College of Nursing - Graduate Nursing Brochure

6 | Nova Southeastern University Nurses with a Bachelor of Science degree are highly sought after by health care employers who recognize that patient acuity now necessitates a higher level of nursing education. The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree prepares the experienced nurse to advance in nursing leadership. The R.N. to M.S.N. option is designed to meet the educa- tional needs of the registered nurse (R.N.) who wants to accelerate the process in obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing. Registered nurses may complete the program fully online, or elect to take the first semester on-site at the Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, or Miami-Kendall campus. Registered nurses receive 61 prior learning credits for their licensure. Upon evaluation of transcripts, additional transfer credits for general education courses completed at a college or university may be awarded. Completion of all general education courses is a requirement prior to beginning the second semester of the R.N. to M.S.N. program. Students will transition to M.S.N. classes after completion of all B.S.N. coursework, provided that the student has met all M.S.N. eligibility requirements, as determined by concentration. The College of Nursing offers two M.S.N. degree options— a nonclinical one and a clinical (A.P.R.N.) one. There are three distinct concentrations in the nonclinical M.S.N. program: nursing education, nursing informatics, and health systems leadership. Each one offers an in-depth education by faculty experts in these fields. • The nursing education concentration is for those nurses wishing to enhance their ability to transition to an academic or staff development position. • The nursing informatics concentration is for those nurses interested in the field of nursing computer technology and information science. • The health systems leadership concentration is for nurses who desire a position of leadership within the unique organizational environment of health care. There are two concentrations in the clinical M.S.N. program: Family Nurse Practitioner and Gero-Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Each one offers a comprehensive educational experience that will thoroughly prepare an applicant for advanced specialty nursing practice and certification. • The family nurse practitioner concentration is for those nurses interested in providing primary care for individuals throughout the life cycle. • The gero-adult acute care nurse practitioner concentration is for those nurses interested in providing restorative care in rapidly changing clinical conditions. Please check the NSU website for M.S.N.—A.P.R.N. program campus locations. R.N. to M.S.N.