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2019-2020 South University Academic Catalog Version I [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Nursing (RN to MSN)***
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Offered at South University, Austin; South University, Columbia; South University, Montgomery; South University, Online Programs; South University, Savannah; and South University, Tampa.
The RN to Master of Science in Nursing program allows students with strong academic backgrounds to reduce the number of courses required in the undergraduate component of the program. Students substitute certain graduate courses for undergraduate nursing courses. The program includes integrated practica experience, didactic instruction, and a summative project to assess individual student learning outcomes.
Students who successfully complete all requirements of RN to Master of Science in Nursing program will be awarded the Master of Science in Nursing degree.*
* Note: Students interested in a BSN should confer with their Academic Counselor or Program Director. This policy is effective on and after Fall 2019 term.
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RN to Master of Science in Nursing***
Area I: General Education: 76 Credits
A transcript evaluation is completed for each student to transfer in up to 90 general education credits. For students to receive block transfer credit for General Education courses, they must meet the standard outlined in the General Education Transfer Credit policy.
Mathematics and Statistics
Arts and Humanities (chose two)
Social and Behavioral Sciences
General Education Elective (Choose Two)
Area II Foundation Requirements: 14 Credits
Undergraduate Nursing (45 transfer credits + 36 credits from South University)
Graduate Nursing (Students must complete core credits and one specialization)
Specialization in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 36 Credits for Specialization, 227 Total Credits for Program
Offered at South University, Online Programs.
Specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner: 42 Credits for Specialization, 233 Total Credits for Program
Offered at South University, Austin; South University, Cleveland; South University, Columbia; South University, Montgomery; South University, Novi; South University, Online Programs; South University, Richmond; South University, Savannah; and South University, Tampa.
Specialization in Nurse Administrator: 28 Credits for Specialization, 219 Total Credits for Program
Offered at South University, Online Programs.
Specialization in Nurse Educator: 34 Credits for Specialization, 225 Total Credits for Program
Offered at South University, Online Programs.
Specialization in Nursing Informatics: 28 Credits for Specialization, 219 Total Credits for Program
Offered at South University, Online Programs.
Note(s):
**Students wishing to further develop their advanced practice skills should take NSG5003 Advanced Pathophysiology , NSG6001 Advanced Nursing Practice I , and NSG6005 Advanced Pharmacology . Students wishing to further develop their management, administration, and technology skills may take LEA5100 Leadership, Organization Theory and Change , LEA5130 Team Building and Group Dynamics , IST5010 Information Technology Infrastructure and/or PMC6601 Foundations of Project Management in place of NSG5003 , NSG6001 , and/or NSG6005 . In all cases students should work closely with their Academic Advisors or Academic Counselors to select appropriate coursework that meets their career needs and course prerequisites.
***South University, Online Program Offerings may not be available to residents of all states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
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.
- 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.
- 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
| APEA 3P Exam Grading Criteria |
Letter Grade |
Points/Percent of Grade |
| Score on APEA 3P is ≥67% |
P |
100 pts/100% |
| Score on APEA 3P of <67% |
F |
0 pts/100% |
- 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
| APEA Pre-Predictor Exam Grading Criteria |
Points/Percent of Grade |
| Score on APEA Pre-predictor Exam is > 70% |
100 pts/15% |
| Score on APEA Pre-predictor Exam of 65-69% |
75 pts/15% |
| Score on APEA Pre-predictor Exam of < 65% |
55 pts/15% |
Note: Score ranges may change based on exam psychometrics
- 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
| APEA Post-Predictor Exam Grading Criteria |
Points/Percent of Grade |
| Score on APEA Post-predictor Exam is > 70% |
100 pts/40% |
| Score on APEA Post-predictor Exam of 65-69% |
75 pts/40% |
| Score on APEA Post-predictor Exam of < 65% |
55 pts/40% |
Note: Score ranges may change based on exam psychometrics
- Remediation
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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
| Course |
Resource |
| NSG5003 - Advanced Pathophysiology (FNP and AGPCNP) |
Require Students Purchase APEA Resource: Clinical Guidelines in Primary Care.
Students are required to cite clinical guidelines resources in papers and presentations throughout the program as identified in the ACOs.
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| NSG6005 - Pharmacology (FNP and AGPCNP) |
APEA Resource: Begin QBank Pharmacology 6 months’ access.
Students must complete 50 Pharmacology QBank questions per week in tutor mode.
In week 10, students must complete a 75-question exam mode assessment with a required score of ≥ 80%. Students may repeat the exam to achieve the required 80%.
Students must complete all questions.
Course Percentage: 10%.
Suggest Students Purchase APEA Resource: Pharm in Flash cards from APEA.
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NSG6001 - Advanced Nursing Practice I (FNP & AGPCNP)
and practicum courses. |
Suggest Students Purchase APEA Resource: APEA Guide to Coding.
Students are required to include ICD-10, E & M and CPT codes for all diagnoses, levels of care and procedures referenced in papers, presentations and clinical documentation (comprehensive and focused SOAP notes) throughout the program as identified in the ACOs.
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| NSG6020 - Advanced Health and Physical Assessment (FNP , AGNP & NE) |
APEA Resource: Begin QBank Patient Assessment Questions with 6 months’ access.
Students must complete 50 Assessment Q bank questions per week in tutor mode.
In week, 9 students will complete a 75 questions exam mode assessment with a required score of ≥ 80%. Students may repeat the exam one-time only, in an attempt to receive a higher score. The highest achieved score will be calculated in the final course grade.
Students must complete all questions.
Course Percentage: 10%.
Suggest Students Purchase APEA Resource: Dermatology DDx Deck/ Pediatric Dermatology DDx Deck.
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| NSG6021 Pre-Clinical Evaluation |
3P Exam: Administer Week 8/9.
Content areas with a score ≤66% require remediation.
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| NSG6420 (FNP) or NSG6320 (AGNP) - Practicum I: Family or Adult Health: Adults and Gerontology |
APEA Resource: Continue QBank Patient Assessment.
Students must complete 50 Assessment Q bank questions per week in tutor mode.
In week 9, students will complete a 75-question exam mode assessment with a required score of ≥ 80%. Students may repeat the exam one-time only, in an attempt to receive a higher score. The highest achieved score will be calculated in the final course grade.
Students must complete all questions.
Course Percentage: 10%.
APEA Resource: Begin FNP or AGNP Online Video Review Course 12 months; 2 views.
Students must complete the appropriate sections for their track, sections 1 through 5 of the review course by the end week 9 or receive a zero “0” for the assignment.
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| NSG6430 (FNP) or NSG6330 (AGNP) - Practicum II Family or Adult Health: Women’s Health |
APEA Resource: Begin QBank Patient Management 12 months’ access.
Students must complete 50 Management Q bank questions per week in tutor mode.
In week 9 students must complete a 75 question exam mode assessment with a required score of ≥ 80%. Students may repeat the exam one-time only, in an attempt to receive a higher score. The highest achieved score will be calculated in the final course grade.
Students must complete all questions.
Course Percentage: 10%
APEA Resource: Continue FNP or AGNP Online Video Review Course 12 months; 2 views
Students must complete the appropriate sections for their track, sections 6 through 10 of the review course by the end week 9 or receive a zero “0” for the assignment.
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| NSG6435 (FNP) - Practicum III: Family Health: Pediatrics |
APEA Resource: Continue QBank Patient Management.
Students will complete 50 Management Q bank questions per week in tutor mode.
In week, 9 students will complete a 75-question exam mode assessment with a required score of ≥ 80%. Students may repeat the exam one-time only, in an attempt to receive a higher score. The highest achieved score will be calculated in the final course grade.
Students must complete all questions.
Course Percentage: 10%.
APEA Resource: Continue FNP Online Video Review Course 12 months; 2 views.
Students must complete sections 11 through 15 of the review course by the end week 9 or receive a zero “0” for the assignment.
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| NSG6340 (AGNP) - Practicum III: Adult Health: Primary Care |
APEA Resource: Continue QBank Patient Management.
Students will complete 50 Management Q bank questions per week in tutor mode.
In week, 9 students will complete a 75-question exam mode assessment with a required score of ≥ 80%. Students may repeat the exam one-time only, in an attempt to receive a higher score. The highest achieved score will be calculated in the final course grade.
Students must complete all questions.
Pass/Fail
APEA Resource: Continue AGNP Online Video Review Course 12 months; 2 views.
Students must complete sections 11 through 16 of the review course by the end week 9. Complete all the practice questions and the evaluation. Then submit the certificate of completion from APEA or receive an incomplete for the course.
Pre-Predictor Exam (AGNP): Administer Week 2.
Post-Predictor Exam (AGNP): Administer Week 8/9.
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| NSG6440 (FNP) - Practicum IV (IV: Family Health: Primary Care |
APEA Resource: Continue QBank Patient Management.
Students must complete 50 Management Q bank questions per week in tutor mode.
In week 9 students will complete a question exam mode assessment with a required score of ≥ 80%. Students may repeat the exam one-time only, in an attempt to receive a higher score. The highest achieved score will be calculated in the final course grade.
Students must complete all questions or receive an incomplete for the course.
Pass/Fail
APEA Resource: Continue FNP Online Video Review Course
Students must complete sections 16 through 19 of the review course by the end week 10. Complete all the practice questions and the evaluation. Then submit the certificate of completion from APEA or receive an incomplete for the course.
Pre-Predictor Exam (FNP): Administer Week 2.
Post-Predictor Exam (FNP): Administer Week 8/9.
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