Graduate – Advanced Nursing Practice and Education (ANPE) (MSN, Post Master’s, DNP) Student Handbook
It is your responsibility to become acquainted with University and College of Nursing policies, Regulation, rules, and procedures and abide by them. This handbook is maintained on the College of Nursing web site; change in guidelines or procedure will be updated electronically.
The College of Nursing and its students follow the policies of East Carolina University as set forth in the 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog and East Carolina University Policy Manual, Policies, Regulations and Rule Guidelines. Academic Regulations are also located in the 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog Procedures unique to the College of Nursing Department of Advanced Nursing Practice and Education are described in this handbook.
ECU cannot confirm whether any of its courses or programs meets requirements for professional licensure outside of the State of North Carolina. ECU strongly encourages students to contact applicable licensing boards in states they wish to pursue licensure prior to seeking admission or beginning study in an academic program.
Students should refer to the ECU homepage Quick links to access E-mail, Canvas, Academic Calendars, Pirate Port and other ECU resources.
Change of Name and Address
It is the obligation of each student to notify the Office of the Registrar of any change in name and/or address. A student may also change their address via Pirate Port. Failure to do so can cause significant delay in communication with the students.
Students Serving as Witnesses to Legal Documents
It is Illegal in the state of North Carolina for nursing students to witness living wills (NCGS 90-320-322). It is the procedure of ECU College of Nursing that graduate and undergraduate students are not to serve as witnesses to legal documents of any kind (will, informed consent, living wills, etc.) while in the role of the nursing student in a clinical practicum.
Resolution of Incompletes
Graduate students must resolve incompletes within one academic year. However, in order to ensure timely progression through plan of study, students are encouraged to resolve the incomplete as soon as possible within one semester after receiving the incomplete. If a student needs to receive an incomplete, they should promptly meet with the instructor and the student’s advisor to arrange an appropriate timeline for completion of the work and discuss progression.
Admission and Compliance Requirements
All College of Nursing requirements may be found in the CON Student Handbook in the section labeled “Compliance Policies and Clinical Requirements”.
Dress Code
The uniform identifies the East Carolina University College of Nursing students and indicates to others their individual and professional standards. The following guidelines are adapted from the requirements 4prevention. If a student is unable to comply with the professional dress code/uniform as specified, they should submit their concern in writing to the Department Chair.
Professional dress is required when in clinical or a community agency and while on campus and will reflect nursing professionalism.
- When students are wearing a lab coat, it should be clean and pressed with the ECU CON student identification visible and no other agency/employment logo or writing.
- Clinical attire – when attending clinical practicum experiences, the student is representing the ECU College of Nursing and their professional program, concentration, or specialty. Students must comply with clinical agency dress code.
- Clothing – Students should dress in neat, clean, wrinkle-free business attire. Dresses must be scrub set (if permitted by practice or agency). Skirts or dresses must be appropriate length and cut for stooping and bending, as may be required during some patient care. If when seated, the hem comes to 3 inches above the knee, opaque tights or leggings should be worn. Business casual does not include revealing clothing (bareback, open shoulders, crop tops, cleavage showing with changes in position, legging, yoga pants or tight-fitting pants without long tunic/sweater covering or denim). Headwear such as hats and caps are not allowed unless they are related to your cultural/religious practices such as the wearing of hijabs, turbans, yarmulkes, etc. Please discuss with your ECU Clinical Instructor as well as your clinical site
- Shoes – Must be non-permeable (for ready cleaning) and closed-toe and heels. Shoes should be professional in appearance, safe for the clinical setting (such as less than 1-inch heels) and must be neat and clean.
- ECU CON Identification – the ONE Card or student picture ID is used as an ID and should always be visible. For compliance with NCBON, include RN and Role, i.e., nursing or NP student. Some clinical or community agencies may require agency specified student badges to be worn.
- Student should never wear their employment ID badge when in activities related to their student role.
- Professional badge holders are acceptable.
- It is expected that appearances should not hinder the formation of a therapeutic relationship with patients/clients. Therefore,
- Cosmetics should be minimal and subtle with no fragrances.
- No artificial nails, including gel or acrylic overlays, extensions, or colored nail polish. Short, clean nails only per OSHA and CDC standards.
- Potentially offensive tattoos must be covered.
- Minimal jewelry that does not interfere with infection control and safety guidelines, clinical examination, or treatment skills.
- Rings on fingers limited to 2 per hand (excluding wedding bands).
- Pierced jewelry limited to ears (tongue, nose, eyebrow piercings, etc. must be removed while in the clinical). Ear piercing should be studs only.
- Other piercings (gauges) should be plugged closed with plug matching skin tone or clear inserts.
- Hair must be professional and in natural shades. Hairstyle and beards should be simple, neat and trim, clean, secured to prevent hair from hanging over patients, and away from the face allowing proper use of equipment and PPE. No head coverings except for religious purposes may be worn but must allow for the use of stethoscopes, PPE, and other medical instruments.
- There may be additional considerations based upon concentration, specialty, or agency requirements.
Children in the Classroom
Children in the classroom can be disruptive to other students, therefore students are expected to secure childcare prior to attending on-campus or synchronous online classes.
Lactation Room
Lactation Room is in room 2546 in Laupus Library. The main desk can help students access the room. This room is designed to provide a private space for students and faculty.
CON Technology Team
The College of Nursing at East Carolina University has a technology team that provides a wide variety of services to faculty, staff, and students. These services include hardware and software support for faculty and staff computers, learning management system support for instructors and students. Web site services, multimedia support, special projects/special needs, and much more. The college of Nursing has a strong Distance Education support team for instructors and for its online graduate students. The CON Technology may be contacted at the College of Nursing Technology Support.
Student Representation on College of Nursing Standing Committees
College of Nursing Standing Committees call for graduate student representation. If you are interested in serving, contact your program director for further instructions. The committee function is described in the College of Nursing Unit Code of Operations. Students are invited to participate on the Research and Scholarship Committee, Global Health Committee, Graduate Curriculum Committee, Culture, Engagement and Development Committee and the Graduate Student Affairs Committee.
College of Nursing Recognition Ceremony
At the end of each fall and spring semester, the College of Nursing schedules a ceremony to recognize students who have completed their programs of study. Summer graduates may participate in the fall ceremony. Each MSN and DNP student is recognized and hooded during the College of Nursing ceremony. This occasion is significant for graduates and their families/friends. Participation is encouraged.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships may be available. Information on graduate assistantships may be found at Graduate School-Assistantships. If you are interested in additional information, please contact the ANPE Department Chair.
Student Travel Assistance
The College of Nursing, with the assistance of the ECU Graduate School, attempts to provide travel assistance to graduate or doctoral students who are delivering poster or podium presentations at scholarly conferences. When budget allows, students may receive support one time during each academic year. Students must request funding from the Department Chair of the student’s program. If approved, after attending the conference, students submit travel documents to the program department. If approved after attending the conference, students submit travel forms and reimbursement. Student may be asked to prepare a brief presentation to share information they learned at the conference.
Sigma International Honor Society-Beta Nu Chapter
The purpose of Sigma International Honor Society of Nursing is to:
- Recognize superior achievement.
- Recognize the development of leadership qualities.
- Foster high professional standards.
- Encourage creative work.
- Strengthen commitment to the ideals and purpose of the profession.
Beta Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau was established on East Carolina University’s campus in 1974. For nurse leaders, in addition to what is listed, they must be legally recognized to practice nursing in their country and have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or equivalent in any field.
A member of Sigma may transfer their membership or have dual membership. For additional information, contact the ANPE Department Chair or Beta Nu Chapter President.
Other Nursing Organizations
Other nursing organizations active in the ECU College of Nursing include those listed at College of Nursing – Student Organizations
Graduates of this program are prepared to do the following:
- Lead and collaborate with an interprofessional team to develop a comprehensive patient-centered plan of care that fosters quality and safety.
- Develop an engaged professional identity through continued learning, ethical decision making, scholarly work and service.
- Formulate strategies to advance population health including the vulnerable and rural underserved people.
- Critically examine evidence to advance professional practice, education and leadership.
- Integrate theories and research from nursing, natural and social sciences to guide clinical practice, lead nursing systems and advance education.
- Utilize information systems technology to synthesize data and inform evidence-based practice, guidelines, and policies.
(GFO approved 12/18/23)
The graduate program in nursing offers a Master Science Degree in Nursing with various concentrations. All concentrations are described in the Graduate Catalog.
The current curriculum is based on the AACN The Essential of Master’s Education in Nursing (2019).
Degree Requirements are located in the ECU Graduate Catalog. Depending upon the concentration area chosen within the degree program, the Master of Science in Nursing requires 38-53 s.h. credit. Concentrations are listed below.
- Health System Leadership, 38 s.h.
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health, 45 s.h.
- Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist, 45 s.h.
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, 42 s.h.
- Nurse-Midwifery, 53 s.h.
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, 43 s.h.
- Nursing Education, 37-40 s.h.Rev. 7-27-11/cwm Approved
9/22/2011 by GFO
Edited and Under Review 07/21/2022
We decided that students must make a “B” in all courses with clinical designations and a “C” in all non-designated courses. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in accordance with Graduate School standards.
Students must adhere to Graduate School Academic Eligibility Standards and Probation and Termination Policies, found in the current ECU Graduate Catalog.
All MSN graduate programs require student to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. The assessment is a portfolio in NURS 6993 Advanced Nursing Synthesis in the MSN program. The purposes of the comprehensive assessment are to assess the student’s ability to:
- Synthesize advanced knowledge from using and related sciences for specialized practice;
- Integrate research and theory in advanced professional practice;
- Evaluate issues that impact advanced nursing practice; and
- Communicate ideas effectively.
Each concentration will provide specific guidelines for completion of the comprehensive assessment portfolio to be completed in NUR 6993 prior to graduation.
Upon admission to the program, each MSN students is assigned to a Concentration Director (CD) who serves as the student’s academic advisor or other faculty member assigned within the student’s declared concentration. This advisor, a member of the East Carolina University Graduate Faculty, will be responsible for assisting the student in meeting the requirements of the program. Generally, the advisory process includes:
- An initial online or face-to-face conference with the advisor to plan the overall program of study.
- Contact with the advisor at least once per semester; preferably prior to the online registration period.
- Continued regular contact with the advisor, even if the student is not taking coursework during a particular semester.
Advisors are available to help students select cognate options, schedule and sequence courses, assist with concerns, and for referral to other university resources.
Specifically, the responsibilities of CDs and/or advisors and students are as follows:
Concentration Director / Advisor Responsibilities
- CD is responsible for checking:
- Transfer credits
- Credits taken outside a program in which student has been formally admitted.
- Credits from another degree.
- Credits that might be used for transfer if within the six-year period in which program must be completed. (This means transfer credit cannot be more than six – years old at time of graduation)
- Evaluation of credit from a second degree or other work that may have application for meeting program requirement.
- CD/advisor is responsible for preparing a petition addressed to the Administrative Board, Graduate School, for consideration of credits for transfer. This action should be initiated by the CD/advisor as soon as possible after the first advisement session. Petition is signed by CD/advisor and the petition is sent to the Graduate School for action.
- CD/advisor is responsible for program planning for the entire program at the time of initial advisement. A plan of Study for each student is in DegreeWorks.
- CD/advisor is responsible for checking the Plan of Study when their advisee is within twelve hours of graduation. The CD/advisor and student approve the Plan of Study in DegreeWorks. Care should be taken to make sure that coursed listed on the Plan of study are congruent with coursed taken to fulfill program requirements. CD/advisor are responsible for advising prior to registration each semester.
Student Responsibilities
- Each student, new or continuing, has primary responsibility for assuring that they are completing degree requirements.
- Keeping informed about dates and processes for on-line registration.
- Student contract established with instructor on removing Incompletes.
- Making applications for graduation and for a placement in clinical practicum.
- Monitoring Degree Works Plan of Study to ensure accuracy and making sure that program requirements are met.
- Checking with advisor to determine needed courses.
- Meeting with advisor during the semester prior to graduation; if any problems are found the CD/advisor and/or department chair should be notified immediately.
- Submitting clinical compliance documentation by specified deadlines is imperative. Failure to meet these deadlines may result in inability to enroll in courses for the semester.
- Students are responsible for notifying their CD and/or advisor of failing course grades.
Please Note:
- Official communication is conducted via student ECU e-mail accounts.
- Student should check their e-mail daily for announcements and information.
- All MSN students are required to save their work (syllabi, papers, projects, returned, exams, etc.) throughout their program. Faculty may periodically review the portfolio purpose of outcome evaluation.
Reviewed by jml 6/13/2024
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a practice-focused terminal degree earned by specialists in advanced nursing practice. The DNP focuses on developing nursing and expects experts to translate and apply research findings in clinical practice. Graduates of the DNP program are prepared as nurse leaders in interprofessional healthcare teams and work to improve systems of care, patient outcomes, quality, and safety. The DNP Nurse Anesthesia program is offered face-to-face, while the other specialty areas (AGPCNP, FNP, Post-Master’s APRN, and Leadership) are offered in a hybrid model with limited campus requirements. All clinical placement rotations are completed in North Carolina. Three pathways exist to enter the DNP program at the ECU College of Nursing: the post-master’s DNP, the BSN to DNP, and the post-doctoral certificate.
The purpose of the DNP is to prepare nurses for roles in advanced nursing practice and as clinical scholars skilled in the translation of research and other evidence into clinical practice, measurement of patient outcomes, and transformation of health care systems to ensure quality and safety. Graduates will be leaders in policy, advocacy, and setting national agendas.
The emphasis of the DNP is to prepare nurse leaders for work in intraprofessional and interprofessional health care teams and work to improve systems of care, patient and population health outcomes, quality, and safety. The location and mission of the College, as well as the expertise of the faculty, provide a unique opportunity for the discovery of knowledge related to nursing and health issues in rural underserved areas. The faculty is committed to individualized, intraprofessional and interprofessional education based on the student’s interests and career goals.
The DNP curriculum is based on American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s guidance for advanced-level nursing education using The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021) (weblink).
- Integrate nursing science with knowledge from ethics, the biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences as the basis for the highest level of nursing practice.
- Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement in health care systems.
- Apply clinical scholarship and analytical methods to evidence-based practice.
- Use information systems technology and patient care technology to improve and transform health care.
- Demonstrate leadership in health care policy for advocacy in health care.
- Collaborate with inter-professional and intra-professional teams to improve patient and population health outcomes through the application of evidence-based health resources.
Post-Master’s DNP NP Students
Post-Master’s DNP students can expect on-campus sessions per specific courses as noted below. Specific dates/times are posted prior to each semester on the College of Nursing DNP website.
BSN to DNP and Post-Doctoral Certificate Students
Additional face-to-face time (on campus or via synchronous online opportunities) is required for DNP students to provide skill-building and evaluation processes to ensure the assimilation and application of clinical knowledge for entry-level into advanced practice nursing in a safe and appropriate manner. BSN to DNP NP students can expect a minimum of 12 required campus visits over the full BSN to DNP program of study. Students will be notified with ample time to arrange obligations to meet these campus requirements. Campus visits are required for the following courses in the prescribed program of study:
All DNP Students excluding DNP Health Systems Leadership and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist:
- NURS 6610
- Three to four 1-day visits for standardized evaluation.
DNP-NP Students:
- NURS 8118
- Two Campus visits, ranging from 1-3 days each
- NURS 8119
- One campus visit, ranging from 1-3 days
- NURS 8120
- One campus visit, ranging from 1-3 days
- NURS 8122
- One campus visit, ranging from 1-3 days
- NURS 8123
- One campus visit, ranging from 1-3 days
- NURS 8124
- One campus visit, ranging from 1-3 days
- NURS 8269
- One campus visit, typically one day
- NURS 8372
- One campus visit, typically one day
- NURS 8277 or NURS 8377
- Two campus visits, typically one day each
A great deal of behind-the-scenes work occurs to support your clinical experiences. The Director of Community Partnerships and Practice has administrative oversight of all clinical partnerships and agency contracts. The Clinical Placement Coordinator for each specialty will facilitate the clinical placement of students.
While we make every effort to negotiate clinical rotations in students’ preferred sites, clinical placement decisions ultimately rest with the faculty. Due to competition for clinical sites, students may be placed within a 4-hour commute from their home (one-way). Once clinical placements are confirmed, any change will be facilitated by the faculty. We are committed to ensuring an appropriate clinical experience that will meet program objectives and ensure the clinical requirements for the certifying examination.
DNP Post-Master’s students (excluding Health System’s Leadership students and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist students) are required to take nine hours of electives as part of their programs of study. Electives must be at the 6000-level or higher and may be outside of the College of Nursing. Academic advisors work with students to ensure scheduling of electives. On occasion, other students may need to take electives beyond the basic DNP core curriculum that support the student’s area of interest, project focus, or role development.
- 6903 Curriculum Development in Nursing (3 credit hours)
- 6904 Educational Concepts, Theories, and Strategies in Nursing (3 credit hours)
- 6905 Nursing Education Role Practicum I (3 credit hours)
- 6909 Evaluation in Nursing Education (3 credit hours)
Elective hours give the student more flexibility in selecting coursework to support the scholarly project. Discuss possible disciplines for elective courses with your academic advisor. Disciplines to consider for electives include but are not limited to Gerontology (GERO), Public Health (MPH), Public Administration (PADM), Psychology (PSYC), Sociology (SOCI), Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (CSDI), Community Health (COHE), Health and Human Performance (EXSS and HLTH), Management (MGMT), Adult Education (ADED), Education leadership (LEED), Child Development and Family Relations (CDFR), Social Work (SOCW), and Microbiology and Immunology (MCBI).
The DNP program is designed to include a series of three* or four** 3-credit hour DNP Project courses that guide the project development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. The DNP Project focuses on the application of available evidence in a clinical setting and is focused on quality improvement, population health, social determinants of health, access to care and health equity, or healthcare business. Throughout the series of courses students will work closely with faculty on all facets of project planning, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination.
*three 3-credit hour courses for students enrolled in Fall 2024 or later;
**four 3-credit hour courses for students enrolled before Fall 2024
Download: Nursing 8500 Independent Study Form (DNP & PhD)
Reviewed by JT 6/25/24