Nursing (Graduate)

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Graduate Programs and Requirements

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

Certificates/Post-Master of Science in Nursing
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Graduate) (ENP) (CRU)
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Graduate) (FNP) (CRU)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Graduate) (PMHNP) (CRU)
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The Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing offers comprehensive, innovative options in a program leading to a master of science in nursing degree (M.S.N.)*. 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, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Through the ADN/ASN 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 nurse practitioner options are available.

The School of Nursing offers post-graduate certificates in emergency nurse practitioner (ENP), family nurse practitioner (FNP), and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Students completing the post-graduate options will have fulfilled the educational requirements to be eligible to sit for the corresponding certification examinations.
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*The ADN/ASN and MSN programs are under review and subject to change/closure/replacement. They are currently closed to new admits.

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

M.S.N. Outcomes

*All students enrolled in a Post-Graduate Certificate (FNP or PMHNP track) prior to Fall 2024 will meet the M.S.N. program outcomes.

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

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

Graduate Program Policies

The following policies apply to students who are enrolled in the nurse practitioner, advanced practice, or nursing administration options.

Admission Requirements

For complete admission requirements and instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.

Academic Policy and Progression

Transfer Credit

Graduate students are permitted to transfer a maximum of 12 graduate credits from 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

For complete progression policy information, please refer to the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

Academic Policies

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 and must:

Repeat any nursing course in which a grade received was below a B and receive a grade of B or better.
Be aware that a required nursing course can only be repeated one time.
Be aware that failure of the same course twice or failure of two separate courses constitutes dismissal from the program

Students 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 matters of plagiarism, unethical, unprofessional, or unsafe conduct may result in immediate dismissal from the School of Nursing.

An incomplete grade in one or more courses may result in a plan of study change.

Program Interruptions

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

Readmissions

A student who has been dismissed from the Moffett & Sanders 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.

ADN/ASN to M.S.N. Option

IMPORTANT NOTE: Program is under review and subject to change/closure/replacement. Program is closed to new admits.

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 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 ADN/ASN 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 ADN/ASN 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 ADN/ASN 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 ADN/ASN to M.S.N. option.

Admission Requirements

For complete admission requirements and instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.

ADN/ASN to M.S.N. Progression Policies

For complete progression policy information, please refer to the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

Certificates/Post-Graduate

Admission Requirements

For complete admission requirements and instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.

Progression Policies

For complete progression policy information, please refer to the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

Programs

Master

Certificate - Graduate

Courses

Nursing - Graduate