Learning Outcomes

Each degree program at the College of Nursing has its Program Learning Outcomes that the students will achieve by the end of the program.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Xavier University’s College of Nursing offers a highly sought-after Direct Admission undergraduate BSN program in nursing that is endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC). This program prepares students as professional nurses capable of meeting the healthcare needs of diverse populations and with the ability to adapt to a highly technical and ever-evolving healthcare environment. Our approach to nursing is holistic, ethical, and guided by the very values that mark both the profession of nursing and Jesuit institutions. Our graduates leave Xavier qualified to sit for both the registered nurse licensure exam (NCLEX) and the AHNCC certification exam. Xavier’s BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The College of Nursing offers the BSN degree program as a direct entry pre-licensure BSN program for traditional high school graduates and as a Post Baccalaureate Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (known as Accelerated BSN, Second-Degree Accelerated BSN, or ABSN). The 16-month ABSN program at Xavier University is customized for adult learners with a previous bachelor’s degree in any field of study.

Program Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN/ABSN) program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate scholarship through critical thinking vital to professional judgment and ethical/moral decision-making.
• Demonstrate service by valuing the dignity and worth of each person while providing thoughtful, compassionate and competent professional care to clients in transition.
• Demonstrate leadership by coordinating, delegating, collaborating, and maintaining collegial relationships with other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote the health and welfare of clients.
• Value personal and professional growth through involvement in professional activities and by assuming responsibility for professional competence and continuing education. 

Master of Science in Nursing Programs (MSN)

Xavier's graduate nursing (MSN) online programs have been open to BSN prepared registered nurses since 2005 and prepares graduates to be holistic healers and leaders in the delivery of health care with an educational foundation grounded in Jesuit ethics and value. Xavier’s MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

The College of Nursing offers multiple tracks for the MSN degree including:

• 20-months Accelerated Second Degree Direct Entry MSN Program (MIDAS)
• MSN – Education and post-master certificate in nursing education
• MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and post-master FNP certificate
• MSN – Forensics

Program Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, graduates will be able to:

• Synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge from the humanities and the sciences, including nursing, and evaluate it for its use in guiding nursing research and practice.
• Exhibit competence and confidence when assuming role responsibilities as a graduate with advanced level preparation.
• Exemplify moral and ethical leadership through a concern for others, the management of nursing care, and a commitment to professional excellence in the delivery of health care and the profession.
• Evaluate issues and opportunities in health care delivery from ethical, sociopolitical, technological, and historical frameworks while providing leadership for change.
• Validate and extend nursing knowledge through interpretation of and collaboration in nursing research.
• Communicate orally and in writing in a scholarly manner.
• Develop in-depth knowledge in a concentrated area of study.

In addition to the above learning outcomes, each track has additional track-specific objectives. 

Accelerated Second Degree Direct Entry MSN Program (MIDAS) track-specific outcomes

In addition to the above MSN program learning outcomes, by the completion of the MIDAS program, graduates will be able to:

• Successful completion of course content necessary for licensure as a registered nurse.
• Apply art and science of nursing to the role of the clinical nurse leader.

Students in the MIDAS program will meet the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) track requirements. The following are the CNL objectives:

• Apply the art and science of nursing to the role of the clinical nurse leader at the point of care.
• Communicate effectively across healthcare disciplines.
• Ensure quality and safety in healthcare.
• Implement and coordinate the best practice at the point of care and across settings.
• Integrate knowledge of nursing theory, research, epidemiology, informatics, ethics, healthcare policy, economics, healthcare finances, and leadership into the management of healthcare delivery.

Nursing Education MSN Track-specific objectives

In addition to the above MSN program learning outcomes, by the completion of the education program, graduates will be able to:

• Expand knowledge of the principles and techniques of education in modern society.
• Enhance specific knowledge in the development and provision of education programs.
• Apply education principles to the education of student nurses, nurses and the public.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) MSN track-specific objectives

In addition to the above MSN program learning outcomes, by the completion of the FNP program, graduates will be able to:

• Applies advanced practice skills, abilities, and knowledge to provide holistic family-centered primary health care to populations across the lifespan in a variety of ambulatory care settings as an advanced practice nurse specializing in family nursing.
• Provides culturally competent, population-based preventive, management, and maintenance care for acute and chronic conditions for the family unit, however, the family chooses to define itself.
• Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities to sit for the FNP Certification Examination in order to apply for a state certificate of authority in advanced practice, as well as the authority to prescribe as an FNP-BC (board certified).

Post-Master FNP Certificate track-specific objectives

In addition to the above MSN program learning outcomes, by the completion of the post-master FNP certificate program, graduates will be able to:

• Applies advanced practice skills, abilities and knowledge to provide holistic family-centered primary health care to populations across the lifespan in a variety of ambulatory care settings as an advanced practice nurse specializing in family nursing.
• Provides culturally competent, population-based preventive, management, and maintenance care for acute and chronic conditions for the family unit however the family chooses to define itself.
• Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities to sit for the FNP Certification Examination in order to apply for a state certificate of authority in advanced practice and authority to prescribe as an FNP-BC (board certified).

Forensic Nursing MSN track-specific objectives

In addition to the above MSN program learning outcomes, by the completion of the forensic nursing program, graduates will be able to:

• Interface with other health care disciplines and the criminal justice system.
• Apply forensic nursing principles to the promotion of health care and safety in the community.
• Promote early identification and prevent potential abuse of children, adults and the elderly.
• Discuss trauma and death and the collection, preservation and documentation of related evidence.
• Apply expert witness skills and legal consultation in investigations related to violence and trauma.

Doctor of Nursing Practice in Population Health Leadership (DNP)

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Population Health Leadership degree program is a population health-focused post-master’s degree program for nurses from various practice settings. This DNP program is 100% online and designed for RNs with an MSN who want to become leaders in addressing the complexity of healthcare and healthcare outcomes in the 21st century. Xavier’s DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Program Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, graduates will be able to:

• Integrate the scientific, philosophical, ethical, and historical underpinnings of professional nursing practice from a global and holistic perspective.
• Provide organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking.
• Engage in clinical scholarship and analytical methods for the translation of research in practice.
• Utilize information systems/technology for the holistic improvement and transformation of healthcare.
• Influence health care policy for advocacy in health care
• Establish interprofessional collaboration for holistically improving patient and population health outcomes.
• Design, implement, and evaluate healthcare delivery methods for illness prevention and population health for improving the nation’s health.
• Utilize conceptual and analytical skills to distinguish relationships among practice, organizations, diverse populations, fiscal resources, and policy concerns and to advance nursing practice.