Graduate Nursing

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Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degrees
Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)
          Nurse Anesthesia (M.S.N.) 
          Nursing
                    Family Nurse Practitioner (M.S.N.) 
                    Family Nurse Practitioner w/ENP Specialty (M.S.N.)  
                    Family Nurse Practitioner/Psychiatric Mental Health NP-Lifespan-Dual Focus (M.S.N.)  
                    Nurse Educator (M.S.N.) 

R.N. to Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) 
          Nursing
                    Family Nurse Practitioner (R.N. to M.S.N. Option) 
                    Family Nurse Practitioner w/ENP Specialty (R.N. to M.S.N. Option)  
                    Family Nurse Practitioner/PMH NP-Dual Focus (R.N.-M.S.N. Option)  
                    Nurse Educator (R.N. to M.S.N. Option)  

Certificates
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-M.S.N.-ENP) 
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-M.S.N.) 
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-M.S.N.)   

The Ida Moffett School of Nursing offers flexible, innovative options in a program leading to a master of science in nursing degree. Graduates are prepared to practice in an advanced role to meet and/or manage health care needs of families across the life span. The graduate will be prepared to practice in a variety of settings with a functional focus in one of the following areas: emergency nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner practice, nursing education, nurse anesthesia, and psychiatric mental health.

Through the R.N. to M.S.N. option, the School of Nursing provides experienced registered nurses, who currently hold an associate of science in nursing or a hospital diploma, the opportunity to earn an M.S.N. through a nontraditional path. As in the main M.S.N. program, the same options are available, with the exception of nurse anesthesia.

A post-master of science in nursing certificate is available in family nurse practitioner (FNP). Students completing the post-M.S.N./FNP option will have fulfilled the educational requirements to take the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification examinations.

NOTE: Admission and progression policies for new programs (including the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program) are still being collected and will be added to this document soon.

M.S.N. Outcomes

Graduates with a master of science in nursing from the Ida Moffett School of Nursing will be prepared to:

1. Integrate interprofessional scientific findings for the continual improvement of nursing care across diverse settings.
2. Demonstrate leadership skills that emphasize ethical and critical decision making, effective working relationships, and a systems perspective to promote high quality and safe patient care.
3. Articulate and apply quality methods, tools, performance measures, and standards within organizations.
4. Apply research outcomes within the practice setting to resolve practice problems, work as a change agent, and disseminate results.
5. Utilize patient-care and communications technologies to deliver, enhance, integrate, and coordinate care.
6. Intervene at the system level by developing and advocating policy to influence health and health care.
7. Demonstrate effective collaborative, communicating, and consulting skills as a leader and as a member of interprofessional teams to manage and coordinate care.
8. Provide evidence-based clinical prevention and health promotion care and services in a client-centered manner to individuals, families, and populations.
9. Synthesize an advanced level of understanding of nursing and relevant sciences to integrate this knowledge for direct or indirect care.

Click here  to review the M.S.N. in Nurse Anesthesia program.

Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) 

Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator

Admission Criteria

Applications for the M.S.N. degree program are considered on a competitive basis by the School of Nursing; thus, applicants’ admission profiles are evaluated according to stated admission criteria.

The applicant will be considered for admission to Samford University and the School of Nursing graduate program upon submission of the following required material:

1. Completion of application. For complete admission instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing
2. Attach a CV/résumé to your application.
3. Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse.
4. Bachelor of science in nursing degree from a regionally accredited and CCNE, CNEA, or an ACEN (formerly NLNAC) accredited program.
5. One undergraduate course in nursing research with a grade of C (2.00) or better.
6. One undergraduate health assessment course with a grade of C (2.00) or better (for FNP students only).
7. Nursing GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
8. International applicants (applicants who are not United States citizens or permanent residents) must contact the director of graduate student services for detailed program requirements.
9. American citizens or permanent residents who learned English as a second language must score at least 575 (paper), or 90 (Internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
10. Should any of the above conditions not be met, the applicant may be considered on an individual basis.
11. Video interview.
12. If accepted, a non-refundable fee of $750 is required to secure admission into the program. This fee is applied to the first semester’s tuition.

Academic Policy and Progression

Transfer Credit

Graduate students are permitted to transfer a maximum of twelve hours of graduate credit from a regionally accredited and a CCNE, CNEA, or an ACEN (formerly NLNAC) accredited college or university. To do so, students should complete a course substitution form and attach a copy of the syllabus. Transfer credits will be evaluated by the appropriate course coordinator for applicability to the graduate program.

Progression Policies

In order to progress in the master’s program in the School of Nursing, the student must:

1. Have a completed Health Data Record (with all required immunizations) updated annually and on file.
2. Verify and keep current the following requirements:

   1. Carry health insurance while enrolled at Samford. Students in the School of Nursing are required to provide proof of current personal health insurance coverage. Each semester, students in the IMSON are automatically enrolled in the University-sponsored student health insurance plan. There is a charge for this coverage. If you are a new nursing student, you will need to register your health insurance coverage by clicking on the following link and completing the information: https://studentcenter.uhcsr.com/school-page

   2. BLS certification
3. Adhere to the Code of Ethical/Professional Conduct as specified in this catalog.
4. Possess a current unencumbered registered nursing license.
5. Submit to a criminal background check and random drug testing.
6. Make a grade of B or better in each required or prescribed course in the M.S.N. program. Note: A grade of C, D or F constitutes a failure in any prescribed or required course in the M.S.N. program. **Students must maintain a cumulative 3.00 GPA and may not earn a grade below B in any course to progress in the curriculum.
7. Have a 3.00 cumulative GPA to graduate.
8. Meet track and department-specific academic policies.

Academic Policies

Graduate students who receive a grade below a B in any required or prescribed course or whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 will be placed on academic probation.

Students placed on academic probation must:

• Repeat any nursing course in which a grade received was below a B and receive a grade of B or better.
• Failure of the same course twice or failure of two separate courses constitutes dismissal from the program

Students on academic probation who fail to successfully complete a required nursing course within one calendar year of the academic probation notification will be dismissed from the program. Students must be aware that plagiarism, unethical, unprofessional or unsafe conduct may result in immediate dismissal from the School of Nursing.

Program Interruptions

Students who need more than five years to complete the program, may petition the School of Nursing graduate program to request an additional year for completion (a total of six years for completion).

Readmissions

A student who has been dismissed from the Ida Moffett School of Nursing graduate program may apply through the Office of Graduate Student Services for readmission after an intervening period of not less than one semester. The appropriate graduate admission committee will consider such requests for readmission on presentation of substantial evidence of a responsible and successful period of work or study during the intervening period. There is no guarantee, however, that a student will be readmitted. The decision regarding readmission rests with the Dean and is based upon the faculty’s evaluation of the likelihood of the applicant’s ability to perform successfully in graduate coursework.

RN to M.S.N. Option

The School of Nursing offers the master of science in nursing (M.S.N.) degree through a nontraditional pathway. The program provides the experienced registered nurse (RN) who holds an associate of science in nursing degree or hospital diploma an opportunity to earn a master’s degree within one program of study.

In the RN to M.S.N. option, the graduate does not earn a bachelor’s degree. Should an individual not complete the requirements for the M.S.N., whether for personal or academic reasons, no B.S.N. is awarded nor is academic credit transferred to the B.S.N. program.

The RN to M.S.N. option consists of five bridge courses and the M.S.N. curriculum. The bridge courses (NURG 500 , NURG 501 , NURG 502 , NURG 503 , and NURG 504 ) can be completed in two semesters and must be completed prior to progressing to the M.S.N. core courses. When taken full time and in sequence, the length of the RN to M.S.N. option is approximately seven semesters, or two years. General education courses may be completed at another college or university and then transferred to Samford University prior to enrolling in the RN to M.S.N. option.

Admission Criteria

Applications for the RN to M.S.N. degree program are considered on a competitive basis by the School of Nursing; thus, applicants’ admission profiles are evaluated according to stated admission criteria. The applicant will be considered for admission to Samford University and the School of Nursing graduate program upon submission of the following required materials. In addition, a completion of a minimum of 72 hours of college credit is required for admission to the RN to M.S.N. program:

1. Completion of application.  For complete admission instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.
2. Attach a CV/résumé to your application.
3. Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse.
4. Associate of science in nursing degree from a regionally accredited and CNEA or an ACEN (formerly NLNAC) accredited program or hospital diploma.
5. Nursing GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
6. Completion of general education prerequisites before program begins..
7. International applicants (applicants who are not United States citizens or permanent residents) must contact the director of graduate student services for detailed program requirements.
8. American citizens or permanent residents who learned English as a second language must score at least 575 (paper), or 90 (Internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
9. Should any of the above conditions not be met, the applicant may be considered on an individual basis
10. Video interview.
11. If accepted, a non-refundable fee of $750 is required to secure admission into the program. This fee is applied to the first semester’s tuition.

RN to M.S.N. Progression Policies

1. Have a completed Health Data Record (with all required immunizations) updated annually and on file.
2. Adhere to all Ida Moffett School of Nursing policies and procedures, as well as the Code of Ethical/Professional Conduct.
3. Make a grade of B or better in each RN to M.S.N. bridge course.
4. Submit to a background check and random drug testing.

Certificates/Post-Master of Science in Nursing

Admissions Criteria for the Emergency Nurse Practitioner/Post M.S.N. Certificate

Applications for the emergency nurse practitioner/post-M.S.N. certificate are considered on a competitive basis by the School of Nursing; thus, applicants’ admission profiles are evaluated according to stated admission criteria. The applicant will be considered for admission to Samford University and the School of Nursing graduate program upon submission of the following required materials:

1. Completion of application. For complete admission instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.
2. Master of science in nursing degree from a regionally accredited and ACEN or CCNE, or CNEA accredited program.
3. Hold current national certification as family nurse practitioner.
4. Emergency department or critical care experience preferred.
5. Cumulative GPA of 3.20 on a 4.00 scale.
6. International applicants (applicants who are not United States citizens or permanent residents) must contact the director of graduate student services for detailed program requirements.
7. American citizens or permanent residents who learned English as a second language must score at least 575 (paper), or 90 (Internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
8. Video interview.
9. If accepted, a non-refundable fee of $750 is required to secure admission into the program. This fee is applied to the first semester’s tuition.

Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate

The emergency nurse practitioner/post-M.S.N.-FNP certificate prepares family nurse practitioners with the education and skills necessary to practice in emergency departments or urgent care clinical facilities. This program is offered online but includes a two-day campus visit.

Admissions Criteria for the Family Nurse Practitioner/Post M.S.N.-FNP Certificate

Applications for the family nurse practitioner/post-M.S.N.-FNP certificate are considered on a competitive basis by the School of Nursing; thus, applicants’ admission profiles are evaluated according to stated admission criteria. The applicant will be considered for admission to Samford University and the School of Nursing graduate program upon submission of the following required materials:

1. Completion of application. For complete admission instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.
2. Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse.
3. Master of science in nursing degree from a regionally accredited and ACEN or CCNE accredited program.
4. Cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
5. The MAT or GRE is waived if the applicant has successfully completed a graduate program with a 3.00 GPA or higher.
6. International applicants (applicants who are not United States citizens or permanent residents) must contact the director of graduate student services for detailed program requirements.
7. American citizens or permanent residents who learned English as a second language must score at least 575 (paper), or 90 (Internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
8. Video interview.
9. If accepted, a non-refundable fee of $750 is required to secure admission into the program. This fee is applied to the first semester’s tuition.

Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner (M.S.N.)
• Family Nurse Practitioner w/ENP Specialty (M.S.N.)
• Family Nurse Practitioner/Psychiatric Mental Health NP-Lifespan-Dual Focus (M.S.N.)
• Nurse Educator (M.S.N.)
• R.N. to Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)

• Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-M.S.N.-ENP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-M.S.N.)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-M.S.N.)

Courses

• NURG 500 - Transition to Professional Nursing Practice (3)
• NURG 501 - Health Assessment (3)
• NURG 502 - Healthcare Research and Introduction to Statistics (3)
• NURG 503 - Clinical Prevention and Population Health (3)
• NURG 504 - Leadership and Management (3)
• NURG 514 - Population Health and Policy (3)
• NURG 515 - Statistics for Advanced Practice Nursing (3)
• NURG 516 - Research, Theory, and Quality Improvement (3)
• NURG 517 - Ethical Leadership and Collaboration (3)
• NURG 533 - Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3)
• NURG 600 - Common Diagnostics/Procedures (3)
• NURG 601 - Advanced Physical Assessment (3)
• NURG 602 - Family Practice I: Care of Adults (6)
• NURG 603 - Family Practice II: Care of Women (3)
• NURG 604 - Family Practice III: Care of Children (3)
• NURG 605 - Family Practice IV: Practicum (6)
• NURG 620 - Health Care Systems and Management (3)
• NURG 621 - Resource Management (3)
• NURG 622 - Financial and Project Management (3)
• NURG 623 - Management Practicum (3)
• NURG 624 - Management Outcomes Practicum (6)
• NURG 633 - Pharmacotherapeutics for APRN (3)
• NURG 660 - Educational Theory and Curriculum Development (3)
• NURG 661 - Principles of Teaching-Learning and Student Evaluation (3)
• NURG 662 - Advanced Health Assessment for Nurse Educators (3)
• NURG 663 - Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Educators (3)
• NURG 664 - Clinical Practicum I (2)
• NURG 665 - Clinical Practicum II (2)
• NURG 667 - Clinical Education (3)
• NURG 668 - Nurse Educator Role Transition and Teaching Practicum (4)
• NURG 699 - Independent Study in Nursing (1-3)

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