Master of Science in Nursing - Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
Pamela Bishop, Program Director
The School of Nursing offers a curriculum leading to the degree of Master of Science in Nursing with an advanced practice area of Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist. The program of study prepares students as expert clinicians in the application of evidence-based knowledge within the realms of nursing interventions, teaching and research.
The program requires course content in theory, research, education, Neonatal CNS professional and clinical cores. Applicants are admitted for full-time or part-time study and can begin in the fall. The curriculum is designed to prepare nurses as Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialists. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Acute Care Neonatal (ACCNS-N) Exam. The MSN - Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist is offered in an online/hybrid format.
Admission
Program Application Deadlines
Clinical Nurse Specialist - Completed applications will be reviewed prior to June 1 for fall enrollment for:
- Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator
- Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
Admission Requirements for the MSN Graduate Program
In addition to meeting University requirements, applicants must meet the admission criteria below.
*Note: Some MSN tracks may have additional requirements. See program description for more information.
- Current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN), and preferred 1 year of current experience in the role.
- Must have completed an undergraduate physical/health assessment course and an undergraduate statistics or research course as confirmed by an official college transcript. Applicants who have not completed these pre- requisites prior to the application deadline will not be reviewed for admission.
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related science field from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average.
- Three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a former faculty member and at least one from a former employer while in the RN role.
- A 500-700 word essay that addresses the applicant's goals and reasons for seeking certification as an advanced practice nurse.
- At least one year of recent clinical nursing practice experience is preferred, but not required. See any specific program requirements.
Curriculum Requirements
Core Courses
Tracks in the MSN programs share a set of core courses that meet nursing accreditation and state approval guidelines for the degree. Regardless of the role concentration, all MSN students are required to complete the following 22 credits* of core courses.
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| NURS 709 | Evidence-Based Research for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 719 | Family and Community Primary Care Assessment | 1 |
| NURS 761 | Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 770 | Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 771 | Physical Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 800 | Integrative Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice Roles | 3 |
| NURS 802 | The Business of Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 809 | Advocacy for Healthcare Public Policy for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 22 |
Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist Concentration
In addition to the 22 credits of MSN core courses, the following courses are required for degree completion of the CNS/Neonatal program for a total of 50 credits.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| NURS 738 | Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Introduction to Practice | 2 |
| NURS 739 | Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Role Socialization | 4 |
| NURS 751 | Developmental Neonatal Physiology | 2 |
| NURS 756 | Clinical Nurse Specialist II: Transition to Practice | 3 |
| NURS 757 | Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II: Role Transition | 5 |
| NURS 772 | Foundations of Advanced Neonatal Care | 3 |
| NURS 773 | Pharmacology for Advanced Neonatal Care | 3 |
| NURS 774 | Advanced Neonatal Care: High Risk Management I | 3 |
| NURS 775 | Advanced Neonatal Care: High Risk Management II | 3 |
| 28 |
| 22 |
| Total Credit Hours | 50 |
Additional Requirements
MSN Degree Requirements
In addition to general University requirements, the following apply to candidates for the Master of Science in Nursing degree:
- Only degree-seeking or nursing certificate students may take graduate MSN nursing courses.
- Full-time study only for PMHNP and Midwifery. Full and part time options are available for CNS, PNP, FNP and NNP. Contact the graduate nursing office regarding study options for each program at (757) 683-4298 or the program director for the specific role.
- A comprehensive portfolio evaluation covering the program of study will be required for MSN students not electing to complete a thesis.
- The student must make clinical site arrangements three months in advance to take a nursing practicum to assure appropriate and available placement for the learning experience. The student must coordinate approval of clinical sites with the Program Director and School of Nursing Student Clinical Services Coordinator.
- The B grade (3.00) is the minimal acceptable grade for all courses with a NURS prefix or any course required for the degree for continuation in the master’s program. Satisfactory performance in the laboratory or practicum component of a nursing course is required. Students achieving less than a B grade (3.00) in a nursing course may request an opportunity from the role program director to repeat the course once. Two course failures will result in termination from the nursing program. Students may not progress with an incomplete in prerequisite courses as listed in the curriculum plan.
Additional requirements include physical exams, CPR certification, immunization requirements, computer competencies and technical standards, background checks and urine drug screening.
Transfers Between MSN Programs
Students may not transfer between programs in the MSN. Any student wishing to change programs may apply to a new program for admission during the regularly scheduled application process and deadline for the program. Their applications will be considered and reviewed as a new admission with the entire application pool.
Progression to the DNP
MSN students wishing to pursue a DNP must declare their intention before the final semester of their MSN program. If pursuing the DNP Advanced Practice program, NURS 805 and NURS 865 are taken in the final semester of the MSN program. Any student who has completed their MSN and did not declare their intent to pursue the DNP must apply and be considered with all post masters applicants as a new admission to the DNP program.
Transfer Credit Evaluation Policy
Any transfer credit requests must be submitted to the concentration program director within two weeks of notification of admission to the program. Once coursework has commenced for your program of study, all coursework must be completed at Old Dominion University, and no further transfer credits will be awarded.
