Nurses who would like to further their education through graduate studies now have the opportunity to do so without leaving the province. The University of Prince Edward Island has introduced a new two-year Master of Nursing program which began in September 2011. The new MN program has two streams: the Thesis Stream and the Nurse Practitioner Stream.
The Master of Nursing (MN) program is founded upon the guiding principles of primary health care and designed to prepare nurses for advanced nursing practice through the integration of theory, research and practice. Graduates will incorporate evidence-based practice, leadership, advanced clinical decision-making, critical thinking, and collaboration in a variety of roles and settings.
The MN thesis stream graduate will be prepared to engage in a variety of advanced practice roles including direct care of individuals, families, communities or populations; education; administration; and research. Graduates of the nurse practitioner (NP) stream will be well prepared for evidence-based nursing practice as they assume the clinical, research, leadership, collaborator, and educator roles of the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner. Admission to the NP stream occurs every second year, with the next intake of students scheduled for 2013.
"Our faculty are very excited about introducing this new Masters program," says Dean of Nursing Dr. Kim Critchley. "It is built on the existing strengths of the faculty and the focus of primary health care, which is the foundation for the curriculum in the current undergraduate program."
Please visit the UPEI Registrar's Office website to access the application forms. The deadline for applications to the MN thesis stream is February 15, 2012. Admission to the Nurse Practitioner stream occurs every second year, with the next intake of students scheduled for 2013. Further information is available from Dr. Rosemary Herbert, Coordinator MN Program, at rherbert@upei.ca or 566-0788.
