Nursing Students

• Application Process
• Home Campus Assignment
• Admission Requirements
• Admission Requirements - Family Nurse Practitioner
• Admissions Process
• Online Application

Application Process

Application to the Regents Online Master's of Science in Nursing program is a two-step process.

Step 1: Submit the RODP Online Application
Complete the online application to the MSN Regents Online Degree Program. Once the application is submitted, you will be notified by email that your application was received. Your information will then be forwarded to your chosen or assigned home school* for review and further eligibility consideration. Applicants MUST wait for notification of eligibility and home campus assignment before applying to the Graduate Division of a participating University.

Step 2: Apply to Home School Campus 
Once notified of eligibility, you may apply for admission to the graduate division of your home campus. Your application to the Regents Online Master's of Science in Nursing program is not final until you complete the admissions process for your home school.

*Process for Home Campus Assignment for Middle Tennessee Residents Only:

Based upon principles of fair and equitable collaboration and the need to maximize available resources, applicants residing in designated Middle Tennesse counties will be randomly assigned to Austin Peay State University (APSU), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) or Tennessee State University (TSU). This inlcudes applicants who reside in: Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Stewart, Wayne, Williamson and Wilson counties.

• Upon receipt of the RODP Online Application, residents of the above counties will be grouped on the basis of academic ability (undergraduate GPA) , then randomly assigned by computer to APSU, MTSU or TSU.
• Once assigned to a home school, the applicant must meet the graduate admissions requirements of the designated home campus.
• Once notified of eligibility, application can be made to the graduate division of the assigned home campus.
• If any one of the three schools is unable to accommodate applicants during an admission cycle, the student may be assigned on an equal basis to the remaining schools.
• A student who resides in Middle Tennesse and is assigned to a home campus, but chooses not to attend that home campus will not be eligible to attend a different home campus at a later date.

Admission Requirements - MSN Program:

1. An unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee or the state in which the clinical assignments are completed.
2. Bachelor's degree in Nursing with an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Successful completion of a 3 semester hour or 4 quarter hour undergraduate level Statistics course (effective 2013 Spring semester).
4. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score if native language is not English. Graduate school TOEFL score requirements vary by TBR university. Consult the graduate admissions requirements at each campus for further details (effective Spring 2013).

5. Competencies necessary for the professional practice of Nursing - The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has defined a thorough list of competencies necessary for the professional practice of nursing. These competencies were derived from an extensive study of practicing nurses and can be defined in general terms as:

• Ability to see, hear and touch, smell, and distinguish colors.
• Oral and writing ability with accuracy, clarity, and efficiency.
• Manual dexterity, gross and fine movement.
• Ability to learn, think critically, analyze, assess, solve problems, reach judgment.
• Emotional stability and ability to accept responsibility and accountability.

6. Submission of all application documentation required by the Graduate School at the home campus to which the student is referred. Application requirements will vary slightly among the six TBR universities. Required documentation may include a resume or CV; a discussion of prior professional experience; future career goals; reasons for pursuing graduate study; and recommendations from persons familiar with the applicant's academic and professional background and experience in nursing practice, specifying in detail the applicant's capabilities for graduate study and for future practice as an advanced practice nurse.

Admissions Process

Once a home campus selection has been made, applicants must be accepted for admission to the graduate division and college/school of nursing at the designated home campus. Final admission to the program is based on competitive selection from the pool of eligible applicants who meet the admissions requirements from the designated home campus, as well as the admission standards for the Regents Online Degree Program. Notification of final admission status will come from the graduate division of the designated home campus. Following admission to the university, students may enroll in MSN RODP courses. Some schools will allow students to be admitted provisionally or conditionally. If you do not meet the requirements for regular admission, ask your home campus if you may seek a provisional admittance.

Admission Requirements - Post Master's Certificates

1. A Master's degree in Nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program. GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
2. Satisfactory completion of the following Master's level courses:
   • Advanced Health Assessment: 3 credit hours
   • Advanced Health Assessment - Clinical or Lab: 1 credit hour
   • Advanced Pathophysiology: 3 credit hours
   • Advanced Pharmacology: 3 credit hours
3. An unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee or the state in which clinical assignments are completed.
4. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score if native language is not English. Graduate school TOEFL score requirements vary by TBR university. Consult the graduate admissions requirements of each campus for further details (effective Spring 2013).

5. Submission of all application documentation required by the Graduate School at the home campus to which the student is referred. Application requirements will vary slightly among the six TBR universities. Required documentation may include a resume or CV; a discussion of prior professional experience; future career goals; reasons for pursuing graduate study; and recommendations from persons familiar with the applicant's academic and professional background and experience in nursing practice, specifying in detail the applicant's capabilities for graduate study and for future practice as an advanced practice nurse.

Nursing Recommendation Form.pdf