The School of Nursing offers the Master of Science degree with a major in nursing concentration Nurse Educator. Master’s-prepared nurses may complete a post graduate certificate in the nurse educator concentration. This program prepares the nurse to practice as faculty in colleges, universities, hospital -based schools of nursing or technical schools, or as staff development educators in health care facilities. Nurse educators serve as role models and provide leadership needed to implement evidence-based practice. These leaders document the outcomes of educational programs and guide students through the learning process. The shortage of nurse educators may enhance career prospects since it affords job security and provides opportunities for nurses to maintain dual roles as educators and direct patient care providers. The graduate will be eligible to take the National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator Examination. Master’s-prepared nurses may complete a post graduate certificate in the nurse educator concentration. The following courses are required.

RN (ADN) to MS (Nursing-Nurse Educator) Concentration

Associate degree RNs may apply for a continuous pathway to receive the BSN and the MS (Nursing) in the Nurse Educator concentration. Students who have completed all of the BSN prerequisites can complete their bachelor's and master’s degree in 48 credits.

The RN to MS courses are offered in an online format. Two types of students are eligible to enroll in this option: those who are licensed RN’s and those enrolled in a Colorado community college associate degree nursing program (ADN).

A licensed RN includes both an associate degree and a diploma nurse.

Those enrolled in the community college have an opportunity to concurrently enroll in the RN to MS program and begin taking select bachelor and master level courses.

This allows them to move seamlessly from the associate degree program through the bachelor's and master's degree program. These students must pass the NCLEX-RN and be licensed in order to take the remaining master's courses.

Colorado Community College System or Compact State Dual Enrollment/ADN to BSN

BSN courses may be taken concurrently while enrolled in a Colorado compact state or a Colorado Community College System ADN program. In addition, pre-requisite courses may be taken while concurrently enrolled. Upon receiving RN licensure and completion of all BSN and MS courses students are eligible for escrow credits through articulation.

Specific Admission Requirements

Students are responsible for following all admission policies and procedures as outlined in the Graduate Studies section of the University catalog.

1. Complete application to the nursing program.
2. Proof of active, unrestricted Colorado Registered Nurse license or  current enrollment in a Colorado Community College or a compact state ADN program
3.  Residency in a Colorado Nursing Compact State.
4.  All prerequisites must be passed with a C or better (C- is not acceptable) including statistics, microbiology and chemistry. Students receiving a grade less than C in a nursing prerequisite course are not eligible for admission.

If accepted into a program, CastleBranch requirements must be completed by the end of the first class semester. These requirements  include the following:

1. CV/Resume
2. Drug screen
3. Background check per Colorado law
4. Physical exam within the last 12 months
5. NSO student malpractice insurance
6. Current immunizations
7. Current certification in CPR (Health Care Provider - C or equivalent)
8. Nursing Program Enrollment Agreement
9. CSU Pueblo Consent Forms
10. Major/concentration specific requirements

Specific Program Requirements

The student must confer with the RN-MS (Nursing) advisor to develop a degree plan. The RN-MS option will include 33 escrow credit hours (see the Academic Policies section of the catalog), which will be posted the semester prior to anticipated graduation, 57 credit hours of prerequisite or co-requisite courses and 48 credit hours of nursing and approved elective courses for a total of 138 credit hours. Students must pass all nursing courses with a B or better and maintain a nursing 3.0 GPA. RNs transferring from community colleges can transfer in 57 prerequisite credits along with 33 RN credits of which 10 are considered upper division for a total of 90 credit hours. This applies only to the students in the RN to BSN/MS option.

Specific Prerequisite Requirements

¹

CID 221 Interpersonal Communication (GT-SS3) (3 c.h.) will be accepted in lieu of CID 103 Speaking & Listening (3 c.h.) but students must complete additional Gen Ed Humanities. 

²

May substitute CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) (4 c.h.)/CHEM 121L General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1) (1 c.h.)

 Specific Concentration Requirements

The graduate degree will be granted to candidates who meet all of the University catalog requirements plus the following:

1. Graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
2. All courses must be passed with a B or better.
3. Completed oral comprehensive exam or directed research or thesis. If choosing to complete a directed research project or thesis you will need to contact the Graduate Nursing Program Coordinator by the end of your second semester.

Planning Sheet

Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.