Graduate Programs

The Master of Science in Nursing (MScN) program and Post Master's Nurse Practitioner Graduate Diploma program prepares nurses at an advanced level to contribute to evidence-informed practice and to provide leadership in nursing in a variety of practice settings. There are two options in the MScN program: the Practicum option and Nurse Practitioner option.

Philosophy

The MScN program and Graduate Diploma program is based on the belief that advanced practice in nursing requires graduate level preparation that provides students with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge and competencies in nursing.

MScN Program General Objectives

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an integration of advanced knowledge from a variety of sources and application to nursing practice, research, education and administration.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to access, critically appraise, synthesize and use theory and empirical evidence from a variety of sources to plan, implement and evaluate solutions to health and health system challenges.
  • Collaborate in research, evaluation, and quality improvement related initiatives.
  • Apply principles and methods of change, knowledge translation and policy development to practice issues.
  • Communicate, verbally and in writing, nursing knowledge and evidence to nursing colleagues, members of the interprofessional team, policy makers, patients and families.
  • Demonstrate initiative, autonomy, sound judgment, advocacy, professional responsibility, and accountability to address complex issues in an advanced nursing role.
  • Engage in reflection about their knowledge, skills and practice, and implement strategies for their own professional growth.
  • Coach, mentor, and teach nurses, nursing students, and other members of the healthcare team.
  • Promote a culture of learning and of respect.

Nurse Practitioner-specific objectives

In addition to meeting general objectives of the MScN program, graduates of the NP option will be able to:

  • Work collaboratively and act as a consultant to members of the health team in clinical practice
  • Refer and accept referrals from members of the health team in clinical practice
  • Demonstrate evidence-informed care to individuals, families and communities within a given stream of practice; and
  • Practice advanced nursing within the domains and competencies of NP practice

Nurse Practitioner Student Incentives

Students in the MScN NP program and the Post-Master's Graduate Diploma program are eligible to avail of the following incentives:

  • Rural Incentive Program: this program provides financial compensation to Nurse Practitioner students completing clinical placements in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Tuition Support Incentive Program: this program provides financial support to Nurse Practitioner students upon admission to the program.

Practicum-specific objectives

In addition to meeting general objectives of MScN program, graduates of the practicum option will be able to:

  • Plan, implement and evaluate a project to meet the needs of a target group;
  • Disseminate project-specific knowledge to improve nursing practice; and
  • Facilitate integration of program-specific knowledge into practice.