Bulletin/Catalog Year 2017-2017
College of Behavioral and Health Sciences
School of Nursing
Dr. Michelle Robertson
Coordinator, Professor of Nursing
Location: McCord Building, Room 313
Phone 931.221.7489
Email: Robertsonm@apsu.edu
Website: www.apsu.edu/nursing
The Austin Peay State University Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is offered through Tn eCampus and is delivered following the standard protocol established for the delivery of TN eCampus courses and programs. For more information go to: http://www.tnecampus.org/institutions/10/overview?institution=Austin%20Peay%20State%20University. The MSN program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Education in Nursing (ACEN) and may be contacted at the following address: 3343 Peachtree Rd NE #850, Atlanta, GA 30326 or by phone at: (404) 975-5000.
The Purpose
The purpose of the degree is reflected in the school of nursing mission “to prepare the professional nurse to meet regional healthcare needs while cultivating an appreciation of diversity and an understanding of the national and global health care environments”. The TN eCampus Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) offers a flexible, 36- to 46-credit hour program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. The curriculum allows students to customize learning opportunities to fit their goals and needs in collaboration with faculty advisors/mentors. Students may pursue full-time or part-time study. All courses, with the exception of clinical rotations, are delivered in an online delivery format.
The Master of Science in Nursing program offers concentrations in Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, Family Nurse Practitioner, and RN to MSN (for RNs with a bachelor’s degree in another field). For students who have already obtained a master’s degree, the department offers a post master’s certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, and Nursing Administration.
Learning Outcomes
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Master’s program, graduates will:
- Demonstrate knowledge and competencies in advanced nursing practice, teaching (in the classroom and in clinical settings) and administration
- Integrate specialized knowledge and theories from nursing and related disciplines into advanced nursing roles
- Use research to validate and refine knowledge relevant to advanced nursing roles
- Practice advanced nursing roles in collaborative relationships across disciplines and in partnership with communities (i.e., nursing education, nursing administration, nursing informatics and advanced clinical practice)
- Manage the healthcare of clients within legal, ethical and professional standards
- Improve the health of clients among diverse population groups
- Promote positive changes in healthcare delivery, health policies and nursing practice
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
The student learning outcomes (SLOs) for the MSN program are consistent with standards of professional practice, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) 2011 Master’s Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing and the MSN Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs). Listed below are the core SLOs for the MSN degree and specific SLOs per concentration:
Core SLOs: Synthesize nursing knowledge into evidence-based practice.
Family Nurse Practitioner: Demonstrate competency in providing primary care across the life span to individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Nursing Administration: Demonstrate advanced level nursing administration competencies in healthcare delivery systems, policies, and practice.
Nursing Education: Demonstrate nurse educator competencies in didactic and clinical settings, with a working knowledge of organizational structure and role responsibility.
Program Specific Admissions Requirements
All applicants for the MSN degree or Post-Master’s certificate at APSU must first apply to TN eCampus and select APSU as the home school.
- $45 application fee. (Non-refundable)
- Applicant must submit the home school referral email received from TN eCampus. The email was sent to the student from donotreply@bocavox.com after completion of the TN eCampus application.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended (graduate and undergraduate) verifying that a bachelor’s degree in nursing has been earned with an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. For the RN bridge option, verification of the A.S. degree or diploma and a B.S. in another field will be required with an overall B.S. GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicant Resume.
- Applicant Goal Statement (e.g., reasons for pursuing graduate studies). The personal goal statement should be a one-page essay. It must be written in your own words. It should contain the following:
- Details on your decision to obtain a Master’s degree in nursing
- Description of your particular interest in and potential for contributing to the nursing profession, specifically as a Master’s prepared nurse
- Career objectives
- Plan to be successful in the MSN program, specifically addressing your goal of full or part-time study and the many hours required studying and in clinical.
- Licensure Verification (proof of an unencumbered, current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee or the state in which the clinical assignments are completed).
- Military documents if applicable.
- Successful completion of a 3 semester hour or 4 quarter hour undergraduate level Statistics course is required.
- Reply from Nursing Admission committee. Admission decision will be rendered from APSU’s School of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee.
Post-Masters Certificates
Students who have received a MSN are eligible to apply for a Post-Master’s Certificate. Post-Masters Certificates are available in Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, and Nursing Education. A post-master’s applicant must have a minimum of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the Master’s degree. The Bachelor’s degree GPA will also be considered. The post-master’s applicant must provide all admission requirements listed under “Program Specific Admissions Requirements”. Post Master’s students choosing the FNP option will be required to provide proof of completion of Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credit hours), Advanced Pharmacology (3 credit hours), and Advanced Physical Assessment (3/1 credit hours). If the student has not successfully completed the required courses, or the courses taken are not comparable to those required by the MSN program at APSU, the student will be required to complete those before beginning the clinical components of the curriculum
Admission Application Requirements
The Master of Science in Nursing program admits for all terms governed by admission deadline dates:
Fall admission: April 1
Spring admission: October 1
Summer admission: February 1
RN Bridge Option (12 hours)
The following courses must be successfully completed as a pre-requisite to beginning MSN 5000 level courses.
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