Nursing, MSN

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.
• Comminicate 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 all who entered the profession with a post-professional master’s degree or higher 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 from an associate and/or Bachelor’s in Nursing. If select courses (usually science courses) were taken at institutions other than the degree conferring institution, 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
• Professional résumé or curriculum vita—an equivalent of 1 full-time year of experience as a registered nurse is required prior to the first practicum in Term 5.
• Essay of approximately 500 words describing short- and long-term career goals and the plan to achieve them.
• A comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen will be administered during the admission process.
• Two professional references; one should be from a nurse educator familiar with the applicant’s ability to do academic work and one should be from an immediate supervisor (e.g. nurse manager), preceptor, or mentor familiar with the applicant’s clinical skills.

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 required application 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.

Program Overview

• Take the program online or as a blended program that incorporates online and optional on-campus coursework with extracurricular experiences such as journal clubs, discussion groups, and guest speakers.
• Collaborate in an interprofessional learning environment with students from other health care professions.
• Complete practicum hours in your own community by working with a faculty mentor and 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 Practiioner (FNP) role specialty requires two 3-day, on-campus residencies. Students will be responsible for travel, lodging and meals for all residencies.

Incomplete Coursework

If a student cannot complete the required work within the predetermined time frame, he or she will receive a grade of Incomplete (I). The student must then complete the work by the new assigned due date to receive a letter grade. No further extension will be permitted. If the student does not withdraw or complete the requirements within the approved time, the I grade will automatically become a Fail (F) on his or her transcript.

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 Certificates

Students enrolled in the MSN program may be eligible to earn certificates. Students working toward the Nurse Educator role specialization are eligible to earn the Certificate of Teaching and Learning, and students working toward the Nurse Executive role specialization are eligible to earn the Certificate 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 certificates and include them in their Plan of Study (POS). Courses for the Certificate of Executive Leadership include Foundations of Health Care Administration, Human Resource Management and Organizational Development and Leadership for HC Admin, Strategic Planning in Health Care Administration, Organizational Finance, and Organizational Leadership. Courses for the Certificate of Teaching and Learning include Foundational Theory in Education, Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, Pharmacology for Nurse Educators, Curriculum Development in Health Science Education, and Teaching Methods in Higher Education.

Tuition and Fees

See Tuition and Fees section of this catalog.