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Master of Science in Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at the UT Health Science Center College of Nursing was established in 1972 in response to a study requested by the Tennessee State Legislature on "The Need, Supply, and Education of Professional Nurses." The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program was part of that early effort and was one of the first graduate programs in the US to prepare nurse practitioners. The College of Nursing continues to lead nurse practitioner education nationally and internationally by offering one of the few programs in the US preparing Acute Care Nurse Practitioners. Our Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program is highly sought.

College of Nursing faculty in the MSN program are clinical experts actively involved in programs of practice and practice scholarship. The UT Health Science Center College of Nursing Faculty Practice Program is nationally recognized and provides the foundation for this advance practice degree. The practice was awarded the first annual Faculty Practice Award by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.

The Master of Science in Nursing is a full-time, 3 to 5 term, graduate program preparing nurses for roles in advanced practice. Courses in the MSN program are Web-mediated. The MSN program provides students the opportunity to:

1. Develop an advanced level of clinical competence for practice that provides consumers with primary, secondary, and/or tertiary health care;
2. Develop a research base for systematic review, testing, and evaluation of nursing care actions, effects, and outcomes;
3. Acquire the research and practice foundation for doctoral study.

Each student selects a clinical area of concentration (option) and follows the prescribed nursing courses in the area of the student's choice. Available MSN options and the faculty coordinators for those options include:

Students in the College of Nursing are eligible for loans and scholarship awards from various sources. Traineeships are available to graduate students through the Professional Nurses Traineeship Program. A limited number of scholarships are sponsored by philanthropic organizations. For more information about financial assistance, please refer to the Financial Resources section of our web pages.

Upon completion of the MSN program the graduate

will be able to:

1.   Demonstrate specialty competencies for advanced

      nursing roles;

2.   Provide leadership in health promotion and

      disease management;

3.   Demonstrate the ability to engage in collegial

      intra- and interprofessional relationships

      in the conduct of advanced nursing practice

      and research;

4.   Evaluate results of interventions;

5.   Apply nationally accepted guidelines

      and standards in the conduct of advanced nursing

      practice;

6.   Participate in legislative and policy making

      activities that influence advanced nursing practice, and;

7.   Demonstrate continuing professional development.