Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)**

The Master of Science in Nursing degree program (MSN) is designed to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of registered nurses. It is also designed for those nurses who want to pursue advanced positions in today’s challenging healthcare environment. The program, based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master’s Essentials, blends nursing theory with advanced practice concepts that prepare students to work within a healthcare organization or educational setting.

All applicants to the MSN program must hold a valid and unencumbered license as a registered nurse in all US states or territory in which the student is licensed, including the state in which the student completes all assignments for the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet this state requirement for nursing licensure).  An unencumbered license(s) must be maintained throughout the program.  Additionally, all applicants must successfully complete a criminal background check and a drug screening. Clinical affiliation agencies may require additional personal testing.

The program consists of five core courses and courses in an area of specialization in education, administration, informatics, and various nurse practitioner programs. Program includes practica and experiences in areas of specialization.

Courses may be waived if the individual’s master’s transcript indicates that s/he has successfully completed the required course or its equivalent. Waivers and exceptions will be determined on the written request of individual students through a transcript analysis as determined by the Program Director, Chair, or College Dean.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates should be able to:

1. Synthesize theories and concepts from nursing and other disciplines for application in advanced nursing roles.
2. Analyze current scientific research for application of findings to initiate change and to improve practice.
3. Create comprehensive plans of action that address the health promotion and disease prevention needs of individual, family, and community populations.
4. Formulate a plan for ongoing contributions to improvement of healthcare delivery and development of health policy in a cost-effective manner.
5. Apply an ethical decision-making process in professional practice and an analysis of systems of healthcare.
6. Model a professional leadership role that fosters improvement of healthcare and advocates scholarly activities to advance self and profession.
7. Employ informatics and technology in various aspects of the advanced nursing leadership role.
8. Practice within ethical-legal guidelines, professional policies and regulations, and standards of practice associated with a specialty area of advanced nursing practice.

Nurse Practitioner Specializations

Master of Science in Nursing (Specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner)

Offered at South University, Austin; South University, Columbia; South University, High Point Learning Site; South University, Montgomery; South University, Online Programs; South University, Orlando Learning Site;South University, Richmond; South University, Savannah; South University, Tampa; South University, Virginia Beach; and South University, West Palm Beach.

The Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree program is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses for the current and evolving primary healthcare system. The South University College of Nursing program focuses on advanced health sciences knowledge and skills to prepare advanced clinicians to deliver leading edge, community-based primary healthcare to individuals and families across the lifespan. The program places a strong emphasis on health promotion as well as the development of positive health behaviors for clients at different developmental and age stages. FNP students share select course content with fellow students in the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) programs where appropriate. This structure exposes students to a variety of expert specialty faculty and supports development of inter-specialty relationships in client management.

The South University program is designed to prepare graduates to provide the full range of primary care services to individuals during the ante- partum period, infancy, childhood and adolescence through the adult lifespan. Competencies include provision of preventive care to children and adults as well as the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health problems. In addition to direct patient care, students also participate in clinical translational efforts, education, and policy activities relevant to advanced practice nursing and diverse population healthcare issues. National certification is available upon program completion through the national certifying bodies (ANCC; AANPCP).

The South University College of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner degree program meets the Core Competencies for Family Nurse Practitioners outlined by the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). Upon graduation and entry into practice, family nurse practitioners are proficient in the following areas:

1. Providing health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment.
2. Assessing health status.
3. Diagnosing health status.
4. Creating a plan of care and implementation of treatment.
5. Ensuring a professional, collegial, and collaborative approach to care.
6. Serving as a teacher and coach to patients.
7. Committing to advancing the profession.
8. Assisting patients in managing and negotiating the healthcare delivery system.
9. Monitoring and ensuring high quality healthcare practice.
10. Demonstrating cultural competence

The plan of study and required courses for the Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner degree program includes the Master’s Core requirements (20 credits) with the addition of the following clinical course requirements (42 credits):

Specialization Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

1. Integrate specialty standards of advanced practice nursing to deliver culturally competent, quality healthcare services to individuals, families, populations and systems.
2. Exercise effective leadership, critical thinking and communication skills in the development and implementation of advanced nursing practice services in primary care.
3. Integrate professional nursing standards, values and accountability into role and self-development as an advanced practice nurse.
4. Utilize information technology and an evidence-based research approach in the development of nursing knowledge and design of healthcare services for clients, populations and systems.
5. Ensure advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in the implementation and evaluation of evidenced based care to diverse individuals and populations.

Clinical APEA Policy

Clinical (NP and NE) APEA Policy

This policy establishes guidelines and grading criteria for the use of the Advanced Practice Education Associates (APEA) products in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) programs.  This policy provides a framework for consistent usage and application of APEA products.

1. APEA Testing

The APEA assessments are used as a component of formative and summative academic assessment in the MSN/PGC/FNP, AGPCNP and for NE (the 3P exam only) programs. The APEA online testing center provides documentation of completion of assigned proctored/non-proctored APEA exams. 

1. The APEA 3P exam measures competency of the core criteria for advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology. This exam evaluates clinical readiness prior to entering the practicum setting. A minimum score of ≥ 67 (minimum score may change based on exam psychometrics) is the goal. This exam is administered during week eight/nine of NSG6020 Advanced Health and Physical Assessment, in NSG6021 Pre-Clinical Evaluation. Students who do not achieve the minimum score will be enrolled in NSG6023 Nurse Practitioner Enhancement, a 4 credit, 10/11-week remediation course. A new 3P exam version will be administered in week 10/11. Students who are unsuccessful after two cumulative (2) attempts will be programmatically dismissed from the MSN nurse practitioner programs. The Grading Rubric is presented in Table 1.1 below.

Table 1.1  APEA 3P Grading Rubric

2. The APEA Pre-Predictor exam measures competency in patient management: assessment, diagnosis, planning and intervention, pharmacotherapeutics, and evaluation The Pre-Predictor Exam identifies weaknesses in knowledge areas and testing domains for remediation in preparation for the APEA Post-Predictor exam. This exam is administered for MSN AGNP students in week two of NSG6340: Practicum III: Adult Health: Primary Care and for MSN FNP students in week two of NSG6440: Practicum IV: Family Health: Primary Care. A minimum score of ≥70% is the goal. The Pre-Predictor exam is 15% of the MSN FNP NSG6440 and MSN AGNP NSG6430 course grade. The Grading Rubric is presented in Table 1.2 below.

Table 1.2 APEA Pre-Predictor Grading Rubric

Note: Score ranges may change based on exam psychometrics

3. The APEA Post-Predictor exam measures competency in patient management by testing knowledge areas and testing domains that include: assessment, diagnosis, planning and intervention, pharmacotherapeutics, and evaluation. The APEA Post-Predictor exam identifies weaknesses in knowledge areas and testing domains for remediation in preparation for the certification exam The APEA Post-Predictor exam considered a national standardized exam or exit exam. This exam is administered for MSN AGNP students in week eight/nine of NSG6340: Practicum III: Adult Health: Primary Care and for MSN FNP students in week eight/nine of NSG6440: Practicum IV: Family Health: Primary Care. A minimum score of ≥70% is the goal. The Post-Predictor exam is worth 40% of the final grade in MSN FNP ( NSG6440) and AGNP ( NSG6340). The Grading Rubric is presented in Table 1.3 below.

Table 1.3 APEA Post-Predictor Grading Rubric

Note: Score ranges may change based on exam psychometrics

2. Remediation
   1. Individualized remediation provides an opportunity for students to review study and acquire additional knowledge. Remediation is intended to help students recover important information that was missed when taking the assessment.
   2. Remediation is required for all APEA assessments. Students must utilize their test results to complete remediation. Content areas with a score of ≤ 66 on the 3P exam and ≤ 69% on the pre and post predictor exams require remediation (minimum score may change based on exam psychometrics).
   3. Failure to comply with the APEA testing policy may result in a course failure.

Retesting is required for any student not achieving a minimum grade of ≥ 67% (minimum score may change based on exam psychometrics) on the APEA 3P exam. Retesting of the APEA 3P exam will take place during the final week of NSG6023. A different test version will be utilized for retesting.Students who achieve a minimum grade of ≥ 67% on the retest of the 3P exam will receive an 80% for the APEA grade. Students who are unsuccessful after two (2) attempts on the 3P exam will be programmatically dismissed from the MSN nurse practitioner programs.  Any retakes/retesting of the APEA 3P or APEA pre and post-predictor exams must be approved by the College of Nursing and Public Health Dean or their designee.

3. Comprehensive APEA Program

Students have access to and are assigned the APEA resources to be used. Courses are listed in Table 3.1 and identifies APEA resources to be used in the corresponding courses.

Table 3.1 Courses with Corresponding APEA Resources