Nursing

Master’s education prepares a nurse for advanced nursing practice roles and is based on the creative application of knowledge, skills, and processes from the behavioral and natural sciences, nursing, and humanities. The master’s program extends the theoretical foundations of nursing practice. It is designed to prepare an individual who is highly knowledgeable in advanced clinical nursing and who is able to make a significant contribution to health care. Nurses at the master’s level are prepared to lead and manage collaborative efforts with physicians and other members of the health care team to conduct research and to improve practice environments. While the generalist functions as caregiver, manager of client care, health care advocate, and change agent, the master’s-prepared nurse assumes advanced practice roles to the full extent of their education and training.

The Department of Nursing prepares safe, competent, effective, and efficient nurses to provide or facilitate health care to diverse populations and underserved communities. Integral to this mission is a supportive and diverse faculty delivering comprehensive and technologically enhanced didactic and experiential learning activities. These learning activities support the holistic development of students as learners, leaders, and contributing members of society who embody the ideals of professional nursing in a global society. This program culminates with the student earning a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner, which grants them eligibility to take either the American Association of Nursing Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation (ANCC) examinations.

The graduate program in Nursing is built on the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The program is designed to prepare students who are highly knowledgeable in advanced clinical nursing and whose education will enable them to make significant contributions to health care. The nursing program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

The purposes of the Master's program are to prepare students who are:

1. Advanced practice nurses (family nurse practitioners or nurse educators who are able to practice nursing in changing and diverse health care settings),
2. Beginning researchers, and
3. Highly knowledgeable individuals who are capable of influencing policy-making that impacts health care delivery.

At the completion of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Professionalism
   • Engage in professional and scholarly activities that promote the profession of nursing and individual development in advanced practice nursing through implementation of evidenced based practice for both direct and indirect patient care. (IOM 4, AACN Essential 1)
2. Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
   • Integrate synthesized knowledge of behavioral and natural sciences, humanities, technology, and nursing science to perform advanced practice nursing roles to improve patient care and decrease healthcare cost. (IOM 1, 5: AACN Essential III & IX)
3. Therapeutic Communication and Interventions
   • Exhibit expertise in the advanced-practice nursing role of clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, nurse administrator, or nurse educator while incorporating scientific and ethical principles to improve health care outcomes for a diverse population. (IOM 9, AACN Essential IV)
4. Leadership, Collaboration and Advocacy
   • Assume advanced leadership roles, including collaborating with members of interdisciplinary teams, and influencing policy-making that impacts positively on health care delivery. (IOM 2, 6, 7; AACN Essential 11, VI)
5. Evidence-Based Practice
   • Participate as a researcher and a consumer of research in advancing nursing science and practice in disease outcomes for a diverse population. (IOM 9, AACN Essential IV)
   • Critically analyze health care data in order to promote optimal health. (IOM 3, AACN Essential I)

The mission of the Department of Nursing is to provide nursing education to a diverse student population consistent with the mission of Albany State University (ASU). The ASU Department of Nursing offers ASN, BSN, and MSN degrees. The Department of Nursing seeks to foster the growth and development of the region, state, and nation through teaching, research, quality health care delivery, and public service. In collaboration with academic institutions, health care institutions, and state agencies, the Department of Nursing is committed to developing and enhancing programs and services to improve the health and quality of life of the citizens of southwest Georgia.

The Department of Nursing prepares safe, competent, effective, and efficient nurses to provide or facilitate health care to diverse populations and underserved communities. Integral to this mission is a supportive and diverse faculty delivering comprehensive and technologically enhanced didactic and experiential learning activities. These learning activities support the holistic development of students as learners, leaders, and contributing members of society who embody the ideals of professional nursing in a global society. The completion of these learning activities will prepare the students for success on the national licensing (NCLEX-RN) or certification examination(s), demonstrating competency in the delivery of evidence based nursing care.

In addition to the application forms submitted for admission to the University in general, students applying for the first time—as well as those returning to nursing courses after a break in nursing enrollment—are required to submit a separate application for admission to nursing program of their choice. Application forms are available online and should be completed and returned to the Department of Nursing’s main office prior to the desired date of admission.

To comply with the requirements of cooperating clinical facilities, the Department of Nursing requires students to submit additional documentation for the purposes of clinical clearance, consistent with the student’s program of choice. This documentation will include, at a minimum, a complete immunization record, criminal background check, and drug screening. Students will provide these forms upon acceptance and enrollment in the student’s desired program of choice.

Albany State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) as a Level IV institution. Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and our associate and baccalaureate degree programs in nursing are approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Information regarding our nursing programs’ approval may be obtained by contacting the Georgia Board of Nursing by mail at 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia 31217, or by phone at (912) 207-1640. Information regarding our nursing programs’ accreditation may be obtain by contacting ACEN by mail at 3343 Peachtree Road, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, or by phone at (404) 975-5000.

To enter the program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a concentration as either a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Nurse Educator (NE), or Nursing Informatics (NI), the student must first meet the requirements established by and apply to Albany State University’s Graduate School, which is the overarching school containing the various major-related concentrations and programs, and be accepted to the University in good standing. Please be aware that admission to the Graduate School does not guarantee acceptance into its graduate nursing programs. The prospective student should contact the Graduate Admissions Office or the Department of Nursing’s Graduate Nursing Programs Director well in advance of the planned entry date. Additionally, applicants should be aware of the following:

• The Family Nursing Practitioner (FNP) program currently accepts applicants every year, provided there are sufficient applicants to run the program-specific courses.
• The Nurse Educator (NE) program currently accepts applicants every year, provided there are sufficient applicants to run the program-specific courses.
• The Nursing Informatics (NI) program currently accepts applicants every year, provided there are sufficient applicants to run the program-specific courses.

Applicants must:

1. FIRST, submit an application to Albany State University's Graduate School and be admitted in good standing.
   • To enter the program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing Degree, the student must meet the requirements established for all graduate degree programs at Albany State University, as established by its Graduate School.
2. AFTER being accepted as a graduate student at Albany State University, submit the completed application and the $20.00 application fee money order by the application deadline.
3. Possess a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program.
   • Students applying to the Family Nursing Practitioner (FNP) graduate program must also possess 1 year of clinical experience within a healthcare setting, preferably specialized in an adult medical-surgical area.
4. Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or 2.0 (on a 3.0 scale).
   1. Provisional Admission:  Applicants who do not fully meet the requirements for regular admission may be considered for provisional admission.  An undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.8 Is required.
5. Complete the following undergraduate courses: Assessment in Health Care/Health Assessment (NURS 3510); Pathophysiology/Pathophysiology for RN's (NURS 3320/NURS 3620); Research/Research in Nursing (NURS 4131); and Introduction to Statistics (MATH 2411).
6. Have documentation of current Professional Nursing Licensure in their state of practice prior to entering the functional track.
   • Students intending to practice or satisfy clinical requirements within the state of Georgia must also provide documentation of current Professional Nursing Licensure in Georgia.
7. Arrange for a personal interview with the Graduate Nursing Programs Director.
8. Submit two (2) references regarding professional accomplishments and academic potential (if the references submitted to the Graduate School are not professional references).
9. Following admission to the nursing program, students must submit the following documentation prior to the course’s established pre-clinical deadline: certificate of immunization, current basic life support (BLS) for healthcare providers, malpractice insurance, proof of active health insurance (or enrollment into the student health insurance plan), a complete criminal background check, a drug test, and an annual health physical at the expense of the student. The criminal background check will be completed utilizing PreCheck.com.
   • Certificate of Immunization: Must be on file in Student Health Services indicating that all immunizations are current based on their age. Immunizations include Hepatitis B (or waiver), MMR, tetanus, varicella, tuberculosis, and any other immunization(s) deemed necessary by the University and/or the clinical site.
   • BLS Card: A current CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) basic life support (BLS) for healthcare providers card. All students must be certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) in child and adult BLS for health care providers. This certification must be maintained throughout the program (renewed every 2 years). An outdated CPR certification will prohibit the student from attending clinical practice experiences.
   • Students are subjected to compulsory background checks per clinical agency requirements and may also be required to submit to random tests for illegal use of controlled substance as a provided by the law or regulations of the contracting agency. If the site refuses to allow a student to attend clinical experiences, the nursing program is not obligated to find another clinical site. The student may not be able to complete the nursing program at ASU. Therefore, it is important to conduct personal record checks prior to admission to the nursing program.
10. A student who has failed (C, D, F, or WF) two (2) graduate nursing courses—whether at ASU or another graduate-level program—will be ineligible for admission (or continuation) in the nursing program at ASU. Students who have been dismissed for two (2) nursing failures or for cause may request readmission after one (1) year of receiving notice of dismissal. For readmission policies, please refer to the appropriate section in the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

In addition to the criteria listed above, students who have a Master’s Degree in Nursing and graduated with at least a 3.0 GPA may be admitted for a Post-Master’s certification in Nursing Education (NE) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The applicant must meet with the Graduate Nursing Programs Director, the Family Nurse Practitioner Program Director, and/or a graduate nursing faculty advisor to design a program of study to complete post masters requirements.

READMISSION

Students who have not been in attendance for one or more semesters must apply to Albany State University’s Graduate School for readmission.

NOTE: Summer semester is not included as a semester of non-attendance.

READMISSION FOLLOWING SCHOLASTIC TERMINATION

A graduate student who is excluded from the institution for academic reasons may petition to be reinstated. A student who petitions to be reinstated must have been out of the institution for at least twelve months. A petition to be reinstated must be approved by the Appeals Committee of the Graduate Council and the Dean of the Graduate School. Any graduate student who has been is excluded twice for scholastic reasons will not be readmitted to the Graduate School.