Nursing (MSN)

Nursing (NUR)  

This program is currently only accepting a limited number of new students into the full-time and part-time program.  Priority is given to those not already accepted or enrolled in an accredited nurse practitioner program.  Students are admitted in the Winter semester only. 

The University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Health Professions and Studies offers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which provides the knowledge and skills necessary for advanced nursing practice in primary health care.  As Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) the graduates (1) make independent and collaborative health care decisions; (2) engage in clinical practice as expert clinicians who use theory and evidence-based practice to perform history and physical exams, interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests, treat common illnesses and injuries, prescribe medications (in accordance with state practice laws) and evaluate outcomes; (3) demonstrate leadership as consultants, educators, researchers and administrators; and (4) participate in legislative and professional activities to promote professional advancement and health related social policies.

Career opportunities for APRNs are continually expanding and include positions in hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health care agencies, schools, universities, industry, nursing homes, wellness centers, employee health programs, physicians’ office practices, community mental health agencies, public health agencies, acute care facilities and private practice.

The program prepares students for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification.  As primary health care providers, FNP-certified APRNs provide nursing and medical services to individuals, families and groups, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention across the life span.  The FNP synthesizes theoretical, scientific and contemporary clinical knowledge in the management of acute and chronic diseases or treatment and wellness promotion of minor injuries. Services include, but are not limited to, history and physical examinations, ordering of appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests, prescription of pharmacologic agents and treatments, and nonpharmacologic therapies. Teaching and counseling individuals, families and groups are major parts of a nurse practitioner’s activities. Family nurse practitioners work autonomously, as well as in collaboration with a variety of individuals, to diagnose and manage clients’ health care problems as well as to provide anticipatory guidance and developmental assessments for pediatric patients. Graduates are qualified to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must provide proof of the following requirements:

1. A current unencumbered RN license in the United States
2. A 3-credit college-level chemistry course with a minimum grade of C (2.0)
3. A 3-credit college-level statistics with a minimum grade of C (2.0)
4. One of the following:

• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited college or university with an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (3.5 for graduate work)
• A non-Nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 post-secondary credits (if the ADN degree does not meet the 60-credit minimum, the ost recent 60 college-level credits will be considered)
• RN Nurse Practitioner certification with a minimum GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 post-secondary credits (if the ADN degree does not meet the 60-credit minimum, the most recent 60 college-level credits will be considered)

Application for Admission

Applicants should check the Office of Graduate Programs website for application deadlines. Students are admitted for the Winter semester only.

Before applying, out-of-state students, or those who may relocate during the program, should contact the Department of Nursing to confirm that the University of Michigan-Flint is authorized to offer distance education in the student’s state of residence. The Department of Nursing, in conjunction with the Office of Extended Learning, will determine the University’s status in that state.

With the application for Graduate Admission, the following are required:

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• A curriculum vitae or resume
• A copy of the current RN license
• A Professional Goal Statement
• Three completed recommendation forms
• A Supplemental Application to the MSN program

Students are accepted into the MSN program through a competitive admission process. Students must apply for the Part-Time or Full-Time curriculum at the time of application.

Accepted students who do not hold a BSN degree must apply and be admitted into the BSN completion program in order to complete the prerequisite courses listed below. All Prerequisite courses must be finished within two years of application.  A deadline will be for prerequisite completion will be set for each accepted student.

Admission to the MSN program for these students will be confirmed as long as all prerequisite criteria have been met. The student will receive an official notification during the yearly admission process.

Transfer Credit

Up to nine (9) credits of graduate coursework completed at an accredited institution may be accepted for transfer or waiver. Transfers and waivers of credit are subject to the approval of the Graduate Student Affairs Committee and are made in accordance with the policies of the Graduate Program Committee.

Academic Rules and Regulations

See the  School of Health Professions and Studies (SHPS)  and Graduate Study  sections of this Catalog for academic rules and regulations pertaining to graduate programs offered by the School.