Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (M.E.P.N.)
Interim Director of Nursing/Associate Professor: Joyce O'Reilly
Assistant Professors: Lisa R. Chicko, Wendy J. Varnum, Catherine Cuchetti
Successful graduates will receive a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree and
a Healthcare
Administration Certificate. As a pre-licensure registered nursing program, the M.E.P.N.
program
accepts applicants who have completed the following:
Application Requirements for the Masters Entry to Practice Nursing (M.E.P.N.)
Application materials must be submitted and reviewed prior to acceptance. These materials
include the following:
• Completed Franklin Pierce University Graduate Admission application
• Resume
• Essay stating goals and objectives for applying to the MEPN program
• Receipt of all official transcripts from colleges and/o universities previously
attended
• Achievement of minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
on a 4.0 scale
• ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) admission exam with a passing score
of 80%
• Interview with nursing faculty
Students must complete the following prerequisite college level courses with a letter
grade of B or better prior to starting the M.E.P.N. program:
• Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits with lab)
• Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits with lab)
• General Chemistry (4 credits with lab)
• Microbiology (4 credits with lab)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Human/Lifespan Development (3 credits)
• Nutrition (3 credits)
M.E.P.N. Mission Statement
The Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing Program (M.E.P.N.) is committed to preparing
ethical “leaders of conscience who demonstrate sound critical thinking and clinical
judgement, promote health and healing, and who make significant contributions to the
local and global communities. The curriculum prepares students to utilize scholarly
inquiry to provide care that is patient centered and rooted in evidence. Graduates
will be prepared to practice in diverse health care arenas to effect improvements
in patient outcomes through leadership in health care delivery systems.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the M.E.P.N. program, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate critical thinking and decision-making based on biopsychosocial and organizational
sciences to improve healthcare quality and outcomes in a variety of settings.
• Integrate organizational and systems leadership to guide and direct clinical decision
making and evaluation of patient outcomes and safety.
• Advocate for ethical and culturally sensitive strategies in the design of high quality
and cost effective healthcare delivery.
• Apply clinical scholarship and implementation of best practices for the improvement
of healthcare delivery.
• Incorporate technology to support and coordinate delivery of high quality, safe
patient care.
• Demonstrate advocacy strategies to influence healthcare policy to improve health
of the public.
• Collaborate with the inter-professional team to influence the shared goals of disease
prevention, health promotion, and patient-centered care to diverse populations.
The M.E.P.N. program prepares the graduate to:
• Utilize professional codes and standards of professional nursing practice.
• Demonstrate autonomy in critical thinking and decision making to guide care to patient
across the lifespan.
• Function effectively within interprofessional healthcare teams, utilizing evidence-based
practice to deliver high quality safe patient care and promote positive patient outcomes.
• Apply leadership skills as a change agent within the healthcare system to promote
equity and culturally sensitive care
The M.E.P.N. program:
• Prepares the student to take the NCLEX-RN upon completion of the program
• Consists of six consecutive 12-week terms over 18 months
• Is a full-time program; students are discouraged from working
Dismissal and Termination
The M.E.P.N. Program is a master’s level professional education program. Students
enrolled in the program must demonstrate achievement in academic and clinical competencies
necessary for professional practice as a registered nurse and meet academic criteria
consistent with degree programs at the graduate level. Students are held to both the
M.E.P.N. Academic Standards Policies identified in the Nursing Student Handbook as
well as the Academic Catalog.
Students in the M.E.P.N. program are expected to earn grades of a B or better to remain in good academic standing. Final course grades of less than a B in a 700-level course will result in program dismissal. In accordance with the current academic standing policy graduate students cannot have more than two grades below a B- in any 500-level courses during the program.
Students in the M.E.P.N. program must abide by all policies in the Student Code of Conduct, the Nursing Student Handbook, and all University policies as defined in the current FPU Academic Catalog. Additionally, M.E.P.N. students must abide by the Code of Ethics set forth by the American Nurses Association.
1. Performing duties and/or assuming responsibilities without adequate preparation,
competency, and/or supervision.
2. Diverting supplies, equipment, or medications for personal or other unauthorized
use. Ignorance will not be accepted as justification.
3. Falsifying or otherwise altering client, clinical agency, or University records
or documents.
4. Misrepresenting his/her clinical hours or providing any false documentation or
other written or verbal inaccuracy related to clinical rotations and/or clinical hours.
5. Abusing, neglecting, or abandoning clients and/or families, or violating privacy
regulations, laws or rules.
6. Displaying conduct that is unbecoming to a Franklin Pierce University nursing student,
or which may be detrimental or dangerous to the health or welfare of the client, family,
public, self, or the University.
7. Being charged with or convicted of the commission of any act that is classified
as a relevant misdemeanor or any felony under N.H. law.
8. Failure to abide by and/or commission of acts or behaviors that violate University
and/or School of Nursing requirements, policies, and procedures as identified in the
Nursing Student Handbook or the N.H. Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act.
9. Inability to perform required essential skills and functions due to chemical, mental,
physical or medical impairment.
10. Positive result on any drug test.
M.E.P.N. Program Requirements
Foundational pre-licensure course work is front loaded in the program with master’s
level content scaffolded throughout. Foundational concepts and health assessment/management
across the lifespan are paired with clinical learning experiences throughout the program.
Students’ studies will culminate with NR790 which requires them to develop a quality
improvement project as well as an immersion leadership practicum.
Curriculum Plan
Term 1
NR 501 R.N./M.S.N. Bridge -3 credits
NR 580 Pathophysiology for the Advanced Generalist -3 credits
NR 700 Foundational Concepts of Professional Nursing (lecture) 3 credits
NR 701 Foundation: Introduction to Nursing Interventions Practicum/ Health Assessment
across the lifespan for the Advanced Generalist (lab) -3 credits
Term 1 total: 12 Credits
Term 2
NR 575 Pharmacology for the Advanced Generalist-3 credits
GM 592 Health Policy -3 credits
NR 710 Nursing Management of Common Health Alterations Across the Lifespan -3 credits
NR 711 Nursing Management of Common Health Alterations Across the Lifespan Practicum
(clinical/lab) -3 credits
Term 1 total: 12 Credits
Term 3
GM 594 Healthcare Payment Systems -3 credits
GM 520 Legal and Ethical Issues in Business Organizations -3 credits
NR 750 Maternal/Child Nursing (lecture)-2 credits
NR 751 Women's Health Practicum (OB/Gyn clinical/lab) -1 credit
NR 752 Pediatrics Practicum (Peds clinical/lab) -1 credit
Term 3 10 Credits
Term 4
GM 596 Quality Improvement Models in Healthcare -3 credits
NR 730 Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (Lecture) -3 credits
NR 731 Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Practicum (clinical) -1 credit
NR 740 Community Health Promotion Practicum (clinical) -1 credit
Term 8 Credits
Term 5 (Term 1 of second year)
GM 510 Seminar in Leadership-3 credits
NR 720 Nursing Management of Complex Health Alterations Across the Lifespan (Lecture)
-3 credits
NR 721 Nursing Management of Complex Health Alterations Across the Lifespan Practicum
(clinical/lab) -3 credits
Total credits = 9
Term 6 (Term 2 of second year)
NR 760 Immersion Advanced Generalist Practicum (clinical) -3 credits
NR 790 Capstone: Clinical Project Development and Implementation -6 credits
Total credits = 9
Degree total: 60 Credits
MEPN Pathway Program
The MEPN Pathway Program is designed for current Rindge undergraduate students who would like to enter the nursing profession. As previously mentioned, the graduates of the MEPN program will earn a Master of Science in Nursing, a Healthcare Administration Certificate, and qualify to take the National Council Licensure Examination in Nursing (NCLEX-RN). The MEPN Pathway program allows current Rindge students to apply and be guaranteed admission to the program as early as the student’s junior year. Students considered for the MEPN Pathway Program will have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better and have completed or will complete the following prerequisites with a grade of B or better prior to graduation.
- BI 260 Anatomy and Physiology I
- BI 261 Anatomy and Physiology II
- BI 325 Microbiology
- CH 101 General Chemistry
- BI 235 Human Health and Nutrition
- MT 260 Statistics
- PS 234 Human Growth and Development
MEPN Direct Admit Program
The Direct Admit Program is designed for High School seniors who would like to enter the nursing profession. Students will be admitted to the MEPN Program after having met the following criteria:
- Admitted to Franklin Pierce University
- High School CGPA of 3.0 or better
- Completed four years of High School math\
- Completed four years of High School science
- Have demonstrated leadership in school and community activities
To retain their position in the MEPN Program, the student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in their undergraduate studies as well as achieve a grade of B or better in the following courses:
- BI 260 Anatomy and Physiology I
- BI 261 Anatomy and Physiology II
- BI 325 Microbiology
- CH 101 General Chemistry
- BI 235 Human Health and Nutrition
- MT 260 Statistics
- PS 234 Human Growth and Development
