Georgia Southern University - College of Health and Human Sciences

Graduate Programs - MSN Degree Majors

1. Master of Science in Nursing

MSN degree provides a choice of two majors: Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). The nurse practitioner major offers: Family (FNP) and Women’s Health (WHNP). The CNS major offers Community Health (CHCNS). All majors will prepared to sit for or will be eligible to take the respective national certification examination.

2. RN-MSN (earns both RN-BSN and RN-MSN)

RN-MSN offers graduates of associate degree or diploma programs the opportunity to earn both the BSN and MSN degree. Students must meet all the RN-BSN requirements and complete all undergraduate course work (up to 14 semester hours less than RN-BSN students, depending on graduate nursing major). The RN-MSN and MSN Program Directors work closely to plan the students’ program of study. Students apply first to the RN-BSN program and then the MSN program at the appropriate time. Students must gain admission to the College of Graduate Studies in Regular or Provisional status to begin graduate courses. GRE or MAT scores must be available to be admitted. For further information on the RN-BSN courses in the RN-MSN please contact the RN-BSN Program Director at 912-478-5602.

3. Post-MSN Certificate

Graduates of a MSN program can earn a Post-MSN certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, or a Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist. See Programs of Study for course requirements.

GRADUATE PROGRAM OUTCOMES

• Develop advanced clinical practice expertise to affect positive health care outcomes with individuals, families, populations, and systems, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
• Evaluate theory and research for the application of evidence-based practice to health care provided by advanced practice nurses.
• Employ critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in the application of advanced practice nursing knowledge to develop plans of care that promote health, reduce risk, and manage the illness trajectory.
• Employ effective communication and technology within the multidisciplinary collaborative context of advanced practice nursing.
• Demonstrate advanced leadership, advocacy, consultation and citizenship activities to improve heath care delivery and effect change in professional and political realms.
• Incorporate human caring values, ethical principles, and cultural and spiritual sensitivity in all aspects of the advanced practice nursing role.
• Demonstrate role responsibility and accountability in all professional endeavors within the scope of advanced practice nursing.

COURSE OFFERING FORMAT

Courses are offered weekdays (Monday or Tuesday) and on Saturdays (see Course Rotation Schedule). All courses (excluding FNP and WHNP specialty core courses) are offered in a combined format of 6 on-campus class meetings per semester with WebCT (Internet) activities for the remaining content.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCES

The program requires both classroom and clinical experiences. Clinical course requirements are met at community sites (e.g., outpatient clinics, private practice offices, nurse practitioner clinics, hospitals, community agencies, and public health departments). Clinical preceptors, selected from local home-based areas, can be nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, or agency personnel approved by faculty). Clinical sites may require travel and students are responsible for personal transportation to and from the clinical sites.

GENERAL ADMISSION CRITERIA

1. Bachelor’s degree in the proposed field of study (BSN) or its equivalent from a college accredited by the appropriate accrediting association.
2. Current Georgia RN license.  Out-of-state students must obtain a Georgia RN license.
3. One year of clinical nursing experience prior to entering the nurse practitioner major clinical specialty courses.
4. Prerequisite undergraduate statistics course or a statistically oriented methodology course.
5. Pre-admission interview by nursing faculty.
6. Submission/completion of documentation:
   • College of Graduate Studies application on-line
   • Georgia Southern Health Services form
   • School of Nursing graduate application
   • Proof of current malpractice liability insurance
   • Proof of American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification
   • Three letters of recommendation
   • School of Nursing Student Health Appraisal form

Specific Admission Policies
Must gain Regular or Provisional Degree-Seeking Status admission to the MSN program to be eligible to enroll in graduate nursing courses. Non-degree students are not permitted to enroll in graduate nursing courses with the exception of students formally admitted to the Post-MSN Certificate options.
Regular Admission:     Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) plus one option below:

1. Minimum Miller Analogy Test (MAT) of 44.
2. Minimum Verbal 450 and minimum 450 Quantitative or Analytical on Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken prior to October 1, 2002
3. Minimum Verbal and Quantitative of 450 and minimum Writing Level of 4 on GRE taken after October 1, 2002

Provisional Admission: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 (on 4.0 scale) plus one option below:
Minimum Miller Analogy Test (MAT) of 36
Minimum Verbal 450 and minimum 350 on Quantitative or Analytical on Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken prior to October 1, 2002
Minimum Verbal and Quantitative of 400 and minimum Writing Level of 3 on GRE taken after October 1, 2002

Transfer Credit
Currently GSU Graduate School allows only 6 semester credit hours to be transferred.  In order to transfer in credit hours, the student must have been admitted as a regular degree student when the courses were taken. See Graduate Catalog for further information.

Preference is given to applicants who desire to work/live in rural underserved areas.  Minority and rural students are encouraged to apply.

*Requirements are subject to change.

TESTING RESOURCES

For more information on GRE and MAT go to:

(GRE) http://www.ets.org

(MAT) http://www.harcourtassessment.com

*Go to http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/testing for more information. Georgia Southern administers the MAT via computer by appointment at a cost is $70.00. The GRE can be scheduled at Sylvan Centers close to you.

FINANCIAL AID

Information is available from the College of Graduate Studies, click on Prospective Student link or P.O. Box 8113, Statesboro, GA 30460, 912-478-0634

Information and verification is available from Director of Financial Aid, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8065, Statesboro, GA 30460, 912-478-5413

NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS FINANCIAL AID

All scholarships and service cancelable loans are awarded annually during the summer months for both Fall and Spring semesters. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship is with exception. This scholarship, available to students during their first semester in the nursing program, is available and awarded semiannually at the beginning of both Fall and Spring semesters.

MSN CURRICULUM
^courses offered in on-campus/WebCT combined format

COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES

Responding to increasing needs for graduate/ professional programs in South Georgia, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved university status for Georgia Southern College, effective July 1, 1990. Georgia Southern University is now the state’s most comprehensive university south of Atlanta. The elevation of Georgia Southern to university status has led to an increased number of graduate programs. Selected graduate programs and courses are offered in Savannah, Brunswick, and other off-campus sites within Southeast Georgia. The College of Graduate Studies at Georgia Southern University presents a comprehensive academic challenge to students while maintaining an environment which places student needs as its first priority.

MSN PROGRAM OF STUDY OPTIONS

In 2004, the Graduate Nursing Program received a 3 year grant totaling $700,000 from the Federal Bureau of Health Professions to begin a Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (CHCNS) major. As a result the entire MSN curriculum for both family and women’s health nurse practitioners and the CNS was revised to offer weekday and Saturday class options in combination with Internet content delivery. The CHCNS MSN major can be obtained in 2-3 years by attending Saturday classes only. (Note: WHNP is offered only if a cohort is available).

2 Year Program of Study (POS) for FNP and CHCNS

Courses offered *weekday and Saturday; # Saturday only; ^weekday only
All=all students take; NP=only NPs take; CNS=only CNS take

3 Year Program of Study (POS) for FNP