Nursing - Accelerated Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator,
M.S.
DEPARTMENT
Nursing
F, Ndidi Griffin-Myers, Chair
McLane Hall, Room 190
559.278.2041
www.fresnostate.edu/nursing/
PREB in Pre-Nursing
BS in Nursing, B.S.N.
BS in Nursing - R.N.-B.S.N.
MS in Nursing - Accelerated Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator, M.S.
MS in Nursing - Primary Care/Nurse Practitioner Option, M.S.
MS in Nursing - Primary Care/Nurse Practitioner & Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator, M.S.
BS in Nursing, R.N.-B.S.N. - Continuing & Global Education
DNP in Nursing, D.N.P.
CRED in Health Services, Credential
The mission of the School of Nursing is to offer quality nursing education to undergraduate and graduate nursing students.
This education prepares nurses to make clinical decisions based on theory and research. As life-long learners, graduates are
prepared to deliver quality health care for increasingly diverse populations. Graduates will lead, supervise, delegate, manage,
and evaluate care outcomes, as well as demonstrate the ability to act as consumer advocates in promoting wellness and
facilitating change.
The scope of nursing practice is changing significantly. The professional nurse uses theory and research-based knowledge to
provide direct and indirect care to individuals, families, groups, and communities.
In the role as designer, manager, and coordinator of care, nurses collaborate with patients and interdisciplinary care teams.
The school offers an undergraduate program which leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a postbaccalaureate School
Nurse Services Credential Program with an option to pursue the master's degree in nursing, a graduate program leading to
a Master of Science in Nursing, a Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program, and a Post-Master's Clinical Nurse
Specialist/Nurse Educator Program.
Clinical Facilities
A wide variety of clinical placements are available. Placement facilities include Community Hospitals of Central California,
St. Agnes Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Central California, Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Kaweah Delta,
Adventist Hospital, Madera Community Hospital, Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital, the Armenian Home, San Joaquin
Gardens, the Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, and the health departments of Fresno, Madera, Kings, and Tulare counties.
Undergraduate Program
The program requires six semesters of nursing courses in addition to two semesters of prerequisite requirements. The basic
General Education require-ments are the same for all majors. Upon completion of the sixth semester clinical course sequence,
the student is qualified to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and apply for the Public
Health Nurse Certificate. California State University, Fresno's nursing program is certified by the California Board of
Registered Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
RN-BSN PROGRAM (Post-licensure)
The RN-BSN program is designed for associate degree nurses (ADNs) with a registered -nursing license to complete upper
division nursing courses that fulfill the BSN degree without repeating lower division nursing coursework. Upper division
nursing coursework expands upon leadership and management principles, and introduces research and evidence-based practice
methodologies, as well as population-focused community health nursing.
Licensed Vocational Nurses are offered three options:
1. Generic Nursing Program
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California State University, Fresno 2015-2016 CATALOG | 1
2. Transfer/Credit by Examination
3. Thirty-Unit Option (nondegree)
LVN 30-unit option students must contact the chair of nursing for pre-admission advising. Acceptance to the 30-unit option
program is based on space availability in selected nursing courses. It is important to note that the 30-unit option RN licensee
will not be awarded a degree and his/her ability to practice in different states may be limited by state reciprocity regulations.
Health Related Personnel. Medical corpsmen, psychiatric technicians, and others are eligible for credit by examination under
the university's policy as outlined in the current catalog.
Advanced placement in the major prepares qualified students to receive their B.S.N. The curriculum is designed to emphasize
theory-based practice in nursing and to provide the foundation for graduate study. While pursuing the degree, students are
encouraged to select their area of interest. They are also encouraged to collaboratively care for patients in a variety of settings:
acute care, critical care, long-term care, ambulatory care, and home care.
REQUIREMENTS
Graduate Program
The school offers a CCNE accredited program that leads to a Master of Science degree in Nursing. The purpose of the program
is to prepare nurses for advanced practice in the functional roles of primary care nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist/
nursing educator. Each graduate of the master's in nursing program must demonstrate advanced knowledge and skill in
physical diagnosis, psychological assessment, and management of health-illness needs in complex client and community
systems. The program provides a foundation for doctoral study in nursing.
Clinical Options
Students select a functional role of either primary care nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist/nursing educator. Any
nursing class in the role specialization options area may be cancelled because of insufficient enrollment.
Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator
The Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator Option prepares the graduate to assume a leadership role with advanced skills,
knowledge, and competence in adult/geriatric or pediatric areas of clinical nursing. Students in this option will demonstrate
competence in the areas of expert clinical practice, education, research, consultation, and clinical leadership.
CNS graduates meet the requirements for clinical nurse specialist certification through the California Board of Registered
Nursing and national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Nurse practitioner
The Primary Care/Nurse practitioner Option prepares the graduate to provide primary health care to children, the elderly adult,
and families. Classroom and clinical experiences focus on health assessment, health maintinance, and promotion , as well as
counseling, client education, and management of selected health problems. Practice in rural settings and with clients from
diversified cultural backgrounds is emphasized.
Graduates meet the requirements for recognition as pediatric or family nurse practitioners in California and may apply for
national certification.
The purpose of the Primary Care/Nurse Practitioner Option is to prepare nurses as specialists in primary care and to improve
the availability, accessability, and quality of primary care services in the Central San Joaquin Valley.
Policies and Procedures for M.S.N. Admission
Admission Procedures. You must complete two applications for the graduate nursing program.
1. You must apply to the university by March 1 as a graduate student through csumentor.edu.
2. You must also complete a School of Nursing application. You may download and complete the application online from
the School of Nursing website at www.fresnostate.edu/chhs/nursing/, or you can pick up an application from the nursing
office. Once they are completed, print and mail the application and accompanying documents to the nursing office at
California State University, Fresno
Admissions: Graduate Nursing Program
School of Nursing
2345 East San Ramon Avenue M/S MH25
www.fresnostate.edu
California State University, Fresno 2015-2016 CATALOG | 2
Fresno, CA 93740-8031
3. Complete the Graduate Record Examination and have scores sent to the university and the School of Nursing.
4. Complete and submit School of Nursing graduate program written essay.
5. Have official copies of all transcripts sent to both the School of Nursing and to
Graduate Admissions Office
Joyal Administration Building
5150 N. Maple M/S JA57
Fresno, CA 93740-8026
Admission Criteria
There are two pathways into the M.S.N. program for individuals with different educational backgrounds: the B.S.N. graduate
and the R.N. with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree.
Admission Criteria for B.S.N. Graduates
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Admission to California State University, Fresno, Division of Graduate Studies
Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLN/CCNE accredited program
Registered nurse license in California (may be waived for nurses licensed in another country)
Overall GPA of 2.5 with 3.0 in nursing
Malpractice insurance
An introductory course in statistics
An introductory course in research
A physical assessment course that includes theory and practice; or validation of knowledge and skills for graduates of
programs with integrated content
9. Current CPR certification
Admission Criteria for Registered Nurses with a Baccalaureate Degree
in a Field Other Than Nursing
This program is open only to students eligible for admission to graduate standing at California State University, Fresno, who
have completed a nursing program in an accredited school, are registered, or eligible for registration as nurses in the state of
California and who hold a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited university.
For admission to this program, students are required to meet the following criteria in addition to the regular criteria set for
admission to the M.S.N. program:
1. Submission of resume of all past educational and employment experience. Resume should emphasize experience in
leadership, community health, research, and writing for publication.
2. Review of resume by the graduate coordinator of the School of Nursing who establishes nursing courses the student must
complete to obtain a background comparable to students graduating with a B.S.N. at California State University, Fresno.
3. Satisfactory completion of the individualized program established by the coordinator before enrolling in the regular
M.S.N. program.
4. Admission to the Nurse Practitioner Program is not guaranteed, and all students must make application to the Nurse
Practitioner Program.
Post-Master's Certificates (State-Issued)
At California State University, Fresno, the post-master's nurse practitioner certificate is 31 units and the post-master's clinical
nurse specialist/nurse educator certificate is 32 units. These certificates are issued by the California Board of Registered
Nursing. Applicants may receive credit toward the certificates for graduate courses taken previously. Typically, the main
courses that are requested for credit are the advanced theories and advanced issues courses. In order to request a course
substitution, the applicant must submit a copy of the course description, objectives, and assignments for review by the graduate
coordinator. At that time, the course of study will be determined with input from the student and school graduate curriculum
committee. Students seeking post-master's certificates are exempt from some coursework and have a shorter program.
Master of Science Degree Requirements
Courses. Under the direction of the graduate coordinator, each student prepares and submits an individually designed program
based on the following:
Core courses in nursing (13 units)
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California State University, Fresno 2015-2016 CATALOG | 3
NURS 211, 212, 221, 223, 225
Role specialization courses (24-28 units)
(See below.)
Thesis (NURS 299) or Project (NURS 298) (3 units)
or
Comprehensive Exam* (0 units)
Minimum Total (40-44 units)
1. Minimum total for Primary Care = 40 units
2. Adult-Gero Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator total = 44 units*
3. Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator = 44 units*
* Additional approved 3-unit elective required for students taking the Comprehensive Exam.
Role Specialization (Options)
• Adult-Gero Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator
NURS 210, NURS 235, NURS 236, NURS 240, NURS 241, NURS 242, NURS 253, NURS 254
• Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator
NURS 210, NURS 237, NURS 238, NURS 240, NURS 241, NURS 242, NURS 255, NURS 256
• Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Family
NURS 210, 215, 264, 265, 266, 267, 277, 278
Pediatric
NURS 210, 215, 262, 263, 268, 269, 279, 280
Facilities. The diverse facilities of the community provide a wide variety of learning opportunities for individualized pursuit of
student goals. Graduate and postbaccalaureate students have clinical placements, which are consistent with their career goals.
Preceptor selection for clinical placement in both the CNS and nurse practitioner programs is the responsibility of the School
of Nursing. The school will gather pertinent information to assist in preceptor identification during the first semester of the
program. All preceptors must meet standards for educational and clinical experience as established by the California Board
of Registered Nursing and appropriate accrediting bodies. Preceptors must be either a physician or a master's prepared nurse
practitioner.
Graduate Writing Requirement. All students must meet the university's graduate writing proficiency requirement prior to
being advanced to candidacy for the master's degree. Students fulfill the writing requirement by passing the writing component
of NURS 221. Students can obtain additional information regarding the graduate writing requirement in the program's
Graduate Student Handbook.
Thesis, Project, and Comprehensive Exam. The school offers students the option of writing a thesis, completing a project, or
taking a written comprehensive exam. Information about the culminating experience is available from an adviser in nursing.
Note: All practicum courses require a minimum of three hours of clinical work per unit of credit to meet course objectives.
Advancement to Candidacy. Completion of 9 graduate units with a GPA of 3.0.
Graduate students are responsible for policies and regulations of the Division of Graduate Studies and those specified in the
graduate nursing program brochure
FACULTY
Name
Degree
Email
Antaramian, Maggie J
Master of Science in Nursing
mantaramian@csufresno.edu
Bawel-Brinkley, Karen J
www.fresnostate.edu
Phone
kbawelbrinkley@csufresno.edu
California State University, Fresno 2015-2016 CATALOG | 4
Name
Degree
Browar, Scott B
Email
sbrowar@csufresno.edu
Butler, Kristen D
Master of Science in Nursing
krbutler@csufresno.edu
Carmany, Leola J
Second Master of Science
ljc24@mail.fresnostate.edu
De La Cruz- Reyes, Pilar
Master of Science in Nursing
pdelacruz@csufresno.edu
DeFede, Kathryn M
Master of Science
kdefede@csufresno.edu
Doyland, Louise A
Master of Science in Nursing
ldoyland@csufresno.edu
Dutra, Danette K
Doctor of Education
ddutra@csufresno.edu
Edgar, Cheryl D
Master of Science in Nursing
cedgar@csufresno.edu
Elizondo, Alicia M
Bachelor of Science & Nursing
alishorty@mail.fresnostate.edu
Estrada, Elsa A
Master of Science in Nursing
elsae@csufresno.edu
Garcia, Peter J
Doctor of Nursing Practice
peterg@csufresno.edu
Giannetta, Terea A
Doctor of Nursing Practice
tereag@csufresno.edu
Gish, Mary L
Doctor of Nursing Practice
mgish@csufresno.edu
Good, Isabel D
Master of Science in Nursing
igood@csufresno.edu
Griffin-Myers, F N
Doctorate of Education
ndidig@csufresno.edu
Guerra, Cynthia M
Doctor of Nursing Practice
cyguerra@csufresno.edu
Haahr, Kathleen S
Master of Science
khaahr@csufresno.edu
Hastrup, Geraldine
Master of Science
ghastrup@csufresno.edu
Hilvers, Candace D
Master of Science in Nursing
chilvers@csufresno.edu
Hughes, Karen B
Bachelor of Arts
kahughes@csufresno.edu
Kuzmic, Brenik T
Unknown Degree
bkuzmic@csufresno.edu
Lally, Jeffrey W
Master of Science
jlally@csufresno.edu
Lee, Touthao C
Second Bachelor of Science
indi00@mail.fresnostate.edu
Lee-Riggins, Andrea M
Doctor of Nursing Practice
andreale@csufresno.edu
Miller, Shauna M
Master of Science in Nursing
shaunam@csufresno.edu
www.fresnostate.edu
Phone
559.278.8259
559.278.5615
559.278.2808
559.278.6697
559.278.7767
California State University, Fresno 2015-2016 CATALOG | 5
Name
Degree
Email
Phone
Miller, Sylvia L
Doctorate of Education
symiller@csufresno.edu
559.278.4788
Mountcastle, Keitha K
Doctorate of Education
kmountcastle@csufresno.edu
559.278.4691
Nair, Nisha
Doctor of Nursing Practice
nishanair@csufresno.edu
Ortiz, Christine E
Doctor of Philosophy
cortiz@csufresno.edu
Palacio, Diane
Master of Science
dpalacio@csufresno.edu
Peng, Seang H
Master of Science in Nursing
khmrchink@mail.fresnostate.edu
Raffle, Frank J
Master of Science
frafflejr@csufresno.edu
Ramirez, Alexis M
Master of Science in Nursing
alexisr@csufresno.edu
Rand, Maxine L
Doctor of Nursing Practice
mrand@csufresno.edu
Rector, Cherie L
Doctor of Philosophy
crector@csufresno.edu
Rindahl, Kathleen S
Doctor of Nursing Practice
krindahl@csufresno.edu
Rios, Conrad J
Master of Science
crios@csufresno.edu
Rivera, Chenille C
Master of Science
csettle@csufresno.edu
Roberts, Michel E
Bachelor of Science
miroberts@csufresno.edu
Sanders, Janice D
Doctor of Nursing Practice
janices@csufresno.edu
Sapraj, Sunjit K
Master of Science
sunjit@mail.fresnostate.edu
Sayaseng, Kammi Y
Doctor of Nursing Practice
ksayaseng@csufresno.edu
Senzaki, Susan V
Master of Science in Nursing
ssenzaki@csufresno.edu
Spencer, Janine A
Doctor of Philosophy
jspencer@csufresno.edu
Terzian, Talar
Master of Science
tterzian@csufresno.edu
Ulanimo, Virginia M
Master of Science in Nursing
vulanimo@csufresno.edu
Velasco, Mary Ann
Master of Science in Nursing
maryv@csufresno.edu
Yang, Gloria
www.fresnostate.edu
559.278.2835
559.278.2294
559.278.8209
glyang@csufresno.edu
California State University, Fresno 2015-2016 CATALOG | 6