Master of Science in Nursing

MSN Program Tracks

The College offers graduate tracks designed to prepare advanced practice nurses for various roles. Students can choose to become family nurse practitioners, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in direct care provider roles, or they can pursue indirect care provider roles, such as nurse educator or executive leadership in nursing administration. Upon completing one of these three tracks, students are awarded a Master of Science degree.

Advanced practice nursing is distinguished by autonomy of practice and characterized by increased complexity in clinical decision-making and skills in managing organizations and health care environments.

Comprehensive health assessment skills provide a foundation for critical thinking in diagnostic decision-making and treating complex human responses of diverse individuals, families, and communities to health problems. Advanced practice nursing students are guided in classroom and clinical experiences to formulate clinical decisions to manage common health problems, acute and chronic illnesses and the promotion of wellness.

Theory and research form a central core of knowledge for all tracks in the master’s program. Building on content in these areas, all students integrate education, management, leadership, and consultation into their clinical experiences as they practice in various settings. Practice sites for clinical courses are individually arranged with the student. Classes are usually held one day per week and may be offered on campus or through web-based courses.

Students who complete their program of study are eligible to sit for the national certification examination in their area of expertise.

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MSN Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the MSN program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Integrate theoretical foundations of nursing knowledge, science, humanities, and scholarly inquiry in advanced-level nursing practice.
2. Demonstrate advanced-level nursing practice that is evidence-based and adheres to scientific, ethical, legal, and professional standards in the delivery of compassionate, person-centered care.
3. Evaluate policies, care delivery models, and organizational structures/processes for efficacy in meeting current and future health care needs of diverse communities and populations.
4. Evaluate findings from research to create evidenced-based practice policies and protocols to improve health care delivery and outcomes.
5. Use improvement processes in all health care settings to promote quality and safety principles.
6. Engage in strategies that promote intra-and interprofessional communication and collaboration to deliver advanced care for diverse populations.
7. Evaluate system-based strategies to provide equitable care and improve access to health care.
8. Incorporate informatics principles in the use of current and emerging technologies in advanced-level nursing practice.
9. Exemplify professional practice at the advanced level by promoting ethical values and professional standards.
10. Assume responsibility for life-long learning and continuing personal, professional, and leadership development.

The UAH College of Nursing Graduate programs align with the following professional nursing standards and guidelines:

• MSN Student Handbook
• The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (AACN, 2021)
• Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (NTF, 2022)
• Nurse Practitioner Role Core Competencies (NONPF, 2022)
• AONL Nurse Executive Competencies (2022)
• National League for Nursing (NLN) Core Competencies for Nurse Educators (2024)