Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing

Accreditation

The graduate programs in the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences are accredited by:
Accreditation Commission for Nursing Education
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: 404.975.5000
Fax: 404.975.5020
www.acenursing.org

Mission
The mission of the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing is to prepare professional nurses to improve the well-being of complex and diverse populations. Congruent to this mission, the mission of the MSN Program is to educate advance practice nurse leaders who; through research, policy, and practice will promote health and well-being of local, national and international communities so that all people can thrive.

Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the MSN program, graduates will:

  • Critically analyze, interpret and utilize appropriate knowledge, research and theories to meet the health care needs of diverse client populations across the lifespan.
  • Collaboratively plan the delivery of culturally sensitive health care with organizations and the community.
  • Contribute to the advancement of nursing profession through evidenced-based research and practice.
  • Synthesize the leadership management, negotiating, teaching/coaching and consulting roles to foster continual improvement in order to meet changing societal and environmental needs.
  • Operationalize ethical, legal, political, and economic principles in application to management of healthcare delivery across the lifespan.
  • Advocate for advanced nursing practice through a commitment to lifelong learning and community service.

Curriculum
The curriculum includes coursework required by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) and professional accrediting organizations. This coursework is competency based for both the FNP and NADM programs. Core competencies utilized for the Family Nurse Practitioner program have been developed by The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). Competencies for the NADM program have been developed by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE). The AONE competencies and the American Nurses Association (ABA) Nursing Administration: Scope and Standards of Practice, are the foundation for the NADM program. Both organizations, NONPF and AONE, provide certification examinations for practice in the chosen role. The TBON defines Advanced Practice Nurse (APNs) as: "registered nurses who hold authorization from the board to practice as advanced practice nurses based on completing an advanced educational program acceptable to the Board.  The term includes a nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, nurse anesthetist, and a clinical nurse specialist.  The advanced practice nurse is prepared to practice in an expanded role to provide health care to individuals, families, and/or groups in a variety of settings including but not limited to homes, hospitals, institutions, offices, industry, schools, community agencies, public and private clinics, and private practice.  The advanced practice nurse acts independently and/or in collaboration with other health care professionals in the delivery of health care services."  (http://www.bne.state.tx.us/default.htm)

The NADM role definition and program competencies are derived from The AONE Nurse Executive Competencies: Communication Knowledge, Leadership, Professionalism Business Skills (AONE, 2005). The role of the nurse administrator is one of leadership; both the nurse executive and nurse manager(s) are leaders who promote shared governance, leverage those who s(he) supervises, identify the consumer services as the focus of nursing services, identify budgeting and finance as integral to nursing services, and innovate to accomplish organizational goals while promoting quality and safety.

ANA defines (broadly) the nurse administrator as a registered nurse who orchestrates and influences the work of others in a defined environment to enhance the shared vision of an organization or institution. The nurse administrator role varies in and among institutions. Common themes that permeate all roles include advocacy, leadership, mentorship, shared vision, knowledge of business practices and processes, high quality and safe care, positive outcomes, and dedication to the profession (ANA, 2011).

General Requirements
Graduate Academic Regulations

Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet both the general requirements of the University’s Graduate School and the specific requirements set by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing.

Registered nurses who have graduated from a nationally accredited BSN program may pursue graduate education at TAMIU. The advancement of the profession of nursing requires a commitment to continuing education and lifelong learning. Students obtaining a MSN from TAMIU will provide the South Texas region with nurses with the advanced knowledge and competencies to improve health outcomes for citizens of the region.

  1. To be considered for admission, the applicant must meet both the general requirements for the University's Graduate School and the specific requirements set by the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
    1. Submit an application to the Office of Graduate Studies by May 31st for Fall admission and November 30th for Spring admission.
    2. Comply with all requirements identified under the Graduate Admission Requirements as defined in the catalog for the year of admission.
    3. Registered Nurses seeking admission to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program must complete the online at Apply Texas.  Admission to the University does not automatically guarantee admission to the School of Nursing.  In addition to completing all requirements for general admission to the University, the student must submit/complete the following information to Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences:
      1. A valid unencumbered RN license without restrictions in the State of Texas. For FNP applicants,  this can be waived, with the condition to have a valid RN license by the time of enrollment for NURS 5330-Advance Health Assessment Theory and NURS 5331-Advance Health Assessment Practicum.
      2. Evidence of a minimum of one (1) year of work experience as a Registered Nurse with at least one year of inpatient nursing experience. For recent graduates, this can be waived, with the condition to have a valid RN license by the time of enrollment for NURS 5330-Advance Health Assessment Theory and NURS 5331-Advance Health Assessment Practicum.
      3. For NADM applicants, no nursing experience is required for admission.
      4. Evidence of a baccalaureate nursing degree from a nationally accredited college or university.
      5. Evidence of successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course.
      6. Official transcripts identifying a minimum grade point average of 2.70 or better (on a 4.0 scale) for all college work and a 3.00 in all upper division courses.
      7. A personal interview may be required during the application process.
      8. Three academic and professional references indicating achievement and motivation for graduate study.
      9. Required immunizations and criminal and drug screening data must be submitted separately to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
      10. Verification of drug and criminal background screening by a designated company or agency at student expense.
  2. Provisional Admission Requirements: If the requirements for full admission are not met, provisional admission may be available. The Admissions and Progression Committee of the School of Nursing will review any application for provisional admission. Students admitted provisionally are required to maintain a GPA 3.0 during the first 12 semester credit hours enrolled in the FNP program.
  3. Non-degree Seeking Student Enrollment: Any student seeking admission, as a non-degree seeking student must obtain permission from the Director for Graduate programs, the Dean and Graduate Council. Enrollment is limited to no more than 12 credits and subject to approval and space in the courses.
  4. Leave of Absence: A student may petition for a leave of absence at any time. The student must petition the CNHS Admission & Progression committee for approval. If the petition is granted, the registration requirement will be set-aside during the period of the leave.  The requirement to complete the degree within five years remains and begins at the first semester admitted as a degree seeking student.
  5. Credit for Prior Learning Policy (University Catalog): Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing and College of Nursing and Health Sciences accept transfer credits from other universities according to the policy of Texas A&M International University.

Procedure for Accepting Transfer Credits
Twelve (12) hours of graduate level study with a minimum grade of 3.0(B) on a 4.0 scale may be transferred from accredited institutions of higher education. Evaluation of the transferring credits identifies they are equivalent to the course they are replacing. Approval is obtained from the Admission and Progression Committee and the Dean of CNHS.

Academic Progression
Students must meet the standards for minimal performance and progression established by Texas A&M International University and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Grading Policy:

A             90-100
B             80-89
C             70-79
F              Below 70

Graduates must maintain a GPA of B or above to progress and graduate from a master’s program in the CNHS. Students must pass both clinical and theory components of a course to pass that course. A master’s student in the CNHS may receive no more than two C’s during the course of graduate study.

Procedures for students when GPA falls below 3.0, 2 Cs are earned during the course of study, F, W, I grade are earned, or unprofessional conduct is evidenced.

  • Students must repeat a course in which they earn an F and will be placed on academic probation if their GPA falls below 3.0
  • Students must repeat any course in which they earn C or lower and will be placed on academic probation if their GPA falls below 3.0. For courses, wherein practicum and didactic are separate, students will have to repeat ONLY the course in which they were not successful.
  • Academic probation status will be removed in accordance with University policy.
  • Students earning a grade of C may not progress to courses for which that course is a prerequisite until the course is repeated and a grade of B is achieved. No course can be repeated more than once.
  • Students who earn a third C or below in the program will be dismissed from the program.
  • Readmission is competitive and based upon the availability of space in the program. Students must meet the standards for minimal performance and progression established by Texas A&M International University

Probation
A student is placed on probation if she/he does not maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00. The final grade report will carry official notice of academic probation.  A GPA must be returned to a minimum of 3.00 to remove probationary status.  Students who fail to attain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average for two full-time consecutive semesters will be suspended from the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing.

Suspension, Dismissal, and Expulsion
In the event a graduate student becomes scholastically deficient, he or she may be subject to one of the following actions:

  • Suspension: separation of the student from the program for a definite period of time. The student is not guaranteed readmission at the end of this period of time. The student is guaranteed a review of the case and a decision regarding eligibility for readmission.
  • Dismissal: separation of the student from the program for an indefinite period of time. Readmission to the program may be possible in the future, but no specific time for a decision is established
  • Expulsion: Permanent separation of the student from the program for Scholastic Deficiency. The student is not eligible for readmission to the university. Expulsion can occur following a ruling by the Graduate Appeals Panel that does not support the student’s appeal.

The recommendation to suspend, dismiss or expel the student because of scholastic deficiency must be made in writing to the Dean of the Graduate School by the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. These procedures emphasize support for the University procedures and extend beyond those of the University given the ethical issues surrounding nursing practice.

  1. Students who fail to attain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average for two full-time consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
  2. Students may also be dismissed from graduate studies for any of the following reasons:
    1. Academic misconduct such as any act of dishonesty involving academic work
    2. Unsafe clinical practice
    3. Falsification of credentials
    4. Conduct unbecoming to a student as described in the University Student Conduct Code

Expulsion for Unprofessional/Unsafe Conduct

Administration and faculty reserve the right to dismiss students without previous warning for unsafe and/or unprofessional behavior. The conduct of nursing students should meet ethical standards as defined by the American Nurses Association (ANA) in Code for Nurses. The Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty reserve the right to dismiss students from the program for unprofessional or unsafe behavior.

  1. Individuals (faculty, preceptor, peer) witnessing the unsafe or unprofessional behavior by a student will report that behavior to the appropriate person (ie., peer evidencing behavior to the faculty advisor, preceptor to clinical faculty, etc.).
  2. The unprofessional conduct will be reported to the CNHS Admission and Progression Committee through the CNHS Office of the Dean.
  3. The student will be contacted related to the event by the CNHS Admissions and Progression Committee Chair.
  4. The student has the option of submitting a written rebuttal statement to the CNHS Admission and Progression Committee through the CNHS Office of the Dean.

The committee meets to discuss the event and makes a recommendation to the Dean for continuation without reprimand, continuation with a reprimand, removal from the program permanently or for a period set by the committee. The Dean of the CNHS may approve or disapprove the recommendation of the committee. The Dean of the CNHS notifies the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research of the outcome.

Repetition of a Course
A course in which the final grade is C may be repeated for a higher grade. A graduate student may retake a maximum of two courses during graduate study at the University. The student may repeat each course only one time. Only the final grade received for the course will be computed in the grade point average although the initial grade will remain on the transcript.

Additional Master’s Degree Policy
Students shall not be permitted to apply the same course credit to more than one master’s degree except in the Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program. Students pursuing the Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner as an additional master’s degree may obtain the degree upon successful completion of the major curriculum and substituting hours attained in the Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration for twelve hours of required coursework.

Graduate Degrees - College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Professional Certificates