Indiana University East is pursuing its fourth master’s degree program in one of the nation’s growing career fields. The Master of Science in Nursing degree was approved by the Indiana University Board of Trustees during its October 1 meeting.
By receiving the trustees’ approval, IU East may now submit the graduate program to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association for their approvals.

Karen Clark, dean of the IU East School of Nursing, said the graduate program meets the Tri-Council for Nursing’s call for advancing education within the nursing profession and to meet the health care demands of an increasingly diverse and aging population.

“The approval and offering of a MSN program at the IU East campus affords residents of our region access to a quality program that will positively impact the health care of our citizens,” Clark said. “Serving in leadership and administrative roles will provide opportunities for enhanced health care delivery systems and ultimately improved health for the citizens of our regions. Nurses with masters’ preparation are and will continue to be in strong demand.”

The graduate program prepares registered nurses with advanced practice nursing knowledge in the areas of nursing education and administration. Nurses with this advanced knowledge will enhance health care for the community, impacting the health care delivery system.  Students who will be considered for enrollment in the graduate program are practicing Registered Nurses (RNs) with a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

Graduate students enrolled in the program will earn a minimum of 39 credit hours. The curriculum is consistent with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Essentials of Masters Education and with requirements for accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the accrediting bodies in professional nursing education.

Continued regional growth in health care cannot be sustained without advancements in the level of nursing care.  The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) will enable graduates to function in advanced level management positions requiring an advanced nursing degree. Hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, extended care facilities, and nurse managed health centers as well as a multitude of community agencies are potential employers of advanced practice nurses. Graduates will also be prepared for faculty roles at universities and colleges, addressing the existing nationwide shortages of nurses and well-prepared nursing faculty.

IU East established its first graduate program with the Master of Science in Education in June 2007. The Master of Social Work followed in June 2008. The School of Business and Economics is currently pursuing final approvals on the Master of Science in Management.