The Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing offers flexible, innovative tracks in a program leading to a master of science in nursing degree. Graduates are prepared to practice in an advanced role to meet and/or manage health care needs of families across the life span. The graduate will be prepared to practice in a variety of settings with a functional focus in one of the following areas: nursing education, family nurse practitioner practice, management, nurse anesthesia, or administration with a joint degree (MSN/MBA).
The Family Nurse Practitioner track prepares the graduate to:
- Assume a position in a primary care setting as a family nurse practitioner, upon successful completion of national certification exams.
- Provide comprehensive primary health care emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention to individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan.
- Utilize and conduct research that will promote quality health care and improve clinical outcomes for selected population groups.
Many students find that family nurse practitioner is a more marketable choice to make when choosing between nurse practitioner programs. An FNP is taught to care for men, women, pregnant women, and children. Students begin the graduate program in August and will be on track to complete the FNP track in five semesters.
Classes are offered online, however students must attend scheduled on-campus class times approximately 1-2 times each semester. Some classes are entirely online. Students must also attend a mandatory 3-day on-campus orientation at the beginning of the program. Students precept with a nurse practitioner or physician for clinicals. The hours are set by the student and preceptor. Graduates of the FNP track are eligible to take the AANP and ANCC certification exams. For more information about completing the Family Nurse Practitioner track and becoming an FNP, contact Ms. Leigh Ann Poole,
lachandl@samford.edu
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The Nurse Educator track prepares the graduate to:
- Assume the role of the nurse educator in an academic or health care setting.
- Apply teaching and learning theories, current research findings, and knowledge of educational trends and professional standards to instructional design.
- Utilize knowledge of continuous quality improvement methodology to evaluate all components of instructional design.
- Provide a learning environment that will assist learners to become active, self- directed, problem- solvers with a commitment to life-long learning.
Students who begin the graduate program in August will be on track to complete the Educator track in five semesters.
Classes are offered online, however students must attend scheduled on-campus class times approximately 1-2 times each semester. Some classes are entirely online. Students must also attend a mandatory 3-day on-campus orientation at the beginning of the program. There is a tremendous shortage of nursing faculty across the U.S. The faculty shortage is projected to become even more severe as current faculty approach retirement.
For more information about completing the Educator track, contact Dr. Sharron Schlosser, spschlos@samford.edu
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The Nurse Manager track prepares the graduate to:
- Assume first-line leadership and management roles in organizations.
- Employ management skills that facilitate collaborative relationships while functioning as a member of the organization's management team.
- Interpret clinical and management related research findings to improve organizational and client outcomes, and the utilization of clinical and fiscal resources.
Students who begin the graduate program in August will be on track to complete the Management track in five semesters.
Classes are offered online, however students must attend scheduled on-campus class times approximately 1-2 times each semester. Some classes are entirely online. Students must also attend a mandatory 3-day on-campus orientation at the beginning of the program. For more information about completing the management track, contact Dr. Arlene Hayne
anhayne@samford.edu
- MSN – Nurse Manager - TBA
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The Nurse Executive (Joint MSN/ MBA) track prepares the graduate to:
- Assume executive level positions in a wide range of complex health care organizations, as well as, corporations and consulting firms.
- Create and maintain an effective and efficient environment for the delivery of health care services in a variety of health care settings across the continuum.
- Utilize and conduct research that contributes to the improvement in the delivery of quality health care services and the achievement of expected health care outcomes for selected population groups.
Applications to the
School of Business (for more information, please contact
Larron Harper) and the School of Nursing should be submitted at the same time. After admission to both programs, an individualized plan of study will be created.
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Post MSN Certificates
The following Post-MSN certificates are available for registered nurses who already have a master's degree in nursing: Nurse Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Manager, and Nurse Anesthesia. Students completing the post-MSN/FNP track will have fulfilled the educational requirements to take the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification examinations.
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RN to MSN
We are proud to be the only school in Alabama offering a true RN-MSN in which a BSN is not awarded. Through the RN to MSN option, the School of Nursing provides experienced registered nurses, who currently hold an associate of science in nursing or a hospital diploma, the opportunity to earn an MSN through a nontraditional path. As in the main MSN program, the same tracks are available, with the exception of nurse anesthesia. The RN-MSN program begins once each year in January.
The RN to MSN option consists of four bridge courses, which can be completed in two semesters. Successful completion of all four bridge courses must be accomplished in order to progress to the MSN core courses. When taken full time and in sequence, the length of the RN to MSN option is seven semesters. General education courses maybe completed at another university and then transferred to Samford University prior to enrolling in the RN to MSN program.
| RN to MSN General Education Requirements |
Credits |
| English Composition I and II |
6 |
| College Algebra or higher level math |
3 |
| Anatomy |
4 |
| Physiology |
4 |
| Microbiology |
4 |
| Intro to Chemistry or higher level chemistry |
4 |
| Intro to Psychology |
3 |
| Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| Speech |
3 |
| Other Liberal Arts Courses * |
6 |
| Introductory Computer Course** |
3 |
| Total Credits Required |
43 |
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ASN or Diploma-APN to MSN
The Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing at Samford University offers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree through a nontraditional pathway. The program, which can be completed in five semesters, provides the experienced RN who holds an associate of science in nursing degree or hospital diploma and is currently
certified and practicing as an APN, having achieved two years of full-time or equivalent part-time practice within the last five years, an opportunity to earn a master's degree within one program of study. In the RN to MSN program, the graduate does not earn a bachelor's degree. Should an individual not complete the requirements for the MSN, whether for personal or academic reasons, no BSN is awarded nor academic credit transferred to the BSN program. General education courses maybe completed at another university and then transferred to Samford University prior to enrolling in the RN to MSN program. (See General Education Course Requirements listed in the
RN to MSN program.)
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BSN-APN to MSN
The School of Nursing provides the experienced advanced practice nurse who currently holds a BSN and is currently
certified and practicing as an APN, having achieved two years of full-time or equivalent part-time practice within the last five years, the opportunity to earn an MSN through a nontraditional path.
This flexible program is tailored for the working professional and is offered completely on-line with minimal on-campus attendance. The program can be completed in one year.
