Newton Hall 1585 Neil Ave Columbus, OH 43210 February 3, 2017 Dr. Scott Herness Interim Vice Provost and Dean, Graduate School 250 University Hall 230 North Oval Mall Columbus, OH 43210-1366 Phone (614) 292-8900 Fax (614) 292-4535 E-mail nursing@osu.edu Web nursing.osu.edu Dear Dr. Herness: Attached is a proposal to revise the Nursing Science specialty track of the M.S. in Nursing program in the. As described in the attached proposal, some revisions are recommended to update and further enhance the quality of the current specialty track, including: Nursing Science specialty track students will be required to take coursework that is consistent with meeting the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials for masters education in nursing The research coursework will be revised to strengthen the leveling and relevance of courses for post-baccalaureate Ph.D. students whose ultimate career goal is to become a research-intensive nurse scientist The Nursing Science specialty track will no longer be offered as an option for applicants who seek a masters degree as a terminal degree; instead, these applicants will be referred to other specialty tracks in the M.S. in Nursing program, or to the MACPR program (a professional/tagged masters degree program) if the primary goal is work as a masters-prepared nurse in a research support role Thank you for your review of this request and please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Sincerely, Celia E. Wills, Ph.D., R.N., Graduate Studies Committee Chairperson & College Secretary; Associate Professor Copy: Dr. Cindy Anderson, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Education Innovation Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, Dean Dr. Margaret Graham, Vice Dean Dr. Rita Pickler, Ph.D. in Nursing Program Director
February 2, 2017 Dr. Scott Herness Interim Vice Provost and Dean, Graduate School 250 University Hall 230 North Oval Mall Columbus, OH 43210-1366 Dear Dr. Herness: This letter is to confirm the full support of the for the proposed revisions to the Nursing Science specialty track of the M.S. in Nursing program in the. The proposed revisions of the Nursing Science specialty track are important to optimally support the contemporary needs of our postbaccalaureate Ph.D. students as described in the attached proposal. Thank you for your review of this request. Sincerely, Cindy Anderson, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, ANEF, FAHA, FNAP, FAAN Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Educational Innovation
Proposal to Revise the Nursing Science Specialty Track Prepared for Review and Approval by The Ohio State University Graduate School January 6, 2017
Table of Contents Pages Background 3 Review of the Nursing Science Specialty Track 4 Outcome of Review Process 5 Proposed Nursing Science Specialty Track Revisions 5-6 Transition Plans 7 Table 1. Summary of Proposed Nursing Science Specialty Track Revisions 8 and Net Credit Changes Curriculum Transition Plans 8 Appendix A. Course Descriptions 9 Appendix B. Sample Plan of Study 10 2
Background This purpose of this proposal is to describe proposed revisions to the existing Nursing Science specialty track of the M.S. in Nursing program in the. The offers multiple degree programs in Nursing, including a M.S. in Nursing program that has multiple specialization tracks (see Levels of Nursing Education figure below). Most specialty (specialization) tracks of the M.S. in Nursing program prepare graduates to take specific specialty certification examinations to obtain credentials as a nurse midwife (NM), nurse practitioner (NP) or as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). The Nursing Science specialty track is one of two specialty tracks that does not lead to specialty certification as a NP, NM or CNS. The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) track specialty track prepares graduates to function as advanced generalists who will provide integration and coordination of healthcare for specific populations of clients/patients in a variety of practice settings. The Nursing Science specialty track was originally developed as an option for graduates: (1) with a goal to work as a masters-prepared nurse in a research support role; or, (2) for post-baccalaureate students in the Ph.D. in Nursing program with a goal to become nurse scientists in research-intensive roles. 3
Review of the Nursing Science Specialty Track As part of a recent comprehensive review of the Ph.D. in Nursing program that was completed in Autumn 2016 (submitted as a separate proposal for review/approval), the curriculum for the Nursing Science specialty track of the M.S. in Nursing program was also reviewed due to most post-baccalaureate Ph.D. students opting for this specialty focus for coursework at the masters level to comprise a minimum 30 credits that would be necessary to obtain a master s degree if desired, as well as to meet the 80 credit minimum requirement for a doctoral degree. These post-baccalaureate Ph.D. students usually do not seek educational preparation to become NPs, NMs, CNSs, or CNLs. The Nursing Science specialty track is usually a default option for more foundational graduate coursework to support doctoral coursework and research without the requirement of extensive clinical practicum coursework. Less frequently, the Nursing Science curriculum also supports the ability for students to obtain a M.S. in Nursing degree, or, rarely, functions as an exit strategy from the Ph.D. in Nursing program. The Ph.D. program director is also the director of the Nursing Science specialty track for these described reasons. The review process for the Nursing Science specialty track was similar but less extensive in scope to that which was recently completed for the Ph.D. in Nursing program, and included the following: Review of annual reports prepared by prior Ph.D. Program Directors for information relevant to the Nursing Science specialty track UCAT-facilitated focus groups with students in Autumn 2015 and regularlyscheduled open topic discussion sessions with students, including those enrolled in the Nursing Science specialty track, with the Ph.D. program director An analysis was completed of the Nursing Science coursework in relation to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials for Masters Education 1 for nursing coursework, and in relation to contemporary practices and standards for coursework for training of masters-prepared nurses in research support roles. Students and faculty were invited to participate and provide input throughout the process, and were otherwise been kept informed of progress throughout the process; e.g., via the Ph.D. program director, student representatives to the Graduate Studies Committee and the Ph.D. subcommittee of the Graduate Studies Committee The Ph.D. Subcommittee reviewed and integrated key sources of input and evaluation data generated by the review process The proposed program revisions were reviewed and unanimously approved by the Ph.D. subcommittee (January 2017), Graduate Studies Committee (January 2017), and the eligible voting faculty (February 2017) 1 American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2011). The Essentials of Master s Education in Nursing. Available online at: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/mastersessentials11.pdf 4
Outcome of Review Process The review identified that the curriculum of the Nursing Science specialty track could benefit from revisions in two areas: (1) the research-oriented coursework appears inappropriate in level or otherwise mismatched relative to what is now included in a newly-implemented professional masters program in the, the Master of Applied Clinical and Preclinical Research (MACPR) program; and, (2) the nursing coursework does not meet the contemporary American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) essential standards for masters level education in nursing. 2 In Autumn 2014, the initiated a new interdisciplinary professional (tagged) master s degree program, the Masters of Applied Clinical and Preclinical Research (MACPR) program that is specifically designed to prepare graduates as members of interdisciplinary clinical and preclinical research teams, in masters-prepared roles such as clinical research coordinators, regulatory specialists, and clinical and safety pharmacology roles. The MACPR program is co-administered by the Colleges of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Medicine, with the directing the Clinical Research Management and co-directing the Regulatory Affairs specializations of the program. Thus, a viable masters program alternative to the Nursing Science specialty track of the M.S. in Nursing program (the MACPR program) has been implemented at the masters level, that appears to better serve the needs of masters applicants who seek to be employed in research support roles and who do not seek an advanced nursing practice clinical role as a NP, NM, CNS, or as a CNL. In recent years, very few applicants (1 or 2 per year) to the M.S. in Nursing program with a program plan for a masters degree only have requested the Nursing Science specialty track. Thus, it now appears that the Nursing Science specialty track remains primarily relevant for the postbaccalaureate Ph.D. students, but is in need of redesigning to improve the quality and currency of the research-oriented coursework, as well as to align the required nursing coursework to meet the current standards for masters level nursing education. Proposed Nursing Science Specialty Track Revisions Three revisions of the existing Nursing Science specialty track are proposed to remediate the limitations of the existing curriculum: Nursing Science specialty track students will be required to take coursework that is consistent with meeting the AACN Essentials for masters education in nursing The research coursework will be revised to strengthen the leveling and relevance of courses for post-baccalaureate Ph.D. students whose ultimate career goal is to become a research-intensive nurse scientist The Nursing Science specialty track will no longer be offered as an option for applicants who seek a masters degree as a terminal degree; instead, these 2 American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2011). The Essentials of Master s Education in Nursing. Available online at: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/mastersessentials11.pdf 5
applicants will be referred to other specialty tracks in the M.S. in Nursing program, or to the MACPR program (a professional/tagged masters degree program) if the primary goal is work as a masters-prepared nurse in a research support role The AACN Essentials for Masters Education in Nursing are currently met via five required Nursing core courses (Nursing 7403, 7483, 7491, 7500, 7780; see Appendix A for course descriptions) that are taken by all M.S. in Nursing students except for those enrolled in the Nursing Science specialty track. The Nursing Science specialty track students by explicit default will now take the same five masters level core courses as required in the other specialization tracks to meet the AACN Essentials for core coursework. However, with the approval of the student s advisor, a student may petition the Graduate Studies Committee to substitute analogous higher level coursework for a masters level core course as appropriate. For example, a student could petition to take an 8000 level health policy course such as Nursing Practice 8500 (Nursing Policy for Doctoral Nursing Practice) in place of the masters level Nursing 7500 (Health Policy and Advocacy) course. This process has occurred on a longstanding de facto basis for Nursing Science specialty track students, most of whom could be shown to have met or exceeded the requirements of the AACN Essentials for Masters Education in their completed coursework. However the proposed revision to make the Nursing core course requirement explicit and as a default component of the standard curriculum plan will make this standard more transparent to students, as well as to assure that all students will have met or exceeded the AACN standards for core masters level education. In place of existing doctoral level research-oriented coursework (Nursing 8780 and 8781), it is proposed that Nursing Science specialty track students will now take four research-oriented Nursing courses at the masters level that are offered in the MACPR program that are open to graduate students that focus on healthcare research project management (Nursing 7404), clinical research operations (Nursing/Pharmacy 7405), responsible conduct of research (Nursing 7781), and research design and methods (Nursing 7782). These courses include important foundational graduate level content that is preparatory to taking Nursing 8780 and Nursing 8781 in the Ph.D. in Nursing program. The proposed 7000 level research courses include essential knowledge for students who plan research-intensive careers as independent investigators in nurse scientist roles. In practice, some postbaccalaureate Ph.D. students already take one or more of these courses. The proposed revision of Nursing Science specialty track research-oriented coursework will formalize this coursework as a requirement. In addition, the Nursing Science specialty track is proposed to be offered only to post-baccalaureate students matriculating in the Ph.D. in Nursing program; i.e., will no longer be a specialization option for applicants to the M.S. in Nursing program. Prospective applicants with career interests in research support roles at the masters level only will be referred to the MACPR program. 6
Transition Plans Table 1 presents a summary of proposed Nursing Science specialty track revisions and credit changes. The proposed redesign of the Nursing Science specialty track would include a minimum total of 29 nursing coursework credits plus an intermediate statistics course (minimum of 3 credits), for an overall total of 32 credits. 3 Proposed revisions result in a net gain of 14 credits for Nursing coursework and a reduction in 10 credits for non-nursing coursework, for a gain of 4 credits overall. Appendix B presents the sample fulltime plan of study in Nursing Science coursework (no part-time option would be available) for post-baccalaureate Ph.D. in Nursing students. All courses are existing courses and no changes to the content of courses will be required for the proposed specialty track curriculum redesign. Curriculum plans have been reviewed for all students as part of the separate review of the Ph.D. in Nursing program (submitted as a separate proposal for review/approval). A large majority of plans for post-baccalaureate Ph.D. in Nursing students already meet or exceed the new proposed coursework requirements for the Nursing Science specialty track of the M.S. in Nursing program. Students with gaps in either the nursing or research coursework requirements will be encouraged to update their curriculum plans with their advisors to address the gaps in collaboration with the Nursing Science specialty track director who is also the Ph.D. Program Director. Once the proposed Nursing Science specialty track revision is approved, the new specialty track curriculum requirements will be implemented going forward for newly-matriculated students. 3 A minimum of 30 credits is required for a M.S. in Nursing degree. 7
Table 1. Summary of Proposed Nursing Science Specialty Track Revisions and Net Credit Changes Courses Summary of Revisions Net Credit Change Required Nursing Coursework 4 Nursing 7403 - masters level core course + 3 credits - meets AACN Essentials for masters level education Nursing 7483 - masters level core course + 3 credits - meets AACN Essentials for masters level education Nursing 7491 - masters level core course + 3 credits - meets AACN Essentials for masters level education Nursing 7500 - masters level core course + 2 credits - meets AACN Essentials for masters level education Nursing 7780 - masters level core course + 3 credits - meets AACN Essentials for masters level education Nursing 7404 - masters level research-oriented course + 3 credits Nursing 7405 - masters level research-oriented course + 3 credits Nursing 7782 - masters level research-oriented course + 3 credits Nursing 7781 - responsible conduct of research course + 3 credits Nursing elective - retained/ no change ----- - students may enroll in any coursework relevant to their program of study, including but not limited to the new Emerging Topics in Nursing Science courses to be offered as Nursing 8891.xx (3 credit) courses Nursing 7310 - no longer routinely offered due to low enrollments - 3 credits - to be withdrawn following approval of Nursing Science specialty track revision Nursing 8780 - doctoral level quantitative research - 3 credits methods course - proposed to be replaced by masters level coursework in research design and methods (Nursing 7782) - Nursing 8780 to be taken later in doctoral study Nursing 8781 - doctoral level qualitative research methods course - 3 credits - to be taken later in program of doctoral study Net credit change for required nursing coursework + 14 credits Required Non-Nursing Coursework PUBHEPI 6410 - replaced by Nursing research-oriented coursework - 3 credits PUBHEPI 6412 - replaced by Nursing research-oriented coursework - 2 credits PUBHEPI 7412 - replaced by Nursing research-oriented coursework - 3 credits Intermediate - retained/ no change ----- Statistics Course VISSCI 7960 - replaced by Nursing research-oriented coursework - 2 credits Net credit change for non-nursing coursework Overall net credit change - 10 credits + 4 credits 4 Students may petition the Graduate Studies Committee to substitute a higher level course for a masters level nursing core course as appropriate. 8
Appendix A. Course Descriptions Course Numbers Nursing 7403 Nursing 7483 Nursing 7491 Nursing 7500 Nursing 7780 Nursing 7781 Nursing 7404 Course Titles and Descriptions Innovation Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits) Analysis of organizational leadership and ethical essentials necessary to deliver high quality patient care in diverse settings. Quality Improvement and Informatics (3 credits) Explores advanced concepts of collaboration, design, leadership, implementation and evaluation of quality improvement initiatives in health care utilizing information technology strategies. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan (3 credits) Analyze strategies to encourage change in both individuals and population health behaviors that influence risk reduction in multiple settings. Develop educational strategies utilizing advanced critical thinking. Health Policy and Advocacy (3 credits) Analysis of U.S. health care delivery system and the policy making process, with an emphasis on the social, political and economic factors affecting the delivery of Nursing services. Evidence Based Nursing Scholarship (3 credits) Introduction to intermediate research methods and statistics applied in evidence based nursing scholarship. Includes literature search methods, critique of research methods and results, and synthesis of evidence related to clinical nursing problems. Responsible Conduct of Research (3 credits) Concepts and policies for the responsible conduct of research (RCOR), Institutional Review Boards and dissemination of findings. Healthcare Project Management (3 credits) Nursing/Pharm 7405 Principles of project management, strategic planning, and leadership in clinical research and regulatory settings. Management of Clinical and Preclinical Studies (3 credits) Principles of project management, strategic planning, and leadership in clinical research and regulatory settings. Nursing 7782 Research Design and Methods for Clinical and Preclinical Research (3 credits) Elective Nursing 8891.xx Study of research design and methods used in clinical and preclinical research. Measurement issues; bias and confounding; statistical considerations, evaluation of published clinical and preclinical research designs, and protocol and proposal development. Emerging Topics in Nursing Science (3 credits; generic course number with 9
Intermediate Statistics Course decimal numbering for specific course offerings) (3 credits) Appendix B. Sample Plan of Study Nursing Science Post-Baccalaureate Ph.D. in Nursing Student Fulltime (no part-time option) 5 Year 1 Autumn Semester Spring Semester Summer Session Nursing 7491 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Life Span (3 credits) Nursing 7780 Evidence Based Nursing Scholarship (3 credits) N7404 Healthcare Project Management (3) Nursing/Pharmacy 7405 Management of Clinical and Preclinical Studies (3 credits) Nursing 7781 Responsible Conduct of Research (3 credits) Nursing 7500 Health Policy and Advocacy (2 credits) Nursing 7782 Research Design and Methods for Clinical and Preclinical Research (3 credits) Nursing 8891.xx Emerging Topics in Nursing Science or other elective (3 credits) Statistics (3 credits) Nursing 7403 Innovation Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits) Nursing 7483 Quality Improvement and Informatics (3 credits) Total Credit Hours: 12 Total Credit Hours: 14 Total Credit Hours: 6 5 Nursing 7403, 7483, 7491, 7500, and 7780 meet the core course content requirements as described in the AACN Essentials for Masters Education in Nursing (2011). Nursing 7404, 7405, 7781, and 7782 are research-oriented courses providing foundational graduate level content for doctoral level nursing courses in the Ph.D. in Nursing program. Students may petition the Graduate Studies Committee for course substitutions for taking coursework at a higher level; e.g., an 8000 level health policy course such as Nursing Practice 8500 in place of Nursing 7500. 10