to score each applicant: ADRN to MN Applicant Resume Metric ADRN to MN Evaluation of Applicant Portfolio (two faculty evaluators) ADRN to MN Graduate Program Interview Guide (two faculty evaluators) RATIONALE: Guidelines for evaluating applicants for the graduate program assures consistency in the process. Reviewed & Approved by: Level I: GAAC (Nov 4, 2016) Level II: Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education (Nov 4, 2016)

3 Please complete all sections of this application. Montana State University College of Nursing Application ADRN to MN (Clinical Nurse Leader) Program 1. Personal Information Today's Date: Name (print clearly) First Middle Last (Surname) Address Street City State & Zip Code address Telephone Numbers Cell Home Work 2. RN Licensure I am currently licensed to practice nursing in the state of Montana. License # Note: I am eligible for licensure in the state of Montana. Students must be licensed in the state where clinical education will occur. Current RN licensure will be verified. 3. Clinical Experience Do you have two years of clinical experience as a registered nurse that demonstrates increasing leadership in nursing? Yes No 4. Essay Question - Response Required Tell us about your career goals and why you have applied to the degree option you have chosen. ( word limit) 3

4 5. Essay Question - Response Required Provide an example of a nursing problem you have solved that required analysis. What methods did you use and what conclusions did you reach? ( word limit) 6. Essay Question Response Required Describe a personal achievement that has had a significant impact on your life. Please analyze how this event has changed your understanding of yourself and how you perceive the world around you. ( word limit) 4

5 7. Please state how you learned about the College of Nursing Former Student 8. International Students Only TOEFL Score: ** Internet Pulse Friend Alumni Date Taken: ** ** Minimum TOEFL requirement = 580 or equivalent on computer based (CB) or Internet based (ibt) TOEFL or a minimum band score of 7.0 required on the International English language Testing System (IELTS). CGFNS credentials evaluation required. See for information. Return the completed preliminary application to: khallowell@montana.edu OR Fax: mail: Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education Attention: Kate Hallowell MSU College of Nursing P.O. Box Bozeman, MT Questions can be directed to Kate Hallowell at khallowell@montana.edu or Montana State University College of Nursing Application Associate Degree RN to Master of Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader) 5

6 ADRN to MN Degree Applicant Resume Template* Your resume should include the following items arranged in chronological order with the most recent information listed first. Item Name Education Employment Professional Certifications Significant Accomplishments Innovation/Leadership Roles Presentations Professional Memberships Information Name and credentials Formal education: List all degrees or diplomas, dates conferred and the name of the degree granting institution. Start with most recent position provide date, position title, and institution. Explain your professional responsibilities and accomplishments for each position held. Date, expiration, title and source of certification. For example: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association List awards and describe special commendations, positions of distinction held and other accomplishments. For example: XXX Hospital Nursing Excellence Award (2012); Chair, XXX Hospital Ethics Committee Describe professional accomplishments related to leadership or innovations in nursing practice. For example: Established a recycling program on my hospital unit that now is in effect hospital-wide. List presentations given at workshops, conferences or staff education in-services (include dates and place of presentation) in the last 5 years. Identify professional memberships and participation in professional organizations Continuing Education Other Date, number of contact hours, topic and place of program. Limit your list of continuing education to the last 3 years. Additional information demonstrating increasing responsibility and commitment to the profession in the past 5 years (e.g. community service, participation in research studies, membership in hospital or community-based committees or other professional development. *Adapted from University of Portland Resume Guide 6

7 ADRN to MN Applicant Resume Metric This metric will be used by the admissions committee to evaluate applicants for admission to the ADRN-MN degree program. It also will serve as a guide to questions as applicants are interviewed during the admissions process. Item Criteria for Evaluation of Professional Experience Rating All applicants are required to submit a resume with application. Review the standards below for guidelines as to what to include. Name Education Credentials Formal education: List all degrees or diplomas, dates conferred and the name of the degree granting institution. Rating: 2=degree beyond associate degree in nursing; 1=associate degree in nursing; 0=no associate degree in nursing; cannot admit Employment Start with most recent position provide date, position title, and institution. Explain your professional responsibilities and accomplishments for each position held. Rating: 2=has held nurse manager, leadership roles; 1=all roles have been at the staff nurse level and reflect sustained role development in a setting; 0=professional practice has been erratic or does not reflect role development activities Professional Certifications Date, title and source of certification; expiration date. Rating: 2=holds advanced certifications such as CCRN, RNC or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); 1=only certified at the basic CPR levels required for employment; 0=no certifications Significant Accomplishments List awards and describe special commendations, positions of distinction held and other accomplishments. Rating: 2=has received awards evidencing excellence in clinical practice at the agency level or beyond; 1= has received awards evidencing excellence in clinical practice at the unit level; 0=no awards of distinction Innovation/Leadership Roles Describe professional accomplishments related to leadership or innovations in nursing practice. Rating: 2=assumed leadership positions on committees or task forces in clinical setting or professional association; practice reflects innovation; 1=has participated on committees or task forces in clinical setting or professional association; 0=has not participated on committees or task force; no evidence of innovation Presentations List presentations given at workshops, conferences or staff education inservices in the last 5 years (include dates and place of presentation). Rating: 2=has presented at least 3 times or more at workshops, conferences or staff education in-services; 1= has presented 1-2 times at workshops, 7

8 conferences or staff education in-services; 0=has not presented Professional Memberships Identify professional memberships and participation in professional organizations. Rating: 2= current membership and active participation (e.g. leadership role, committee work) in at least two professional organizations; 1= membership in one or more professional organizations without active participation; 0=no membership in a professional organization Continuing Education Date, number of contact hours, topic and place of program. Limit your list of continuing education to the last 3 years. (Continued licensure in MT requires 24 continuing education units every 2 years.) Rating: 2=has participated in continuing education on an annual basis beyond what is required for re-licensure; 1=has participated in continuing education beyond what is required for re-licensure; 0=no continuing education beyond what is required for re-licensure Other Additional information demonstrating increasing responsibility and commitment to the profession in the past 5 years (e.g. community service, participation in research studies) Rating: 2=significant additional responsibility and commitment evidenced; 1=additional responsibility and commitment evidenced; 0=no evidence of additional responsibility and commitment Applicant s total score Maximum score possible 18 8

9 ADRN to MN EVALUATION OF APPLICANT PORTFOLIO (To be completed by two faculty evaluators) Applicant Name: Date: Program Option: Clinical Nurse Leader Evaluators: Associate Degree GPA if Bachelor Degree-- Field of Study GPA 1a. ESSAY EVALUATION (three essays) Content/thinking skills Thoughtfulness of response Thoroughness of response Logic and organization Unacceptable Average Excellent 1b. Writing skill/grammar/composition 2a. RESUME EVALUATION 2b. (Demonstrates increasing leadership in nursing) PRACTICE & ESSENTIALS EVALUATION (How does your practice reflect the AACN BSN Essentials?) 3a. REFERENCES Combined overall strength of references 3b. Average score of the three references INTERVIEW 4a. Thoughtfulness of responses 4b. Verbal communication skills Score 1a. 1b. 2a. 2b. 3a. 3b. 4a. 4b. Total Average = Total 8 = Ranked Score (Evaluators ranking of candidate within the group of applications reviewed) 9

10 ADRN to MN Graduate Program Interview Guide Purpose: The purposes of the interview are to: 1) establish rapport with the applicant, 2) clarify information about the graduate program, 3) assess the applicant s fit with the graduate program, 4) assess the applicant s fit with the curriculum focus selected, 5) assess the applicant s potential for completing the program in a timely manner, and 6) initiate a discussion about clinical project topics. Thank the applicant for their time. Identify yourself as the interviewer and review the purpose of the interview. The interview will take approximately one-half hour. Prior to asking the interview questions explain that the admissions committee looks at the complete portfolio. Applicant: Date: Interviewer: 1. To begin, please tell me about your professional background. (positions, roles, responsibilities, etc.) 2. What professional activities (continuing education, professional organizations, advocacy, reading journals, etc.) have you participated in within the past year or two? 3. Could you say a few words about how you decided to pursue graduate education in nursing? a) I understand that you are interested in the Master of Nursing degree, CNL option in the graduate program. I am interested in learning more about your understanding of the role. For example, what do you see as two main characteristics of nurses who practice as a clinical nurse leader? b) What about this role that appeals to you? c) Can you tell me about your career plan? (e.g. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? Could probe here about teaching/nursing education courses.) 4. Can you tell me what sets you apart as a professional nurse? 5. How have you demonstrated an increase in leadership in the profession since completing your initial RN education? 6. Please tell me about the strengths you have (qualities, skills, support, etc.) that will facilitate your success in graduate school. 7. As you consider graduate education what do you foresee as potential stumbling blocks (time off work, distance travel, family issues, finances, etc.)? 8 As you most likely know at this point, completing a clinical project is a requirement for the masters degree. Sometimes students approach graduate study with an idea of what they would like to do for a project, others have not thought too much about it yet. During this interview, we wanted to start a bit of a dialogue to learn your thoughts about what you might like to do. [See what the student has to say. Depending on what the student says, we could say something like: That might fit nicely with what x-faculty is doing. If they don t have any idea or if their idea is completely different from what any of us are doing, we could follow with: We often encourage students to work with CON faculty who have expertise in a particular area. These areas include: (list). How might you see yourself working with any of these topics?] 10

11 9. Is there anything else you would like to tell me? 10. Do you have any questions for me? INTERVIEWER: Describe ambiguities and aspects of the program Describe variety of teaching methods used: telecommunications, interactive video, on-line coursework (D2L), clinical experiences Clinical experiences may be in rural settings (travel may be required) Travel required for F-F/orientation in Bozeman and to any college campus (Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Kalispell, Missoula) for graduate intensive classes N503 Curriculum Development and N504 Assessment & Evaluation in Education these two education courses alternate during summer semester. To complete the Certificate of Nursing Education in the first year, summer admission is required (indicate below summer as the term to begin). Computer skill expectation: word processing, spread sheets, data management, Internet, and (prompt for details re: attachments; Word processing cut, paste, tables) Computer availability: need & Internet access. Students will be required to set up a MSU account that will be used for all correspondence of University and College of Nursing business. ENROLLMENT PLANS: ADRN to MN Transition Courses MN (CNL) 5 semester Program of Study Certificate in Nursing Education Indicate term to begin (may begin in summer if taking Nursing Education course) INTERVIEWER RECOMMENDATION: 1. Do NOT recommend 2. Recommend with reservations 3. Fully recommend Rationale for recommendation Interviewer notes: 11

Nursing Leadership: RN-MSN and BSN-MSN applicants may enroll in part-time or full-time study.

Nursing Leadership: RN-MSN and BSN-MSN applicants may enroll in part-time or full-time study. Master of Science in Nursing Application Process & Instructions Academic Year: 2013-2014 The School of Nursing welcomes applications to its MSN program. If you have additional questions after reviewing