Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Cox College now offering Master of Science in nursing

In 2008, nearly 50,000 qualified nursing school applicants were turned away from entry-level programs due to a shortage of nursing faculty and clinical sites. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing says faculty shortages at nursing schools across the country are limiting student capacity at a time when the need for nurses continues to grow.

To address the nursing faculty shortage, Cox College will admit its first Master of Science in nursing (MSN) class for the 2009 – 2010 academic year beginning this August. The MSN program at Cox College will have two tracks: Nurse Educator and Clinical Nurse Leader.

The Nurse Educator track is available for nurses with a baccalaureate degree (BSN) who want to take an educator role in college or university nursing programs or other health care settings. The Clinical Nurse Leader track prepares BSN nurses to seek advancement in clinical leadership roles within health care organizations.

Upon completion of the degree, the graduate is eligible to sit for the national certification exam as a Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Leader.

Cox College’s MSN program was designed for the working nurse and can be completed in 12 months of full-time study. Course work can be completed primarily online or through a blend of classroom and online work. Each course takes eight weeks to complete, and a total of 36 credits are required to complete the program.

For more information about Cox College and the MSN program go to the college website, www.coxcollege.edu, or contact the admissions office at 417-269-3083