Master of Nursing
The Master of Nursing program is a 36 credit hour, two phase program. In the first phase students complete required courses and focused electives in practice-related theory and research that are the foundation of all advanced nursing practice roles. Through seminar discussion and presentation, preparation of academic papers, and focused clinical practicum experiences, students acquire the knowledge and skills that are the basis for professional and clinical leadership. In the second phase of the program students continue to develop knowledge and skill through one of three program options: thesis, health policy practicum, or nurse practitioner. Each option is accomplished through a combination of elective and required courses and/or practice experiences, and leads to completion of degree requirements.
In the first phase of the program, nursing practice foci include community/public health nursing approaches to population health, and the nursing care of individuals and families across the life cycle in situations of health and illness within a variety of settings. These practice foci include adult health, community health, mental health, maternal child health, and nursing families with ill children. Nursing practice foci and nursing elective options are available based on faculty resources and expertise (on-site or obtainable), significant student demand, availability of clinical resources, and actual or potential demand created by changes in health care delivery, society, and society’s health status. Graduate nursing students work with their academic advisor to declare a program of study with the course options that are congruent with their specific goals for contributing to the improvement of the health of society. Students are expected to apply their experiential and theoretical knowledge to analyse clinical situations, whether student or employment related. Regardless of the option chosen, students develop increasing expertise within a mentoring relationship with the thesis, policy practicum, or clinical supervisor.
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1 Advanced nursing practice (ANP) is an umbrella term. It describes an advanced level of nursing practice that maximizes the use of in-depth nursing knowledge and skill in meeting the health needs of clients (individuals, families, groups, populations, or entire communities). In this way, ANP extends the boundaries of nursing’s scope of practice and contributes to nursing knowledge and the development and advancement of the profession. (CNA, 2000, p. 4)
MASTER OF NURSING/MASTER OF HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM
The joint MN/MHSA program at Dalhousie University is a 78-credit hour program offering a conceptual background for the increasingly complex managerial tasks that need to be performed in health service organizations and health-related government departments. An effort is made to balance political, social, cultural, medical and psychological approaches to understanding the health care delivery system with those of the management sciences. Graduates require in-depth knowledge of nursing and management, as well as, the ability to apply advanced behavioural and social skills. The program offers opportunities to study in the practice areas of Community Nursing, Nursing Families with Ill Children, Maternal/Child Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, and Adult Nursing. Elective(s) to enhance the practice or research areas may be chosen from a variety of fields. A thesis is required.
The MN/MHSA program is a collaborative effort between the School of Nursing and the School of Health Services Administration. It is designed to enable students to: (1) advance knowledge in the area of nursing management; (2) analyse, implement, and evaluate theories and models relevant to nursing; (3) conduct independent, and/or collaborative research; (4) work collaboratively with allied professional persons in planning, implementing, and evaluating health care; (5) demonstrate leadership in nursing and society; and (6) pursue doctoral level education.
Graduates of the MN/MHSA program are expected to be leaders in the professional discipline of nursing. The graduate has rigorous academic preparation and strong skills in critical inquiry, logical analysis, and decision making which can be applied in management, clinical or research positions and in graduate education at the doctoral level.