Nursing Education
The Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education combines an individually developed focus in a specialty area of nursing practice with a leadership focus in education for the nursing profession. Unique aspects of this concentration include the opportunity for students to work closely with an individual faculty advisor to design a combined clinical/teaching focus that will meet their professional goals. Students are prepared to function as beginning faculty, and are prepared for nurse educator roles in schools of nursing at the associate- or baccalaureate-degree levels, meet requirements of the New Mexico State Board of Nursing for faculty, and may ultimately assume positions in administration, consultation, research, or policy development. Each student’s program of studies will be individually negotiated with the faculty advisor and will vary based on individual career goals, career plans, and certifications and licensure requirements. The concentration can be completed in 32 credits.
Programs of studies are individualized to meet students’ professional goals and to provide flexible planning options, including the opportunity to
1) focus on particular adult or pediatric populations of interest, 2) focus on tertiary or community-based settings, 3) concentrate on a functional area of practice in education, and 4) pursue part-time study, if desired. All students will be required to take the core courses according to a specific schedule when admitted.
Objectives
At the completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:
- Develop, analyze and evaluate curriculum, clinical teaching and outcomes of educational programs.
- Explore and implement a variety of teaching strategies to facilitate student learning.
- Analyze selected learning theories and their relationship to student outcomes in the classroom and clinical setting.
- Utilize various tests and measurement methods.
- Analyze concepts that are physiological and psychosocial components of specialized patient care.
- Critically review theories from which concepts are drawn that are relevant to the process of providing expert patient care for clients and their families or support networks.
- Formulate, implement and evaluate nursing strategies within an individually determined specialized area of nursing practice and in nursing education setting.
- Identify and evaluate health care and educational outcomes.
- Critically utilize research findings that have relevance for intervening with patients and families and that are the basis for education of nursing students.
Admission Requirements
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (e.g., B.S.N.) from an accredited college or university, with an upper-division major in nursing. (Graduates from non-accredited programs [N.L.N. or C.C.N.E.] and RN’s with baccalaureate degree in non-nursing fields are considered on an individual basis.)
- Have a minimum grade point average for baccalaureate work of B (3.0) or better.
- Submit evidence of RN licensure. If NCLEX results are pending at time of application, applicant should indicate this in the personal statement.
- Complete of the online application. The online application can be accessed by clicking on the link. Letters of recommendation, letter of intent, and a professional resume are required as part of the application process. See the online application guidelines for further information.
Curriculum
Part Time Curriculum Information Full Time Curriculum Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Why concentrate on Nursing Education at the master's level?
If you wish to teach in a nursing program or work as a nurse educator in a staff development or patient education position, the Nursing Education concentration will increase your understanding and expertise teaching adult learners in didactic and clinical settings.
What courses must I attend on campus at UNM?
All required courses as listed can be taken entirely on the Web with the exception of fieldwork, which is conducted (if resources are available) in an appropriate setting close to you.
What is the fieldwork for this concentration?
The NURS 595 course (fieldwork) is 4 credit hours, which translates to 192 clock hours. Fieldwork involves teaching in academic, staff development, and/or patient education settings. Many students divide their fieldwork into two consecutive semesters (2 credits each semester). Fieldwork hours are completed shortly before graduation. Specific decisions about the fieldwork experience are negotiated with your advisor/instructor.
If I complete this master's degree, can I teach at the university level?
Most universities employ master’s and doctorally prepared faculty. Master’s prepared faculty typically have different assignments than doctorally prepared faculty.
Is there any particular order in which I should take my courses?
Students will be required to complete core courses (NURS 501, 503, 504, 505) on a specified schedule upon admission.
How fast can I complete this concentration?
If you take classes on a full-time basis (i.e., 9 credit hours a semester, depending on course availability), it is possible to complete this concentration in 4 semesters. However, most students approach this concentration on a part-time basis, taking 3-6 credits a semester.