Master of Science in Nursing

Faculty

Sandra C. Brown, DNS, MN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAANP, FAAN
Dean and Professor

Annisa Taylor, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
Interim Chairperson / Assistant Professor

Professor
Wanda Spurlock, DNS, RN, GERO-BC, PMH-BC, CNE, FNGNA, ANEF, FGSA, FAAN

Assistant Professor

Ruby Sheree Miller, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Alicia Restivo, DNP, FNP-C

Perry Russell, DNP, APRN, FNP

Adjunct Faculty

Dominique Anderson, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, MSN 

Mecca Daigre, DNP, FNP-C

Sandra Joiner, PharmD, MBA

Kourtni Luster, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Carla Sanders, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Introduction

The Master of Science in Nursing curriculum builds on the competencies of the baccalaureate graduate. Graduates of the MSN program specialize in family health nursing with a professional role concentration in family nurse practitioner (FNP) (41-44 credits), nursing administration (34-37 credits) and nursing education (34-37 credits). Completion of the education or administration roles require 128 practicum hours. Students pursuing the FNP role are required to complete 640 direct clinical practicum hours. Semester credit hours can be pursued through part-time or full-time study. Students must perform satisfactorily on a written comprehensive examination and complete an approved research project (non-thesis option) or thesis. The MSN degree can be completed in 4 academic semesters by students enrolled in full-time studies. Graduates of SUSON’s family nurse practitioner program meet eligibility requirements to take the AANP or ANCC Certification exam for family nurse practitioner. Graduate faculty guide students in completing a scholarly research project.

 

Accreditation

The University is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Southern University and A&M College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791. All nursing programs are fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

AACN MSN Essentials (2011)

  1. Background for Practice from Sciences and Humanities
  2. Organizational and Systems Leadership
  3. Quality Improvement and Safety
  4. Translating and Integrating Scholarship into Practice
  5. Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
  6. Health Policy for Advocacy
  7. Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
  8. Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving Health
  9. Master’s-Level Nursing Practice

MSN Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Synthesize relevant knowledge and skills from nursing science and related disciplines for advanced family health nursing practice.
  2. Evaluate family nursing systems in order to provide nursing care in an advanced practice role.
  3. Initiate collaboration efforts in the health care delivery system to promote family health.
  4. Analyze ethical-legal issues that impact family health and wellness with accountability to self, the family, and the profession.
  5. Evaluate multiple cultural variables that affect the achievement of family health.
  6. Formulate and test hypothesis to validate theoretical constructs of advanced family health nursing practice.
  7. Propose leadership strategies, which influence health care policy, that impact family health.
  8. Develop a functional role as a teacher, administrator or family nurse practitioner.
  9. Develop a base for advanced study at the postmaster's, pre-doctoral, and doctoral studies level.

Admissions Requirements

  • Academic Preparation: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university as evidenced by an official transcript.
  • GPA: A minimum overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale as evidenced by official Bachelor of Science (BSN) transcript is required for regular admission status. Applicants who have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of no less than 2.70 may be considered for conditional admission at the discretion, and upon the recommendation, of the School of Nursing Graduate Nursing Program Admissions Committee. To be removed from conditional admission status, the student must receive a grade of “B” or above in all graduate-level courses in the first 9 hours attempted. A grade of “C” or lower will warrant immediate dismissal from the program. Post-BSN undergraduate courses taken as a non-degree student will not be considered as part of the overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average.
  • Official Transcripts: Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • Licensure: Evidence of a current unencumbered Louisiana Registered Nurse (RN) license with no restrictions.
  • Years of Experience: A minimum of two (2) years full-time experience as a Registered Nurse within the past five (5) years. Students who wish to pursue a Nurse Practitioner specialty must have two (2) years full-time experience as a Registered Nurse in direct patient care delivery within the past five (5) years.
  • GRE: A satisfactory Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score taken within 5 years of the application.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) letters of recommendation from the following: (1) A former faculty member in an undergraduate nursing program; (2) An employer or advanced level professional in research, education, and/or leadership/ administration, who can attest to applicant's competencies and expertise as a registered nurse; and (3) An individual of the applicant's choice who can attest to the applicant's character, level of integrity, professional traits, and the ability to successfully complete a Master's of Science in Nursing degree with academic excellence.
  • Statement of Interest: Submission of a 500–1000-word statement of interest that addresses the applicant's personal goals for graduate study which are congruent with the MSN Program goals and how MSN education is important to the fulfillment of applicant's career goals.
  • Curriculum Vitae / Resume: Submission of current curriculum vitae / resume which includes dated employment history and clinical practice experience, licenses, certifications, honors, awards, professional memberships, and scholarly works, such as grants, publications, and presentations.
  • Sample of Scholarly Writing: Scholarly writing sample in health care or nursing research, including any publications or research.
  • Statistics Course: Completion of a prerequisite course in introductory statistics at the 200, 300 level, or above.
  • Interview: An interview of the applicant.Application Submission: To apply online for admissions to the SUBR Graduate School and the School of Nursing Graduate Nursing Program, please visit https://www.subr.edu/gradschool.

Admissions Application Deadlines: April 15 (Fall Semester) and November 1 (Spring Semester)

Review and Notification Process: Once the SUBR Graduate School receives a complete application packet with all required materials, it is forwarded to the School of Nursing Graduate Nursing Program Admissions Committee for review. The Graduate Nursing Program Admissions Committee reviews the application packet and renders the admission recommendation to the Chair of the Graduate Nursing Program and the Dean of the School of Nursing. Each applicant is notified of the admissions decision by the Graduate School and the School of Nursing.

Enrollment Status:

  • Regular Admission: All required documents have been submitted. All Graduate School and Graduate Nursing Program criteria are met.
  • Provisional Admission: Missing documents/credentials. All Graduate School and Graduate Nursing Program criteria are met.
  • Conditional Admission: All required documents have been submitted and/or missing documents. All Graduate Nursing Program criteria are met. BSN Degree GPA less than 3.0, but minimum 2.70.

Transfer Credits 
Graduate credits may be transferred only from a regionally accredited university or college (a recognized university, if international) and in courses where a student has earned a grade of “B” or better. 

Students may transfer a maximum of twelve (12) semester credit hours of whose age will not exceed five (5) years at the time of graduation, provided that those courses are comparable to courses in the MSN Plan of Study.

Only graduate level courses (500 level and above) may be transferred. Credits that were previously used toward a degree cannot be applied toward another degree. A transfer of credit application form with approvals by a department advisor and chairperson, official transcripts and a plan of study must be submitted to the Graduate School for approval no later than the end of the first semester of enrollment in a graduate degree program.

Degree Candidacy | Graduation Requirements 
Graduation is based on satisfactory completion of all course work in an approved program of study. Students must also meet all graduation requirements of the University. The minimum grade point average (GPA) required for graduation is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All MSN students must complete a written comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination is developed by the faculty and administered in the final semester of the program of study. Thesis option students must complete an oral defense of the thesis in addition to the comprehensive exam. If a student is unable to complete a thesis in one academic semester, a second semester to continue the work is allowed.

Time Limit 
Requirements for a master’s degree must be completed with credits and transcripts (including the allowable 12 transfer credit hours) that are more than seven (7) years old.

Plan of Study

Core Courses

Nurse Practitioner (Family Health Nursing)

NURS 600BTheore Found of Adv Nurs

3

NURS 602BDesign Meth of Nursing Res

3

NURS 604BIssues in Adv Prac Nursing

3

NURS 606BPracticum for Hlth&Dia/Reasoni

1

NURS 608BFam Hlth Prom for Adv Nur Prac

3

NURS 616BHlth Assessm&Diag/Reasoning

3

NURS 649BPrimary Health Care/Families

2

NURS 650BPrimary Healthcare/Families II

2

NURS 651BAdv Pathophys NSG Practice

3

NURS 652BPharm for Adv Nsg Practice

3

NURS 653BNP Practicum I

6

NURS 654BNP Practicum II

0

NURS 696BClinical Research Project

3

NURS 698BComprehensive Exam

0

Core Courses

Nurse Administrator

NURS 600BTheore Found of Adv Nurs

3

NURS 602BDesign Meth of Nursing Res

3

NURS 604BIssues in Adv Prac Nursing

3

NURS 606BPracticum for Hlth&Dia/Reasoni

1

NURS 608BFam Hlth Prom for Adv Nur Prac

3

NURS 610BNursing Administration I (128 Practicum Hours)

3

NURS 611BNursing Administration II (128 Practicum Hours)

3

NURS 616BHlth Assessm&Diag/Reasoning

3

NURS 651BAdv Pathophys NSG Practice

3

NURS 652BPharm for Adv Nsg Practice

3

NURS 696BClinical Research Project

3

OR

NURS 699BThesis

1

NURS 698BComprehensive Exam

0

Elective

3

Core Courses

Nurse Educator

NURS 600BTheore Found of Adv Nurs

3

NURS 602BDesign Meth of Nursing Res

3

NURS 604BIssues in Adv Prac Nursing

3

NURS 606BPracticum for Hlth&Dia/Reasoni

1

NURS 608BFam Hlth Prom for Adv Nur Prac

3

NURS 614BNursing Education

3

NURS 615BNursing Education II

3

NURS 616BHlth Assessm&Diag/Reasoning

3

NURS 651BAdv Pathophys NSG Practice

3

NURS 652BPharm for Adv Nsg Practice

3

NURS 696BClinical Research Project

3

OR

NURS 699BThesis

1

NURS 698BComprehensive Exam

0

Elective

3

Electives