Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (M.E.P.N.)

Director of Nursing/Associate Professor: Catherine Cuchetti
Assistant Professors: Lisa R. Chicko, Wendy J. Klein 
Instructors: Kayla Gallagher, Mandy June

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/or 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)

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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; it is recommended that students do not work due to the rigor of the program

Program Progression
The course sequence in the curriculum is designed to provide incremental knowledge and skills necessary for professional nursing practice. To achieve this goal, the sequence of courses must be followed. A student in good academic standing will progress through the curriculum as designed. Nursing courses are arranged in a specific sequence, thus repeating a course will result in delay of the student’s progress through the curriculum, requiring a longer period of time to successfully complete the program. Good academic standing is demonstrated by earning a course grade of 83% or greater in all NR 700 level nursing courses, achieve a grade of “pass” in all clinical courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. If a student does not achieve a course grade of 83% or greater in any NR 700 level nursing course, the student will decelerate in the program and be placed on Academic Suspension as defined in the Academic Catalog. A student who wishes to return to the MEPN program will be subject to the Re-entry to MEPN policy below.

Re-entry to the MEPN
A student who is placed on Academic Suspension with Deceleration will receive notice in writing (electronic or paper format) within 5 days of the start of the next term and will take effect immediately upon delivery. A student who wishes to appeal the decision may submit a written appeal to the Academic Standards Committee within seventy-two hours of receipt of notification of the Academic Suspension. If the appeal is denied by Academic Standards Committee, the student remains on Academic Suspension with Deceleration.
For a student placed on Academic Suspension with Deceleration status, the student may be considered for readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed. In order to be considered for readmission, the student must meet the following requirements:
1. The student must submit a request for readmission in writing to the Program Director and submit an official transcript of any coursework completed since dismissal. The request should state the reasons for seeking readmission and any extenuating circumstances related to the Academic Suspension. The request must contain the applicant’s detailed plan for correcting past academic deficiencies.
2. The student’s request will be reviewed by the Nursing Committee. If the student is considered appropriate for readmission, the Nursing Committee will outline a plan for the student to demonstrate competency and retention of appropriate program-level antecedent knowledge and skills at the time of the deceleration. This will take the form of a knowledge assessment (exam) administered to the student. The student will be required to demonstrate requisite knowledge gained from prior coursework successfully completed prior to the deceleration.
3. The student will also be required to demonstrate essential nursing skills commensurate with the expected level of knowledge and skills at the time the student’s deceleration. The student will have access to practice skills in the lab prior to testing if requested. A nursing faculty member will assess the student’s capability to perform selected skills by appointment. The student is responsible for scheduling and for preparing for this requirement.
4. If the student demonstrates competency in requisite nursing knowledge and skills, and is approved for readmission by the Nursing Committee, the student will be allowed to return to the MEPN program, repeating the failed course in the next term when the course is offered, usually the following year.
5. Readmitted students are required to meet with the Program Director within two
weeks of receiving notice of readmission to discuss the student’s learning contract.
6. Readmitted students may repeat only one nursing course in the program. Any subsequent grade of less than 83% in any other NR 700 level nursing course will result in dismissal from the program and the student will be ineligible for readmission Any readmitted student who has decelerated will not be permitted to withdraw from a course; a withdrawal will result in program dismissal.

Re-entry into the MEPN program will be dependent on space availability and previous academic standing. Students returning from medical leave will need to provide written documentation from the health care provider stating the student may return and will be able to perform all clinical requirements without restriction. This documentation will be provided to the program director. Upon return the student will be required to demonstrate required nursing competencies. If the student has been absent for twelve or more consecutive months, they must meet the current Catalog requirements in effect at the time of reinstatement.
The student will only be allowed to re-enter back into the program when the course is offered again. For example, if someone fails NR 700, they will have to wait until the next year when the course is offered again to apply for re-entry.

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)-3 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) -4 credits
NR 790 Capstone: Clinical Project Development and Implementation -4 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 Entry Program

The Direct Entry 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 three years of High School math, must include Algebra
• Completed three years of High School science

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