The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program with a major in acute care prepares advanced practice nurses to embrace a collaborative practice model that will provide direct services to acutely, critically or chronically ill patients in a variety of setting. Graduates of this program are eligible to seek national certification as Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNPs).
Program Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (One Dupont Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20036-1120; telephone number 202-887-6791).
Program Admission Requirements
The School of Nursing has a selective, competitive admission process. Not all qualified applicants may be admitted to the program.
- Submit a FGCU graduate application and satisfy all applicable university admission requirements.
- Provide an official academic transcript showing the award of a BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program.
- Provide Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, taken within last 5 years, with minimum combined score of 1000 on verbal and quantitative sections or equivalent score using revised GRE. Analytical score must also be reported; or the Miller's Analogy Test (MAT) score of 400 or above, taken within last five years.
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete the following undergraduate coursework with a grade of C or above:
- Statistics course.
- Health assessment course.
- Provide evidence of current and unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with eligibility for Florida RN licensure.
- Provide evidence of a minimum one year of current RN experience within an acute care setting which incorporates use and interpretation of advanced monitoring techniques based on knowledge of physiological and pharmacological principles.
- Submit a current resume and statement of career goals.
- For applicants who have attended, but not completed another MSN program, provide a letter of good standing from the dean of the school of nursing (or designee).
Applicant's must also provide a waiver granting the Graduate Admission and Progression Committee permission to contact the program(s) attended to verify information.
- Three references, one from the applicant's current supervisor, one from an ACNP, or physician familiar with the applicant's professional expertise and one from the applicant's academic faculty.
Program Requirements
- Required Courses in the Major (58 hrs)
- NGR 6002 Health Appraisal and Interpretation (3)
- NGR 6002L Health Appraisal and Interpretation (1)
- NGR 6031L Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning & Assessment (3)
- NGR 6140 Pathophysiology I (2)
- NGR 6143 Advanced Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology IV (1)
- NGR 6144 Pathophysiology II (2)
- NGR 6149 Advanced Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology III (1)
- NGR 6156 Advanced Anatomy & Physiology I (2)
- NGR 6165 Advanced Anatomy & Physiology II (2)
- NGR 6460 Pharmacology I (4)
- NGR 6461 Pharmacology II (4)
- NGR 6210 Acute Care I (4)
- NGR 6210L Acute Care I - Practice (2)
- NGR 6211 Acute Care II (4)
- NGR 6211L Acute Care II - Practice (2)
- NGR 6213 Acute Care III (4)
- NGR 6213L Acute Care III - Practice (2)
- NGR 6214 Acute Care IV (2)
- NGR 6214L Acute Care IV - Practice (4)
- NGR 6740 Concepts & Roles in Advanced Nursing (3)
- NGR 6811 Scholarly Inquiry for Evidence Based Practice (3)
- NGR 6894 Global Trends & Practice Perspectives (3)
TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED: 58 HRS
Additional Graduation Requirements
- Apply for graduation by deadline indicated in the university calendar.
- Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Progression Requirements
Students in this program must meet specific progression, clinical, and graduation requirements. See the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Program Guidebook.
