Advance to Higher-Level Nursing Positions in TROY's Online Master of Science in Nursing
(MSN Degree) Program
Live out your passion for healthcare and prepare for a transformative career in Troy
University's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. At TROY, you'll gain the
expertise to excel in the ever-evolving nursing field and positively impact healthcare
organizations and patients' lives. You'll benefit from rigorous online academic instruction
and hands-on preceptorships. Choose from two MSN degree options or, if you already
hold a master's degree, three post-master's nursing certificates.
A Flexible MSN Program
You have the flexibility to earn your MSN degree at your own pace, whether that's
full time or part time. The Master of Science in Nursing is an online program with
multiple emphasis areas, helping you advance your career while working around your
schedule. Our faculty will help you determine your degree path and the track that
works best for you.
Hands-On Learning and Built-In Preceptorships
Get the practice hours you need for licensure and MSN nursing jobs through internships
and preceptorships that provide the hands-on experience to build your expertise in
your chosen area. Whether you have a healthcare organization in mind or aren't sure
where to start, TROY's faculty can connect and guide you on your career path.
Master of Science in Nursing Curriculum
While specific courses may vary based on your chosen track, coursework for the
Master of Science in Nursing can include:
Get the flexibility you need by earning your MSN degree online. MSN program faculty
offer office hours online and on the Troy, Montgomery, Dothan and Phenix City campuses.
For more information about program availability and delivery options, call 1-800-414-5756
Multiple Advanced Practice Tracks and Post-Master's Nursing Certificates
At TROY, you can specialize in the nursing area that's most interesting and advantageous
to you. Choose from TROY's family nurse practitioner track or healthcare informatics
and nurse leadership emphasis.
If you already hold a master's degree in nursing, you can pursue post-master's nursing
certificates in three areas: healthcare informatics and nursing leadership, nursing
education or family nurse practitioner.
Master of Science in Nursing Jobs
MSN nursing careers can include positions in informatics, family practice and
nursing education. Graduates can also go on to earn their Doctor of Nursing Practice
(DNP) at TROY.
Faculty Profiles
Kelli Whitted, DNP, FNP-BC
Dr. Whitted serves as TROY's MSN Coordinator and is a professor within the School
of Nursing. She has published widely on various topics, including improving nurse-provider
communication, diabetic education management, reducing hospital visit rates using
telemedicine, assessing childhood obesity, providers' prescription drug monitoring
program, and asthma control in pediatric care . She is nationally certified as a Family
Nurse Practitioner, and her clinical expertise is in the field of pediatrics.
Dr. Wade Forehand (DNP, Ph.D.) is the Director of TROY's School of Nursing. He has
published widely on a broad range of topics, including nurse education, healthcare
for historically marginalized groups and obesity. His clinical focus is nursing informatics,
and his research interests include healthcare technology, quality improvement, evidence-based
practice and mobile learning.
Tailor your degree to become more competitive for MSN nursing careers within areas
such as health informatics and nurse leadership.
Master of Science in Nursing: Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership
Discover how to use technology to improve healthcare outcomes and general nursing
practice. The M.S. in Nursing: Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership track
equips you with data analytics, research, leadership and administration skills.
This MSN degree option can lead to careers such as nurse informaticist, health services
manager, health informatics specialist, informatics educator, nurse leader and nurse
director.
Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
Enhance your ability to provide primary care to individuals and families. The MSN
degree: Family Nurse Practitioner track prepares you to evaluate, diagnose and manage
health issues. It also trains you to prescribe medications, interpret tests, promote
health and prevent disease.
This MSN degree option includes coursework in health assessment, pharmacology, family
and cultural theories and more. You'll learn to work with various populations, gaining
expertise in pediatrics, women's health, adult health and geriatrics. This track prepares
you for MSN nursing careers such as family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner,
adult-gerontology practitioner and public health nurse practitioner.
Post-Masters Certificate: Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership
Specialize in emerging, in-demand fields of healthcare. If you already hold a master's
degree in nursing, you can open up opportunities to become a nurse informaticist,
healthcare informatics specialist or a nurse leadership role.
The post-master's certificate in nursing informatics and nurse leadership teaches
you how to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery using data analytics and
informatics tools. You'll also learn to lead and manage a team of nurses, healthcare
projects and systems.
Post-Masters Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
Advance your career as a practitioner with TROY's post-master's nursing certificate
in family practice. If you are an RN with a master's degree in nursing, this program
will provide the expertise and clinical experience you need to advance in your role.
You'll learn how to diagnose and treat health problems and how to promote health and
wellness for people of all ages.
Careers for graduates of this program include family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology
practitioner, public health nurse practitioner and hospital-based nurse practitioner.
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
Help train the next generation of nurses and fill a critical need with TROY's post-master's
nursing certificate in nursing education. Schools across the nation are experiencing
a shortage in faculty, limiting nursing programs from enrolling future students. In
this program, you'll learn how to educate future nurses by gaining knowledge and skills
in pedagogy, curriculum development, teaching strategies, assessment, collaboration
and more.
This post-master's nursing certificate prepares you for careers in academia or for
a variety of positions such as nurse educator, clinical instructor, staff development
specialist and patient education specialist. The Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing
Education consists of five courses, totaling 15 credit hours and 180 clinical hours.
You can enroll at either the master's or doctoral level. Those who complete the program earn a certificate of completion, not another master's
degree, and are eligible to apply for the appropriate specialty certification exam.
MSN Degree Scholarships
Master of Science in Nursing students are eligible to apply for a $500 graduate
nursing scholarship.
Learn more about the opportunities for MSN degree graduates and our program.
What is a master's in nursing?
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN degree) equips nurses with the skills and expertise
to become healthcare leaders working as advanced practitioners, nurse educators, nurse
administrators or health informatics specialists. A Master of Science in Nursing prepares
you to improve health outcomes, create positive change in healthcare organizations
and elevate nursing profession standards.
Is a master's in nursing the same as nurse practitioner?
A master's in nursing is not the same as a nurse practitioner. A master's in nursing
is a degree, whereas a nurse practitioner is a role. However, a master's degree in
nursing can prepare you to become a nurse practitioner. To become a nurse practitioner,
you need a master's or doctoral degree in nursing, which allows you to diagnose and
treat patients.
How long is the MSN program?
The MSN program at TROY takes 2-3 years to complete, depending on if you enroll full
or part time and your prior education and experience.
Is the online MSN program available to out-of-state students?
Since each state has its own approval process for out-of-state online programs, TROY's
online MSN degree program may not be available in your state. For more information,
please email Dr. Teresa Johnson, our MSN Coordinator.
What are the clinical requirements for admission into the program?
To enroll in a clinical nursing course, you must have current documentation of the
following:
Unencumbered RN licensure in the state where you wish to have your clinical experiences
Annual physical exam with TB skin test
Results of serum titers for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B indicating
immune status
Basic cardiac life support (BCLS) or advanced cardiovascular life (ACLS) certification
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination within the past 10 years
Personal health insurance coverage
Negative urine drug test conducted by LabCorp and verified by Certified Background
Annual influenza vaccination
Clear criminal background check verified by Certified Background
Signed OSHA and HIPAA training acknowledgment forms
Signed Permission to Release Records and Disclosure Statement forms
Signed acknowledgment of Core Performance Standards
You must have valid evidence documents from the time you register until the semester's
end.
Types of MSN Degrees and What You Can Do with Them
With a growing need for primary care providers, nurse leaders and specialized
nurses, the healthcare field offers a wealth of possibilities for new and experienced
nurses. As a nurse, you have the opportunity every day to make a positive impact on
patients and their families. If you have a passion for nursing and want to take the
next step in your career, master's in nursing programs can open the door to opportunities
in advanced clinical practice, leadership and more.
