Master of Science in Nursing
Today’s rapidly evolving health care industry provides nursing professionals, who have the right education and expertise, with advanced career opportunities and expanded employment options. Enroll at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) to take the next steps in your education and advance your nursing career.
Take the Next Steps to Advance Your Nursing Career
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences offers innovative, career-focused clinical and practice-based health science programs online and in the classroom. The University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is an online program, giving students the choice of four nurse specializations that offer optional campus-based experiences and provides students access to nursing faculty members who are nurse leaders in practice and education. The program gives students 24/7 access to online courses and learning resources – providing the flexibility to fit the busy schedule working nurses must manage.
Program Overview
- Collaborate in an interprofessional learning environment with students from other health professions.
- Complete practicum hours in your own community in most cases by working with a local preceptor.
- Learn from faculty who are leaders in their fields, many of whom are currently practicing, presenting original research at major conferences, and publishing articles in respected journals or books.
- Benefit from the knowledge and experience of your peers - nurses from across the country participating together in our online classroom.
- The University offers four different nurse specializations within the MSN curriculum: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive and Nurse Informaticist.
- Optional international learning opportunities where you can study best practices for improving health for communities. Learn More
Flexibility
Students can complete the MSN program entirely online, giving you the flexibility to study at times that fit your busy schedule. As a USAHS student, you’ll also have the option* of participating in on-campus immersions and related extracurricular activities. In most circumstances, you’ll enjoy the convenience of completing your practicum requirements in your home community, working with your preceptor.
Interprofessional Education
The USAHS MSN program emphasizes interprofessional education, enabling students from various health care professions to learn together. With this approach, you will participate in discussions and projects where you contribute your nursing perspective to a health care problem or issue and benefit from the input of other health care professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapist, athletic trainers, health care administrators, and educators. Studies, including a Cochrane review[1], have indicated that interprofessional education produces strong, positive outcomes in the organizational culture, patient satisfaction, collaborative team behavior and improved patient safety.
In addition, The National League for Nursing believes that current educational approaches must include opportunities for students to engage in interprofessional education and practice. These disciplines deliver team-based care that strengthens health systems and improves health outcomes. There is consensus that health care professionals must have the competency to work in teams to provide safer, quality care to multiple populations in varied health care settings.[2]
Our interprofessional approach facilitates the development of these skills to allow you to participate and lead health care teams and shape the future of nursing.
Campus Immersions
Campus immersions are a unique opportunity to complete four weeks of course content in one concentrated weekend while enjoying face-to-face time with your faculty and fellow students. If you opt to participate in these immersions, you will earn credit for the experience and the course will be shortened by 4 weeks. The optional immersions are completed in 12 hours across 2.5 days on a USAHS campus. The weekend will include activities such as interprofessional collaborations, oral presentations, professional networking with nursing and other healthcare professionals, and one-on-one engagement opportunities with your program director, staff, and peers. In addition, you may earn lunch-time CEUs through our Continuing Professional Education department and enjoy the many resources available to you on the USAHS campus. In order to ensure a successful campus experience, a minimum of 10 students must commit. Your intent to attend will be requested following week 1 of the course so that students will have time to plan accordingly. We hope you will choose to join us for one of these optional immersions so you can experience all that being a student of USAHS has to offer! Contact your enrollment advisor for more information.
Why USAHS for Your MSN?
Earning an advanced degree from USAHS, a WSCUC-accredited, educational leader in the health sciences, gives practicing nurses the credentials to strengthen and advance their careers, while taking a leadership role in advancing the future of the nursing profession.
USAHS has a strong reputation for excellence in education and teaching clinical skills focused on health sciences. Its focus on graduate studies in health sciences allows for an intimate, personalized approach that encourages success in students and alumni. Our students and graduates have been recognized by our clinical partners for their high level of professionalism and excellence in health care situations.
Our students value the unique personalization and attention they receive from their faculty and mentors throughout their educational journey. As an MSN student, you will have a dedicated faculty advisor from your first day of class through graduation, who will work closely with you throughout the program and provide you with exclusive one-on-one interactions with leaders in the field.
Access to USAHS Community and Network of Professionals
USAHS is an active community of health science professionals from many disciplines. MSN students can benefit from connections to our alumni and our expansive network of professionals for collaboration, support and access to career opportunities.
View the curriculum or request more information.
[1] Reeves, S., Perrier, L., Goldman, J., Freeth, D., & Zwarenstein, M. (2013). Interprofessional education: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes (update). Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 3, CD002213. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002213.pub3
[2] NLN Board of Governors (2015). Interprofessional Collaboration in Education and Practice. Thibault, G. (2013). Reforming Health Professions Education Will Require Culture Change and Closer Ties Between Classroom and Practice. Health Affairs, 32(11), 1928-1932.
*For the MSN FNP track, there are (2) mandatory on-campus clinical intensives.
