Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree Program

Family Nurse Practitioner

Overview

Family Nurse Practitioners can play a vital role in our healthcare system as the need for primary patient care continues to increase.[1] Nurse practitioners are in high demand for primary care services resulting in large part from an aging and growing population.[1] According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 45 percent through 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.[2]

The Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) Program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences helps prepare leaders in the advanced practice role of family nurse practitioner to promote preventative care and treat acute and chronic illnesses of individuals and families throughout their lives. USAHS is well positioned to provide the critically needed healthcare professionals a bridge to nursing excellence.

USAHS’ MSN-FNP program will help position you for roles in the following settings*:

Outpatient Clinics
Urgent Care
Veteran’s Health
Hospital Out-Patient Clinics

Why Choose USAHS for your MSN-FNP?

• Complete the majority of your FNP coursework in a virtual classroom designed to provide an exceptional student experience
• Learn from dedicated faculty who are experts in the field
• Enhance your clinical and interprofessional skills with two required hands-on clinical intensives offered at an approved USAHS health science-centered campus
• Optional participation in additional on-campus immersions give you the opportunity to engage face-to-face with fellow students and faculty, participate in group exercises and projects, learn from guest lecturers, and further enhance your clinical and interprofessional skills
• Personalized support from an FNP academic advisor for the entire program
• Interprofessional education where you’ll study in an interdisciplinary online environment and collaborate with faculty and peers in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other patient-centered professions who will be your colleagues in the workplace
• Learn from a university committed to health science graduate education

[1] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. Projecting the Supply and Demand for Primary Care Practitioners Through 2020. Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013. https://bhw.hrsa.gov/health-workforce-analysis/primary-care-2020

[2] Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners (visited April 25, 2021).

*Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Nurse Educator Role Specialty

Nurse educators play an important role as a bridge between the academic and clinical worlds. If you have a passion for teaching, knowledge and experience in nursing, and compassion for patient care, you might consider a rich and rewarding career in nursing education.

Key players in promoting quality and innovative education, nurse educators help to prepare future nurses for a diverse, developing healthcare environment. They serve as guides throughout the learning process, and are flexible, creative, strong communicators and skilled critical thinkers.

As a nurse educator, you will champion evidence-based practice, design curricula and educational experiences, and teach students, clinicians, and clients.

Potential Roles

The Nurse Educator role specialty will help prepare you for a role as an educator in either the academic or practice setting, as a certified or clinical nurse educator, staff development officer, instructional or administrative nurse faculty, dean of a college of nursing, researcher, or specialist in clinical education.

Nurse educators work to strengthen the nursing workforce, and teach future nurses, practicing nurses, nurses pursuing advanced degrees, and other healthcare providers and clients.

Career Settings

While nursing roles are population-focused, not setting-specific, nurse educators may work in the following academic and healthcare settings:

• Universities
• Hospital-based schools of nursing
• Technical schools
• Healthcare organizations
• Home care agencies
• Community health agencies
• Long-term care facilities
• Online, using distance learning technology

As they are highly sought-after, nurse educators have the opportunity to maintain dual roles as educators and direct patient care providers. An increasing number of nurse educators teach part-time and also work in a practice setting, allowing them to share their clinical expertise with students and clinicians.

Nurses who practice in academic settings must be forward-thinking, focused on the future of nursing, and able to adapt curriculum and teaching methods to respond to the rapidly changing field of healthcare.

The ability to anticipate changes and evolving role expectations is an important skill for nurse educators who work in a practice setting. In their role, they will advocate for resources and design and oversee learning experiences that help their team of nurses meet daily challenges.

Role Specialty Learning Outcomes

In addition to the program learning outcomes, the graduate of the MSN with a nurse educator role specialty will achieve the following role specialty learning outcomes:

• Develop curricula based on institutional mission, professional standards, educational theory and research, societal needs, and ongoing program evaluation.
• Design learning environments that provide challenges and opportunities for growth for the learner while ensuring safety, support, and resources for learning.
• Facilitate learning using a variety of teaching strategies based on theory, best evidence, teacher expertise, and appropriateness to the learner.
• Utilize formative assessment methods to provide valuable feedback to support learner development and growth.
• Design summative evaluations that are fair and objective to determine achievement of learning outcomes.
• Implement the role of an academic educator, a professional development specialist, or a patient educator in a professional, respectful, and ethical manner.

On-campus Immersions

Nurse Educator students may choose to participate in an optional on-campus immersion experience at an approved USAHS campus.

During the immersion, you will broaden your perspective through interprofessional learning activities, hone your oral presentation skills, network with alumni and healthcare professionals, meet one-on-one with your program director, and collaborate with peers from various programs.

Immersions are completed over two and half days equally 12 hours of time and are usually offered over a weekend.  Students who attend the immersion experience complete the course requirements during the immersion offered in week 10, thus completing the course over 10 weeks rather than 15. 

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Nursing Certifications

Graduates of our MSN with a nurse educator role specialty may pursue the following certifications:

• Nursing Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) by the National League for Nursing (NLN)
• Nursing Professional Development (RN-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students at USAHS may choose to pursue the Nurse Educator role specialty, and complete the required courses. Learn more about additional nursing role specialties at USAHS.

The Nurse Educator role specialty is available to MSN students only.

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Nurse Executive Role Specialty

Every healthcare team needs an expert coach and architect of change to inspire collaboration and help shape the future of the organization. Nurse executives assume this role as they influence, design, develop, and direct the processes and systems for patient care delivery.

Natural leaders with management skills, nurse executives are critical thinkers, decision makers and strong communicators.

As a nurse executive, you will have the opportunity to innovate, impact healthcare policies, and improve patient care across the healthcare continuum. Creativity, accountability, effective communication, the facilitation of professional development, and financial stewardship are the cornerstones of nursing leadership.

Nurse executives serve as role models in supporting the mission and vision of their organization, valuing diversity, facilitating communication, and encouraging creativity. Their responsibilities also include providing professional development and learning opportunities for staff and continuing their own education through participation in nursing associations, and other growth opportunities.

The following principles guide nursing executive practice:

• Collaborating across roles
• Partnering with constituents, including patients and providers
• Serving as an advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves
• Assuming collective accountability
• Connecting to networks of wellness, acute care, ambulatory, and long term care providers
• Delivering cost effective patient care

Overall, nurse executives are team leaders who facilitate collaboration, coordinate outcomes management, co-create effective solutions, successfully mentor their team, and enable the spirit of the community.

Potential Roles

The Nurse Executive role specialty will help prepare you for a senior leadership role in a variety of disciplines – as a manager, director, supervisor, chief nursing officer, and more. You will be responsible for advancing the nursing discipline, facilitating the design of patient care delivery, building relationships with staff and colleagues, fostering stewardship, and managing financial and economic operations.

Career Settings

While nursing roles are population-focused, not setting-specific, nurse executives may work in the following academic and healthcare settings:

• Hospitals
• Home health
• Clinics
• Rehabilitation centers
• Education

Specialty hospitals may prefer to work with nurses who have clinical experience in their specialty field.

Role Specialty Learning Outcomes

In addition to the program learning outcomes, the graduates with a nurse executive role specialty will achieve the following role specialty learning outcomes:

• Develop healthy workplace communities through effective communication, collaborative relationships, trust, conflict resolution, consensus building, and creation of a shared vision.
• Utilize systems thinking and knowledge of delivery models and healthcare economics, policy, and governance to facilitate organizational compliance, performance, and growth.
• Demonstrate leadership through modeling and emphasis on data-driven decision-making, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and patient safety.
• Lead planned change necessary for the achievement of institutional and departmental goals.
• Design strategies for the continuing development of staff for personal growth as well as improvement of patient and organizational outcomes.
• Implement the role of a nurse leader, nurse manager, or nurse executive in a professional, respectful, and ethical manner.

On-campus Immersions

Nurse executive students may choose to participate in an optional on-campus immersion experience at an approved USAHS campus.

During the immersion, you will broaden your perspective through interprofessional learning activities, hone your oral presentation skills, network with alumni and healthcare professionals, meet one-on-one with your program director, and collaborate with peers from various programs.

Immersions are completed in twelve hours, over two-and-a-half days. Additionally, course time will be shortened by approximately four weeks.

Nursing Certifications

Students may also pursue the following certifications:

• Nurse Executive-Advanced (NEA-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and BSN-entry DNP students at USAHS may choose to pursue the Nurse Executive role specialty, and complete the required courses. Learn more about additional nursing role specialties at USAHS.

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Curriculum

Students in the online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program complete a total of 36 credit hours and 225 contact hours of practicum when they choose either the Nurse Educator, or Nurse Executive role specialty.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) role specialty consists of 50 credit hours and 585 contact hours of practicum.

♦ Course requires practicum hours.

▀ Course offers optional immersion.

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Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission, a candidate must submit:

• Application for Admission form
• A bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
• Official transcripts from each college or university previously attended. An official transcript is one sent directly to the Student Services office by the Registrar of the issuing institution or one forwarded in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution.
• Evidence of an unrestricted/unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license in the state of residence
• Professional resume or curriculum vita; an equivalent of one full-time year of experience as a registered nurse by the time you start your first practicum course
• Essay of approximately 500 words describing your short- and long-term career goals and how you plan to achieve them
• Comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen is required during the admissions process. These screenings are completed at the applicant’s expense.
• Two professional references from a nurse educator, preceptor, or immediate supervisor; peers or personal relationships are not acceptable.
• An interview if requested

If you completed your education in a foreign country, please submit an original copy of a degree credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The evaluation must indicate previous education at the minimum level of a baccalaureate degree earned at an accredited college or university in the United States.

International Students Applying for Admission
Foreign-trained candidates who do not require a student visa to participate in University courses and/or degrees can be considered for admission. All instruction in the MSN program is conducted in English. To be considered, a candidate must submit:

Transcripts (original and a translated version, if applicable) and a credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that provide evidence of training at a level equivalent to that of a bachelor’s degree in the United States.

Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report if their education was completed in a language other than English or they reside in a non-English speaking country. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based testing), 210 (computer-based testing) or 83 (IBT – Internet based testing) is required.

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Applying to our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is easy, straightforward—and free!

Contact Your EA at Any Time in the Process

Brittany Pickwoad
Carolyn Perryman

Before You Apply

1. Review admissions requirements for the MSN.
2. Request transcripts from all the higher education institutions you’ve attended. We will calculate your cumulative GPA. Ask each institution to email the transcript to [email protected] (note the underscore). If they offer only paper copies, ask them to mail the transcript to:

Office of Admissions
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
1 University Blvd
St Augustine, FL 32086

 

3. We will need to verify your nursing license. You can use the Nursys database’s free service to obtain a copy to upload.
4. Update your professional resume. Be sure to describe the duties you performed in each position.
5. Write your entrance essay. See these guidelines.
6. Line up two professional references who are nurse educators or nurse supervisors. We do not accept peer or physician references.

 

Fill Out Your Application

1. Begin the free online application on our website. Select your program, campus (“distance”), and start date, and create your account.
2. Follow directions to upload your nursing license, resume, and essay.
3. In the “Admissions Documents” section, input the names, job titles, and contact information for your references.
4. Click “Submit for Review” and contact your enrollment advisor (EA) so they can review your application and move it forward to Admissions.

 

Special Considerations

Foreign applicants: If you earned your BSN degree outside the United States, contact your enrollment advisor for further instructions on how to start your NACES.

NursingCAS users: If you have started your application through NursingCAS, contact your enrollment advisor for further instructions.

 

Contact Your EA

Have questions or need help? Contact MSN advisor Ana Marshall at 760-410-5389 or [email protected].

 

For More Information

Sign up for a virtual information session to meet faculty and learn more about the MSN program.

 

 

 

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MSN Tuition & Fees

Total program tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year are as follows.

Educator and Executive Role Specialties	Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition	$25,750.00
Program Fees	$2,004.00
Books & Associated School Expenses	$1,000.00
Total Program Direct Expenses	$28,754.00

Residents of California are also assessed a one-time state-mandated Student Tuition Recovery Fund charge at time of enrollment. For a breakdown of tuition, fees and estimated living expenses click here.

FNP Tuition & Fees

Total program tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year are as follows.

Family Nurse Practitioner Role Specialty	Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition Approximately - 50 credit hour program	$39,552.00
Program Fees	$2,672.00
Books & Associated School Expenses	$2,550.00
Total Program Direct Expenses	$44,774.00

Residents of California are also assessed a one-time state-mandated Student Tuition Recovery Fund charge at time of enrollment.

PMHNP-PC Tuition & Fees

Total program tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year are as follows.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care Role Specialty	Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition Approximately - 55 credit hour program	$40,326.00
Program Fees	$2,672.00
Books & Associated School Expenses	$2,550.00
Total Program Direct Expenses	$45,548.00

Residents of California are also assessed a one-time state-mandated Student Tuition Recovery Fund charge at time of enrollment.

AGNP Tuition & Fees

Total program tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year are as follows.

Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Role Specialty	Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition Approximately - 55 credit hour program	$40,326.00
Program Fees	$2,672.00
Books & Associated School Expenses	$2,550.00
Total Program Direct Expenses	$45,548.00

Residents of California are also assessed a one-time state-mandated Student Tuition Recovery Fund charge at time of enrollment.

For a breakdown of tuition, fees and estimated living expenses click here.

Financial Aid

Several financial aid resources are available to help you fund your MSN studies. However, please note, at this time, Title IV financial aid is not available to students enrolled in the MSN-PMHNP-PC or MSN-AGNP role specialties; however, USAHS has applied for eligibility. Our financial aid counselors are available to explain your options.

Our financial aid counselors can be reached by email, phone, or on campus. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in each time zone. If you are unable to meet during regular office hours, after-hours appointments are available by request.

Please visit our Financial Aid Contact page for more information.

*All costs are approximate and subject to change.

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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Executive Role Specialty

Accreditation & Disclosure on Licensure

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is currently accepting applications for enrollment in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Executive role specialty for residents in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The map below identifies the states from which the University is now accepting applications for the MSN program. (indicated in blue)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Educator Role Specialty

Accreditation & Disclosure on Licensure

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is currently accepting applications for enrollment in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Educator role specialty for residents in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The map below identifies the states from which the University is now accepting applications for the MSN program. (indicated in blue)

Higher Education State Approvals

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences holds licensure/authorization to operate a physical campus in three states — California, Florida and Texas. Please refer to the Licensure page for more detailed information. The University has additional state approvals and exemptions to provide distance education. Please visit the State Licensure page for more detailed information.

CCNE Accreditation

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Non-Licensure Role Specialties

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) role specialties in Nurse Educator and Nurse Executive are designed to build on the skills of BSN-prepared licensed nurses by focusing on interprofessional approaches to patient care through role specialties in leadership, and education. Because these are post-licensure role specialties, they do not prepare graduates for initial or advanced licensure. It is the prospective student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to nursing practice in the state in which he or she intends to practice and/or resides as requirements vary widely. USAHS makes no representations or guarantee that completion of coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. For more information about the requirements to practice, students should contact the appropriate Board of Nursing or state agency.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – Role Specialty

Accreditation & Disclosure on Licensure

USAHS is currently accepting applications for enrollment in the Master of Science in Nursing program with Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) role specialty for residents in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. USAHS has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following locations:  American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

USAHS is currently not accepting applications from states where the program does not meet state licensure requirements and/or where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states.  For states denoted in blue, USAHS has determined the program prepares students for professional licensure in those states. USAHS has not made a determination regarding whether the MSN-FNP program satisfies the requirements for professional licensure in the states denoted in gray. For more information, students should contact the appropriate state licensure board to ensure an understanding of state licensure requirements as regulations vary from state to state.

CCNE Accreditation

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Note on Certification Exam

MSN-FNP graduates must hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN in order to be eligible for one of the national examinations to be certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner, which is required in order to be licensed to practice as an FNP in most states. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Note on Licensure, Authorization, Endorsement, or Other State Credential Necessary to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner

Most states require that MSN-FNP program graduates pass the Family Nurse Practitioner national certification exam in order to apply for licensure or other credential to practice as a nurse practitioner in a state.   Graduates must hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN in order to be eligible for the FNP national certification exam; national certification as an FNP is required for licensure to practice as an FNP in most states. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. While the MSN-FNP program is designed to lead to licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential necessary to practice as a nurse practitioner, it is the prospective student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to nursing practice in the state in which he or she intends to practice and/or resides as requirements vary widely. Prospective students are advised that relocation to another state may impact their ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification or other credential in another state.  Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.  USAHS makes no representations or guarantee that completion of coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential, including prescriptive authority, where requirements may vary between different states. For more information about the requirements to practice, students should contact the appropriate Board of Nursing or state agency.

“Notice to State of Washington Students”: University of St. Augustine is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for MSN/Nurse Educator, MSN/Nurse Executive, and MSN/FNP program tracks. Learn more.

View our state licensure page.

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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Click a program below to view the program data page:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

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