Program Outcomes

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program builds on the bachelor nurses skills to
prepare for advanced nursing in education. The MSN program prepares students to be leaders,
change agents, and innovators in their specialty area (USM, 2015). The following are the MSN
graduate outcomes.
Outcome 1
Graduates will integrate comprehensive assessment, theory, evidence, clinical judgement,
research, patient values, and inter-professional perspectives in advance nursing practice for
diverse populations (USM, 2015, p. 362).
This was met through the coursework in the Advanced Health Assessment and Promotion,
Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology. I learned how to do a
complete head to toe assessment, interpret labs, and disease process through case studies. The
weekly discussions in all of the coursework was based on the advanced practice role.
Outcome 2
Graduates will utilize information and technology to communicate, educate, manage
knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making (USM, 2015, p. 362).
This was met throughout the program with the on line coursework and through classwork in
Curriculum Design and Eval, Foundations of Learning and Teaching, and Teaching with
Technology. I developed a teaching episode.
Outcome 3
Graduates will synthesize ethical, economic, legal, and political factors that influence health
care to influence the organization and financing of health care delivery and educational delivery
systems (USM, 2015, p. 362).
This was met through the coursework in Healthcare Policy and Ethics and throughout the
program with weekly discussions including ethics and legal topics. I wrote a letter to the
governor of my state regarding the mental health facility closures to advocate for more mental
health care support.
Outcome 4
Graduates will collaborate to design, coordinate, and evaluate patient-centered health care as a
leader or member of an inter-professional team (USM, 2015, p. 362).
This was met through the coursework in Foundations of Learning and Teaching. I worked in
groups to develop a ThingLink for a specific topic for patient-centered health care.
Outcome 5
Graduates will contribute to nursing practice to improve health care outcomes by translating
evidence into practice (USM, 2015, p. 362).
I have met this throughout the program using evidence-based practice in assignments and
discussions.

Outcome 6
Graduates will integrate evidence-based findings for patient-centered and culturally responsive
strategies for clinical prevention and health promotion for diverse populations and
environments (USM, 2015, p. 362).
This was met through the coursework in Advanced Pharmacology and other course assignments
on culture and diversity. I researched and wrote a pathfinder paper for a new medication, Vraylar
(cariprazine), which treats both bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia.
Outcome 7
Graduates will Advocate for policies to improve population health, access to quality care and
the profession of nursing (USM, 2015, p. 362).
This was met through the coursework in Healthcare Policy and Ethics and a policy letter written
to the governor of my state regarding the support and services for mental illness.
Outcome 8
Graduates will provide evidence of professional and personal goal development and activities
(USM, 2015, p. 362).
This was met throughout the coursework in reflective journals and discussions about my future
goals. I have developed a teaching portfolio and written papers for my philosophy of nursing
and teaching.
Outcome 9
Graduates will integrate the 5 Cs of caring - commitment, conscience, competence,
compassion, and confidence - in advanced nursing practice (USM, 2015, p. 362).
This was met by my commitment of continuing in the program without taking a break to
complete my Masters degree. Conscience was met by completing all assignments by myself
and with full effort. Competence was met by completing Advanced Health Assessment and
Promotion, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
coursework. Compassion was met by communicating with other students who were struggling
and through my weekly discussion writings. Confidence was met by teaching live presentations
in my practicum and being more secure in my discussions and assignments.

References
University of Saint Mary (USM). (2015). Academic Catalog. Retrieved from
http://www.stmary.edu/StMary/files/75/75bcb19a-0570-4dfd-807f-b67d825fdd9e.pdf