Master of Science in Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing Program Information

• Overview
• Program Mission, Vision and Purpose
• Program Accreditation
• Program Leadership
• Program Concentrations
• Overall Program Outcomes
• 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 (RODP MSN) programs are offered through a consortium of the six Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) universities: Austin Peay State University, East Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, and The University of Memphis.

The consortium is designed to increase student access to high-quality, affordable, student-centered graduate education in nursing, while addressing the critical need for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Tennessee and across the nation. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree prepares you for work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, businesses, private practices, HMOs, schools and community centers. Some APNs have their own practices or work in collaboration with a physician. Whatever your goal, the Regents Online Degree 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 Regents Online Degree Program Master of Science in Nursing program operates under the leadership and guidance of the RODP MSN Executive Committee. The committee is comprised of   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 Concentration Areas

The Regents Online Master of Science in Nursing offers a flexible, 36- to 46-credit hour program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. The curriculum allows students to customize learning opportunities to fit their goals and needs in collaboration with faculty advisors. Students may pursue full-time or part-time study. All courses, with the exception of clinical rotations, are delivered in an online delivery format. 

Master's Progam Concentrations areas are:

• Nursing Education
• Nursing Administration
• Nursing Informatics
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• RN to MSN  (for RNs with a Bachelor's degree in another field)

Post Master's Certificates in Nursing

The Post Master's Certificate program provides opportunities for studentswho already have a Master's degree in Nursing to gain specialized knowledge within the following areas. The number of credits required to complete the certificate program varies by major. Students must successfully complete the required courses in the chosen nursing major.

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Administration
• Nursing Informatics

RN to MSN

Overall Program Outcomes

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 ROCC MSN 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 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. 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.

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.

MSN RODP Initial Application

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

Target Dates for Submission of Preceptorship Forms.pdf

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 in starting the clinical/practicum experience will prevent the student from completing the requirements within the semester.

Student requests for clinical/practicum placements must be approved by your Concentration Coordinator and course faculty before beginning your preceptorship. 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 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 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. Deadline for submission is as follows; however, early submission is highly recommended. Late submissions will be processed in order of receipt.   

• Fall 2012 (August 25 - December 5) - submit both forms by May 25
• Spring 2013 (January - May, 2013 / Dates TBA) - submit both forms by October 10, 2012
• Summer 2013 (June - August, 2013 / Dates TBA) submit both forms by March 4, 2013

Both documents must be submitted a minimum of twelve (12) weeks prior to the beginning of your course enrollment semester. This timeframe is mandatory to allow sufficient time for the preceptor approval process and/or to fully execute an Affiliation Agreement (contract) with your potential clinical site. 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.

NOTE:  If you are seeking a clinical/practicum assignment at Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center or Meharry Hospital, please email msnclinicalforms@tbr.edu for instructions.

Step 1: Download and print:
Clinical Preceptorship Instructions and Forms Checklist. This form will guide you through the process.

Step 2: Download, print complete, sign and submit:
Practicum Intent of Relationship Form

Step 3: Download, complete in conjunction with your preceptor, sign and submit:
Preceptor Professional Profile Form. Also obtain and submit the preceptor's resume or CV and submit with the Preceptor Professional Profile Form.

Submit both the Intent and Preceptor forms along with the preceptor's CV/Resume either via Fax or Email (one method only please) to the MSN RODP office.

 Fax:    1-615-366-3953

 Email: msnclinicalforms@tbr.edu

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 (Physician Assistants are not eligible to precept)
• 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

Upon receipt of the Practicum Intent of Relationship Form for a proposed preceptor, the MSN RODP office will determine if a current Affiliation Agreement is in place. If there is not an Affiliation Agreement on file for a requested site, the Regents Online MSN Program staff will initiate a new Affiliation Agreement with that site. 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 RODP staff, students may be asked to submit updated preceptor information and/or forms for previously approved preceptors and sites.

Clinical Participation - Student Requirements

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Health Care Provider