NURSING, MSN
| Degree Offered: | M.S.N. |
| Director (M.S.N.): | Dr. Bryan Combs |
| Phone: | (205) 996-4509 |
| E-mail: | bryancombs@uab.edu |
Master of Science in Nursing
Program Description
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) curriculum prepares nurses for advanced nursing practice and generalist practice. MSN graduates are prepared to practice in a variety of roles in a health care system requiring advanced knowledge of patient/client care delivery and a high level of critical thinking. In addition, MSN graduates have a foundation for future doctoral study in nursing.
- Preparation as a nurse practitioner in family; adult/gerontology; pediatric primary, dual (primary and acute) pediatric care; neonatal acute and continuing care; women's health, or psychiatric-mental health
- Preparation in the rapidly evolving area of nursing and health systems management
- Preparation as a clinical nurse leader
Students may also select: the Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA), forensics, palliative care, oncology, emergency care, and education subspecialty course work are also available.
PROGRAM SCHEDULING: Students admitted to a master’s study in the summer and fall terms in most specialty tracks. Students will follow a part-time program of study. Students follow prescribed courses; however, individual needs are considered. All core courses and selected specialty courses are available via distance education. Additionally, please refer to the UAB online website to ensure we are approved in your state https://www.uab.edu/elearning/students/state-authorization
CLINICAL SCHEDULE: Clinical experiences for the MSN student are coordinated with your faculty. The student contracts to work with a clinical preceptor who is a certified registered nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, or a physician. The total number of clinical hours required varies depending on the specialty. Students must have a current RN license in the state where they do their clinical practice prior to enrolling in the advanced practice courses.
NURSE PRACTITIONER ACUTE AND CONTINUING CARE
Acute and continuing care nursing at UAB School of Nursing is a holistic approach to health care that focuses on the needs and strengths of the acutely or critically ill adult, neonate, or pediatric client. Further concentration in cardiovascular, neuroscience, or oncology may be available to those who select the adult acute care nurse practitioner option.
NURSE PRACTITIONER PRIMARY CARE
Primary care nursing is a holistic approach to health care that focuses on the needs and strengths of the whole person within families and communities; health promotion; disease prevention, and the identification and management and/or referral of health problems. Students with an interest in primary care may select advanced study in adult, family, pediatric, or women’s health nursing. Secondary specialization in occupational health is available in conjunction with a primary care nurse practitioner track.
OTHER OPTIONS
Other options in the graduate program include an, a post-baccalaureate certificates preparing students to teach in nursing; a post-master’s program of study to prepare nurse practitioners, a RN-BSN and a RN-MSN track which incorporates course work at the master’s level and a BSN-PhD option. For more information on all options, please visit https://www.uab.edu/nursing/home/academics/masters
NURSING AND HEALTH SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
Nurses enrolled in this option may elect to study Nursing and Health Systems Administration or Nursing Informatics. Informatics is one of the fastest growing areas in health care. Informatics may be defined as a combination of computer science, information science and nursing designed to assist in the management and processing of nursing data, information, and knowledge designed to support the practice of nursing and delivery of nursing care. The focus of nursing informatics practice is the organization, analysis, and dissemination of information.
CLINICAL NURSE LEADER
The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a leader in the health care delivery system. The CNL assumes accountability for patient care outcomes through the application of research-based information to design, implement, and evaluate patient plans of care. The CNL is a provider and manager of care at the point of care to patients and cohorts of patients within a healthcare setting. The role includes the design, implementation, and evaluation of patient care outcomes by coordinating, delegating, and supervising the care provided by the health care team, including licensed nurses, technicians, and other health professionals.
Non-Degree Options at the MSN Level
The Post-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) certificate track curriculum prepares nurses for advanced nursing practice as a nurse practitioner. This option is available for nurses who hold or are eligible for an advanced practice certification. MSN graduates who wish to take a designated program of study in preparation for sitting for one of the nurse practitioner certification examinations may apply for non-degree graduate status. Applicants for the Post MSN NP Option are considered on an individual basis, depending on NP practice experience and previous coursework. Applicants that are determined to be ineligible for the Post MSN NP Option will be encouraged to apply for a second MSN degree. Post-master’s non-degree students will be not awarded a degree, not be eligible to participate in commencement activities, and may not qualify for financial aid or scholarships. Students that successfully complete the course work will receive documentation confirming that the course work meets the requirements to be eligible to take the advanced certification exam.
The non-degree graduate student classification also makes selected master's-level nursing courses available to persons who have a bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution.
Students interested in the non-degree graduate student classification and the non-degree options below will need to contact UAB School of Nursing Office for Student Success at 205-975-7529 for application instructions.
In addition to the non-degree graduate student classification to take selected courses, there are two non-degree options for post-BSN students in Teaching and Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA)
Teaching Certificate for Post BSN Applicants-Additionally, applicants at the post-baccalaureate level may choose to seek certification to prepare for the faculty role.
Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) Certificate for Post-Baccalaureate Applicants- A Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is prepared to practice in a variety of acute or critical care settings. The RNFA, in collaboration with the surgeon, provides continuous and comprehensive patient care throughout the perioperative period.
M.S.N. Program Goals
The MSN program of study is designed to prepare nurses who: synthesize research, theoretical formulations, and principles of scientific inquiry to provide evidence-based practice; assume leadership in managing and evaluating continuous quality improvement processes; use information systems/technology to evaluate programs of care, outcomes of care and care systems; advocate and implement health care policies that improve access, equity, efficiency, and social justice in the delivery of health care; design innovative educational programs for patients, nursing staff, and nursing students using teaching and learning principles; provide ethical, culturally sensitive care in an advanced nursing role independently and collaboratively with professionals from multiple disciplines; monitor the quality of one's own nursing practice based on professional practice standards and relevant statutes and regulations; and apply theories and principles of marketing, economics, consultation, management, and leadership to comprehensively perform an advanced nursing role.
M.S.N. Admission Requirements
To apply to the MSN program please visit: http://www.uab.edu/nursing/home/apply-now
For more information please visit please contact UAB School of Nursing Office for Student Success at 205-975-7529 or go to https://www.uab.edu/nursing/home/msn-specialty-tracks for more information on specialty and subspecialty course options.
Requirements for admission for the MSN degree include the following:
- BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution, equivalent to the one offered by the School of Nursing, UAB;
- Cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or on the last 60 semester hours; (Graduates of baccalaureate degree programs in countries other than the United States must have their baccalaureate degree transcripts evaluated by the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. OR The World Education Services Organization);
- Combined score of 297 on verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE; or score of 410 on the MAT; or score of 480 on the GMAT; Test scores submitted to UAB from the GRE, GMAT, or MAT must not be over 5 years old. Applicants with a 3.2 GPA or better may waive the Test Score requirement if they meet the criteria, please see: GRE/GMAT/MAT Waiver Process for degree seeking MSN students;
- International students must achieve a TOEFL examination score of at least 550; and
- Three (3) letters of professional reference attesting to the applicant's potential for graduate study.
-
All prospective students that desire to apply to UAB SON must do so through the application link at: http://www.uab.edu/nursing/home/apply-now
*For non-nursing bachelor’s prepared students, an alternate master’s in nursing option is available: https://www.uab.edu/nursing/home/academics/masters/amnp
**The following individuals are not eligible for the GRE waiver process:
• International applicants• Non-Native English speaking applicants• Dual degree seeking program applicants MSN/MPH
For International Students:
- This program is distance-accessible and therefore not eligible for applicants entering the US in F-1 or J-1 student status
- If you plan to enroll with an immigration status other than F or J, please email UAB International Admissions at IntlAdmin@uab.edu for confirmation of your eligibility for the program
- All foreign transcripts evaluated by the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc www.ece.org OR the World Education Services www.wes.org, sent from the evaluators directly to the School of Nursing with a course by course evaluation
- A degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited educational college/university in the United States
- A score of 500 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, TOEFL
- Standardized test score. A minimum combined score of 297 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- Possess an unencumbered and unrestricted nursing license to practice nursing in the state where you plan to conduct your clinical practicum
Master of Science in Nursing-Nurse Practitioner Core & Foundation Courses
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 737 | Interprofessional Leadership and Role Development for Practice Excellence (or NUR 604) | 3 |
| NUR 612 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR 735 | Population Health in Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 729 | Evidence-Based Practice Design and Translation | 3 |
| NUR 613 | Pharmacology and Therapeutics | 3 |
| NUR 614 | Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NAH 618L | Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization | 3 |
| NAH 621 | Advanced Adult Gerontology Nursing I - Primary Care | 5 |
| NAH 685L | Practicum I: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Pracitioner | 3 |
| NAH 622 | Advanced Adult Gerontology Nursing II - Primary Care | 4 |
| NAH 686L | Practicum II: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care | 3 |
| NAH 623 | Advanced Adult Gerontology Nursing III - Primary Care | 5 |
| NAH 692L | Practicum III: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care | 4 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NCC 622 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing II - Acute Care | 3 |
| NCC 618L | Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization | 3 |
| NCC 621 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing I - Acute Care | 4-5 |
| NDP 625 | Advanced Dual Option Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | 2 |
| NCC 685L | Clinical Practicum I: Advanced Pediatric Nursing - Acute Care | 3 |
| NCC 686L | Clinical Practicum II: Advanced Pediatric Nursing - Acute Care | 3 |
| NCC 692L | Clinical Practicum III: Advanced Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care | 4 |
| Total Hours | 22-23 | |
Pediatrics Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NPE 618L | 2 | |
| Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization | ||
| NPE 621 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing I - Primary Care | 5 |
| NPE 685L | Practicum I: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner –Primary Care | 3 |
| NPE 622 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing II - Primary Care | 4 |
| NPE 686L | Practicum II: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner –Primary Care | 3 |
| NPE 623 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing III - Primary Care | 5 |
| NPE 692L | Practicum III: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner –Primary Care | 4 |
| Total Hours | 26 | |
Dual Pediatric Acute and Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NDP 618L | Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization | 3 |
| NPE 621 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing I - Primary Care | 5 |
| NCC 621 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing I - Acute Care | 4 |
| NPE 622 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing II - Primary Care | 4 |
| NCC 622 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing II - Acute Care | 3 |
| NPE 685L | Practicum I: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner –Primary Care | 3 |
| NPE 686L | Practicum II: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner –Primary Care | 3 |
| NCC 685L | Clinical Practicum I: Advanced Pediatric Nursing - Acute Care | 3 |
| NCC 686L | Clinical Practicum II: Advanced Pediatric Nursing - Acute Care | 3 |
| NPE 623 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing III - Primary Care | 4-5 |
| NPE 692L | Practicum III: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner –Primary Care | 1-6 |
| NCC 623 | Advanced Pediatric Nursing III - Acute Care | 5 |
| NCC 692L | Clinical Practicum III: Advanced Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care | 4 |
| Total Hours | 45-51 | |
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NNE 618L | Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization | 3 |
| NNE 621 | Advanced Neonatal Nursing I | 3-5 |
| NNE 684L | Practicum I: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | 2-3 |
| NNE 622 | Advanced Neonatal Nursing II | 4-5 |
| NNE 685L | Practicum II: Neonatal Nurse Practioner | 2-3 |
| NNE 623 | Advanced Neonatal Nursing III | 4-5 |
| NNE 692L | Practicum III : Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | 1-6 |
| Total Hours | 19-30 | |
Family Nurse Practitioner
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NFH 618L | Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization | 3 |
| NFH 621 | Advanced Family Nursing I | 3-5 |
| NFH 622 | Family Nurse Practitioner II | 3-4 |
| NFH 623 | Family Nurse Practitioner III | 5 |
| NFH 685L | Practicum I: Family Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
| NFH 686L | Practicum II: Family Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
| NFH 692L | Practicum III: Family Nurse Practitioner | 3-6 |
| Total Hours | 23-29 | |
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NCA 618L | Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization | 3 |
| NCA 621 | Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing I - Acute Care | 5 |
| NCA 685L | Practicum I: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner- Acute Care | 3 |
| NCA 622 | Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nursing Practice II | 4 |
| NCA 686L | Practicum II: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care | 3 |
| NCA 623 | Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing III -Acute Care | 5 |
| NCA 692L | Practicum III: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care | 4 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP with Registered Nurse First Assistant
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NCA 618L | Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization | 3 |
| NCA 621 | Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing I - Acute Care | 5 |
| NCA 685L | Practicum I: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner- Acute Care | 3 |
| NCA 622 | Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nursing Practice II | 4 |
| NCA 686L | Practicum II: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care | 3 |
| NCA 692L | Practicum III: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care | 4 |
| NCA 623 | Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing III -Acute Care | 5 |
| NFA 620 | Surgical Techniques | 3 |
| NFA 621 | 5 | |
| Advanced Perioperative Nursing I | ||
| NFA 622 | Advanced Perioperative Nursing I: Practicum | 1-3 |
| Total Hours | 36-38 | |
Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NWH 618L | Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Women | 3 |
| NWH 631 | Advanced Women's Health Nursing I | 5 |
| NWH 685L | Practicum I: Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
| NWH 632 | Advanced Women's Health Nursing II | 4 |
| NWH 686L | Practicum II: Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
| NWH 692L | Practicum III: Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner | 4 |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NPN 618L | Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization | 3 |
| NPN 621 | Advanced Psych Mental Health Nursing I | 5 |
| NPN 685L | Practicum I: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
| NPN 622 | Advanced Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing II | 5 |
| NPN 686L | Practicum II: Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
| NPN 623 | Advanced Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing III | 4 |
| NPN 692L | Practicum III: Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | 4 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
Nursing Informatics
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NHSL 604 | Developing the Advanced Nurse Leader | 3 |
| NHSL 606 | Evidence-Based Translation and Management | 3 |
| NHSL 610 | Health Care Systems for Advanced Leaders | 3 |
| NHSA 631 | Advanced Quality and Patient Safety | 3-4 |
| NNI 631 | Foundations ofNursing Informatics-Scope of Practice, Models, Standards, and Theories | 3 |
| NNI 632 | Nursing Informatics Systems Analysis and Design | 4 |
| NNI 633 | Informatics and Information Technology Review to Advance Care | 3 |
| NNI 685L | Nursing Informatics: Practicum I | 2 |
| NNI 686L | Nursing Informatics: Practicum II | 2 |
| HI 601 | Databases and Data Modeling | 3 |
| NNI 634 | Informatics Project Evaluation/Human Factors Students will also take NNI 636 for 3 credit hours | 3 |
| NNI 635 | Essentials of Project Management for Nursing Information Specialists | 3 |
| Total Hours | 35-36 | |
Clinical Nurse Leader
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NCL 618L | Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization | 2 |
| NCL 620 | Systems in Population-based Care I | 4 |
| NCL 685L | CNL Practicum I | 2 |
| NCL 692L | CNL Capstone Practicum | 5 |
| NHSL 604 | Developing the Advanced Nurse Leader | 3 |
| NHSL 606 | Evidence-Based Translation and Management | 3 |
| NHSL 610 | Health Care Systems for Advanced Leaders | 3 |
| NUR 612 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR 613 | Pharmacology and Therapeutics | 3 |
| NUR 614 | Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NHSA 616 | Nursing Financial Management | 4 |
| NHSA 617L | Nursing Financial Management Practicum | 2-3 |
| Total Hours | 37-38 | |
Nursing Health Systems Administration
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NHSA 616 | Nursing Financial Management | 4 |
| NHSL 604 | Developing the Advanced Nurse Leader | 3 |
| NHSL 606 | Evidence-Based Translation and Management | 3 |
| NHSL 610 | Health Care Systems for Advanced Leaders | 3 |
| NHSA 617L | Nursing Financial Management Practicum | 2 |
| NHSA 618 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| NHSA 631 | Advanced Quality and Patient Safety | 4 |
| NHSA 681L | 4 | |
| Advanced Quality and Patient Safety Practicum | ||
| NHSA 632 | Nursing and Health Systems Administration I | 4 |
| NHSA 682L | Nursing and Health Systems Administration I Practicum | 2 |
| NHSA 633 | Nursing and Health Systems Administration II | 4 |
| NHSA 683L | Nursing and Health Systems Administration II Practicum | 2 |
| Total Hours | 38 | |
Additional Requirements
Candidates for the MSN degree must complete the following requirements: Completion of all coursework and clinical experiences based on the student's Program of Studies, with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and grades of B or better in all required courses in the School of Nursing.
