Master's Entry to the Profession of Nursing, MSN

Admissions 

• Applicants to the Master's Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) program must hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university.  Prior work experience is not required.

We want to engage in efforts to promote holistic admissions. We also want to be mindful of the burden/complexity of the application.

• UA Graduate school options for GPA include: undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall, 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours in a degree program, OR 3.0 for a completed graduate degree program.
• Prerequisite courses: A minimum of a B is required for each course. These courses must transfer to be equivalent with the following UA courses:
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology with Lab I & II
  • Biology with Lab (or Chemistry with Lab
  • Microbiology with lab
  • Statistics
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Humanities (Ethics preferred)
• Personal statement
• Interview
• Letters of Recommendation
  • Two required
  • At least one should be a professional reference
  • No academic letter required
• Current CV/Resume
• Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam

Curricular Requirements

Sample Program of Study		Hours
Semester 1
NUR 508	Health Assessment	3
NUR 512	Human Pathophysiology	4
NUR 515	Intro to Dosage Calculation	2
NUR 523	Concept Found for Nursing	3
NUR 733	Informatics APN	3
Credit Hours Subtotal:		15
Semester 2
NUR 534	Fund Prof Nursing	6
NUR 536	Pharm for Nursing Practice	3
NUR 727	Foundations of Implementation	3
Credit Hours Subtotal:		12
Semester 3
NUR 555	Prof Nurs Pract: Adults	7
NUR 556	Prof Nurs Pract: Mental Health	4
NUR 740	Health Policy & Politics	3
Credit Hours Subtotal:		14
Semester 4
NUR 558	Prof Nurs Pract: Childbearing	4
NUR 579	Prof Nur Pract: Comm Health	4
NUR 583	Prof Nurs Pract: Children	4
Credit Hours Subtotal:		12
Semester 5
NUR 584	Prof Nur Pract:Complex Client	4
NUR 600	Trans to Prac Rural Hlth Prec	4
NUR 601	Preparation for Licensure	1
NUR 735	Pop Health APN	3
NUR 737	Interdisc Leader Role Dev	3
Credit Hours Subtotal:		15
Total Hours		68

Transfer Requirements

Graduate School information on Transfer Credit. 

Clinical Hours

Clinical hours are completed under the supervision of advanced practice providers specific to each specialty concentration (FNP, PMHNP, ED or NE)

Graduate Student Clinical Placements

1. The Capstone College of Nursing (CCN) will initiate a Clinical Affiliation Agreement (CAA) for all clinical experiences involving direct or indirect patient care by graduate students.

2. Students will not be permitted to start clinical experiences involving direct or indirect patient care until a CAA is fully executed.

3. Faculty are responsible for sending written notification to the student that he/she is approved to begin the clinical experience.

Thesis (Optional)

A thesis is an original research project conducted by one student and directed by a graduate committee. The student must register for a minimum of six semester hours of thesis credit (NUR599) and successfully complete the thesis to complete the program. An oral public defense of the thesis is required. The thesis must conform to the guidelines of the Graduate School.

Comprehensive Exams

MSN students do not complete comprehensive exams.  Students must complete all of their clinical coursework and clinical hours to graduate.

Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements

Graduate School information on Time Limits. 

Student Progression Requirement

Student progression is monitored and evaluated each semester.  

Additional Academic Requirements

The MSN will be awarded to the student who has met the following requirements:

• GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Good standing at the time of graduation
• Successful completion of the required coursework
• NP Student must participate in orientation and on-campus intensive if required by concentration.

Annual Graduate Student Background Checks and Drug Screening

1. Students accepted to the graduate nursing programs are required to have an annual background screen and drug screen.

2. Students accepted to the graduate nursing programs are required to pass a background screen and have a negative drug screen.

3. The College of Nursing must certify to clinical agencies where students practice that each student has had an acceptable background screen and negative drug screen.

4. The background screen and drug testing screen will be conducted by a qualified agency using established methods and procedures. Confidentiality of the student will be protected. All costs associated with screenings are the responsibility of the student.

5. Initial acceptance to graduate nursing courses will be withdrawn for students who have a positive drug screen.

6. A student who has a positive drug screen while taking graduate nursing courses will follow the CCN Substance Abuse Policy/Drug/Alcohol Testing Policy.  Any readmission consideration will be based on the CCN Substance Abuse Policy/Drug/Alcohol Testing Policy.

7. Initial acceptance to graduate nursing courses will be withdrawn for students who have been convicted of or have pending a charge that would not be acceptable for clinical practice.

8. A student whose acceptance to graduate nursing courses is withdrawn or is dismissed from the College of Nursing due to findings from a background screen will be considered for readmission on a case-by-case basis depending upon the situation.

HEALTH, IMMUNIZATION, AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS: POLICY AND PROCEDURE

Once admitted to a clinical graduate program, new students will receive instructions in their admission packets outlining health requirements and other required documents and verifications. In addition, each incoming student must complete a drug and background screening by the Capstone College of Nursing (CCN) specified provider. Those documents will be uploaded by the CCN directly from the website.

Proof of compliance must be submitted before the removal of the initial registration hold and during progression through the program. Failure to comply with updating required documents will result in a registration hold or an administrative block to course access.

Incoming students enrolling in MSN, DNP, and Post-Graduate programs must upload the following into the document management system:

1. Completion of BLS Provider (must be valid and updated prior to expiration as long as you are attending).
2. Completion of the program on OSHA Standards.
3. Advanced Practice Certification (if applicable and must be valid or updated as long as attending).
4. Proof of Health Insurance.
5. Graduate Nursing Student Health & Physical Exam Form signed by a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP), DO, or MD.
6. Initial Graduate Nursing Student TB Test and Immunization Form.  New students with a history of TB or a history of a positive TB skin test must submit documentation of a clear chest x-ray completed within the month immediately prior to document submission.
7. Completion of HIPAA Training in the UA Learning Management System that can be accessed through the MyBama Student Tab.

All graduate students (e.g., MSN, DNP, and Post-Graduate programs) must upload the following into the document management system:

1. Current unencumbered RN licensure for state of legal residence.

Annually, students continuing in the MSN, PG, and DNP programs must:

1. Complete and upload the Continuing Graduate Nursing Student TB Status Form into the document management system verifying that the student has an up-to-date negative TB skin test.
   1. Continuing students with a history of a positive TB skin test must submit an annual chest x-ray to document a negative standing or an annual Quantiferon laboratory test. No exceptions will be allowed.  
   2. Continuing students with a newly positive TB skin test must provide documentation of clearance to attend clinical learning experiences by an appropriate practitioner prior to enrolling in any clinical course or attending any clinical site.
2. Upload into the document management system the Continuing Graduate Nursing Student Statement of Health Status Form indicating that no change in health status has occurred. If health status has changed, the student uploads an updated Graduate Student Health & Physical Exam Form signed by CRNP, DO, or MD.
3. No later than October 31st of each year, upload into the document management system the Continuing Graduate Nursing Student Annual Influenza Vaccine Form. Exceptions for allergies only. This vaccine cannot be declined.
4. Completion of HIPAA Training in the UA Learning Management System that can be accessed through the MyBama Student Tab.

Annually, all graduate students, EXCEPT EdD and PhD students, must complete a drug and background screening by the CCN specified provider. Those documents will be uploaded by the CCN directly from the provider website.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Upon admission, students must upload into the document management system proof of immunization or a titer that shows adequate antibody protection as noted on the Initial Graduate Nursing Student TB Test and Immunization Form for the vaccines listed below. Vaccination or titer testing are available at the UA Student Health Center (corner of University Blvd. and 5th Avenue), most County Health Departments in most states, private healthcare provider offices, and clinics such as the University Medical Center. A plan for all injections should be discussed with the healthcare provider. IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PLAN A TIME SCHEDULE WITH THE SELECTED HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO ASSURE THE COMPLETION OF IMMUNIZATIONS TO COINCIDE WITH THE DATES SPECIFIED. Students are responsible for making all arrangements for receipt of and payment for vaccines. Failure to submit documentation of immunization will result in the inability to continue attendance and/or progression courses in the college of nursing.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Upon admission, students must upload into the document management system proof of immunization for hepatitis B or a hepatitis B titer that shows adequate antibody protection as noted on the Initial Graduate Nursing Student TB Test and Immunization Form. In the event that a titer is performed, or after the first series of immunizations, antibodies are insufficient to offer immunity a repeat of the complete hepatitis B series is required. Students who have completed the hepatitis B series prior to enrolling in any graduate program must provide documentation to satisfy this requirement. If a student has not already completed the hepatitis B series, adherence to the following information is required. It is highly desirable that the series of 3 injections be completed prior to beginning courses. However, the minimum expectation, and proof of immunization injections for hepatitis B are as follows:

• Injections 1 and 2 -- documented on the Graduate Student Health & Physical Exam form.
• Injection 3 -- documented either on the Graduate Student Health & Physical Exam form or by official documentation from the healthcare provider who administered the vaccine. This documentation must be uploaded into the document management system by the date specified on the letter. FAILURE TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION OF THE THIRD INJECTION WILL RESULT IN THE INABILTY TO CONTINUE ATTENDANCE AND/OR PROGRESSION COURSES IN THE COLLEGE OF NURSING.

Tetanus Vaccination

TD/Tdap booster or basic series within the past ten years is required, prior to entering graduate programs.

Influenza Vaccination

An influenza vaccine is required annually no later than October 31st, unless contraindicated by allergy or prior reaction. This must be demonstrated by official documentation by a healthcare provider. 

Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

Upon admission, students must upload into the document management system proof of immunization for MMR or an MMR titer that shows adequate antibody protection as noted on the Immunization Form. However, students can either submit using the form, an official immunization records or other official documentation from their provider.

If a student has not already completed the MMR series or cannot provide history of vaccination documentation to satisfy this requirement, adherence to one of the following is required:

• 2 Vaccinations OR
• Positive antibody titer (lab report required)

If the titer submitted was negative or equivocal, the student will need to receive 1 MMR Booster vaccine (administered after titer).

Varicella (Chicken Pox) Vaccine

Upon admission, students must upload into the document management system proof of immunization for Varicella or a Varicella titer that shows adequate antibody protection as noted on the Immunization Form. However, students can either submit using the form, an official immunization records or other official documentation from their provider.

If a student has not already completed the Varicella series or cannot provide history of vaccination documentation to satisfy this requirement, adherence to one of the following is required:

• 2 Vaccinations OR
• Positive antibody titer (lab report required)

If the titer submitted was negative or equivocal, the student will need to receive 1 Varicella Booster vaccine (administered after titer).

Academic Misconduct Information

Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct. 

Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information

Please contact the Coordinator of Graduate Student Services for assistance with the Leave of Absence process.

Additional Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence. 

Academic Grievances Information

Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.

Grades and Academic Standing

Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing. 

Graduate School Deadlines Information

Information on Graduate School Deadlines. 

Application for Graduation Information

Information on the Application for Graduation.