Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog NOT CURRENT 
    
2018-2019 Catalog NOT CURRENT [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, MSN


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Mission Statement

The mission of the MSN program is to prepare nurses to utilize interprofessional collaboration, evidence-informed decision making, and specialized competencies in guiding, leading, and influencing the outcomes of nursing practice.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MSN program, graduates will

  • Employ the skills necessary to engage in lifelong learning through intellectual inquiry in order to maintain continuing competence and professional growth.
  • Apply leadership skills to improve outcomes for individuals, diverse populations, and organization.
  • Practice critical thinking and evidence-based decision making to ensure the delivery of nursing care that is of optimal quality and safety.
  • Effectively and ethically use technology in the direct or indirect delivery and coordination of nursing care and collection of data for improvement of quality and safety.
  • Exhibit professionalism and adherence to ethical standards of nursing practice; advocate for patients; and promote policy development to ensure quality health care that is safe, equitable, and cost-effective.
  • Communicate and collaborate with other health care providers in the promotion of wellness and the management of acute and chronic disorders for optimization of patient outcomes.
  • Apply systems thinking and synthesize scientific data with concepts and models from nursing and other sciences to promote health, prevent illness, and maintain quality of life for individuals and populations.
  • Deliver or direct nursing practice using advanced knowledge, professional skills, and decision making based on theory and best scientific evidence.

Admission Requirements

Application to the MSN program is open to registered nurses with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited institution.

To be considered for admission, a candidate must submit the following:

  • Application for Admission Form
  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Applicants must submit transcripts showing degree conferral of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate Degree in Nursing, if applicable. If select courses (usually science courses) were taken at institutions other than the degree conferring institutions, USAHS may request those transcripts be submitted as well. An official transcript is one sent directly to the Admissions Office by the registrar of the issuing institution or one forwarded in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution. The following science courses may trigger a request for additional transcripts if not on transcript of degree conferred for MSN applicants:
    • Anatomy and physiology
    • Pathophysiology
    • Microbiology
    • Physical assessment
    • Pharmacology
  • Evidence of an unrestricted/unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license in the state of residence; NOTE: this licensure status must be maintained throughout the entire program
  • Professional résumé or curriculum vita showing an equivalent of 1 full-time year (2080 hours) of experience as a registered nurse.
  • Essay demonstrating scholarly writing of approximately 500 words describing short- and long-term career goals and the plan to achieve these goals.
  • Two professional references (submitted Electronically).
    1. One from a nurse educator (clinical or academic) familiar with the applicant’s ability to do academic work.
    2. One from an immediate supervisor (e.g. nurse manager) preceptor or mentor familiar with the applicant’s clinical skills.
  • A comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen which will be administered during the admission process. An interview may be requested

If the applicant completed his or her education in a foreign country, the applicant must submit an original copy of a degree credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The evaluation must indicate previous education at the minimum level of a baccalaureate degree earned at an accredited college or university in the United States.

International Students Applying for Admission

Foreign-trained candidates who do not require a student visa to participate in University courses and/or degrees can be considered for admission. USAHS does not offer English language services, including instruction. All instruction at the university is conducted in English. To enter the program, the following criteria will apply:

  • Submit transcripts (original and a translated version, if applicable) and a credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that provide evidence of training at a level equivalent to that of a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
  • Candidates must submit an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report if their education was completed in a language other than English or they reside in a non-English speaking country. A minimum score 210 (computer-based testing) or 83 (IBT—Internet based testing) is required.

Notification of Status

The applicant will be notified by e-mail from the Admissions Office of his or her admission status after all materials have been reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

Academic Requirements

To remain in the MSN program, the student must

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and
  • Complete the required courses.
  • Maintain an unrestricted/unencumbered license in their state of work. Students are required to immediately notify the program director of a change in their licensure status.

Program Overview

  • MSN courses are offered through an enriched online experience to meet the needs of working students allowing students to further their education while pursuing a nursing career
  • Take the program online or as a blended program that incorporates online and optional on-campus learning experiences.
  • Collaborate in an interprofessional learning environment with students from other healthcare professions.
  • Participate in optional weekend immersion experiences in some courses; students will have the opportunity to collaborate with classroom peers and faculty discussions, activities and complete coursework before the end of the term
  • Complete practicum courses in your own community by working with USAHS faculty and a preceptor.
  • USAHS offers four different nurse specializations within the MSN curriculum: Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive, Nurse Informaticist, and Family Nurse Practitioner.

Delivery of MSN Coursework

All coursework in the MSN program is offered in an online delivery format. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) role specialty requires two 3-day, on-campus residencies. Students will be responsible for travel, lodging and meals for all residencies.

Incomplete Coursework

The grade of “I” (Incomplete) is used, for reasons acceptable to the instructor(s), a student has not completed required work within a course by the end of a term. The length of time granted for the completion of the requirement of the course is one additional trimester (15 weeks) after which the “I” grade will be changed to an “F” if the coursework has not been completed. Upon successful completion of the requirement, the student will be assigned a letter grade by the instructor. If the “I” is assigned a grade of “D” or “F” the appropriate action will be taken per present written policy on academic standing.

Time Limit

It is required that MSN students in the Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive, or Nurse Informaticist role specialty tracks complete all program requirements within 2 years (i.e., six terms). An extension of up to 1 year may be requested (i.e., total of 3 years). It is required that MSN students in the Family Nurse Practitioner role specialty track complete all program requirements with 2 years and 8 months (i.e., eight terms). An extension of up to 1 year and 4 months may be requested (i.e., total of 4 years). If the Program Director approves an extension, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.

Optional Specializations

Students enrolled in the MSN program may be eligible to earn Specializations. Students working toward the Nurse Educator role specialization are eligible to earn the Specialization of Teaching and Learning, and students working toward the Nurse Executive role specialization are eligible to earn the Specialization of Executive Leadership. The certificates are earned by completing certain elective courses within the program and maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA in those courses. Students should speak with their advisor or Program Director about the specializations and include them in their Plan of Study (POS). Courses for the Specialization of Executive Leadership include Foundations of Health Care Administration, Human Resource Management and Organizational Development and Leadership for HC Admin, Strategic Planning in Healthcare Administration, Organizational Finance, and Organizational Leadership. Courses for the Specialization of Teaching and Learning include Foundational Theory in Education, Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, Pharmacology for Nurse Educators, Program and Curriculum Design for Health Science Education, and Teaching Methods in Higher Education.

Tuition and Fees

See Financial Information  section of this catalog.

Note on Licensure

MSN-FNP graduates must hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN in order to be eligible for the FNP national certification exam; national certification as an FNP is required for licensure to practice as an FNP in most states. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. While the MSN-FNP program is designed to lead to licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential necessary to practice as a nurse practitioner, it is the prospective student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to nursing practice in the state in which he or she resides as requirements vary widely. Prospective students are advised that relocation to another state may impact their ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification or other credential in another state.  Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.  USAHS makes no representations or guarantee that completion of coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. For more information about the requirements to practice, students should contact the appropriate Board of Nursing or state agency. - updated 04/25/2019

Prospective Washington students: 

The University of St. Augustine is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for MSN/Nurse Educator, MSN/Nurse Executive, MSN/Nurse Informatics, and MSN/FNP program tracks.

http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/NursingCommission/NursingPrograms.aspx - updated 01/22/2019

 

 

Curriculum


Summer 2019 Curriculum Plan added 05/14/2019

Family Nurse Practitioner Role Specialty


Trimester 7 (students beginning Summer 2019)

Trimester 8 (students beginning Summer 2019)

Total Credit Hours 50

Nurse Educator Role Speciality


Trimester 6 (students beginning Summer 2019)

Total Credit Hours 36

Nurse Executive Role Specialty


Trimester 5 (students beginning Summer 2019)

Nurse Informaticist Role Specialty


Trimester 5 (students beginning Summer 2019)

Trimester 6 (students beginning Summer 2019)

Total Credit Hours 36

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