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Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing
Offered By: College of Nursing and Health Professions
Graduate
Application Deadline: Adult Health Option-Spring-October 15; Fall-April 15

Description

Master of Science in Nursing

The MSN prepares nurses with the complex practice skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for roles in advanced nursing and leadership in the contemporary health care system.  Graduate study in nursing is the basis for professional growth in advanced practice roles and the foundation for doctoral study in nursing. 

ASU is pleased to offer several different Degree options in the Masters Program:

  • Adult Health Nursing
        Clinical Nurse Specialist
        Nurse Educator  
        Nurse Administration
  • Family Nurse Practitioner

For individuals who already have a graduate nursing degree, ASU offers a 2nd Degree and post Master's certificates in most speciality options.  Contact the School of Nursing for more information regarding these options.  RNs who do not have their baccalaureate degree in nursing should consider ASU's RN-to-BSN program.

Students wishing to enroll in MSN courses must first make application to the Graduate School.  After review of this information and you have additional questions, you may contact Dr. Angela Schmidt, MSN Program Director, at aschmidt@astate.edu; Amanda Waters, Administrative Specialist II at awaters@astate.edu; or the School of Nursing at (870) 972-3074.

 


  • Prerequisites

    Admission Requirements

    • Hold a BSN degree from an accredited institution
    • Hold a current unencumbered licenses to practice nursing
    • Cumulative GPA of 2.75 overall or 3.0 on the last 60 hours of course work
    • Have completed a graduate-level course in statistics
    • Be CPR certified (professional level)
    • Have completed a course in health assessment or demonstrative proficiency in health assessment which includes physical examination and history taking (Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator Option)

    *Note:  Prior to taking the first clinical course, the student must have an unencumbered Arkansas RN license and present evidence of professional liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage), current CPR (professional level) certification and acceptable immunization status.

    UNCONDITIONAL ADMISSION:

    To establish unconditional admission at the master's degree level, applicants must have a grade point average of 2.75 overall or 3.0 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.  All courses attempted, including any repeated courses, are considered in the computation of the grade point average.

    Admission to the Graduate School and meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission to all majors.

  • Admission Process


    School of Nursing Admission Information:

    Graduate School:

    All applicants for any MSN program must first be accepted by the Graduate School.  Apply online here

    • Send official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate work (personal copies will not be accepted) to:  ASU Graduate Admissions, PO Box 1570, State University, AR 72467
    • Designated, non-refundable application fee
    • Written documentation of measles and rubella immunization
    • US citizens must be registered or exempt with Selective Service.  Affirmation Action information can be found here.

    To contact the Graduate School by telephone call (870) 972-3029.

    School of Nursing:

    1.  Graduate School acceptance (see admission information)

    2.  Complete MSN application

    3.  Meet application deadlines

    •       -CNS: April 15 for Spring Admission; October 15 for Fall Admission
    •        -FNP:  February 1 for Fall admission

    4.  Pre-clinical requirements

    •      -One year experience as an RN
    •      -CPR certification
    •      -TB skin test
    •      -Evidence of Hepatitis B Immunization
    •      -Professional liability
    •      -Valid, unencumbered RN license in the state of practice 
      See School of Nursing website for additional information:  http://www.astate.edu/college/departments/nursing/

     

     

     

  • Additional Information

    Policies and other information are available in a guide for graduating nursing students, entitled "Graduate Information Guide (GIG)".  Knowledge of the policies and information in the GIG, ASU Student Handbook and ASU Graduate Bulletin are required following admission.

    If you have questions, you may email the Adult Health Coordinator, Dr. Angela Schmidt at aschmidt@astate.edu or the MSN Program Assistant Amanda Waters at awaters@astate.edu; or contact the School of Nursing at 870-972-3074.

     

  • Careers

    Graduates of the Adult Health Programs are prepared for careers as Nurse Executives, Administrators and Managers, clinical nurse specialists, patient care coordinators, nurse managers, nurse educators, and clinical or staff educators.

  • Accreditations

    The Master of Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accredting Commission, 3433 Peachtree Road NE, Suite #850, Atlanta, GA 30326.  Telephone:  (404) 975-5000.  www.nlnac.org.  The program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

  • Adult Health Nursing: Clinical Nurse Specialist

    Adult Health:  Clinical Nurse Specialist


    The Adult Health Nursing Option consists of core and support courses as well as clinical course work to prepare the student for advanced role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).  Preparation for clinical nurse specialists requires 540 hours of clinical practicum.  Study in this option may be pursued on a full- and part-time basis.  The majority of core and support courses are availaible online.  Speciality courses are web-enhanced.  Classes may be held using the interactive video network.

    Content in this major involves adults with acute or chronic health problems.  Although the majority of patients access the health care system via a specific health problem, interventions studied may include primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention.

    Examples of full-time and part-time coursework selections are available on the Curriculum link.

    The Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist program of study must be completed within six years.  All students must complete a professional paper in NURS 6762 Appliced Clinical Research and Role Seminar or may choose to complete a supervised research experience in NURS 6893 Thesis Option.

    Students must meet all graduate school requirements including passing a comprehensive exam.

     

     

  • Adult Health: Nurse Administration


    Adult Health:  Nurse Administration

    Adult Health/Nurse Administrator prepares graduates as Nurse Executives, Administrators and Managers.  The courses include leadership and management, healthcare law and quality assurance, and budgeting/financial management in the health care setting.  The AH/Nurse Administrator option requires 38 credit hours and a minimum of 300 clinical clock hours.

    Experience in management or administration is not required but beneficial.

    The majority of core and support courses are offered online (internet) with periodic on-campus class meetings during each semester.

    The Adult Health program of study must be completed within six years.  All students in the Adult Health Program are required to complete a professional paper in NURS 6763 Applied Clinical Research and Role Seminar with comprehensive examinations or may choose to complete a supervised research experience in NURS 6893 Thesis Option.

    Students must meet all graduate school requirements including passing a comprehensive exam.

  • Adult Health: Nurse Educator


    Adult Health:  Nurse Educator

    Adult Health/Nurse Educators are prepared in curriculum development, teaching/learning strategies and measurement/evaluation in education.  The AH/Nurse Educator option requires 45 credit hours, 420 clinical clock hours, which includes completion of a nursing education practicum.

    The majority of core and support courses are offered online (internet) with periodic on-campus class meetings during each semester.

    The Adult Health program of study must be completed with six years.  All students in the Adult Health Program are required to complete a professional paper in NURS 6763 Applied Clinical Research and Role Seminar with comprehensive examinations or may choose to complete a supervised research experience in NURS 6893 Thesis Option.

    Students must meet all graduate school requirements including passing a comprehensive exam.

  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

    Family Nurse Practitioner

    The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program prepares nurses with the complex practice skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for roles in advanced nursing and leadership in the contemporary health care system.  Graduate study in nursing is the basis for professional growth in advanced practice roles and the foundation for doctoral study in nursing.

    The FNP track requires 45 credit hours.  The majority of core and support courses are offered online (internet) with periodic on campus class meetings during each semester.

    The FNP program of study must be completed within six years.  All FNP students must complete a professional paper in NURS 6754 FNP Synthesis Seminar or may choose to complete a supervised research experience in NURS 6893 Thesis Option.

    Students must meet all graduate school requirements including passing a comprehensive exam.

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