Master of Science in Nursing

 Master of Science in Nursing Program Information

• Overview
• Program Mission, Vision and Purpose
• Program Accreditation
• Program Leadership
• Program Concentrations
• Program Design
• Admission Requirements
• Application Process
• Admissions Process
• Application Form
• Clinical/Practicum Processes and Procedures
• Clinical Participation - Student Requirements

Overview

The Regents Online Master of Science in Nursing is offered through a consortium of all six Tennessee Board of Regents universities. These universities (Austin Peay State University, East Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University and The University of Memphis) are committed to addressing the nursing shortage which critically affects Tennessee and the nation. Collaboration among the six participating universities assures students access to high-quality, affordable, student-centered nursing education opportunities.

The Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) prepares you for a wide range of healthcare job opportunities. Whether you're looking to continue study at the doctoral level or teach in a variety of academic and practice settings, the Regents Online program is your high-tech, affordable path to graduate education in Nursing.

Program Mission, Vision and Purpose

The mission of the Regents Online Master of Science in Nursing program is to use technology to improve access to high-quality, affordable, student-centered graduate nursing education opportunities through cooperation with and among the six Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) universities. 

The vision of the Regents Online Master of Science in Nursing program is a better life for Tennesseans through excellence in graduate nursing education.

The purposes of the Regents Online Master of Science in Nursing program are to:

• Increase access to graduate nursing education, especially for nurses aspiring to teach in entry-level nursing programs, manage professional practice work settings, and practice as advanced clinicians in a changing healthcare delivery system.
• Maximize the effective use of technology for delivery of graduate-level instruction. Distance delivery through the use of technology will increase access to graduate education, especially in remote areas of the state and for practicing nurses for whom time flexibility is a critical resource.
• Provide student access to web-based courses and degree programs. Web-based courses will reach populations not currently enrolled in graduate education, and will also permit students who are currently enrolled in on-campus courses to take additional courses, thus completing the program sooner.
• Encourage and support collaboration among TBR institutions. Course development and delivery will be cost-effective because courses will be developed by one institution and used by all.

Program Accreditation

The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission  
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500
Atlanta, GA 30326
Telephone: 404-975-5000
Website: www.nlnac.org

Program Leadership

The leadership of the Regents Online Master of Science in Nursing program consists of the MSN RODP Executive Committee which includes the Deans and Directors of Nursing for the six Tennessee Board of Regents universities (shown below) and the Director of Nursing and Allied Health at the Tennessee Board of Regents Online Campus Collaborative office.

Executive Committee Members

Program Concentrations

The Regents Online Master of Science in Nursing degree program offers the following concentrations and options for registered nurses interested in pursuing graduate education:

• Nursing Education
• Nursing Administration
• Nursing Informatics
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Master's Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner
• Bridge Option (for RNs with a Bachelor's degree in another field)

Upon successful completion of the Master's program, graduates will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and competencies in advanced nursing practice, teaching (in the classroom and in clinical settings) and administration
• Integrate specialized knowledge and theories from nursing and related disciplines into advanced nursing roles
• Use research to validate and refine knowledge relevant to advanced nursing roles
• Practice advanced nursing roles in collaborative relationships across disciplines and in partnership with communities (i.e., nursing education, nursing administration, nursing informatics and advanced clinical practice)
• Manage the healthcare of clients within legal, ethical and professional standards
• Improve the health of clients among diverse population groups
• Promote positive changes in healthcare delivery, health policies and nursing practice

Program Design

The program is designed to offer didactic/theory courses online through all six universities and to coordinate clinical study in each student's home area when possible. The consortium model allows these universities to share their most valuable resources to enrich program offerings. Classes are taught by faculty from all six universities. Faculty members are recognized experts in their content area, regardless of institution of employment.

Full library services are available online from the Regents Virtual Library. The Virtual Library offers extensive full text databases and 100% of the library resources recommended for graduate nursing students. Students also have access to the libraries at the six participating universities.

Campus contacts, faculty advisors and clinical liaisons are available to assist students throughout their program of study. The MSN RODP staff at the TBR central office is available to all applicants and students, regardless of home campus assignment.

Admission Requirements

1. Eligibility to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee or the state in which the clinical assignments are completed. Appropriate licensure/authorization must be obtained during the first semester following admission to the program.
2. Bachelor's degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
3. TOEFL score of 600 if native language is not English
4. A written document prepared by the applicant that includes a resume, a discussion of prior professional experience, future career goals, and reasons for pursuing graduate study.
5. Recommendation forms completed from at least three persons (a minimum of one academic) 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.

Interested RNs should apply by completing the MSN online application.

Application Process

Application to the Regents Online Master 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 of Science in Nursing program is not final until you complete the admission process for your home school.

*Process for Home Campus Assignment (Applies to Middle Tennessee Residents Only)

Based upon principles of fair and equitable collaboration and the need to maximize available resources, applicants residing in designated Middle Tennessee counties will be randomly assigned to Austin Peay State University (APSU), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) or Tennessee State University (TSU). This includes 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 admission 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 Tennessee 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.

Home Campus 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 admission 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 about seeking provisional or conditional admission status. 

 Clinical/Practicum Processes and Procedures

Prerequisites for all clinical/practicum courses must be completed prior to registration. Students must identify potential preceptors and clinical affiliation agreements must be fully executed prior to registering for a clinical or practicum course. Students who register for a clinical or practicum course prior to receiving notice of preceptor approval and full execution of an affiliation agreement may be required to drop the course if it is determined that the delay of beginning the clinical/practicum experience will prevent the student from completing the requirements within the semester.

Student requests for clinical/practicum placements are considered and must be approved by your Concentration Coordinator and course faculty. All clinical experiences are arranged by the student in the student’s home area to the fullest extent possible. Affiliation agreements must be executed with the approved agency and all required forms must be completed by the approved preceptor.

Initiation of preceptor requests and submission of forms does not imply approval. Initiation of a clinical affiliation agreement associated with a student request does not imply approval of the site for any clinical/practicum requirement.

Process for Initiating Clinical Preceptorships and Affiliation Agreements

The student, in consultation with their Concentration Coordinator, academic advisor and/or course faculty will identify potential preceptors and clinical agencies. The Practicum Intent of Relationship and Affiliation Agreement Initiation Form and the Preceptor Professional Profile Form must be submitted to the MSN RODP office in order to initiate a clinical affiliation agreement and the clinical preceptor approval process. A minimum of eight (8) weeks is required to fully execute an affiliation agreement and must be initiated the semester before the clinical course begins. Clinical/practicum assignments may not be scheduled without documentation of a legally and fully executed affiliation agreement. Follow the steps and instructions below to initiate this process. A separate set of forms is required for each proposed preceptor and site.

Forms may be submitted by mail, fax or email as shown below: 

Preceptor Selection

Preceptors are practitioners who agree to facilitate student learning in the application of theory. Clinical/practicum preceptor selections are made based on qualifications, interest and demonstrated commitment to the program. Graduate preceptors should possess the following qualifications and experiences:

• Master's degree, Post-Master's certificate or Doctoral degree in fields relevant to the role
• Current license in the state of practice
• Certification in the appropriate area of specialty
• Practice in a setting that provides experiences appropriate for the development of advanced practice skills
• Individuals not meeting the above criteria, but with specialized expertise, will be considered on an individual basis

Sites are not under any obligation to accommodate Regents Online MSN Nursing students. Students are not required to use a pre-approved site. An affiliation agreement will be initiated with a new site by the Regents Online MSN Program staff upon receipt of the Practicum Intent of Relationship and Affiliation Agreement Initiation Form for a proposed preceptor. All clinical sites and preceptors must be approved by your Concentration Coordinator and course faculty before you begin your clinical preceptorship.

Preceptor Appointment Agreement

Preceptor agreements are individual arrangements for a particular experience with a specific student for each semester and course. Arrangements will be initiated by the student in consultation with their Concentration Coordinator and/or faculty member, depending upon the concentration and course. Preceptor agreement forms are to be completed, signed and submitted to the MSN RODP office. Copies of these forms will be forwarded by the MSN RODP staff to your Concentration Coordinator to determine the appropriateness of the placement. The course faculty must give final approval of both the site and preceptor. Students using multiple preceptors in a semester must file separate preceptor forms for each preceptor. If indicated by the Concentration Coordinator, course faculty or the MSN Regents Online staff, students may be asked to submit updated preceptor information and/or forms for previously approved preceptors and sites.

Clinical Participation - Student Requirements

Registered Nurse Licensure

Students must be eligible to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee or the state in which the clinical assignments are completed. Appropriate licensure/authorization must be obtained during the first semester following admission to the program. 

Student Liability Insurance

The graduate student practices under his or her own license and is required to maintain current advanced practice student liability insurance. Family Nurse Practitioner students must maintain student FNP liability insurance. 

Health/Immunization Requirements

All students must document physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. Current physical examination and immunization records are required. Student health records must be provided to clinical affiliates upon request in compliance with Clinical Affiliation Agreements. These records must be submitted to your home school and/or course faculty. Do not submit these records to the MSN Regents Online Degree program office.

Background Checks

Criminal background checks may be required by clinical affiliates. It is the student’s responsibility to make timely arrangements for the background check and to pay all costs associated with such checks. 

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Health Care Provider 

Nursing Recommendation Form.pdf